Gambling in the USA
Catawba Indian Nation Obtains Approval for North Carolina Casino
The Catawba Indian Nation has got approval from the federal government to construct and operate a casino and resort on land over the border in North Carolina.
The U.S. Department of the Interior cleared the American Indian tribe’s request to use 16 acres of land near Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain. The location is about 35 miles northwest of the Catawba reservation in upstate South Carolina.
The $273 million investment in the entertainment complex could generate more than 1600 construction jobs and create more than 3000 direct and indirect jobs once built.
The tribe “is very thankful for the department’s decision to take this land into trust, enabling us to achieve the promise of self-determination though economic development,” tribal Chief Bill Harris said.
Catawba leaders claim historical and legal ownership of the land. But the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina, with two casinos located in the state’s mountains, disagree and say the Catawba should stay in their own state.
“The federal government has no right or authority to create a new reservation for the Catawba Nation across state lines, into Cherokee historical territory, just to build a casino,” Chief Richard Sneed said.
The Interior Department’s approval came as North Carolina Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a bill last year would have directed the agency to authorise gambling on the land.
Burr called the decision “the right call.”
“Congress always intended for the Catawba tribe to be able to take land into trust in North Carolina, where they have deep, historic ties. I hope this decision will finally allow the Catawbas to move closer toward their goal of creating jobs and economic development in Kings Mountain with state and local support,” Burr said in a statement.
Bill Harris said that the casino would be paid for by unidentified investors. It would be run by Delaware North, which manages sports and entertainment venues in addition to casinos.
“It’s a righting of a wrong. We have now regained what once belonged to us,” Harris said.
G2 Digital
G2 Digital launches Vegas Club Casino in New Jersey on White Hat Gaming PAM
G2 Digital, the iGaming operator founded by industry veterans Greg Carlin and Dan Alexander, has launched Vegas Club Casino in New Jersey on White Hat Gaming’s Player Account Management (PAM) platform. The site is now live at NJ.PLAYVEGASCLUB.COM, with apps available for iOS and Android, the companies said on July 22, 2026.
Under an exclusive agreement, White Hat Gaming will provide its PAM solution to support G2 Digital as it targets regulated jurisdictions across the United States and Canada. The platform scope includes CRM marketing support, a proprietary cashier, RGS integrations, and White Hat’s Travelling Wallet
feature, positioned by the supplier as enabling cross-state flexibility and scalability.
Phil Gelvan, CEO at White Hat Gaming, said: “Greg and Dan are incredibly well-respected in the industry, so we are proud that they have chosen White Hat Gaming’s first-class PAM solution to supplement G2 Digital as it expands its operations in the US iGaming space with Vegas Club Casino. We are dedicated to delivering a highly optimized PAM product that ensures G2 Digital provides its players with a seamless, high-performance gaming environment.”
Greg Carlin, Co-Founder and CEO at G2 Digital, said: “After conducting a thorough analysis of all available platforms approved in the US market, White Hat’s PAM solution stood out as the winner, both in terms of the technology and the leadership team behind that product.”
White Hat noted its PAM is also used by operators including Bally’s, Jackpocket, and Choctaw Nation, and framed the deal as expanding its presence in regulated US markets.
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Gambling in the USA
AGS Reflects on Their Class II Roots at OIGA 2026
AGS today announced it will be attending the 2026 Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference and Trade Show, taking place July 20-22 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
With deep seated roots in Oklahoma, where AGS was founded and where its primary warehouse and production facility is located, AGS is eager to return to OIGA with a continued commitment to serving the needs of tribal operators.
”Oklahoma is not just another dot on the map for us. It’s where we started and where we learned how to be a true gaming supplier,” said David Lopez, CEO and President of AGS. “You can’t fake it in Oklahoma. Tribal customers know the games, they know the math, they know service, and they know who shows up every time. That has been great for AGS, because it forced us to get better. It made us more disciplined while keeping us honest. We’ve grown a lot since then – Class III, tables, interactive, offices all over the place – but our history in Oklahoma and Class II is not something we moved on from. It’s part of the AGS engine.”
