Gambling in the USA

The Plaza Hotel & Casino to welcome guests beginning June 4

Published

6 years ago

May 28, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The iconic Plaza Hotel & Casino located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas will reopen to hotel and casino guests on Thursday, June 4 in accordance with all federal, state and local government guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The last three months have been a difficult time for the Plaza, Las Vegas, and our country as a whole,” said Plaza Hotel & Casino CEO Jonathan Jossel. “People are yearning to get back to living their lives, including relaxing by the pool and playing on the casino floor. While we recognize the experience will be different than before, it is the start of bringing back fun and entertainment to people’s lives – now, during these stressful times, when they need it most. So, we are very excited to welcome guests back to the Plaza and bring back the vintage Vegas vibe that our guests deserve and have come to expect.”

As part of the Plaza’s reopening plan submitted to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the property will require all staff to wear masks, have their temperature taken before starting work, enter via a designated location, and observe social distancing. Guests will also be encouraged to wear masks (although not required) and receive an amenity kit at check-in with a complimentary mask for their use.

All hotel and casino guests can now self-park for free, and valet parking has been closed. Curbside check-in has been added to minimize contact, and guests will enter the property through a limited number of doors that will operate automatically or be set open manually. Quick-serve dining outlets, such as Pop Up Pizza and Coffee Bar will also reopen.

Elevators will be limited to four people at a time, and social distancing will be observed in all public spaces, including on the rooftop pool deck and casino floor through the removal of chairs at table games and reconfiguring of slot machines.

The Plaza will utilize enhanced disinfecting protocols for all public touchpoints, including doors, tables, chairs, kiosks, room keys, and gaming equipment. Vending machines, including ice machines, will be turned off until all restrictions have been lifted.

During the closure, the Plaza completed a deep cleaning of the entire property and fully renovated the casino bathrooms. Physical modifications were also made including the installation of plexiglass barrier at the registration desk and numerous touchless hand sanitizer stations for use by staff and guests.

On June 4, the Plaza’s Bingo room, the only one in downtown Las Vegas will again offer six daily bingo sessions. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the Bingo room at the Plaza is uniquely located two floors above the main casino. By parking on the third floor of the Plaza’s self-parking garage, guests have convenient and direct access to the Plaza’s bingo room without having to walk through the casino floor.

The Bingo room at the Plaza will reopen with a special offer: Blue Packs pay $75 and the Blue Coverall pays $300. The Plaza will also continue to offer the Bingo Millions Megaprogressive games, electronic specials, Hotball Jackpot and Cashball Bonus. For a limited time, players will be able to purchase the Million Dollar Coverall at 47 numbers or less. Any player with a Plaza Rewards Players Club card is also eligible for Sizzling Summer Bingo Match Play which offers $75 daily Bingo match play every day in June, July & August (three $25 match plays per day and one $25 Bingo match play per session; more details available at the Plaza Bingo room).

To celebrate the reopening, the Plaza is offering a special Old School Fun getaway package offering guests who book by Aug. 31 for a stay before Dec. 29 the lowest available room rates, $25 daily food and beverage credit, $75 daily bingo match play and $10 free slot play as well as complimentary hotel room upgrade and early check-in / late check-out (both based on availability).

For more details on the Plaza’s reopening plans or getaway offers, please visit www.plazahotelcasino.com.

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.