When a UK-based reseller approached BlueStar with a complex challenge in the fast-paced world of horse race betting, it wasn’t just about replacing outdated technology. It was about transforming how bets were placed, how quickly transactions occurred, and how customer experience could be elevated—all under tight event timelines and with minimal infrastructure disruption.
Together, we tackled everything from queue-busting to self-service, and along the way, helped the reseller deliver a modern, mobile-first solution that’s now in use at 55 racecourses across the UK.
The end user—a major player in race day betting—was operating on an aging estate of 1,600 tablet-based POS systems. These devices were no longer keeping up with the demands of short windows between races, where speed and efficiency are critical.
The client needed to:
Replace their ePOS estate with compact, Android-based systems
Enable mobile, handheld betting with SoftPOS functionality
Pilot self-service kiosks that could scale for high-traffic events
Reuse existing flight cases to reduce rollout costs
Avoid significant redevelopment of their bet-builder application
This wasn’t a simple refresh—it was a full digital transformation with multiple endpoints, mobility needs, and infrastructure considerations.
To ensure the right technologies were chosen and integrated, BlueStar hosted the reseller and end user at our Retail & Hospitality Demo Centre in Hull. Here, we explored real-world setups and worked through how each component would function in the high-pressure betting environment.
Mobile Queue-Busting Devices
We helped position the Unitech PA768, a rugged Android handheld that supports SoftPOS, Wi-Fi 6, and NFC. These features make it ideal for fast, secure, and mobile transactions. A total of 500 devices were rolled out across venues.
Modern, Compact ePOS
For fixed POS, the MicroTouch MACH 10.1” stood out. Its innovative fold-flat z-stand made it easy to transport between race venues. A major turning point came when MicroTouch released a version that fit the client’s existing flight cases, saving thousands in replacement costs and simplifying deployment logistics.
Self-Service Betting Kiosks
With their application already tested on MicroTouch, we introduced the larger MACH 21.5”, mounted on Ergonomic Solutions’ modular floor-standing kiosks. These offered built-in support for the client’s preferred payment terminal and printer, and their wheeled base meant kiosks could be easily redeployed at high-traffic events. After a successful pilot, the client committed to over 200 units.
Affordable, Integrated Printing
The Star Micronics TSP143IIIU was selected for its balance of price and performance. Star provided direct technical support to help the client’s app developer integrate the device, with no added presales service fees.
The impact of this modernisation was immediate and measurable:
Queue times dropped, thanks to fast SoftPOS mobile transactions
Customer experience improved, especially at peak intervals between races
Costs were reduced by reusing existing flight cases and limiting app redevelopment
Deployment was streamlined, with BlueStar coordinating across all vendors
This wasn’t just a win for the end user—it was a major success for the reseller, who was able to deliver a complex, scalable solution without getting bogged down in technical hurdles.
This transformation worked because it was never just about hardware. It was about collaboration.
From the first planning meeting to post-deployment support, BlueStar served as the single point of coordination, leveraging close relationships with Unitech, MicroTouch, Ergonomic Solutions, and Star Micronics to keep the rollout smooth and efficient.
Our local presence in the UK, combined with real-world experience in retail and hospitality, meant we could offer hands-on support, live demos, and trusted advice tailored to the client’s unique environment.
For solution support, contact us at ask.blue@eu.bluestarinc.com.