Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Bragg Gaming Group confirmed that it will release its first quarter 2025 financial results prior to the opening of the financial markets on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The release will be followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, hosted by Bragg Chief Executive Officer, Matevž Mazij and Chief Financial Officer, Robbie Bressler, to discuss the Company’s financial results and provide a business update. During the call, management will review a presentation that will be available on the day of the call.

Context Networks Inc, the first programmatic advertising platform engineered for the gaming industry, has announced the rollout of its groundbreaking Deep Intelligence Marketing strategy, redefining how brands engage consumers in bars, taverns and on-premise slot route operations. Leveraging the power of AI-driven data analytics, machine learning and context-aware digital couponing, Context Networks is turning local venues into the next frontier of high-impact retail media. Through its Contextual Promotions Media Network (CPMN), Context is converting digital screens—such as slot machines in bars—into dynamic, smart advertising surfaces. These systems use advanced data signals to deliver highly targeted promotions based on real-time factors like venue type, consumer behaviour, time of day, and even emotional context, moving far beyond traditional static or cyclic Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising.

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ACR Poker’s Blitz Bonus Boost promotion is back by popular demand to supercharger players’ bankrolls, offering a 50% bonus up to a sizzling $500. To take advantage, players need to deposit $25 or more by 11:59 pm ET on Saturday, May 31 using bonus code: BLITZ and ACR Poker will match 50% of it, up to $500.

Partnerships

International Game Technology PLC announced that IGT PlaySports technology is now powering retail sports betting at Silver Reef Casino Resort in Ferndale, Wash. This technology agreement builds on IGT PlaySports’ leadership in the region, marking the 11th casino in Washington State to deploy the Company’s award-winning sports betting platform, and the 10th casino in the State to leverage its trading advisory services.

Playtech and Hard Rock Digital (HRD) have launched New Jersey’s first-ever dedicated trivia experience on the top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform. This milestone establishes Hard Rock Bet as the first operator to launch a dedicated Live Trivia Game Show in the state. Since the announcement of their strategic partnership in 2024, Playtech has provided a wide range of gaming content through Hard Rock Bet, including slots, card & table games, and live dealer games.

Everi Holdings Inc. announced the Company’s digital CashClub Wallet technology is powering Penn Entertainment Inc’s (PENN) “PENN Wallet” at M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson, NV. The “PENN Wallet” offers M Resort guests the ability to access cashless payments throughout the gaming floor via integrations with existing loyalty and payments systems. PENN currently utilises CashClub Wallet technology across 22 properties in 11 jurisdictions. CashClub Wallet elevates patron engagement with frictionless, omni-channel payments. Everi’s industry-leading cashless payments solutions drive additional volume, improve operational efficiencies and transform the traditional casino cash-centric environment into a modern, seamless experience for an enhanced player journey.

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Amusnet’s Live Casino 2025 strategy is to empower operators and differentiate their offerings with bespoke game environments, exciting gameplay and enhanced winning potential through special features and significant multipliers integrated into a variety of new releases planned for the year.

“2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for our Live Casino division. We are introducing a diverse range of standout games that blend entertainment, technology, and interactivity in new ways,” said Marin Dimitrov, Head of Live Casino.

One of the key highlights is Showtime Roulette 500x, a fresh take on the classic roulette experience.

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“What sets Showtime Roulette 500x apart is its unparalleled customization capabilities. Operators can fully tailor the game environment to reflect their brand identity,” Dimitrov said.

This fast-paced European roulette reinvents the classics, featuring a host who presents, entertains and spins the wheel for a seamless, engaging experience. Thanks to advanced chroma technology, operators can uniquely brand the game, showcasing their logo and any bespoke background theme they desire. This creates a tailored and immersive experience that feels truly one of a kind for each operator and their players. Further enhancing player engagement, the thrill of potential rewards is heightened through random multipliers on every spin, with payouts amplified up to 500x, creating a truly exceptional gaming experience that elevates player excitement and satisfaction.

Another highlight of the year is Extra Crown Deluxe Live, which is “inspired by our slot top performer Extra Crown and offers an engaging blend of traditional slot excitement and the dynamic atmosphere of live casinos,” added Dimitrov.

