Operator News

First HHR install outside US as IGT, Churchill Downs and National Lottery plc strike pioneering Malta deal

IGT and Churchill Downs announced today that they have expanded their Historical Horse Racing (HHR) technology footprints to Malta via an agreement with National Lottery plc, a subsidiary of IZI Group. Per the agreement, IGT product will initially represent 100-per cent HHR floor share at National Lottery’s first HHR venue, IZIBINGO situated in St. Paul’s Bay, and Exacta Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CDI, will power the property’s gaming floor with its Exacta Connect system solution. IGT and Exacta will also power HHR at several other National Lottery gaming venues throughout the island. These landmark deployments mark the world’s first HHR technology deployment outside of the US.

National Lottery plc will launch its HHR offering with more than 80 IGT HHR games on proven IGT hardware including the PeakSlant49, PeakSlant32 and Cobalt27 cabinets. Players will have the opportunity to enjoy HHR-versions of award-winning games such as Prosperity Link and IGT classic games such as Cleopatra Gold, Wolf Run Gold and Stinkin’ Rich Skunks Gone Wild! Exacta Connect will be the driving force with its all-in-one pari-mutuel system, ensuring the gaming floors are compliant, running smoothly, and driving handle.

“Exacta is thrilled to announce our new partnership with IZI Group and IGT in Malta,” said Jeff Lind Exacta Systems President, “which marks an exciting first step towards our international expansion. 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.”

“We are excited to launch the first-ever HHR offering outside the USA,” said Johann Schembri, National Lottery plc Chief Executive Officer. “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. Our collaboration with Exacta and IGT, two of the world’s leading technology providers in this market, enables us to establish the ideal showcase for this offering, as we endeavour to expand this concept internationally.”

“Expanding our Historical Horse Racing 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,”said Nick Khin, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Gaming. “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.”