The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the new owners of Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, Washington signed a new contract with Sportech Racing and Digital, the U.S. pools and sports betting division of UK Sportech PLC.
The signing took place last week, more than a month after the Muckleshoot Tribe received the Washington Horse Racing Commission’s approval of the tribe’s license to operate as new owners of the Emerald Downs racetrack. The signing of a new contract signified The Tribe’s approval of Sportech Racing Digital’s existing long-term and continuing role, as provider of pari-mutuel wagering technology and services to Emerald Downs LLC.
Under the new agreement, Sportech will upgrade the equipment and software used at the Emerald Downs Auburn racetrack, including the paddock and field board displays. Sportech will also update the racetrack’s entire inventory of betting terminals with the BetJet® Series.
In last month’s announcement of the finalization of the acquisition agreement between Northwest Racing Association and the Muckleshoot Tribe, Phil Ziegler, the President at Emerald Downs Racing LLC, announced going forward with changes aimed at enhancing racetrack fan experience.
The plan, according to Mr. Ziegler, includes the construction and installation of a new 45’x 30’ big screen atop the tote board to give racing fans a close-up view of the horseracing event from all track levels. In addition, they will install television monitors throughout the racetrack facility. Apparently, the Sportech software upgrades, and equipment update will see to the fulfillment of such changes.
About the Sportech BetJet® Series
Sportech’s BetJet® self-service betting terminals support a broad range of wagering transactions using cash, deposit account, paper tickets, and the digital vouchers used in Sportech’s Digital Link mobile suite. The BetJet® SL series furnishes a variety of extra content and services such as player rewards, handicapping data, and info used by Sportech’s Bet-Fund debit card. Another device in the series is the BetJet® Flip model that combines tellering functionality with self-service.
Sportech’s Digital Link™ is a mobile application available to customers using iOS-supported devices, allowing the latter to simply relax at the races by using customer tools integrated in the system, including Sportech’s Digital Voucher.
The President at Sportech Racing and Digital, Andrew Gaughan conveyed his and his company’s appreciation of the new owners’ decision to continue using Sportech’s services and tote technology in providing valuable services to Emerald Downs customers.
About Sportech Racing and Digital
Sportech Racing and Digital is the U.S. pools and wagering arm of UK Sportech, furnishing tools needed by licensed operators in expanding the distribution of a global mix of racing products, and the distribution of a betting operator’s services via terrestrial and digital channels.
About the Emerald Downs Racetrack
The Emerald Downs Racetrack is currently owned by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, a federally recognized Native American tribe that owns the title to the 157-acre property on which the 2004-founded Emerald Downs Racetrack is situated. In November 2014, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe struck an acquisition deal with the Northwest Racing Association; by March 2015, the acquisition agreement became final after members of the Washington Horse Racing Commission unanimously granted approval to the license requested by The Tribe, being the new owners of Emerald Downs LLC.
