Though it may not be traditional slots, HorsePlay found a way to blend casino-style gaming with any horse race that takes place around the world. The operator quickly learned that trust was the most important aspect in building a game of this style.
New Yorkers have a strong appetite for horse betting throughout the state. What better way to satisfy it than by offering regulated online parimutuel-powered games in the form of slots?
HorsePlay has been in the New York market for over a year now. PlayNY spoke with Co-Founder and President Russell Fine on the market itself, player behavior and expansion plans for the company.
Building trust with customers
HorsePlay is considered “reveal gaming” because it is not using a random number generator (RNG) to determine results. The outcome is based on actual, live horse racing results.
In simplest terms, a player deposits money into their HorsePlay account and receives site credits. Their deposit then initiates a parimutuel-style wager on a live horse race whose outcome is unknown to the player. Once the horse race concludes, the results are revealed to the player through interactive casino-style games played with the site credits they received upon deposit. In this scenario, the games use horse race results to determine their outcomes rather than an RNG.
That in itself could cause friction right off the bat, especially for frequent traditional slot players. However, it wasn’t the game mechanics that caused the initial friction.
Fine noticed that customers cared more about trust than anything. With illegal gambling running rampant across the country, players needed to make sure HorsePlay was legit.
“Early on, we saw people deposit and then withdraw quickly, basically to confirm they’d actually get paid,” Fine told PlayNY in an email. “Once they saw we’re U.S.-domiciled, regulated, and that withdrawals and customer support were real, the product clicked and engagement followed.”
“For a newer real money gambling category like reveal gaming, trust is everything.”
HorsePlay is licensed and regulated in 18 states and operates under the jurisdiction of the New York State Gaming Association. Fine added:
“Players should expect a real money gambling experience that’s structured differently than traditional online slots. It’s fair by design, it’s regulated, and it’s meant to be exciting entertainment.”
How the game differs from traditional slots
As previously mentioned, HorsePlay does not use an RNG to determine the outcome. The customers are wagering on real horse races around the world.
How those races finish is also why it’s considered reveal gaming. In addition, the payout structure is different than your typical casino.
Fine explained that customers are “betting against the house” when playing traditional online slots, whether using NY online casinos or at retail properties. That’s not how HorsePlay works.
HorsePlay is a peer-to-peer game where deposits are placed into a parimutuel pool, and the winners are paid from there. HorsePlay charges a small commission for operating the game.
The game appeals to two different types of experiences, which includes horse betting.
“You can experience it more like horse racing if you want, or you can experience it more like a reveal/casino-style game,” Fine said. “Either way, it’s real wagering.”
For those who like both, HorsePlay is for you.
The long-term vision
HorsePlay did not disclose expansion plans, however, Fine did say that “expansion is part of our strategy.” The operator has been in contact with third-party gaming providers, even those in regulated iGaming states.
HorsePlay believes its parimutuel structure, game format innovation and the ability to blend genres differentiates itself enough to be able to operate in iGaming states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey.
As for what’s next, Fine spoke to what customers are demanding and the focus of the company:
“More casino-style games, because players are asking for them, plus experimentation in new genres, including casual and tournament formats, and potentially new real money adaptations of non-casino games.
“Our model is built for third-party integrations, so expanding the library through partnerships is a major focus.”
Fine is passionate about horse racing and gaming. His goal is to provide customers with a trusted, fair and exciting experience.
