Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523590
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JULY 2024 6 COMMERCIAL National Lottery plc launches the first historical horse racing service NATIONAL Lottery plc, a fully owned subsidiary of IZI GROUP has today inaugurated another multi-million-euro investment in a state-of-the-art gaming ven- ue that will operate under the newly established IZIBINGO brand. The new facility will fea- ture the first Historical Horse Racing (HHR) installation out- side of the USA and will serve as a European showcase for this in- novative product as IZI GROUP endeavours to expand this con- cept internationally. IZIBINGO is a new gaming and entertainment centre that will encompass the widest portfolio of gaming products. The centre will feature a renovated 312-seater Bingo Hall, 120 Historical Horse Racing Terminals and a dedicat- ed Sportsbook facility. The inauguration of this new venue and the introduction of HHR is the culmination of months of hard work and has been possible through the stra- tegic alliances that IZI Group has forged with world class providers of such technologies including world leader International Game Technology (IGT) and Exacta Systems LLC (EXACTA), a sub- sidiary of Churchill Downs Incor- porated (CDI), the corporation behind the world's most legend- ary horse race - The Kentucky Derby. "The introduction of Historical Horse Racing and the launch of IZIBINGO is the result of months of diligent effort by the Group," commented Johann Schembri – Chief Executive Officer of IZI Group. "Our vision to provide a gaming experience that is unpar- alleled both locally and interna- tionally has been the driving force behind this initiative. Our allianc- es with world leading technology partners have allowed us to bring to the market the most compel- ling product mix in a modern setting like no other. Moreover, we are thrilled to launch the first ever Historical Horse Racing in- stallation outside the USA, with our partners, EXACTA and IGT. Our partnership with these world class leading technology compa- nies also opens important oppor- tunities for the Group to interna- tionalise its presence," concluded Johann Schembri. This new investment was of- ficially inaugurated by the Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise, and Stra- tegic Projects, who commended the forward-looking strategic approach of IZI Group and its commitment to invest and deliv- er new concepts and technologies in the market. The inauguration of IZIBINGO and the unveiling of the first-of- its-kind Historical Horse Racing installation outside the USA, was welcomed by both EXACTA and IGT, who both had words of praise for the commitment that IZI Group showed in delivering this project in a record time- frame. Top officials from both companies were present in Malta for the inauguration. The launch of IZIBINGO comes at a time when IZI Group is cele- brating milestone events, includ- ing two (2) years since taking over the operation of the national lottery of Malta, fifteen (15) since taking over the operations of the Dragonara Casino and ten (10) years since launching IZIBET. The launch of IZIBINGO opens up new opportunities for Na- tional Lottery plc as it eagerly an- ticipates further enhancements to its overall product portfolio, while exploring new avenues for growth, and continuously mak- ing positive contributions to soci- ety and the local economy. APS Bank champions local sports through CSR APS Bank is proud to announce its continued dedication to local sports initiatives through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Participa- tion in sports promotes physical health, fosters teamwork, and strengthens com- munity ties, aligning with the Bank's commitment to enhancing overall well-being and social cohesion. Recently, APS Bank became an official sponsor of the Maltese Olympic team in preparation for the Games of the XXX- III Olympiad in Paris. This partnership reflects the Bank's efforts in empower- ing Maltese athletes in their pursuit of Olympic selection and excellence. Beyond this, APS Bank has supported various other sports activities. Earlier this year, the Bank backed the World Karate Championship, SKSM Malta, and the Malta Chess Federation. Additional- ly, APS Bank financed a second-hand FI- SA-standard coastal coxed, quad rowing boat for the Siggiewi Rowing Club. This initiative enables a fully inclusive rowing training programme for athletes with and without disabilities, allowing them to train together safely and effectively. Rachael Blackburn, Head of Culture at APS Bank, commented, "We are hon- oured to support these diverse initia- tives. 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