Latest News
Hawthorne goes live with new concept in pari-mutuel virtual racing products

Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago has created a brand new revenue stream using a world first in regulated virtual racing wagering enabled technology solutions.
The track has partnered with pioneering software developers Virtual Software who used state of the art technology to create the first virtual version of the track ever produced. Marketed as Virtual Live Racing products, the software firm’s CGI experts have won BAFTA and Royal Television Society awards, and received Emmy nominations, for their work in the movie and TV industries before working with VLR. Using their world class special effects skills, and the latest CGI technology, they now create fully rendered replicas of leading US race tracks with stunning graphics, realistic race commentary, and virtual races based on results from race data at each track. While legacy virtual racing products are based on RNG (Random Number Generator), Virtual Live Racing’s products are a huge leap forward and a first in the USA and internationally because races are based on anonymised and encrypted data from real-life thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races.
John Walsh, Assistant General Manager at Hawthorne, said: “We are excited to offer our Hawthorne data and brand to be included with this innovative new pari-mutuel wagering product line. Racing fans across North America will be able to wager Hawthorne Virtual as it is available to all tote systems in the US via distribution through AmTote International’s Spectrum wagering system which enables us to create a brand new risk-free revenue stream.”
VLR’s Chairman is Vincent Caldwell, an online betting pioneer and former licensed ADW operator. He said: “Hawthorne is our fourth product to go live in the US. It follows Derby Lane, Tampa Bay Downs and Palm Beach Kennel Club in Florida, and we have two more tracks that are currently undergoing testing before being launched later this month. Our Virtual Live Racing product offers a no cost, risk free, revenue stream opportunity to racetracks all over the world. Racing is going through a tough time and tracks should embrace new products which can offer them income, and promote their tracks to a global audience.”
Joey D Michaels is VLR’s Business Development Consultant for the US and 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 outlet. Click here to watch a VLR demo which shows virtual thoroughbred racing at Hawthorne Race Course.
Industry News
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. announced that Carlo Santarelli has been appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, a new position at the Company. Mr. Santarelli will begin his new position on August 18, 2025 and will report to GLPI President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Moore.
Mr. Santarelli brings over 25 years of Wall Street experience in Equity Research and Investment Banking to his new role and joins the Company from Deutsche Bank where he was Managing Director of Gaming & Lodging Equity Research. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Mr. Santarelli held similar positions at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. He consistently ranked highly in Institutional Investor and other sell-side analyst research polls as a thought leader in the space, providing unique perspectives on industry events and trends with his data-driven approach and stock picking talent. Carlo Santarelli graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2000.
Peter Carlino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI, said: “We’ve known and respected Carlo’s research work on the gaming, lodging and gaming REIT sectors for many years. Carlo brings to GLPI an in-depth knowledge of the industry and its participants, having experienced GLPI’s original formation of the gaming triple-net-REIT structure from a research analyst and capital markets perspective. We value his deep network of contacts among institutional investors, sell-side analysts and a wide range of gaming industry operators and we look forward to the value of his contributions.”
In his new role, Mr. Santarelli will work with Mr. Carlino and GLPI’s senior management to develop and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic relationships, and will oversee investor relations interactions.
Industry News
VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

VIP Play, a technology-driven leader in interactive consumer engagement, announced that Jim Mackey, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role, effective August 8, 2025.
The Company has initiated a transition process and is in the process of identifying a successor. Mackey will assist in an orderly transition over the coming weeks.
“We thank Jim for his contributions to the Company, particularly during a transformative period for our business. We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, including financial visibility, operating efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO of VIP Play.
Latest News
BETBY LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON PERU’S REGULATED GAMBLING MARKET

BETBY, the premium supplier of cutting-edge sportsbook solutions, has published a detailed report titled “The Peruvian Breakthrough: A Market Ready for Takeoff”, offering a thorough analysis of the country’s newly regulated iGaming industry.
Following the implementation of Peru’s online gambling framework in 2024, this report explores the legislative transformation, market growth trends, and consumer behavior shaping one of Latin America’s most promising emerging markets.
The report covers several key aspects, including:
✅ Evolution of Peru’s gambling legislation and its impact on market structure and operator licensing;
âś… Market performance analysis, including land-based vs. online growth and mobile channel adoption;
âś… Economic indicators, such as GDP contribution, per capita GGR, and projected market size through 2030;
âś… Player profiles and betting behavior, with insights into frequency, motivations, and engagement across age and gender groups;
âś… Digital readiness, including mobile usage, internet speeds, and device preferences;
âś… Competitive landscape, with a breakdown of leading operators and changes in market share.
🔗 DOWNLOAD the report to discover strategic insights and unlock growth opportunities in Peru’s regulated gambling ecosystem.
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