ZED RUN Q&A w/ Rob Salha, Co-Founder, Virtually Human Studio

ZED RUN’s horse racing sounds like an exciting concept. Can you tell us a little bit more about how it works?

ZED RUN launched back in 2019. It is a digital horse racing game that utilises emerging technologies to allow users to experience the thrills of horse ownership and racing for themselves. We have leveraged blockchain technology that allows players to own, breed, and race their own digital racehorses, offering an immersive experience unlike anything else on the market right now.

ZED RUN was one of the first web3 games to launch with genuine utility which skyrocketed the platform to notoriety being featured globally on media outlets such as Yahoo! Sports, CNBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes and many more. By democratising racehorse ownership, ZED RUN also attracted notable celebrities like Mike Tyson, Paris Hilton, UFC champ Henry Cejudo and even MC Hammer to the game, as well as engaging in partnerships with iconic brands such as Budweiser, NASCAR, Netflix and Atari.

Tell us a little bit about the launch of your new wagering channel

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Our new wagering channel gives operators in North America and beyond the opportunity to broadcast our races to their customers, allowing them to bet on the outcome and be a part of the action.

Our channel is meticulously designed, combining strategic gameplay with a robust reward structure that is backed by industry-leading technology. Ensuring the best experience for players is our priority, and our new platform allows our operators to provide them with just that.

How do ZED RUN’s races differ from traditional or virtual horse racing?

We believe ZED RUN is the future of online horse racing wagering. Our advantage over traditional racing is that it is not restricted by time or location; users can bet on races 24/7, 365 days a year, regardless of where they are in the world. ZED RUN is a giant progression from legacy virtual horse racing which was around 20 years ago.

Unlike virtual horse racing, our horses demonstrate true ownership, meaning the ZED RUN racehorses you see displayed on screen are owned by real-life participants which gives them the ability not only to race and breed but also to trade these virtual horses, opening up a never before seen virtual sport. ZED RUN is the evolution of virtual sports, effectively merging the best of both worlds while also adding the important element of ownership for users.

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Another important distinction between virtual horse racing and ZED RUN is our use of blockchain technology. The complete racing history of every horse is permanently recorded for user research. Statistics and data are central to our races, allowing players and sports bettors to analyse the previous form of a racehorse, their lineage, DNA and more through our transparent records, to make well-informed, strategic decisions when betting. With ZED RUN, it’s not just about the race; it’s about the immutable trail each horse leaves behind.

What specific territories do you plan on targeting?

We want to put all of our focus on regulated markets, with an emphasis on North America. Our new platform allows us to work with operators worldwide, and we want as many people as possible to be involved in what we believe to be a paradigm shift within sports wagering.

The opportunities presented in North America are massive, and they have an audience that has proven to be open to new ideas and change. ZED RUN gives operators the perfect opportunity to offer something fresh and exciting to players and to help them capitalize on a new and emerging generation of sports bettors.

Do you think ZED RUN and similar platforms are the future of online gambling?

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Obviously, we are biased, but ZED RUN and the technologies it utilises are going to define betting for the next generation of sports enthusiasts. The industry is changing at a rapid pace, and horse racing is so rooted in traditional practices that it runs the risk of being left behind.

ZED RUN will introduce horse racing to an emerging generation of sports bettors, ones that want to be involved in the process and are looking for a more immersive and innovative experience. It offers them the chance to be involved in different ways, ranging from ownership and breeding, as opposed to the conventional wagering model.

What does the future look like for ZED RUN?

The launch of our new channel is a major milestone for us. It allows us to work with operators worldwide and signifies a pivotal point in the evolution of our own product. We are currently able to offer up to 20,000 user-generated races a day on our channel, and this number is poised to consistently grow as we work with more operators, solidifying our position as industry leaders for blockchain-based sports wagering.

It’s a cliche, but the possibilities really are endless. Web3 and blockchain technologies are going to change the industry, and ZED RUN puts us, and all of our partners, at the forefront of this revolution.

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