Gambling in the USA

Casinos Across the U.S. Continue to Close as COVID-19 Spreads

Published

6 years ago

March 26, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

More and more casinos across the United States are closing their doors as the nation goes into shutdown following the coronavirus outbreak.

Over the past few days, the rapid spread of the virus has forced millions of citizens to quarantine themselves at home. Offices, hotels, and venues across the country have had to cease operations, unclear when they can open again. The country is facing an economic crisis as a result and the gambling industry could be one of the worst-hit.

Both Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International shuttered their Las Vegas casinos last week. However, full-time employees have been given assurances that salaries will continue to be paid during the period. The move follows recommendations from the CDC to limit public gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Speaking to CNBC, Vegas-based race and sports manager Duane Colucci of Rampart Casino highlighted the industry’s struggle to prepare for such a situation. “It’s so hard to fathom. You can’t prepare for something like this, especially in the race and sportsbook industry,” she said. She hopes that work-from-home regulations will be relaxed to allow casinos to take bets online.

On the east coast, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has closed all casinos, bars, and restaurants in Atlantic City, rendering the popular gambling hub a ghost town.

A move online

Online gambling has managed to continue through the struggles largely unaffected, with many digital casinos accepting US players around the world. Virtual horse racing also continues to operate online, along with certain sporting events in less-affected countries like Mexico and Russia.

Sportsbooks across the country have begun taking bets on all-and-everything in an attempt to pick up the slack. For example, the popular Costa Rican-based betting site Bovada has even been taking bets on the maximum temperature in various U.S. cities.

Sports betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are investigating new events on which to take bets. They both took some bizarre wagers on last week’s U.S political debate, including the amount and frequency of Trump’s tweets. Some other online betting sites have come up with some questionable solutions, like hosting simulated versions of real-life sports events that have been canceled.

Across the pond in the United Kingdom, physical casinos are also feeling the pinch. However, with the UK’s more favorable online gambling regulations, many are surviving through their online partner sites. eSports, where players compete entirely online, is another industry that has garnered increased popularity. Many sports betting sites are now enticing players to redirect their bets to eSports as a way to mitigate lost revenue on real-life sports.

A drain on savings

While online gambling might solve the problem of social distancing that COVID-19 presents, it doesn’t solve the problem of dwindling capital in most households. The longer that citizens are kept away from their work, the less likely they are to spend their savings on unnecessary activities. While gambling may be a favorite past-time for many, risky investments tend to reduce significantly during times of crisis.

The overall casino and gambling industry will struggle to survive this outbreak if the lockdown continues for too long. According to the UK paper The Guardian, around 35 companies are currently investigating a COVID-19 vaccine. However, it’s an arduous process that involves several critical testing phases in order to gain regulatory approval.

Annelies Wilder-Smith of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine believes a COVID-19 vaccine will take at least 18 months to develop, under the best possible conditions. During that time there is no telling how far the virus could spread and how devasting the effects on the economy could be.

Arizona Department of Gaming

Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-sports-betting-hits-new-record:-$967-million-wagered-in-october-2025

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has released its sports betting report for October 2025, revealing a record-breaking month for the Grand Canyon State. Total wagers reached approximately $967.1 million, marking a significant 22.2% increase year-over-year and a 13.6% jump from September 2025.

This performance solidified Arizona’s position as a top-tier U.S. betting market, ranking 6th nationally in total handle for the month, just behind Pennsylvania.

October 2025 Performance Breakdown

The surge in betting activity was driven almost entirely by mobile operators, which accounted for 99.4% of the total handle.

Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)
Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million
Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million
Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)
Privilege Fees (Taxes): $5.2 Million collected by the state.

Top Operators by Market Share

The “Big Three” continue to dominate the Arizona landscape, with FanDuel and DraftKings locked in a tight battle for the top spot.

Operator	October Handle	Mobile Handle	Adjusted Revenue
FanDuel	$317.1 Million	$317.1 Million	$13.4 Million
DraftKings	$297.8 Million	$293.7 Million	$22.7 Million
BetMGM	$102.9 Million	$102.0 Million	$5.0 Million
Fanatics	$88.2 Million	$88.2 Million	$4.8 Million
bet365	$55.0 Million	$55.0 Million	—

Note: While FanDuel led in total amount wagered (handle), DraftKings reported the highest adjusted revenue for the month at $22.7 million.

