SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Virtual Live Racing (VLR) has strengthened its senior leadership team after naming online betting and racing industry executive Joey D Michaels as new VP of Business Development.
Michaels, who has 35 years of experience in senior management roles within the racing industry, will take charge of establishing new relationships with track owners across the US.
In addition, he will also build partnerships with online Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) betting operators to drive expansion into US tracks, casinos and off-track betting outlets.
Joey D Michaels, VP of Business Development of VLR, said: “I’m delighted to join the management team and drive our distribution and growth plans throughout the US. We already have a number of track partners that are live including Derby Lane and Tampa Bay Downs in Florida.
“Five other tracks are signed and are soon to be launched, including Hawthorne in Chicago, and Parx in Philadelphia – but I will be looking to secure more partnerships before the end of the year. We are offering racetracks the opportunity to extend their brand beyond the real-world racing calendar, reach millions of new players, and create new revenue lines and sponsorship opportunities via digital branding in virtual races.”
VLR Chairman Vincent Caldwell added: “We are delighted to have recruited Joey whose knowledge, experience, and reputation in the industry will play a major role in driving the business forward in the US.”
Earlier this year, Caldwell launched the VLR product which will deliver a regulated digital tote betting service for US punters.
The product will feature fully rendered replicas of real tracks, graphics, and results based on historical race data from across a number of American racetracks – with results generated by using anonymised and encrypted data from real-life thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races.
