Connect with us
MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2024

Gambling in the USA

Online betting pioneer creates another first with live virtual racing products

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Betinternet founder Vincent Caldwell behind Virtual Live Racing’s regulated digital tote betting products for USA

A new concept in live virtual racing products has been created which features fully rendered replicas of real tracks, stunning graphics, and results based on historical race data in partnership with leading American racetrack venues.

Virtual Live Racing is a global first because races are based on anonymised and encrypted data from real-life thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races – a huge leap forward compared to RNG (Random Number Generator) products that are currently offered by legacy market suppliers.

Advertisement

A number of tracks are live including Derby Lane and Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. Five other tracks are signed and are soon to be launched, including Hawthorne in Chicago, and Parx in Philadelphia. The product is available to all tote systems in the US via distribution through Amtote International’s Spectrum betting system which is the leading technology tote provider in the USA which enables tracks to accept wagers from players and create a brand new risk-free revenue stream.

Virtual Live Racing has been created by Isle of Man-based company Virtual Software which has a proven track record of innovation in digital product development for the pari-mutuel or fixed odds betting industries. Chairman Vincent Caldwell started one of the world’s first online wagering companies (betinternet – licensed in the Isle of Man) which then went on to become the first such company to list on the London Stock Exchange.

The launch of VLR is the result of several years’ hard work by their highly experienced executive team which, along the way, has led to some truly historic milestones for the industry. Most notably these include a State of Oregon Legislature Senate Bill which made history by granting regulatory approval for virtual racing products.

Caldwell said: “While virtual racing products operate in over 40 countries and are very much a mainstream wagering product with billions of dollars bet on them each year, we have identified a niche opportunity for a unique product. We’ve developed a real-time rendering engine deployed to deliver horse, harness and greyhound racing with high quality graphics and animations. Unlike other products, our technology ensures that a racetrack’s intellectual property in the form of historic race data is anonymised and encrypted so outcomes cannot be known prior to the race being run. We believe that Virtual Live Racing products, which are built on a pari-mutuel wagering model, have a massive potential because it allows market access into an existing $11billion USA pari-mutuel wagering market, and other access points into international regulated racing markets valued at $100billion.”

VLR has a strong executive team with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Dave Mousley is Chief Creative Officer, and Angus Wood, Chief Software Architect. Dave, of Island Broadcasting Media Limited, was the co-founder of Red Vision which created the world’s first major virtual racing products. Those products currently generate more than $8billion gross gaming revenue annually. He led his team to win two BAFTA and two Royal Television Society awards for technical and creative innovation. Dave and his team were twice nominated for Emmy awards in the United States for computer graphics and virtual effects.

Advertisement

Angus, also of Island Broadcasting Media Limited, was formerly CTA at Inspired Gaming where, following the acquisition of Red Vision, he oversaw their growth to become the leading developer of online virtual racing products. His role included responsibility for the technical development and security operations of over 90,000 wagering terminals and machines as well as substantial server-based wager testing. VLR is represented in the US by Derby Lane and their executive team, and VLR’s Business Development Consultant Joey D Michaels who is responsible for building relationships with track owners and online Account Deposit Wagering (ADW) betting operators to drive expansion into tracks, casinos, and off-track betting outlets.

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Detroit casinos

Detroit Casinos Report $109.44M in April Revenue

Published

on

detroit-casinos-report-$109.44m-in-april-revenue

 

The three Detroit casinos reported $109.44 million in monthly aggregate revenue (AGR) for the month of April 2024, of which $107.87 million was generated from table games and slots, and $1.57 million from retail sports betting.

The April market shares were:

  • MGM, 46%
  • MotorCity, 30%
  • Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 24%

Monthly Table Games, Slot Revenue, and Taxes

The casinos’ revenue for table games and slots for the month of April 2024 decreased 1.6% when compared to the same month last year. April’s monthly revenue was 11.8% lower when compared to the previous month, March 2024. From Jan. 1 through April 30, the Detroit casinos’ table games and slots revenue decreased by 1.6% compared to the same period last year.

The casinos’ monthly gaming revenue results were mixed compared to April of last year:

Advertisement
  • MGM, down 0.7% to $49.86 million
  • MotorCity, down 4.5% to $32.68 million
  • Hollywood Casino at Greektown, up 0.6% to $25.33 million

In April 2024, the three Detroit casinos paid $8.74 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan. They paid $8.88 million for the same month last year. The casinos also reported submitting $12.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit in April.

Monthly Retail Sports Betting Revenue and Taxes

The three Detroit casinos reported $15.28 million in total retail sports betting handle, and total gross receipts were $1.57 million for the month of April. Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) were up by $1.5 million in April when compared to the same month last year. Compared to March 2024, April QAGR was down by 1.7%.

April QAGR by casino was:

  • MGM: $475,492
  • MotorCity: $516,812
  • Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $578,131

During April, the casinos paid $59,362 in gaming taxes to the state and reported submitting $72,554 in wagering taxes to the City of Detroit based on their retail sports betting revenue.

Fantasy Contests

For March 2024, fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $494,162 and paid taxes of $41,510.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Gambling in the USA

CogniPlay Launches New Social Casino Platform

Published

on

cogniplay-launches-new-social-casino-platform

 

CogniPlay has today announced the official launch of their new software product, which aims to provide a robust online sweepstakes or social gaming platform to their clients.The system is designed to be modular, allowing customers to tailor their brand and offering to what they believe will give them optimal performance.

