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Victoria Racing Club, Tabcorp and Nine Enter Landmark Deal for Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Tabcorp and Nine Entertainment (Nine) announced a groundbreaking broadcast, media and sponsorship deal for the world-famous Melbourne Cup Carnival from 2024 to 2029.
The landmark agreement will see the VRC and Tabcorp enter a game-changing partnership combining enhanced year-round sponsorship, and domestic and international media rights for the Carnival.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival will be broadcast on all SKY platforms and the TAB app, with Tabcorp having the right to on-sell the coverage to wagering providers.
Nine will be the free to air partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including audio-visual rights for broadcast, streaming, mobile, digital and social platforms. Tabcorp will be the exclusive wagering integration partner for Nine’s broadcast of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The new rights package means that Nine will be the broadcast home of Penfolds Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, VRC Oaks Day and TAB Champions Stakes Day. All four days of the Carnival – one of the nation’s most significant cultural events – will be broadcast live and free in high-definition on Channel 9 and streamed on 9Now.
The partnership allows the VRC to invest strategically for the long term in the key areas of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, member engagement, the year-round racing programme, Flemington Racecourse tracks and facilities and the broader community. It will also bring significant new investment to the racing industry which will support and fund innovations on and off the track, create new jobs and further enhance equine welfare initiatives.
The agreement represents a partnership encompassing broadcast, content, partnership rights and race naming rights. This partnership will create significant exposure for the brands and their partners as it brings together the biggest names in sport.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said that this was an important strategic announcement for the industry, Tabcorp, Nine and the VRC.
“The VRC is delighted to extend and enhance its long-term partnership with Tabcorp. As Australia’s first major event, the Melbourne Cup Carnival will sit very appropriately in the calendar of Nine’s Wide World of Sport major event coverage,” Mr Wilson said.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is Australia’s pre-eminent racing event, and the partnership continues the VRC’s unwavering commitment to showcasing the very best the sport of racing has to offer and attracting new fans to the sport.
“The iconic nature of the event was highlighted by a successful 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival, with more than 262,000 racing fans at Flemington and millions more engaging with the Lexus Melbourne Cup at home and abroad.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s most culturally and economically important major events, and it is right here in Melbourne – considered by many as the sporting capital of the world.
“As its custodians, the VRC places significant emphasis on protecting the history and tradition of Cup Week, which is loved by so many Australians, while innovating for the future and investing in our club and the major event that is the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“This landmark partnership is not only good for Melbourne and Victorian racing, but it also guarantees our sport has primacy across multiple platforms and channels.
“The partnership will enhance the community engagement and economic contribution that followed the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival, which saw more than $500,000 raised for different charity groups, an estimated 16,000 jobs generated and the delivery of thousands of visitors to Victoria from interstate and international locations, highlighting the broader impact of the event,” Mr Wilson said.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival delivered $422.1 million in economic benefit to Victoria in 2022, making it the largest economic contributor to the state of any major annual sporting event in the past decade, with early modelling suggesting the 2023 economic impact will be even greater than 2022.
In 2022, one in two adult Australians engaged with Lexus Melbourne Cup Day in some way and in 2023, the race itself was broadcast to 209 countries and territories with a potential global reach of 750 million people.
A key component of the partnership will see the VRC take the reins on managing the production for racing coverage through VRC Media, working closely with Tabcorp and Nine to elevate the way racing is broadcast across the globe.
VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the partnership underlined the club’s strategic commitment to being a world leader in racing, media, sponsorship and event experience.
“The partnership with Tabcorp and the arrangements with Nine have been developed by our close strategic alignment and a desire to grow and innovate in our industry,” Mr Rosich said.
“We are thrilled that in 2024 the Melbourne Cup Carnival will join the Nine big event stable alongside the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Australian Open and State of Origin.
“Nine’s capability to showcase coverage of Melbourne Cup Carnival racing and events across the depth of their leading broadcast and streaming assets make for a compelling partnership outcome.”