Fiscal Year-to-Date (FY26) Summary

Through the first four months of the 2026 fiscal year (July–October), Arizona has generated substantial revenue for state funds:

Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million
Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million
Fantasy Sports Fees: $462,576

The ADG also noted its continued focus on player protection, recently launching the “Too Young to Bet AZ” initiative to combat underage gambling and revoking Underdog Fantasy’s license due to concerns over its prediction market offerings.

The post Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Family Feud Lottery

Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game

Scientific Games, the global leader in lottery games, has officially launched GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE. Announced on January 6, 2026, this new omnichannel “Linked Game” leverages the massive brand equity of three iconic Fremantle television properties to offer players across the United States a chance to win up to $10 million in cash.

This launch follows the company’s proven strategy of combining retail tickets with digital second-chance opportunities to drive incremental sales for state lotteries.

The Brands: TV’s Powerhouse Lineup

The promotion features a “triple-threat” of game show nostalgia and modern popularity, specifically chosen after a 2025 consumer study confirmed their high purchase intent across all demographics:

THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.
FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
PRESS YOUR LUCK: A high-stakes favorite known for the legendary “Whammy” and strategic gameplay.

The Prize: An Exclusive Hollywood Experience

Lucky winners from participating U.S. lotteries will be awarded a “Linked Game” experiential prize package that takes them to the heart of the entertainment world:

Host City: Los Angeles, California.
Date: Fall 2027.
The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.
The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.
The Event: Following the taping, the lottery winners will take center stage on the iconic set for a private GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE event, where they will compete for a share of up to $10 million.

Omnichannel Strategy and Market Impact

Scientific Games pioneered the “Linked Game” concept in 2007. To date, these programs—including hits like Willy Wonka and Deal or No Deal—have generated more than US$6.6 billion in retail value.

Feature	Details
Game Formats	Instant Scratch, Fast Play, and Digital (iLottery)
Prize Cap	Up to $10 Million
Target Audience	Omnichannel (Retail & Digital players)
Producer	Scientific Games in partnership with Fremantle

“The incredibly broad appeal of these classic TV game show brands makes the GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE a perfect promotion for lottery, bringing to life the surprise, joy, and wins that players love,” said Tina Hoover, VP of Licensing for Scientific Games.

The post Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGS Gaming

Lucky Player Rings in 2026 with $1.6 Million Baccarat Jackpot at Encore Boston Harbor

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

lucky-player-rings-in-2026-with-$1.6-million-baccarat-jackpot-at-encore-boston-harbor

A New Year’s Day visit to Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, turned into a historic event for a lucky gambler who hit a massive $1,620,355.70 jackpot. The win occurred on AGS’ Royal 9® Baccarat, fueled by the developer’s innovative STAX Progressive platform.

The payout is the largest single jackpot ever awarded in the history of the resort and potentially sets a new record for the state of Massachusetts.

The Winning Moment

The winner, identified as a man from Quincy, MA, who chose to remain anonymous, triggered the life-changing prize with a single $5 progressive side bet.

The Royal 9 Baccarat progressive adds a unique layer to traditional baccarat:

Personal King-Nine: Each seat at the table is assigned a unique, pre-printed King/Nine combination.
The Trigger: The top-tier jackpot is hit when both the Player and Banker hands perfectly match the specific King-Nine combination imprinted at the player’s seat.
STAX Platform: The win was facilitated by AGS’ STAX system, which allows for multi-level, “must-hit-by” jackpots and community prizes.

“We built STAX to bring incredible wins to players, and this is exactly the kind of excitement we envisioned,” said John Hemberger, SVP and General Manager, Table Games for AGS. “This is a true testament of what a single $5 progressive bet can do.”

AGS’ Historic Run in New England

This record-breaking win at Encore Boston Harbor follows a streak of high-profile AGS jackpots across the New England region in recent months:

Date	Location	Game / Side Bet	Jackpot Amount
Jan 1, 2026	Encore Boston Harbor	Royal 9 Baccarat (STAX)	$1,620,355
July 9, 2025	Mohegan Sun (Casino of the Earth)	Spanish 21 (Bonus Spin Xtreme)	$2,018,742
Feb 13, 2025	Mohegan Sun	Super 4 Blackjack (STAX)	$1,338,736

The July 2025 win at Mohegan Sun remains the largest table game progressive jackpot in AGS history, triggered by the “Triple Diamond” prize on their Bonus Spin Xtreme® wheel system.

The post Lucky Player Rings in 2026 with $1.6 Million Baccarat Jackpot at Encore Boston Harbor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.