The Company’s product showcase will include the large-format, specialty cabinet Spectra SL75+
. Designed to support the entire Spectra game library, including premium titles when leased, Spectra SL75+ gives operators added flexibility to mix and match content to fit their unique casino floor.
The cabinet acts as the perfect canvas to highlight five new titles including Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao
and Rakin’ Bacon! 5 Prosperity Pots
, Cash Carriage Looter
, Da Da Luo Boom
, and Frightful Fortunes Popping Pumpkins
.
AGS’ high-performing mechanical stepper cabinet Revel® – available in both Class II and Class III – is redefining the category by blending traditional mechanical gameplay with video-inspired features, creating an engaging experience for all player types. The latest Revel portfolio includes Crystal Reels® and Royal Reels®, available in both Class II and Class III. Expanding the lineup, Jackpot Legends
– a new cash-on-reels title featuring an exciting Jackpot Bonus Wheel – and So Hot Cash®, which delivers classic stepper gameplay and can be linked to the So Hot Grand progressive, are set to debut in Class III later this year, with Class II launches following in 2027.
On the table side, AGS’ award-winning progressive platform Bonus Spin Xtreme® (BSX) has been hugely successful in turning small side bets into massive jackpots throughout the tribal casino market. Linking all table games – from the pit to the poker room – BSX has been elemental in allowing operators to offer the flexibility at the tables to make these life-changing wins become more common.
AGS’ participation in OIGA reflects the Company’s history in Oklahoma and its longstanding commitment to the tribal gaming community. More than a trade show presence, OIGA is an opportunity for AGS to reconnect with valued partners, strengthen relationships, and reaffirm its respect for the Oklahoma Tribes that have played such an important role in the Company’s growth.
Attendees are invited to visit AGS at booth 732 throughout the show.
For more information, visit newsroom.playags.com.
©2026 AGS LLC. All® notices signify marks registered in the United States. All
notices signify trademarks which are currently not registered on any country-wide basis. Products referenced herein are sold by AGS LLC or its affiliates.
The post AGS Reflects on Their Class II Roots at OIGA 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
UpUp Casino Opens to U.S. Players with Premium Games Free, Faster Redemptions, and a Player-first Rewards Program
UpUp Casino, a free-to-play social sweepstakes platform built on player-first principles, officially launched in the US at upupcasino.com. The platform debuts with a premium game library, independently audited systems, and a legally compliant sweepstakes model that never requires a purchase or deposit to play or redeem real cash prizes.
UpUp Casino features a diverse collection of social and live games from globally recognised studios that power leading international iGaming brands — premium titles that are traditionally paid-to-play, now available free within the UpUp Casino sweepstakes experience. The platform operates using two virtual currencies: Gold Coins (GC) for entertainment gameplay and Sweep Coins (SC), which can be redeemed for real cash prizes.
Built around a player-first rewards experience, UpUp Casino offers every new player a welcome gift upon signup, alongside a wide range of ongoing promotions and benefits. Players can enjoy daily rewards, weekly bonuses, coin package bonuses, limited-time coin boosts, refer-a-friend incentives, and more. The platform’s VIP program further enhances the experience with boosted promotions, priority support, and exclusive tier-based rewards.
All eligible SC balances can be redeemed for real cash prizes through a redemption process designed for speed, security, and low minimum thresholds — ensuring rewards remain accessible to players.
UpUp Casino has been independently audited for security and fair-play integrity prior to launch and operates in compliance with U.S. sweepstakes promotional regulations. Player accounts are protected through industry-standard encryption, identity verification systems, and dedicated 24/7 customer support staffed by real people.
“Players deserve more — premium games without paywalls, faster redemptions, better rewards, and support from real people who genuinely care. We built UpUp Casino around those principles. This is what a modern player-first sweepstakes casino should look like,” said Angelina Upton, Founder of UpUp Casino.
The post UpUp Casino Opens to U.S. Players with Premium Games Free, Faster Redemptions, and a Player-first Rewards Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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