Press Releases
Checkd Group records encouraging start following launch of FlashPicks in United States
Fast-growing iGaming business Checkd Group has made significant early progress in the United States following the launch of its new brand FlashPicks, marking its long-awaited debut in a country where the popularity of sports betting is booming.
Designed for a domestic US audience and provided by a team of experts in the field, www.flashpicks.com currently features sign-up deals with tier-one operator partners FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook and PointsBet, with more to follow in the coming months.
In the opening month FlashPicks has gained traction quickly among sports enthusiasts, hitting 1.8 million organic Twitter impressions and 28,000 unique users on the website across 75,000 website sessions.
Representing Checkd Group’s first venture outside of the UK, where it has established a community of over 2 million sports fans, FlashPicks offers free picks and betting tips across the full range of US sports. The launch follows on from Checkd Group gaining a licence from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) to operate as an affiliate in the state. FlashPicks is live in all states in the US, with bettors in New Jersey, New York, Iowa, Wyoming, Washington DC and Indiana able to utilise the operator links.
In addition to the website, the FlashPicks brand is being boosted through a series of key partnerships with tipsters and micro-influencers on social media channels, with an app build based on the brand set to follow.
Checkd Group is currently working on gaining affiliate licensing in a dozen other States, as it looks to build on its successes in the UK through the creation of vibrant social communities.
A report by Goldman Sachs predicted that the online sports betting market in the US could be worth $39 billion in annual revenue by 2033, as legalisation continues to roll out on a state-by-state basis.
Callum Broxton at Checkd Group said: “Having been carefully planned for a number of months, we are delighted to be able to take FlashPicks live in the US and to offer sports enthusiasts across the country the chance to place bets through our operator partners.
“For so many would-be punters, this will be the first time they have ever placed a bet legally and we can be the first port of call to provide them with all of the information needed to inform their decisions.
“The early figures we are seeing are extremely encouraging following another landmark moment in the history of Checkd Group. In occurring at a pivotal juncture in the history of legal online sports betting across the US, we believe we can offer a level of insight and expertise that will make us an important voice in the conversation going forward.”
Latest News
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and 1/ST Unveil Partnership to Elevate Global Thoroughbred Racing
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce a transformative partnership with 1/ST, the premier North American Thoroughbred racing, gaming and entertainment company. Known for its iconic venues, including Santa Anita Park (California) and Gulfstream Park (Florida), 1/ST is a leader in modernizing horse racing by blending live racing with innovative gaming, hospitality and lifestyle experiences.
As leaders of world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment events, 1/ST is also committed to advancing racing’s global profile through cutting-edge technology and international collaboration. This partnership brings a unique opportunity to connect three prestigious racedays: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day (March 8 – featuring The G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, named after legendary 1987 Australian Horse of The Year Champion and NZ Hall of Famer, Bonecrusher) alongside 1/ST’s Pegasus World Cup (January 25) and California Crown (September 27).
This collaboration will introduce “Golden Ticket” pathways, offering the winning horses direct entry into marquee races including:
From the Pegasus World Cup (25 January 2025) to Champions Day (8 March 2025):
- The US$500,000 Group 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1600m) winner earns entry to the NZ$600,000 Group 1 World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
- The US$1,000,000 Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf (1800m) winner gains entry to the NZ$1,000,000 Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
From Champions Day (8 March 2025) to California Crown (27 September 2025):
- The NZ$500,000 Rich Hill Stud Champion Middle Distance Series winner secures a Golden Ticket to the US$750,000 Group 1 California Crown John Henry Turf (2000m).
- The NZ$500,000 Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 2 California Crown US$750,000 Eddie D Turf Sprint (1300m).
To further enhance the partnership, NZTR and 1/ST will cover travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses travelling internationally to compete in the respective countries.
“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” commented Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.”
Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, added: “This partnership with NZTR exemplifies our commitment to elevating Thoroughbred racing globally. By linking these iconic racedays and supporting international competition, we’re looking to drive innovation, collaboration and global excitement in the sport.”
Lachlan Fitt, Deputy CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand, operators of the NZ TAB, also welcomed the announcement:
“Congratulations to NZTR and 1/ST on reaching this exciting outcome. The partnership will continue the opportunity for NZ racing to be showcased to racing fans globally and is another new pathway for NZ racing participants to consider. And through our Trackside and Sport Nation media brands, we look forward to bringing the best of US racing to our wagering customers in NZ.”
This partnership paves the way for significant growth in Thoroughbred racing across both regions, with both NZTR and 1/ST excited to build on this promising foundation moving forward.
For more information about the partnership and Golden Ticket races, contact NZTR’s Head Handicapper Bruce Sherwin by emailing Bruce.Sherwin@nztr.co.nz.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Certified for Peru Market
SOFTSWISS has successfully obtained compliance certification for the Peruvian market for its Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming sector. This milestone solidifies the company’s position as one of the first technology providers ready to work under the country’s new regulatory framework.
As part of Peru’s revised Regulatory Framework, initiated in February 2024, all operators, platforms, game providers, and technical suppliers are required to obtain certification by 1 January 2025 to legally operate in the market. SOFTSWISS achieved this certification through GLI, an accredited testing laboratory, ensuring that its product meets all technical and legal requirements set by Peruvian authorities.
The Peruvian gambling market is among the fastest-growing and most promising in Latin America, with projections estimating a CAGR of 5.97% and a market volume of USD 420.60 million by 2029. Furthermore, smartphone penetration is expected to hit 77.78% by the same year, providing significant opportunities for the iGaming industry.
“The newly regulated framework is set to attract international gaming companies and investors, paving the way for further expansion in the iGaming sector,” said Max Trafimovich, CCO at SOFTSWISS. “We’re proud to be among the first companies to complete the necessary procedures and be fully prepared for this promising market.”
This achievement comes shortly after the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator’s certification in Brazil, showcasing the company’s ambitious plans to expand and strengthen its leadership across the Latin American region.
Currently, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator boasts the largest game portfolio in the market, offering over 27,000 titles, alongside consistent 99.999% uptime and top-tier services. According to a recent Kantar survey conducted in November 2024, the product received an overall satisfaction score of 8.1 out of 10 from its clients, underscoring its reputation as a reliable and industry-leading solution.
By obtaining certification in Peru, SOFTSWISS continues to demonstrate its commitment to compliance, innovation, and delivering premium services in rapidly evolving markets.
The SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnerships in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
Gambling in the USA
Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series
Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14th.
Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.
The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.
The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.
Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.
Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.
“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”
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