Latest News
Churchill Downs Incorporated Announces Multi-Year Naming Rights Partnership Between Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced a multi-year partnership between Churchill Downs Racetrack (Churchill Downs) and Sports Illustrated for exclusive naming rights of a new luxury dining experience, Club SI, ahead of the historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Originally planned as the 1895 Club, Club SI is scheduled to debut on Opening Night of Derby Week and offer guests a modern, sophisticated race day experience.
Club SI will debut as part of the $200 million renovated Paddock Project at Churchill Downs for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby and offer a new luxury equine-focused dining experience with an immersive view of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway giving guests unparalleled behind-the-scenes experiences. The interior design of Club SI will showcase iconic Sports Illustrated magazine covers, editorial featuring past Kentucky Derby races, and a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical. Each year, celebrity ambassadors will act as hosts for Club SI during the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks for a premium race day experience. With a guest list that includes titans of the sports industry and appointed with iconic Sports Illustrated editorial artwork, Club SI will offer an elevated, exciting and more unique Derby weekend than ever available before.
The club will be open on premium race days and include dining tables to accommodate parties of two, four, six, or eight guests who will enjoy gourmet dishes from the curated Chef’s Table Buffet, designated wagering windows, private bars, and outdoor trackside viewing for live races. Steps from the club, guests will be treated to the SI Enclosure which will deliver a front-row experience of the Paddock with covered outdoor dining tables to accommodate parties of four.
“As we approach the 150th Kentucky Derby, we are thrilled to partner with a brand as iconic as Sports Illustrated to offer guests an enhanced way to enjoy this incredible anniversary event. Sports Illustrated shares our goal of combining exciting sports moments with upscale entertainment, and Club SI will provide the perfect space to achieve this,” Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, said.
“It is an honor to bring Club SI to Churchill Downs Racetrack, which has such a rich history that we’ve showcased through the pages of Sports Illustrated for decades. Club SI will celebrate iconic elements of the brand, while hosting celebrity talent and offering guests gourmet cuisine and cocktails, a unique vantage point of the new Paddock, and a once-in-a-lifetime horse racing experience for Derby 150,” said Michael Sherman, SVP of Media Brands at Authentic Brands Group, owner of the Sports Illustrated brand.
Approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission paves the way for Kambi to provide its premium sports betting solutions in Las Vegas and across the Silver State
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has received approval for its Nevada gaming licence applications, marking a significant step towards launching in one of the world’s most iconic betting markets. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Kambi’s application for Manufacturer & Distributor Licenses and an Information Services License, following a unanimous recommendation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) earlier this month.
The licences will enable Kambi to provide its industry-leading sportsbook technology and services to nonrestricted gaming establishments in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada for the first time. With limited B2B competition in the state due to the high regulatory requirements, Nevada presents Kambi with future growth opportunities in line with its strategy to expand its footprint across the Americas.
Kambi has been at the forefront of the regulated US sports betting industry since 2018, processing the first legal online wager outside of Nevada following the repeal of PASPA. This latest achievement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class sportsbook solutions while adhering to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and corporate probity.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Securing approval for our licences in Nevada is an important milestone for Kambi and a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise and corporate integrity. Nevada is widely known as the gold standard for betting and gaming regulation, insisting on a standard that few companies can meet, and is therefore recognition of Kambi’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We would like to thank both the Commission and NGCB for their thorough review and approval of our applications.”
Red Desert Games content developed by leading industry veterans set to further add to Light & Wonder’s innovative offering.
Red Desert Games launches its new and innovative slot content via the Light & Wonder content marketplace, through the Light & Wonder™ Spark studio partner program.
Red Desert Games is an emerging slot studio founded by land-based and iGaming industry veterans. The young studio team members have over 100 years combined experience in the global slot industry and are now applying their substantial knowledge, experience, and deep passion for slots to create innovative and engaging content to delight and excite.
As part of this new agreement, iGaming content developed by Red Desert Games will be distributed exclusively across Canada and the USA to Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network and elsewhere around in other key regulated markets via Light & Wonder’s Infinity aggregation platform.
The addition of Red Desert Games to the Light & Wonder™ Spark studio partner program’s roster of premium game studios further cements Light & Wonder as one of the world’s leading content marketplaces. It demonstrates once again Light & Wonder’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its content offering, as well as providing an opportunity for independent studios to significantly boost their international reach.
Edgar Pau, Co-Founder of Red Desert Games said: “We are extremely excited to be selected by Light & Wonder to join their partnership program. Light & Wonder has an unrivalled footprint and is the perfect fit to distribute our range of innovative and engaging games to its global network.”
“We have been extremely impressed by the whole Light & Wonder team and our interactions to-date. Their product feedback, enthusiasm to work with us and recognition of the uniqueness of our content has given us encouragement that they are the right partner to launch us into the global market.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, added: We are delighted to welcome Red Desert to the Light & Wonder™ Spark studio partner program. Our program is committed to collaborating with the most forward-thinking and innovative new studios, and Red Desert’s distinctive game concepts, inventive mechanics, and meticulously crafted, visually captivating titles truly embody these values. We are excited to support their global expansion and look forward to a promising and successful journey together.
Compliance Updates
Michigan Lottery Achieves iCAP Re-certification for Responsible Online Gaming Practices
The Michigan Lottery has received re-certification for its commitment to responsible gaming after completing the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program (iCAP) through the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
The Lottery first earned iCAP certification in October 2015 and was the first lottery in the United States to achieve this certification.
“We are incredibly proud to have once again received certification for our commitment to responsible gaming through the iCAP program, underscoring the Lottery’s dedication to player safety and well-being. We will continue to prioritize responsible gaming practices and provide Michiganders with the resources and support they need to play responsibly,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
Developed by the NCPG, iCAP is the first and only online responsible gaming assessment program in the US. The NCPG evaluated the Lottery’s compliance with Internet Responsible Gaming (IRG) standards developed based on best practices from jurisdictions around the world. IRG standards are the highest standards for online responsible gaming in the nation. The nine areas of focus for the NCPG iCAP certification are:
• Corporate policy and commitment to responsible gaming
• Staff training
• Information available to players through com, and player account features to assist players in informed decision making
• Assisting players who indicate they are in distress or experiencing problems
• Self-exclusion and player-initiated restrictions on online play
• Advertising and promotion
• Game and website features that assist with gambling responsibly
• Research based on the transparency of play data
• Payment controls and limits
• iCAP re-certification provides Lottery players assurance that MichiganLottery.com is trustworthy and has adopted the best standards of player protection.
The NCPG, a non-profit organization founded in 1972, leads state and national stakeholders in the development of comprehensive policy and programs for all those affected by problem gambling.
Michigan Lottery players have a chance to win up to $500,000 instantly playing online. Players also may win prizes ranging from $1 up to multi-million dollar jackpots playing Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Lotto 47, and Fantasy 5 online. Through its online platform, the Lottery offers players more than 200 different games with plays ranging in price from .05 cents to $20.
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