partnerships
1/ST CONTENT and Assiniboia Downs announce long-term distribution deal

1/ST CONTENT, the leading provider of premium content for North American horse racing, has bolstered its international portfolio with the timely addition of Assiniboia Downs (ASD), the popular Canadian racetrack located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
ASD’s season commences today (20 May), with live racing typically staged every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:30pm local time as part of a competitive 50-fixture schedule that stretches from May to mid-September each year.
Forthcoming highlights include the prestigious Manitoba Derby, the opening leg of the Western Canadian Derby Series, alongside other Listed stakes action. Other classic championship races comprise the Gold Cup, the Manitoba Matron and the Winnipeg Futurity, while there will also be multiple stakes contests for rising-star juveniles, beginning with the Debutante in July.
Accordingly, ASD now sits alongside other Canadian racetracks – such as Woodbine, Fort Erie and Hastings – on 1/ST CONTENT’s flexible program of top-quality action. This weekly timetable of engaging content, whose chronology naturally complements international racing coverage across varied time-zones from Europe to South Africa and Australia, provides 1/ST CONTENT’s global partners with a reliable source of fast-settling betting content at both primetime and off-peak viewing slots.
This progressive deal is emblematic of 1/ST CONTENT’s broader commitment to ensuring that North American racing’s stakeholders, whether they hail from the biggest tracks or overlooked regional diamonds, become the primary beneficiaries of revenues generated through international wagering.
As a result, 1/ST CONTENT stands alone as the proven pacesetter for live horse racing content, mapping approximately 80% of all North American racing, and providing rights, betting data, live broadcast and video streaming on behalf of its growing global portfolio of partners. Corralling low-latency feeds from thousands of annual meetings (and showcasing tens of thousands of races each year) North American racing is helping worldwide operators to engage untapped audiences by delivering 24/7 horse racing.
Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs, said: “The sheer distributional scope of 1/ST CONTENT’s international operator network is second to none. Therefore, it was a logical step for ASD to partner with them to distribute our upcoming calendar to a new legion of bettors outside Canada, thereby increasing returns to the core stakeholders of our domestic scene here in Winnipeg.”
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: “1/ST CONTENT is delighted to have added Assiniboia Downs to our all-encompassing North American roster, optimizing our wider Canadian content and introducing a fresh cohort of global racing fans to one of the true hidden gems in North America. ASD’s reliable off times and inimitable content, which sometimes shows events such as team-based bareback Indian Horse Relay racing, offers something different in an often homogenized marketplace.
“Observing other unsupportive models, we are more dedicated than ever to returning the value to racing’s stakeholders, who have historically missed out with grasping suppliers that return funds to non-racing organizations and simply aren’t committed to the sustainability and welfare of the sport.
“We look forward to delivering more coverage of high-class Canadian racing than ever before to fans and bettors around the world.”
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Vaulta and Ultra Embark on Strategic Partnership to Power the Future of Gaming and Finance

Vaulta, a scalable operating system powering Web3 Banking with fast, low-cost transactions and seamless blockchain connectivity, today announces a strategic partnership with Ultra, the one-stop destination for gamers, publishers, and developers.
This financial and technical alliance positions Ultra as Vaulta’s gaming arm and marks the next phase of Ultra’s ambition to lead the gaming space.
Together, Vaulta and Ultra will accelerate the creation of a full-service platform where digital assets can be tokenized, traded, and monetized across games, all powered by a fast, low-cost, and interoperable infrastructure. In addition to tokenized assets, this platform will also support decentralized marketplaces, cross-game integrations, and metaverse banking.
Gus van Rijckevorsel, CEO of Ultra, shared, “By 2030, the Web3 gaming market is expected to grow to $615 billion, outpacing both movies and TV exponentially and signaling a major shift in how consumers engage with their entertainment. To harness this potential, the gaming industry needs better infrastructure designed for publishers, developers, and gamers, and we’re here to deliver that. We’re laser-focused on creating the content and structural partnerships necessary to make Ultra THE gaming platform recognized by the gaming industry. Vaulta is a major brick on that path, and this partnership is a solid foundation on which we build the future of gaming and finance. And at the core of this lasting partnership is a mutual alignment on our long-term interests.”
