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    Stars And Fox Bet Veterans To Lead New Hard Rock Digital Venture

    HRI Launches ‘Hard Rock Digital’ and WildCard Wallet

    Article by : Helen Dec 30, 2020
    Updated: Apr 6, 2023

    Officials for Hard Rock International (HRI) have announced the creation of the “Hard Rock Digital” platform that will diversify the company’s holdings while expanding its innovative gaming offerings. HRI also is launching its new WildCard Wallet service at casinos owned and operated by the Florida Seminole Tribe and its Seminole Gaming business.

    We are broadening our digital business, which enhances consumer experiences and offerings across our interactive gaming and sportsbook offerings. Hard Rock Digital also intends to pursue strategic branding and distribution opportunities within the U.S. and globally.

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    Allen says the United States offers a potential digital gaming market estimated at $14 billion for online gaming and $7 billion for sports wagering. The U.S. federal government recently removed obstacles to sports betting and online gaming. Still, respective state legislatures must enact enabling legislation for digital gaming and sports betting to occur within their jurisdictions. Several have already, including New Jersey, where Atlantic City has replaced Las Vegas as the top sports betting locale in the United States.

    The Florida Seminole Tribe owns HRI and owns and operates several gaming operations across the United States. HRI describes Hard Rock Digital as “dedicated to building an unrivaled betting experience for millions of sports fans everywhere.” Hard Rock Digital will have its headquarters located in Hollywood, Florida, with satellite offices in Texas and New Jersey.

    The combined operations of HRI and Seminole Gaming provide access to 250 gaming properties located in 76 nations. The combined operations have more than 130 million customers available for crossover marketing and digital sports wagering. Hard Rock Digital is bringing aboard several industry veterans to help facilitate the emphasis on digital gaming that includes online and mobile sports betting.

    Former The Stars Group CEO Rafi Ashkenazi is taking some time off before serving as executive chairman and executive managing director of the digital gaming platform. Also coming from The Stars Group is former Chief Legal Officer Marlon Goldstein, who will serve as CEO and executive managing director of Hard Rock Digital. Matt Primeaux will serve as the president and executive managing director of the new digital venture.

    In a related move, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Everi Holdings announced an agreement to improve digital wallet solutions for players at brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online and mobile gaming platforms. Everi will provide the WildCard Wallet at Seminole Gaming casinos. The WildCard Wallet enables bettors to play games of chance without using cash or touching a screen.

    “This innovative cashless funding solution will bolster the security and ease of funding transactions as well as the interoperability with other back-office tools to support our operations, such as Anti-Money Laundering, Know Your Customer, and providing tax forms for casino winnings,” said John Eder, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International. “The WildCard Wallet eliminates the need to handle cash at slot machines creating a frictionless experience for the customer and allows all patrons with flexible options to fund their gaming experience,” Eder added.

    The cashless betting option will enable bettors to play table games as well as electronic games without the need to lay cash or touch the money that other bettors have played. That can help to improve general conditions while a global pandemic continues making bettors wary of potential contagions inside a casino.

    In addition to paying for games of chance, the WildCard Wallet also can pay for dining and retail purchases while at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and the Seminole Classic Casino in Florida. The WildCard Wallet eventually will make its way through other Seminole Gaming casinos after working out any bugs that might arise during initial use at the Florida casino locations.