Everi’s rolled out a mobile app for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, working alongside SeatGeek to handle the ticketing side of things. The gaming tech company, which now operates under the IGT brand, partnered up after seeing how mobile platforms could enhance live events.
Breeders’ Cup Limited’s EVP and CMO Justin McDonald backed the project, calling it “a great way to deepen engagement with our attendees and fans.” IGT FinTech CEO Darren Simmons also jumped on board. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California will host the actual races.
Why Mobile Tech Matters for Horse Racing
Horse racing celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, but the sport’s been looking for fresh ways to connect with younger audiences and tech-savvy fans. Traditional racing events haven’t always kept pace with how people consume entertainment today.
“We are proud to offer an enhanced Breeders’ Cup race day,” McDonald said, noting they want to serve both track attendees and viewers watching from home. Simmons sees this as an “ideal opportunity to showcase how we can enrich the on-site experience” through their BeOn Venue platform. It’s part of a broader shift where live events need digital components to stay relevant.
What the App Actually Does
The platform streams all Breeders’ Cup races live during the October 31-November 1 event, plus it delivers post times, official results, and breaking news as things happen.
For people actually at Del Mar, there’s on-site venue information to help navigate the grounds – parking, concessions, that sort of thing. The SeatGeek integration should make buying tickets and getting through entry gates much smoother than traditional methods.
Remote fans aren’t left out either. The app works as a complete information hub whether you’re trackside or watching from your couch.
How This Fits Everi’s Bigger Strategy
This isn’t Everi’s first venture beyond traditional gaming. Back in July, they developed a venue app for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which houses the Golden Knights plus UFC and boxing events.
That expansion came after acquiring Venuetize assets in 2023, opening doors to sports and entertainment venues. The company’s already working with Penn Entertainment through its CashClub Wallet technology at M Resort Spa Casino since May.
Each venue type needs different mobile features, but the core technology platform stays similar – it’s about capturing audience engagement wherever people gather and spend money, not just casino floors.
