partnerships
1/ST CONTENT renews exclusive long-term Breeders’ Cup global distribution deal
1/ST CONTENT, the leading provider of premium content for North American horse racing, has reached exclusive new deal terms for its ongoing three-year contract option with Breeders’ Cup Limited, strengthening both parties’ progressive partnership around content rights, data, fixed-odds, and signals for the ultimate festival of global Thoroughbred racing.
This milestone agreement encompasses worldwide broadcast and video-streaming distribution relating to fixed-odds wagering on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for 1/ST CONTENT’s array of international sportsbook partners outside of North America.
The forthcoming edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races worth $33 million in purses and awards, will be staged later this year (November 1-2) at beautiful Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Southern California, providing a flagship finale to the flat and dirt racing calendar, including the season-defining $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
These championship contests combine to bolster 1/ST CONTENT’s market-leading position for distribution, mapping over 80% of all North American racing and opening the door to many of the world’s most prestigious races – from the Triple Crown to the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park on January 25 and the inaugural California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita on September 28, now a natural stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup itself.
Once again, all races will be available for broadcast via 1/ST CONTENT’s partner at Sky Sports Racing in the UK and Ireland, as well as across a host of other international media partners’ digital channels. This timetable of engaging United States action, whose chronology naturally complements international racing coverage across varied time zones from Europe to Australia, provides 1/ST CONTENT’s global partners with another high-quality source of fast-settling betting content at both primetime and off-peak viewing slots.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will feature best-in-class safety, integrity and equine welfare protocols implemented in collaboration with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), its Horse Racing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). Further, through its ground-breaking alliance with Total Performance Data (TPD) – the definitive source of live GPS-tracking data for racing – 1/ST CONTENT is also deepening in-play fan engagement at Del Mar this year, delivering in-running betting for all races.
“The Breeders’ Cup is happy to renew and grow our close collaboration with 1/ST CONTENT in order to widen the reach of our global championship event,” said Justin McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Breeders’ Cup Limited.
“As a result, sports fans and bettors around the world can look forward to more in-depth coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from the most revered racetracks in the United States over the coming years, including the next two renewals at Del Mar. We look forward to seeing our elite portfolio of races showcased to more and more fans across both mature and emerging markets.”
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President of International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: “It’s an honour to continue working in stride with the Breeders’ Cup team and some of our nation’s finest racetracks to promote a world-class festival that continues to operate at the zenith of its powers for prize funds and international participation. And our growing global audience of fixed-odds bettors outside of the States bear fitting tribute to that fact.
“Our continued commitment is to support the Breeders’ Cup’s efforts to deliver its horse racing content and wagering to a worldwide stage. We know our natural synergies will reliably benefit horse racing’s consumer economy, both at home and abroad. And speaking more broadly, this deal represents another significant step in ensuring that North American racing’s stakeholders secure their warranted status as the primary beneficiaries of revenues generated through international wagering.”
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IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently introduced its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game in the world’s most prolific video poker market: Las Vegas, Nev. Guests of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand) in Downtown Las Vegas became the first players in the world to enjoy legendary IGT multi-hand video poker paired with the puzzle-solving, wheel-spinning fun of Wheel of Fortune via IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game.
“Becoming the first casino in the world to offer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker was an exciting moment for Downtown Grand and one that generated palpable buzz and significant play on our gaming floor. For decades, our players have enjoyed IGT video poker and Wheel of Fortune slots, so combining the DNA of those two products to create something new is an exciting proposition for our players,” said Rick Coltor, Slots Manager at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas.
“Launching IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker in Las Vegas, the world’s largest video poker market, marked another important milestone in the rollout of our expanded Wheel of Fortune games portfolio. Our Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game delivers an ideal blend of proven multi-hand poker, jackpot excitement and the signature elements of Wheel of Fortune games that have propelled the theme’s success for more than 25 years,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker is currently available on the CrystalCurve cabinet. Wheel of Fortune Video Poker incorporates the franchise’s famous puzzle-solving features and the iconic “Wheel Bonus” that has had players chanting “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” for decades. The multi-hand poker game is available in triple-play, five-play and ten-play configurations and can award players 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 credits, respectively, for a dealt royal flush.
MLB Players Inc., a commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and OneTeam Partners announced they’ve reached a licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment.
The agreement designates PENN’s sports betting platforms – ESPN BET in the U.S. and theScore BET in Canada – as Officially Licensed Sportsbooks of MLBPI.
PENN now has the rights to use MLB player names, images and likenesses on its sports betting platforms, marketing assets and promotional campaigns.
The deal also includes PENN’s retail sportsbook operations (32 retail sportsbooks at its casino properties, including 19 under the ESPN BET brand).
Last fall, FanDuel and MLBPI reached a similar licensing agreement after the MLB players’ union sued FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy in New York Supreme Court, accusing them of using the names and likeness of ballplayers on their players without permission.
”As baseball season gets underway, we’re excited to offer fans an enhanced betting experience that includes player likenesses, expanded wagering options and a more dynamic product. Partnering with MLB Players Inc. strengthens our connection to the league and its star players and creates additional opportunities to engage fans throughout the season,” said Jason Birney, Vice President of Operations at PENN Interactive.
OneTeam Partners specializes in commercializing group licensing rights for professional athlates, and is a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, MLS Players Association, and U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association.
“By integrating MLB player rights into PENN Entertainment’s platforms, this partnership brings fans closer to the game while unlocking new business opportunities in sports betting. It highlights the growing influence of players in shaping premium, fan-focused betting experiences while enhancing player NIL rights and widening distribution,” said Frank Arthofer, President of OneTeam Partners.
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NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Teams with Hard Rock International as Brand Ambassador
Hard Rock International has welcomed NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a brand ambassador to its roster of legendary athlete partners. This exciting partnership will bring exclusive collaborations and limited-time offers to NASCAR fans while they watch and revel in the 2025 season.
“Hard Rock is such a historic and iconic brand. I have always been a huge fan of music, so the vibes and attention to detail that Hard Rock puts into its locations is incredible to me. They have something for everyone – music, food, drinks, casino games and sports betting. I’m excited to partner with them and the opportunities we have to do some really fun things together,” said Earnhardt Jr.
“As a leader consistently delivering entertaining experiences across live music, gaming and sports to guests, Hard Rock is honored to have Dale Earnhardt Jr. as part of our team. Together we will celebrate the spirit of car racing at our properties across the globe through exciting new menu items, apparel and more,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.
Through the partnership, NASCAR fans will have the opportunity to engage with Earnhardt via Hard Rock Bet, which has already hosted a sweepstakes at Daytona International Speedway and will offer additional “money can’t buy” experiences for its players to meet the Hall of Fame driver. Fans can also follow along with Earnhardt’s sports betting picks on the top-rated Hard Rock Bet app and view exclusive video content on @HardRockBet channels.
Additionally, later this spring, Hard Rock Games will debut the free-to-play Full Throttle with Dale Earnhardt Jr. slot game on the Hard Rock Neverland Casino and Jackpot Planet apps. This high-octane game will put players in the driver’s seat, with their race car gaining speed with each win, delivering an adrenaline-fueled slot experience like no other.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is an American professional stock car racing driver, champion team owner, businessman, NASCAR analyst, and 2022 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He won a record 15 straight NASCAR Most Popular Driver awards from 2003 to 2017, consecutive NASCAR Busch Series Championships in 1998 and 1999 and the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014.
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