This innovative live slot game retains the charm of the original while introducing upgraded mechanics and captivating gameplay. A dynamic studio setting, complete with a charismatic host, fosters a strong sense of community, bringing players together 24/7 to share in the excitement of every spin. With ten traditional symbols across 5 reels and 20 paylines, players can enjoy this classic slot action enhanced by features like Free Spins (with retrigger potential), Respins with expanding symbols and lucrative Cash Prizes (multipliers). The innovative Dynamic Reel Prizes and real-time Statistics further enhance the immersive gaming experience, topped off by the ever-popular Jackpot Cards bonus game and the chance to multiply wins via the Gamble Feature.

The latest release is Football Thrill, a high-speed live casino game that brings the excitement of football to the casino floor with instant, easy-to-play mechanics. With its simple gameplay and dynamic pacing, this Live Casino addition is designed to captivate both sports fans and casino enthusiasts. Fast, intuitive and built for excitement, this Live Casino game is the perfect addition to any live casino looking to attract players who crave action-packed, easy-to-play games.

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Amusnet’s Live Casino strategy for the upcoming year centers on delivering innovative and immersive gaming experiences. This will be achieved through the introduction of enhanced roulette variations featuring captivating gameshow elements and significantly larger multipliers, boosting excitement and winning potential. The company is set to expand its offerings with a diverse selection of card games that blend classic gameplay with modern twists to appeal to both traditional and modern players. Further enhancing player engagement will be the range of interactive wheel-based games and gameshows incorporating thrilling new mechanics.

Your recent AML Outlook report highlights over €36 million in fines issued across Europe in just one year. What recurring weaknesses or compliance gaps are regulators most commonly identifying in payments and e-money firms?

John Gidla (JG): Regulators continue to flag underinvestment in anti-financial crime controls as a key concern for payments and e-money firms. Common themes include weak governance, limited oversight, and fragmented controls, all of which increase vulnerability to financial crime. There’s a growing expectation that firms scale their compliance frameworks in line with their risk exposure and growth trajectory

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The report mentions that AML compliance can be costly—yet the reputational and financial risks of non-compliance are even greater. What are the most cost-effective measures firms can implement today to strengthen their AML frameworks without overwhelming their budgets?

JG: While not all firms can afford advanced compliance tools, strong governance remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce risk. Practical steps such as training staff on emerging threats, embedding a culture of accountability, and regularly updating frameworks as the business grows can go a long way in strengthening AML resilience without major spend.

With the creation of the EU’s new AMLA authority, do you expect a more consistent and centralized enforcement approach across Europe? How might this change how firms prepare for inspections and adapt their compliance strategies?

JG: AMLA has the potential to bring greater consistency to AML enforcement across the EU, addressing long-standing issues caused by fragmented supervision and uneven implementation by national authorities. Its impact will depend on how much direct oversight it gains, how assertively it acts on cross-border risks, and whether it can close the regulatory gaps that have permitted high-profile scandals. Firms should expect more rigorous and standardised inspections and will need to ensure their compliance programmes are not only locally robust, but scalable across jurisdictions.

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Vixio emphasizes the importance of a proactive rather than reactive compliance culture. In your view, what does a ‘proactive’ AML strategy look like in 2025, and what technologies or best practices are leading firms adopting to stay ahead?

JG: A truly proactive AML strategy in 2025 extends beyond technology to encompass a strong compliance culture at every level of the organisation. Leading firms understand that combating financial crime isn’t just the responsibility of the compliance team — it’s integrated into day-to-day operations, with senior leadership driving risk awareness across departments. In terms of technology, firms are increasingly adopting AI, machine learning, and automated monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity early and reduce human error. However, culture plays a critical role; firms that foster a compliance-first mindset and invest in ongoing staff training are better positioned to adapt to emerging threats and ensure that their compliance frameworks evolve in step with business growth and digital transformation. A proactive approach also means constantly reassessing risk and using data to predict and prevent issues, rather than just reacting to them. With regulations in constant flux, and regulators ramping up enforcement, proactive compliance looks like implementing strategies to anticipate regulations, not just react to them. In Vixio’s PC Outlook Report, we found that a clear majority of firms surveyed are using some form of outsourcing for their compliance functionality, turning to firms like Vixio to get ahead of regulatory change.

Thanks to John Gidla, Head of Payments Compliance at Vixio, for his insightful responses.

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