Mr Rosich also thanked previous Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast partner Network 10.
“The VRC acknowledges and thanks Network 10 for bringing together exceptional coverage of the Melbourne Cup Carnival since 2019. In partnership with Network 10 the VRC has expanded the range and reach of Cup Week across domestic and international audiences, and we were delighted to finish the partnership on a high, with increased viewership on Network 10 and 10 Play.”
Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild said: “Tabcorp’s partnership with the VRC and Nine is the most innovative in Australian sport and we can’t wait to bring our entire digital, broadcast and retail ecosystem together to grow and promote the Melbourne Cup Carnival together.
“This partnership builds on Tabcorp winning the 20-year Victorian exclusive wagering licence and will be a key pillar of our growth strategy. Together with our Brand and Customer transformation, this partnership gives us a terrific platform to grow in Victoria, throughout Australia and around the world as we beam the Cup to more than 60 different countries through Sky Racing.”
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Jackpot Digital Inc., the world’s leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that it has received license approval from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU). This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Company, as it is the first state-issued license it has received in the US. This state license allows the Company to install its casino machines throughout all of Maine. Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz ETG, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly poker solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The MGCU license will enable the company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Maine, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
The New York State Gaming Commission unanimously appointed Terryl Brown to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which is overseeing the commercial casino siting process in the New York Metro region. Terryl Brown currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel at Pace University. Prior to taking her position at Pace, Brown served as Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs and Administration for the New York City Fire Department, where she oversaw operations and legal matters for a department comprised of 17,000 employees. Brown has also been Chief Ethics Officer and Counsel with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Acting Counsel to Governor David Paterson, First Assistant Counsel to Governor Eliot Spitzer, a Commissioner of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the New York Power Authority, and a Partner at Harris Beach PLLC.
Partnerships
International Game Technology PLC has announced that IGT PlaySports is growing its sports betting presence in Nevada via a three-property, sports betting technology and services agreement with GN NV Holdings LLC, owner and operator of the Golden Nugget Casinos. Per the agreement and through a phased rollout, IGT PlaySports will power retail and mobile sports betting at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Tahoe first, followed by Golden Nugget Casino Las Vegas and Golden Nugget Casino Laughlin. Golden Nugget Casino Lake Tahoe was the first of the three casinos to convert to an IGT PlaySports-powered sportsbook after launching its retail sportsbooks in January 2025. Golden Nugget Casino Laughlin and Golden Nugget Casino Las Vegas are expected to launch their new sports betting programmes later this year, first with retail betting and then with a mobile betting option.
In Celebration of Hard Rock International’s annual “International Women’s Month” in March and International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, Hard Rock and global superstar & humanitarian, Shakira, announced a year-long partnership that aims to empower women around the world to tell their stories, be their authentic selves and unite through the power of music. The company is raising funds through its charitable arm, Hard Rock Heals Foundation, throughout International Women’s Month. A portion of proceeds will benefit Pies Descalzos Foundation—Shakira’s non-profit organisation enhancing the education and social development of girls in Colombia’s most vulnerable communities—as well as local women’s organisations within the communities of Hard Rock locations.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 3-9 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
MiFinity, a trusted global eWallet provider serving merchants and consumers worldwide, is deepening its presence in Asia with additional local payment options. As part of its continuous commitment to supporting the region’s surging digital economy, MiFinity has launched Rabbit Line Pay in Thailand alongside LinkAja and direct bank transfer in Indonesia, with more payment methods slated for integration throughout 2025.
MiFinity has built a strong reputation as a go-to payment provider for businesses breaking into new markets, particularly those requiring fast, secure, and fully compliant transaction solutions. With a highly engaged and rapidly growing user base, MiFinity eWallet users in Asia are actively transacting across a variety of digital services, making MiFinity a strategic partner for merchants looking to boost conversion rates, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen trust across the region.
