Latest News

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

Published

3 years ago

October 5, 2023

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

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.

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?

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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eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

9 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.