UK virtual sports technology and content provider Inspired Group, in collaboration with Hong Kong-based Paradise Entertainment and its subsidiary LT Game, will spearhead the introduction of virtual sports in Macau casinos between the second and third quarters of 2017, the companies confirmed this week.
The exclusive deal was announced earlier this year (see previous report) and will provide virtual sports content on ETG terminals in the Macau market. Initial content will include “Virtual Horse Racing” followed by “Rush Football” and “Rush ‘Tyson’ Boxing”.
Paradise COO Betty Zhao has confirmed that the companies are collaborating on system integration, and that Paradise will submit an application to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau in Q2-2017.
She revealed that there has already been some interest from Macau land casino operators, and a demo version of the product would soon be available.
Macau’s dog racing operator, Macau Canidrome Co Ltd, is also interested in the possibilities for virtual sports betting, according to local media reports, and research on dog racing is underway.
The regulator is said to have a cautious but open mind on licensing possibilities for virtual sports.
Several expert observers in the Macau market have opined that the opening of the gaming market to different gambling alternatives, including online and e-sports betting, is necessary to the continued evolution of the business in Macau.