Commenting on this expansion, Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, said: “Asia represents a key growth market for MiFinity, and we are committed to providing merchants with the best possible solutions to reach their customers in this region. By integrating popular local payment methods and expanding our currency support, we are making it easier for businesses to offer seamless, trusted payment experiences. Our investment in the region underscores our dedication to supporting both our merchants and our highly engaged eWallet users, ensuring they have access to the payment options that best suit their needs.”
Supporting Asia’s Thriving Digital Economy
The digital payments market in Asia is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, rising financial inclusion, and the booming demand for digital services. According to industry research, Southeast Asia alone is home to over 350 million digital wallet users, with eWallet transactions projected to account for a growing share of online payments.
For merchants looking to expand into these high-growth markets, offering trusted, localised payment options is essential to attracting and retaining customers. By integrating Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and direct bank transfers, MiFinity provides businesses with the tools they need to tap into these opportunities, delivering seamless payment experiences that align with local consumer preferences.
Continued Growth and Future Expansions
The rollout of Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and Indonesian bank transfers marks the newest milestone in MiFinity’s widening footprint in Asia, with additional payment integrations scheduled for later in 2025. As appetite for digital wallet transactions and alternative payment methods accelerates, MiFinity remains committed to evolving its offerings, empowering merchants to capture new customers and deliver secure, consumer-centric payment experiences across Asia’s diverse markets.
The post MiFinity Expands Payment Options in Asia, Strengthening Regional Commitment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Esports entertainment company BLAST and global game publisher KRAFTON have partnered for the return of the PUBG EMEA Championship (PEC) and PUBG Americas Series (PAS) for 2025, marking the third consecutive year of these premier regional PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Esports tournaments.
BLAST will work with KRAFTON to bring the best of its industry-leading technology, high-end ‘fan-first’ production values and extensive esports tournament organiser experience to help elevate the PUBG esports scene.
A $50,000 prize pool is up for grabs in each of the EMEA and Americas regions, as the best teams battle for dominance and a chance to represent their regions on the global stage. The Open Qualifiers kick off on March 3rd. The tournaments will feature an officially broadcasted Group Stage from March 14-16, followed by the Last Chance phase on March 22-23, culminating in the Grand Finals from March 28-30.
Additionally, KRAFTON will be introducing the PUBG Players Tour (PPT), operated by BLAST in the EMEA and Americas regions. This brand-new grassroots event will act as the first officially supported third-person perspective (TPP) esports event since PGI 2018. This expansion underscores KRAFTON and BLAST’s commitment to providing diverse and engaging competitive experiences for the PUBG community.
Scott Appleton, Senior Esports Commercial Manager for BLAST, said: “At BLAST we pride ourselves on working with the best game publishers and most popular esports titles. Adding KRAFTON and PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS further expands and strengthens our portfolio of ecosystems. We can’t wait to showcase the best PUBG esports’ teams across Europe and the Americas this year and help further grow the competitive scene in the future.”
Atila Yesildag, Director of Esports EMEA & Americas at KRAFTON said: “We are delighted to partner with BLAST to elevate PUBG Esports in 2025. As we embark on another year of thrilling competition, players and fans can look forward to an action-packed season that builds on the strong foundations of PEC and PAS while exploring exciting new territory with PPT.”
PUBG Esports has seen continued growth in 2024 with viewership increasing year-on-year compared to 2023, and PEC and PAS proving an integral part of the PUBG competitive ecosystem.
Last year saw PUBG Nations Cup 2024 (PNC) and PUBG Global Championship 2024 (PGC) amass 510,977 and 493,890 Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV) respectively, delivering the second and third highest PCV in PUBG Esports history, trailing only the legendary PUBG Global Invitational 2018.
Key details:
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Dates:
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Open Qualifiers: March 3rd onwards
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Playoffs March 14-16 (official broadcast matches begin)
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Last Chance Phases: March 22nd-23rd
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Grand Finals: March 28th-30th
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Prize Pool: $50,000 prize pool for each region
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Where to Watch:
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YouTube
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Twitch
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The post BLAST Partners With KRAFTON to Support Continued Growth of PUBG Esports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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