This partnership supports Vaulta’s mission to drive innovation in tokenization and real-world asset integration,” said Yves La Rose, founder and CEO of Vaulta Foundation. “Ultra’s advanced gaming platform paired with Vaulta’s financial and DeFi infrastructure will enable decentralized marketplaces, cross-game asset utilization, and metaverse banking solutions. Positioning Ultra as Vaulta’s gaming hub provides a gateway to Gaming and GameFi opportunities to our community. At the heart of our collaboration is a shared ambition to elevate digital assets to the standards of traditional finance, empowering users with new financial opportunities powered by Web3.”
Convictions behind this partnership
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A new definition of the modern player
Gone are the days when “player” meant just someone holding a controller. Ultra recognizes three types of players: gamers, viewers, and content creators, each with unique behaviors, needs, and expectations. In partnership with Vaulta, Ultra is building critical infrastructure to fit this new reality and serve all three player groups.
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Every industry will have its own chain
Finance has Vaulta. Gaming has Ultra. Both chains are purpose-built and interoperable, aligning deeply with the needs of their respective audiences. Ultra is not adapting general-purpose tech. It’s building the backbone of the gaming industry from the ground up.
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UOS will be THE gaming currency
Ultra is committed to establishing $UOS as the default currency for in-game transactions, rewards, and monetization across titles, platforms, and services. Just as the dollar dominates oil, $UOS will define value in gaming.
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Access and consumption of games will change
Similar to how Netflix revolutionized film and Spotify transformed music, Ultra envisions a shift in how people access and engage with games. Gamers deserve immersive platforms. Developers desire tools and reach. Publishers demand data and performance. Ultra is building a complete ecosystem that puts them all first.
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Crypto must be treated with the same standards as traditional finance
That’s why Ultra partners only with chains like Vaulta, ones that treat crypto with the same expectations as fiat: prioritising trust, utility, and transparency. Real utility demands real accountability.
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AI will unlock the next layer of personalized gaming
AI isn’t just a feature, it’s a fundamental shift in how players should experience games. That’s why Ultra is embedding AI deeply into its ecosystem to serve three purposes: hyper-personalization, real-time gameplay guidance, and intelligent ecosystem interaction. Players won’t just play, they’ll be guided, supported, and understood.
Building the Infrastructure for the Next Era
As co-leaders in blockchain innovation, this partnership is fundamentally guided by a shared purpose to serve the future of gaming, combining Vaulta’s financial rails with Ultra’s user-first infrastructure.
The partnership aims to radically upgrade the outdated backbone of the gaming industry, delivering ultra-fast transactions, scalable gaming experiences, improved security, and new tools for developers and publishers.
Ultra serves three core clients – gamers, developers, and publishers – and everything it builds is made to serve their needs. Ultra is building a complete ecosystem that puts them all first. This partnership enhances that mission with sharper tools, smarter systems, and better outcomes for each.
Technical Exchange Details
The partnership will provide Ultra with access to:
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Vaulta Spring framework: enabling improved scalability and security alongside a smoother user experience for its platform
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Vaulta Banking OS framework: Offering enhancements in transaction speed and asset management, while giving Ultra’s gaming ecosystem access to the multi-chain interoperability (IBC) environment
In exchange, Ultra will provide Vaulta with:
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Ultratest: A next-generation smart contract testing framework, which allows developers to launch faster and more securely
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MSIG Signing Tool: A breakthrough in secure gaming transactions and digital ownership
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Predicate System: Reduces gas fees to make blockchain gaming more affordable and accessible
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HSM Signing Code hardware: Secure hardware signing for private key management
Broader Impact and What’s Next
This partnership isn’t just about technology exchange, it represents a broader alignment of values between two industry-first platforms. As blockchain adoption deepens across industries, Vaulta and Ultra are taking the lead in building the specialized infrastructure needed to serve real users at scale. The partnership unlocks new opportunities and standards for what’s possible in digital entertainment.
At the same time, it supports Vaulta’s broader goal of engaging directly with industry leaders to build the next iteration of global finance, through real use cases, real infrastructure, and real collaboration. More partnerships will follow in the coming weeks, all designed to unlock new use cases, drive innovation, and accelerate adoption across the digital economy.
This partnership follows Vaulta’s recent rebrand (previously EOS Network) and strategic alignment to Web3 Banking, and comes on the heels of key milestones in Ultra’s 2025 roadmap, including the closing of a $12 million round led by NOIA Capital and the key c-suite appointment of Maxime van Steenberghe as Ultra’s new COO.
