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JockeyCam offers new Virtual Reality Horseracing Experiences

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2022

Gaspar Incze

Photo credit: unsplash.com

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Video production firm JockeyCam has utilised its state-of-the-art technology to unleash a new 360-degree horse racing experience for racegoers, inviting them to set foot into the world of jockeys by the magic of Virtual Reality (VR).

The experience has been developed to give punters first-hand experience of life as a National Hunt jockey.

The VR horseracing attraction allows racegoers to pit their wits against their friends or family members and alongside other virtual jockeys.

The technology debuted at Ayr Racecourse and is expected to be showcased elsewhere at other horse racing meetings throughout the year.

The Chance to Experience Life as a Jump Jockey

JockeyCam has worked hard to innovate and provide a unique insight into the British horseracing industry.

The “Virtual Race Experience” enables racegoers to don a VR headset and get a jockey’s eye view of riding a National Hunt horse around the Welsh racecourse of Chepstow in Monmouthshire.

The visuals for the VR headsets were captured by professional jockeys, who wore panoramic high-definition (HD) cameras while racing around Chepstow Racecourse. The racehorses were supplied by stable trainer Tim Vaughan, with immersive race commentary provided by Stewart Machin.

The next step for JockeyCam could be to develop a VR experience for flat racing, which offers an altogether different experience to jumping over fences and hurdles. There is just as much interest and allure in flat racing as National Hunt racing, as the upcoming Royal Ascot festival will testify. JockeyCam’s technology has already been used with broadcasters to demonstrate a jockey’s eye view of races at Royal Ascot, as well as races overseas like the Breeders’ Cup.

The 2022 Royal Ascot contains a host of great Group 1 races, which encourage bookmakers to launch a string of Royal Ascot free bet promotions to new and existing customers ahead of the showcase event. As the marquee flat racing event, the chance for racegoers to get aboard a champion horse in a VR Ascot Gold Cup or Diamond Jubilee Stakes would be an engaging piece of technology.

The facts and figures behind JockeyCam

The JockeyCam technology is designed to provide real-time footage in high-definition (HD) quality. The VR experience gives people a panoramic perspective aboard a racehorse, while the JockeyCam views for broadcast networks also help to give a sense of perspective to viewers in terms of the speed of the race and how close the jockeys can get to one another.

The technology is also one of the most unobtrusive pieces of kit a jockey could ask for. Weighing in at just 74g and attached to a subtle 34g transmitter fitted to the jockey’s back protector, JockeyCam makes it possible to share the thrill of top-level horseracing at first-hand.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the GB Professional Jockeys Association, described JockeyCam as a “real insight” for racing fans into “what it’s like to be a jockey”. Struthers likened the lightweight, unobtrusive setup to wearing “a second set of goggles”, such is the negligible impact the kit has on a jockey’s performance.

JockeyCam’s use at headline racing meetings overseas demonstrates how this piece of technology has already gone global. At the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, JockeyCam was used to provide in-race speed data in collaboration with race timing experts Total Performance Data. It was also utilised at the 2022 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, Florida, with its jockey’s eye camera angle broadcast to networks TVG and NBC Sports.

Last autumn, it was even used in speedway to provide a unique rider’s eye perspective of the British Speedway Premiership Grand Final. Ultimately, JockeyCam is designed to bring fans closer to their favourite sporting action than ever before.

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Springbok Casino’s Wild November Feature ‘Backyard Gangsters’ Offers 25 Free Spins on new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion slot

Published

3 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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Springbok Casino’s November feature article introduces the “Backyard Gangsters” a playful look at the diverse animals that inhabit our gardens, highlighting their unique roles in maintaining ecological balance.

“Our backyards are teeming with life, and it’s fascinating to see how these cheeky animals each play a vital role in the ecosystem. From flashy sunbirds to silent assassin geckos, these creatures are portrayed as the true rulers of our garden turf, each contributing to the garden’s dynamic.” — Daniel Van Wyke, Springbok Casino Manager.

To celebrate these gang of wild characters, the leading South African online casino is offering all depositing players 25 free spins on the new RTG slot, Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion, until November 30th.

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Latest News

Play’n GO celebrates multiple win at 5 Star Media Awards

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, is today celebrating a five-award sweep in the coveted 5 Star Media Awards of 2024.

The legendary games studio nabbed a second consecutive Slot Supplier of the Year award, as well as being named the RNG Casino Supplier of the Year. The company also secured three of 5 Star Media’s “Top 20” Awards for co-founder and CMO Ebba Arnred, Director of Business Development Stuart Trigwell, and Head of Brand and Communication, Andrew Pink.

Play’n GO has enjoyed a landmark 2024, breaking new ground by entering the South African market, as well as expanding its US presence into what is now five states.

Ebba Arnred, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Play’n GO, commented “We’re always very pleased to have our work recognised at the various awards throughout the year, but to win five in one fell swoop is almost unprecedented. It’s very special to be awarded Slot Supplier of the Year for a second year in a row, and RNG Casino Supplier of the Year is another well-received feather in our cap. We would like to thank 5 Star Media and the entire judging panel, as well as our entire team here at Play’n GO, without whom these award wins simply wouldn’t happen. On a personal level, I’d also like to express gratitude for the individual recognition of a 5 Star “Top 20” Award.”

Stuart Trigwell, Director of Business Development at Play’n GO, added “I’d like to express a sincere thank you to 5 Star Media for being recognised in their “Top 20” Awards. We do our work not for individual accolades but for the success of the entire business, so it’s great to see Play’n GO so well represented across the board.”

Andrew Pink, Head of Brand and Communication at Play’n GO, said “Play’n GO’s driving ambition is to be the best entertainment supplier there is. Aside from producing some of the most played games and best loved characters in the world, that ambition is often realised by things largely unseen by those outside the company. It’s extremely gratifying for everyone at Play’n GO to be recognised as Slot Supplier of the Year. Next year may just be our biggest and best yet.”

eSports

Procedure to be followed by school clubs affiliating for the 2025 season

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), founded in 1984, is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.

MSSA promotes all the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.

The choice is ultimately up to the school.

The various games offer unique opportunities to many South African learners. Many learners have been able to earn Regional, Provincial, and National Colours which have allowed them to earn bursaries and obtain first-class educations.

MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team.

With the above in mind the MSSA has streamlined the process for schools to affiliate to the MSSA.

There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.

As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA.

In order to affiliate, the completed Application for affiliation Form must be submitted to the MSSA.

Once the Board has approved a school’s affiliation, the school then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the school for the players and make payment.

All school members may participate in all events for which it qualifies. Such events include meetings, championships, courses, and so forth.

Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:

Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
Being able to get assistance from your local government
Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.

MSSA’s Constitution

The Constitution forms the foundation of the MSSA. It guarantees members rights and governs the way that the MSSA operates. It can only be amended by a two-thirds majority at a Council Meeting. Please remember that Associations only have two (2) votes each, whereas member clubs have a representational vote, being:

Private clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and
School clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.

MSSA’s General Regulations
The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed. Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.

MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations
The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.

Application for Affiliation form
When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.Fee note for 2025
The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.

Player Registration Form
The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.

MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking
The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.