Chicago’s Hawthorne Race Course Signs Partnership Deal With Virtual Live Racing

  • Virtual Live Racing will create a model of Hawthorne's actual racetrack
  • Bettors will be able to wager on virtual races with results generated from historical data
  • VLR says this is a risk-free, no-cost opportunity for racetracks to boost their revenues

 

 

Horse race on grass track
Hawthorne Race Course and Virtual Live Racing have teamed up in a new partnership deal to offer a virtual horse racing betting option with a track modeled on Hawthorne’s actual layout. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Modeled after the actual track

Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago, Illinois has signed a new partnership deal with Virtual Live Racing (VLR). The racetrack will now offer a product created by VLR that provides a virtual model of the course.

With the game, customers can wager on virtual races created from historical data based on past races from the track. The data will be used to determine the results, instead of a random number generator.

Rolling out across the continent

The VLR product will be made available on tote systems via AmTote International’s Spectrum wagering system distribution process, giving racing fans across North America the opportunity to wager on Hawthorne Virtual. The assistant general manager for the brand, John Walsh, pointed out that for Hawthorne, the product will allow the operator to create a new revenue stream.

innovative new pari-mutuel wagering product line”

“We are excited to offer our Hawthorne data and brand to be included with this innovative new pari-mutuel wagering product line,” Walsh said.

Vincent Caldwell, VLR’s chairman, pointed out that this is his company’s fourth product to launch in the United States. The company is currently testing two additional tracks before they launch later in October.

Caldwell stated further that the VLR product provides a risk-free, no-cost opportunity for racetracks across the globe to earn additional revenues. VLR hopes that racetracks will embrace the new products to provide themselves with additional income and promote the tracks to a global audience.

Casino and sportsbook to come

Hawthorne Race Course has been quite busy over the past few months. On top of signing the new VLR product deal, the operator was chosen to house the first casino in Chicago. The Illinois Gaming Board ruled that Hawthorne was suitable for a casino license back in August. The new gaming property will include slot machines as well as table games and a racing feature.

Upgraded dining will be offered on-site. Hawthorne has also partnered with PointsBet to create a state-of-the-art sportsbook. The casino should open late next year.

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