NZ Racing Board

14th October 2010

A new Australian-designed, state-of-the-art software betting platform, with the potential to revolutionise wagering systems worldwide, has recorded its first multi-million dollar, overseas sale to the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB).

The new betting system, called Typhoon, was developed over three years by Australian based software company, Media and Gaming, and launched this year.

Typhoon overcomes the numerous limitations embedded in the software of most wagering companies throughout the world, thereby delivering major operational and commercial benefits to them.

The Managing Director of Media and Gaming, Nicholas Plowman, said, “This contract between NZRB and Media & Gaming will result in a commercial and technology-based partnership which will ensure the NZRB can take a leading position in an increasingly competitive global entertainment market.”

The CEO of the NZRB, Mr. Andrew Brown, said, “As part of our modernisation strategy, the NZRB conducted a worldwide search for the most efficient and reliable betting platform and Typhoon was selected as the best and most cost-effective option.

“Along with a fast and reliable service, Typhoon will significantly improve the NZRB’s capacity to compete against offshore operators and enable us to be much more agile and responsive in meeting the needs of the industry and our customers,” Mr. Brown said.

Mr. Plowman said, ”Tote operations throughout the world run on legacy systems that do not enable them to compete against more technologically-advanced gaming enterprises. This is holding racing back in its attempts to match it against other forms of global entertainment. Typhoon goes a long way to solving these problems.”

“Quite simply Typhoon is the most highly advanced and technically superior wagering system currently available in the world today.”

Mr. Plowman identified several key advantages of the new Typhoon betting system.
•    Typhoon ®is significantly cheaper to acquire, operate and maintain.
•    Typhoon is extremely fast, secure and reliable.
•    Typhoon is capable of handling an unlimited number of contestants, events, pools and customer accounts.
•    Typhoon runs 24/7.
•    Typhoon handles multi-language and multi-currency international co-mingling.
•    Typhoon provides an improved ability to manage problem gambling issues through greater real-time visibility and reporting.
•    Typhoon will enhance an organisation’s existing products and introduce new products in a fast and efficient process.

Mr. Plowman said. “Typhoon enables a wagering operator to respond to customer demand and will help grow new revenues for racing codes, clubs and sporting bodies.”

“For example, with Typhoon an operator can create a trifecta pool on the Tour de France or the US Masters and have it available to their customers across all its retail, web and mobile channels instantly.”

“With this first overseas contract at Media and Gaming, we are excited firstly for the NZRB in their far reaching decision, as well as for the New Zealand racing industry which has the potential to gain improved returns, and for the New Zealand public who will enjoy an enhanced betting experience.  With Typhoon, everyone wins.” Mr. Plowman said.

About the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB)

The NZ Racing Board is charged under statute to operate the industry to the benefit of these many diverse members, and the thousands of people who derive their livelihood from it. Under the Racing Act 2003, the responsibilities of the NZ Racing Board are to:

•    Run the TAB, New Zealand's sole provider of betting on racing and sport
•    Maximise betting profits for the long-term good of New Zealand racing
•    Promote the racing industry.

The Board itself comprises seven Members, drawn from the three racing codes and from top non-racing professionals in the commercial sphere.