BUDGET airline Ryanair has struck a deal that could take online gambling on
to all of its flights next year. The Irish carrier, Europe’s fastest growing
airline, announced yesterday it had formed a partnership with internet bingo
group Jackpotjoy.com. The gambling deal will initially offer an inflight
link to the Jackpotjoy website, with more than 80 online games available
when the mobile service is introduced. Ryanair will take a slice of
Jackpotjoy’s profits. Outspoken chief executive Michael O’Leary said he
expected the move to make “millions upon millions”, but would not disclose
the financial details. “We might have the pilot calling out bingo numbers.
That would get everyone’s attention.” Ryanair is currently leading the
charge to introduce mobile phone use during flights, currently planned to be
allowed from mid-2007. The move is Ryanair’s latest push to generated
non-ticket income, with the carrier attracting millions of potential
customers aboard its planes a year with its cut-price fares, often charging
only landing fees and government taxes. Already 15 per cent of turnover
comes from food sales and hotel bookings.