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Club Atlético River Plate and Betano Announce Long-Term Principal Partnership

Club Atlético River Plate and Kaizen Gaming, one of the world’s biggest GameTech companies and owner of the Betano online sports betting and gaming brand, announce a new long-term partnership that will see Betano become the club’s new main and front-of-shirt partner, starting from the current season.
The new partnership with River Plate follows an exciting year for Kaizen Gaming and its Betano brand, which launched in Argentina just a year ago and is already regarded as one of the country’s leading online gaming platforms. Alongside expanding its sponsorship programs, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and growing market presence, Kaizen Gaming has also solidified its role as a pioneer in shaping the online gaming industry internationally and fostering safe, controlled environments for players.
For River Plate, this agreement represents a strategic step in its international expansion and in the diversification of its revenue streams. In this regard, the alliance with Betano is a clear example of the club’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and building strong relationships with leading global brands.
Jorge Brito, President of River Plate, said: “Partnering with Kaizen Gaming and its brand Betano marks a significant milestone for us. Their presence in 19 international markets aligns perfectly with our global vision. Through its sponsorships of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ 2024 and the Argentine Professional Football League’s “Torneo Betano”, Kaizen Gaming has reinforced its leading role in the world of sports. River Plate is also a global leader in sports marketing, backed by a passionate fan base, an iconic stadium and an unmatched record of over 85 consecutive sold-out home matches. We are proud to be the most followed club in the world. With this partnership, we continue to grow, break new ground, and we’re excited to welcome Betano to the River Plate family.”
Stefano Di Carlo, River Plate’s General Secretary, added: “This agreement is the result of a long-term strategy we have been developing to consolidate the club as a global leader, backed by its institutional strength and more than 120 years of sporting success. The fact that an international brand like Betano has selected us as its partner speaks volumes about the strength of the River Plate brand worldwide and the confidence our institutional and sporting project inspire.”
Julio Iglesias, Chief Commercial Officer at Kaizen Gaming, said: “River Plate is a global footballing institution with one of the largest fan bases in the world and a history dating back over 120 years. As soon as we started speaking with the club, we knew we had found a partner who shared our values and relentless drive to raise the bar and set the highest standards in everything they do. The club and its fans’ passion for football is second to none, and it is exciting to be joining them on the next chapter of their illustrious history. At Betano, we are always aiming for the top.”
The new partnership expands beyond marketing activities. Kaizen Gaming continues to join its partners in driving positive social impact in local communities, whilst promoting the value of responsible gaming.
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Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, Accelerating North American Expansion

Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by launching Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, building on the company’s continental growth strategy following its Michigan provisional license approval.
This strategic launch builds on the growing momentum with BetMGM, marking a significant milestone in Octoplay’s North American expansion, introducing the bespoke opt-in jackpot solution built in collaboration with BetMGM. The decision to expand the partnership with BetMGM demonstrates the strong relationship between the companies and sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s continued growth across North America.
The Ontario launch builds on Octoplay’s rapid market entries over recent months, including Microgame’s network of 50 operators in Italy, Slovakia’s leading operator Niké, and Sweden’s state-owned Svenska Spel Sport&Casino. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, and Belgium, Octoplay continues its accelerated expansion across both European and North American markets.
Jackpot Blitz has achieved a remarkable 88% player opt-in rate since launch. This performance, combined with BetMGM’s extensive player base, sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s North American growth as the company prepares for launches in Michigan and additional US states in 2025.
“The launch of Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario accelerates our North American expansion plans,” says Carl Ejlertsson, CEO at Octoplay. “Our strong partnership with BetMGM has enabled us to bring this innovative product to their Ontario players. With our proven track record of collaboration with top tier gaming operators like BetMGM, we’re ideally positioned to drive significant growth together in regulated markets across North America.”
Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, said: “Ontario is a key iGaming market for BetMGM, and adding Jackpot Blitz strengthens our vast collection of games. Octoplay is part of our strategy to collaborate with top-tier partners to bring the best content to our players.”
As Octoplay prepares for its Michigan launch in 2025, followed by entries into additional US states, this expansion with BetMGM represents another milestone in the company’s accelerated growth. The partnership reinforces Octoplay’s momentum as the company continues its rapid advancement in North America.
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