International Game Technology (IGT) and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) are bringing their historical horse racing technology to Europe for the first time through a new deal with Malta’s National Lottery.
Malta’s National Lottery plc, a subsidiary of IZI Group, will become the first gaming operator outside the United States to host historical horse racing (HHR) machines.
An initial 80 machines will be launched at the National Lottery’s first HHR venue, IZIBINGO in St Paul’s Bay, which will be powered by CDI’s Exacta Connect system solution.
IGT and Exacta will also power HHR machines at other National Lottery gaming venues in Malta.
“Exacta is thrilled to announce our new partnership with IZI Group and IGT in Malta which marks an exciting first step towards our international expansion,” said Exacta Systems president Jeff Lind. “The flexibility of our Exacta Connect system in adapting to different markets and legislative environments, coupled with the thrill of HHR gaming, continues to drive this growth.”
National Lottery CEO Johann Schembri commented: “We are excited to launch the first-ever HHR offering outside the US. This first installation at IZIBINGO and other sites within our lottery network in the coming weeks is the result of extensive efforts and represents a significant step in our mission to innovate the operations of the National Lottery.”
Nick Khin, chief operating officer of gaming at IGT, added: “Expanding our HHR footprint in Malta is an exciting growth milestone for IGT and a testament to the quality and global relevance of our HHR content and hardware portfolio.
“By offering players HHR-versions of highly popular IGT games such as Prosperity Link and Cleopatra, National Lottery plc is extending the reach of some of the gaming industry’s most celebrated content in a format that players readily enjoy.”
IZI Group’s National Lottery plc took over the operation of the National Lottery of Malta from Maltco Lotteries in July 2022
IZI Group also operates the Dragonara Casino in Malta, online casino and sports betting products via Dragonara.com and IZIBET.com, and will soon offer lottery products online via Lottery.mt.
Shares in International Game Technology plc (NYSE:IGT) closed 0.89 per cent lower at $19.98 per share in New York Wednesday, with the markets closed Thursday. Shares in Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CDI) closed 1.11 per cent higher at $140.00 per share in New York Wednesday.