1995
Acquired the first online gaming license in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Casinos of the South Pacific was formed.
Kia Orana Cook Islands!
1995
As part the deal to obtain the iGaming license, worked directly with Cook Islands Telecom, and NZ Telecom to set up the country’s first internet connection – introducing internet to the small island. With international phone calls at a flat rate of $9.99 per minute, VoIP calls became very popular. Our iGaming business operated with a 256K connection for $25,000/mo.
1996
Casinos of the South Pacific introduces
one of the world’s first online casino games.
Interest Is Intense in Irvine’s NetBet.com >>
~ LA Times
1997
Launched one of the world's first publicly traded iGaming companies, NetBet, well before the current NetBet entity acquired the company and established their business
1999
Due to internet bandwidth constraints, operations are moved to Costa Rica. Incredible memories and lifelong friendships with the beautiful people of the Cook Islands.
Meitaki, Cook Islands!
2002
It was determined the Federal Wire Act doesn’t restrict online gambling.
2003
The iGaming industry was
valued at approx. $2.6 Billion.
2004
After significant research, betED is launched.
The world's first, Flash-based sports-betting interface hit the market, revolutionizing one-page wagering –
replicated by every major sportsbetting company today!
ZEFR MEDIA INC.
2005
Zefr Media Inc. is launched - providing a full suite of iGaming services from software development, ecommerce, to marketing and customer service.
2006
A lucrative profit-sharing partnership is formed with Covers.com / SportsDirect Inc., the authority and resource for sports betting information, with owners Paul Lavers and Joe McDonald, sportsbetting veterans. The deal reflected a proven formula with Covers.com, the company partly responsible for building Bodog's initial brand presence, a sportsbetting industry pioneer. The Covers.com deal with Bodog earned millions, allowing Covers.com to build a massive, multi-million-dollar office complex in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
2006
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is passed by quietly adding it to the SAFE Port Act at the last minute.
The UIGEA immediately creates a situation of modern-day prohibition.
2007
Antigua argues against the US in the World Trade Organization (WTO) -
actually in 2004, however, it's been ongoing with the US continually losing in subsequent arbitration panels - over their highly controversial crack downs on offshore sportsbooks. The WTO sides with Antigua – the United States responds by invoking procedures under GATS Article XXI to modify its schedule of commitments, specifically excluding online gambling.
This is the first time a WTO member has withdrawn a commitment in response to a WTO ruling.
2009
betED grows to one of the top ten leading sportsbooks in N America - holding the number one spot on Covers.com – allowing Covers.com to expand their empire with millions in profit sharing revenues - as the Covers.com Top Ten list here reflects!
2010
Launched one of the
world's first live-play betting interfaces. 'Live-play, In-play, or In-game', has since catapulted into the stratosphere, largely due to advances in mobile technology. Live-play sportsbetting presently accounts for as much as 80% of sports betting revenue.
Once again, our company was at the forefront of the marketplace.
2011
In a wide-sweeping move to eliminate competition in the US, betED was shut down by the US Government, alongside PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and several other industry leaders. Dark days for the iGaming industry, dubbed Black Friday and Blue Monday. As scholars wrote, “Prohibition rears its ugly head again in the US”. betED, along with numerous iGaming companies, ceases operations.
2012
2012
PokerStars resolves their charges, paying the US Government $731 million dollars, with the agreement of no charges and/or wrongdoing by its executives – including, “The agreement explicitly permits PokerStars to apply to relevant U.S. gaming authorities, under both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands, to offer real money online poker when state or federal governments introduce a framework to regulate such activity,”. This came to fruition - see 2022 below. The power of money!
2015
In a $54 million-dollar deal, Covers.com is acquired by Gracenote Media, a subsidiary of Tribune Media Company, subsequently acquired by Nexstar Media. With Covers.com built largely upon profit-sharing with offshore sportsbooks, their acquisition is proof:
major US media companies, like Gracenote Media/Nexstar Media embrace offshore sportsbetting, for paving the way, and allowing them to enter the new frontier of US sportsbetting.
2017 (to present)
2017
One of the iGaming companies we follow closely, Stake.com is launched. In only six short years (fast forward to 2023), Stake has grown to the 7th largest iGaming company on the planet. A testament to good software combined with great customer service, being the same formula for our success with betED! In other news, after three years of studies, Mr. Wright, Co-Founder obtains his MBA.
2018
The Supreme Court struck down a 1992 federal law that effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states, opening the door to the flourishing US sportsbetting industry today. Mr. Wright shed a tear and enjoyed a beer over the US ending their highly controversial and hypocritical, long-standing prohibition on sportsbetting.
2020
2022
PokerStars partners with Detroit Red Wings in USA. A press release states, “The partnership will be a powerful entertainment force in the Michigan marketplace, bringing poker fans to the ice, and hockey fans to the felt.” 2022 also sees PokerStars partner with the Toronto Maple Leafs. iGaming in N. America is growing rapidly.
2023
Zefr Media is relaunched, embracing the accomplishments, and unparalleled experience, reflected in (a very small) part with this
long-overdue timeline!
2023
The iGaming industry is expected to reach USD $70.64 billion. With the worldwide proliferation of mobile devices, including the ease on iGaming regulations, the industry is expected to reach $153.57 billion by 2030.
2024
The iGaming industry continues to grow, surpassing expectations!
The iGaming market is now expected to grow by USD 181.47 Billion (2024-2028), fueled by digital tech adoption, with AI driving a market transformation.
2024
Zefr Media closes out the year with exciting, upcoming news!
With decades of experience in the iGaming industry since its very beginning, Zefr Media has cultivated an extensive network of top-tier connections. Now, we're taking things to the next level by partnering with leading iGaming companies to expand our platform and elevate our services.
Big things are on the horizon - stay tuned for the official announcement(s)!
More to come in 2025!
We continue to see...
Highly qualified iGaming employees are hard to find - we know this.
At Zefr Media, we're proud of our network of industry leading experts - curated over decades of working in the iGaming industry.
Experience-based equates to results.
Let's be clear: we hold in high regard a select few iGaming operators who currently dominate the marketplace. Back in 2004, when we launched our initial sports betting operations, it was the culmination of extensive market research. We amalgamated the leading attributes from each existing market leader and elevated them - including ground-breaking features not yet seen in the marketplace. Our platform was subsequently mimicked by every leading sports betting company.
We're laying the foundation for the launch of yet another industry-leading iGaming platform.
As we've done before, our platform is grounded in meticulous research and a deep understanding of customer needs (KYC). We prioritize simplicity, fun, and exceptional customer service. Infused with our experience-driven approach, our platform is crafted around today's cutting-edge technology, fueled by our blood, sweat and tears - our experience.
Once again,
the competition will be following
our lead
Zefr Media is a full-service, digital agency and product innovation company that provides strategy consulting, design, technology, AI, and iGaming services to aspirational businesses.
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Zefr media
