XB Net, the leading provider of premium horse racing content across the Americas, has further broadened its international footprint with the announcement of its latest digital distribution rights deal with established Malta-based operator, IZIBET.

IZIBET is the renowned retail brand of lottery operator IZI Group, with over 200 retail sites across Malta. IZI Group operates the island’s iconic Dragonara Casino and, since 5^th July 2022, the National Lottery of Malta.

The agreement offers XB Net’s delivery of live pictures, data and betting services from an unrivalled network of tracks in North America, furnishing IZIBET with a highly-flexible programming schedule, supported by a steady stream of rapid-cycling wagering opportunities that are proven to increase digital dwell-time for new and existing customers.

These racing rights are founded upon core premium content from the majority of North American racetracks, which also grant IZIBET and its loyal customer-base access to more global highlights, including January’s Pegasus World Cup, two legs of the world-famous Triple Crown (featuring the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes) and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This daily timetable of engaging action supplies IZIBET with a reliable source of fast-settling racing content at both primetime and off-peak viewing slots.

XB Net stands alone as the proven pacesetter for horse racing content across the Americas, providing rights, data, live broadcast and video streaming on behalf of its growing global portfolio of partners. It retains a sought-after ability to offer players both pari-mutuel and intelligible fixed-odds in lockstep, which it does outside of the United States.

Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at XB Net, said: “It’s fantastic to break new ground in Malta with such a recognisable brand as IZIBET. This partnership adds more muscle to our strategy of selecting the right brands across key international territories, helping to grow the sport and return the value to racing’s stakeholders. IZIBET is a trusted ‘go-to’ operator in Malta, as befits the local national lottery brand. And this announcement also offers us unrivalled access to a thriving retail market. We’re thrilled to be able to deliver the best racing products on the market to even more bettors.”

“It’s an exciting time to be continuing to grow our global audience and products, with our core North American racing service now ably abetted by some cracking racing from Australia and South America. IZIBET’s diligent and innovative team give us the confidence to evolve and expand this collaboration as 2023 unfolds.”

Franco De Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer at National Lottery plc, added: “We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with XB NET” as through this agreement IZIBET, which since 5^th July 2022, has become the official sports betting brand of the National Lottery, will offer the most comprehensive horse and dog racing betting services in Malta, comparable to the rich offering provided by leading international betting providers. Our players can now avail themselves of races from the early hours of the morning till late in the evening when the roster of races from the Americas kicks in. This is in line with our customer charter which is built on our promise to provide the market with the richest and most enticing product offering possible.”

XB Net is now a key product of 1/ST Content, the innovative operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies. 1/ST is the biggest racing company in North America, with a mission statement committed to redefining and supporting Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it.