The rise of sweepstake casinos in the US is continuing to gather pace and many companies from real money gaming are investigating the business model and the potentially lucrative revenue opportunity. With no standout platform solution currently on the market, CogniPlay looks to serve clients a full white label style solution with every detail taken care of. Brands like Chumba and Pulsz are already seeing tremendous success and CogniPlay gives an extremely efficient route to market for potential new sweepstake casino owners.

The CogniPlay system has several key integrations which help to deliver the product, including games integrations with the likes of Pragmatic Play, BetSoft, Mascot Gaming and many more, giving them 100s of games for their clients. There are other integration options for their customers to pick from too, including affiliate programme software, CRM platforms and associated products, KYC, ID verification, Geo-IP systems, Gamification, and customer support.

They also have a very long and extensive development pipeline which will see the product offering develop at pace, giving clients an extensive list of options and USPs, and of course giving players a great user experience as a result.

Advertisement

As well as the platform itself the CogniPlay team, due to their considerable experience, also offer a whole host of managed services, with almost a menu that clients can choose from to fill any gaps in their own skillsets or experience.

It is also this experience that CogniPlay hopes to utilise to great effect to provide industry-leading client management to build successful relationships and partnerships with their clients. CogniPlay’s Chief Executive Officer Allan Turner said, “We are very proud to take the CogniPlay product to market and are excited that people who want to start a new social or sweeps brand can get in touch with us to see what we can do for them, or in fact established brands that are unhappy with their existing provider.

Our underlying principles are that we want to provide the most flexible platform in the space, to enable our clients to create the product they want to have, not for us to dictate the product to them. The two other main areas of focus are that we want to be the most future-proof product on the market with plans for any regulatory or legal changes that may arise in the future, and that we have all the right safeguards in place to ensure that we look after both our clients and players with our responsible gaming setup.

This of course means having the right tech and processes in the key areas of KYC, Geo-IP tech, anti-money laundering, fraud, risk assessment and ID verification.”

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Gambling in the USA

XSOLLA RELEASES QUARTERLY ​ INSIGHTS REPORT ON THE FUTURE OF GAMING AND GAME DEVELOPMENT: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF SPRING 2024 METRICS AND UPCOMING TRENDS

Published

on

xsolla-releases-quarterly-​-insights-report-on-the-future-of-gaming-and-game-development:-a-preliminary-analysis-of-spring-2024-metrics-and-upcoming-trends

 

Key trends include the fast-growing mobile gaming segment, the impact of recent regulations, the integration of blockchain and AI, and the investments in equity and inclusion across the gaming industry.

Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, published the Spring 2024 edition of “The Xsolla Report: The State of Play” today. Launched on the heels of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024, this extensive report provides invaluable insights into the emerging trends and pivotal shifts impacting the gaming industry in the short and long term. ​ It sets the stage to significantly shape the future of mobile gaming, deepen academic connections within the gaming ecosystem, and redefine investment patterns.

In an era where mobile gaming commanded a 49% share of the global market in 2023, this edition of “The State of Play” sheds light on the evolving landscape of mobile gaming. The report navigates through the advancements in global compliance and regulation, including the Digital Markets Act in Europe’s new player engagement strategies, offering a glimpse into the potential future of mobile gaming monetization and distribution. It discusses the impact of cross-platform play and the importance of innovative monetization models, providing actionable insights for developers and industry stakeholders.

“The State of Play” emphasizes the importance of academia in the growth and diversification of the gaming industry. It explores how educational programs and initiatives develop talent and promote diversity and inclusivity within the gaming community. This edition underlines the symbiotic relationship between the gaming industry and academic institutions, highlighting programs that significantly impact students and the industry.

Advertisement

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Xsolla, comments: “As we introduce the latest edition of ‘The State of Play,’ we’re not merely sharing industry insights but advocating for a transformative vision: Equal Access for Everyone. This initiative goes beyond our commitment to innovation and growth within the gaming industry. It’s about breaking down barriers to ensure that every developer, regardless of company size, has the opportunity to showcase their creativity and reach a global audience. Our focus is on providing platforms and tools that foster creative opportunities, international exposure, and the development of unique projects, ensuring that the future of gaming is accessible to all. We aim to empower every player and developer worldwide, ensuring the gaming landscape is as diverse and dynamic as its community.”

The report offers an in-depth analysis of the gaming industry’s current investment climate, including funding trends, mergers, and acquisitions. It outlines the shifts in investment patterns, from the heights of the pandemic-induced boom to a more measured approach in 2024. “The State of Play” provides a roadmap for navigating the industry’s financial aspects, offering insights into strategic investment opportunities and forecasting future trends.

Featuring expert commentary from industry voices like:

  • Mukul Aurora, Co-founder of Appsoleut Games;
  • Mariusz Gasiewski, CEO of Mobile Gaming and Apps Lead at Google;
  • Karla Reyes, Founder and Studio Director,

Anima Interactive, the Xsolla Report: The State of Play is now available for complimentary download. To secure your copy and gain invaluable insights into the gaming industry, visit our website.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania