New renderings of Metropolitan Park, the partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, give New Yorkers a look of what turning empty parking lots into 25 acres of new public park will actually feel like. The $8 billion privately funded project is now moving forward with ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) New York City’s process for public approval of the development. The design and the layout were informed over three years of community engagement by Cohen and his partners with local residents, small businesses, Mets fans, and Queens community leaders to transform the area.

Metropolitan Park is a once in a life-time opportunity to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into an economic engine that will create 23,000 competitive-paying union jobs. This reimagined space will bring together neighbors, fans, and visitors to enjoy 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.

“We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualization of what’s possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighborhoods. We’d like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International.

“It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of,” said New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.

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The Canadian Football League (CFL) and British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have partnered to make BCLC’s online sportsbook – PlayNow Sports – the official sports betting partner of the 111th Grey Cup. BCLC, the only legal gaming operator in the province, is the newest Authorized Gaming Operator to partner with the league. The partnership builds upon BCLC’s commitment to football in the province – as both a longstanding supporter of the BC Lions and as an enthusiastic proponent of bringing the Grey Cup to Vancouver.

“BCLC is immensely proud to have PlayNow Sports as the official sports betting partner for the 111th Grey Cup. As a social-purpose company, BCLC works every day to generate win-wins for the greater good and serve in the best interests of the communities we call home. We’re thrilled to help bring together BC Lions and CFL fans from across the country in the spirit of celebration and community at this year’s Grey Cup Festival,” said Dan Beebe, BCLC’s Chief Operations Officer.

In celebration of Canada’s largest single-day sporting event returning to B.C. for the first time since 2014, the CFL and BCLC are holding a special contest for fans in B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Grand Prize consists of two tickets to the championship game, two Grey Cup Festival passes, travel, accommodation, $500 in PlayNow Sports free bets and more.

“Responsible sports wagering, and the entertainment it provides, is an important part of the future of CFL fandom. Our work with BCLC allows fans to deepen their connection to the league, but more importantly, it strengthens our efforts to support British Columbians and the community through the valued programs and services they rely on every day,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.

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The CFL’s province-specific Authorized Gaming Operator program works with partners to authenticate and regulate the league’s sports betting landscape. In 2023, the league complemented its existing wagering policies and by-laws with an enhanced Match Manipulation Policy. It is highlighted by an annual education component for all full- and part-time CFL personnel, including players, regarding their individual roles and responsibilities in supporting the league’s high standards for integrity and responsible gaming practices. All CFL personnel are strictly prohibited from wagering on league activities.

SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience providing innovative iGaming solutions, has announced the integration of a Horse Racing Module into its Sportsbook software. The module will enhance the SOFTSWISS offering, initially available in South Africa.

Horse racing has long been a traditional and significant sector of the betting industry, particularly in regions with strong ties to the UK, such as South Africa, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. According to the research, the global horse betting market is projected to reach 82.6 billion euro by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2032. With its rich history and expected growth, the Horse Racing Module provides operators with additional business opportunities, monthly covering, on average, 320 local races and 2,150 international races from 14 different countries.

Originally developed by Turfsport, a prominent South African software provider with 35 years of experience in the iGaming industry acquired by SOFTSWISS, the Horse Racing Module allows players to place fixed-odds bets on multiple markets. Key features of the Horse Racing module include race cards, silks, and multiple bet types. The solution is designed with flexibility, offering unique skins and configurations to align with various brand identities.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “The acquisition of a majority stake in a key South African software provider has enabled us to integrate the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook with the Horse Racing Module by Turfsport, widening our offering. Launching this module in South Africa aligns with our recent expansion into the region, where we have obtained local certifications for our Casino Platform and Sportsbook. Horse racing remains highly popular, particularly in South Africa, but we are confident this product has strong global potential. This integration marks just the first step in the ongoing development of the Horse Racing offering within our Sportsbook.”

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Earlier in 2024, SOFTSWISS introduced two new South Africa-related products: the Lotto Software and the Retail Betting Solution. The Lotto Software allows operators to offer a wide range of customisable lottery number betting options independently of traditional lottery organisers. Optimisation for both desktop and mobile ensures players custom and quick-pick betting options. The comprehensive Retail Betting Solution supports a wide range of betting activities like sports betting, lotteries, horse racing, and casino games. It empowers operators to set up offline gambling businesses quickly and legally.

SOFTSWISS will showcase its latest portfolio updates at the SBC Summit Lisbon from 24 to 26 September. Visitors to Stand B160 will have the opportunity to learn more about the recent upgrades of the SOFTSWISS ecosystem. 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform, and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

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