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Virginia Lawmakers Debate Creating iGaming Agency

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Virginia lawmakers are actively debating whether to establish a new regulatory agency to oversee iGaming. The joint subcommittee discussed a bill to create the Virginia Gaming Commission. It would manage all gambling verticals beyond the lottery.

Delegate Paul Krizek said: “The Virginia Gaming Commission is a step we need to preserve the good.”

Currently, the Virginia Lottery regulates sports betting and casinos, while other agencies manage charitable gaming and horse racing. Lawmakers also considered legalizing online casinos, including real-money platforms.

Delegate Marcus Simon introduced HB 2171 earlier this year. The bill aimed to authorize a real money online casino market under casino-lottery oversight. While the bill failed, Simon explained that the aim remains to curb illegal offshore platforms.

“My goal is to bring it under a regulated umbrella where we can have some oversight and supervision,” Simon said.

The subcommittee reviewed revenue projections estimating up to $5.3 billion in taxable income from online casinos over five years. The estimates included increased land-based casino revenue of 8.4%.

Experts raised concerns about real money online casino risks. Keith Whyte from Safer Gambling Strategies urged strong enforcement and safer gaming tools. Whyte noted: “Players could be encouraged… to take control through deposit limits, time limits, budget calculators, and personalized dashboards.”

Mental health advisor Brianne Doura-Schawohl backed up Whyte’s statement, warning that such products are dangerous without safeguards.

Former New Jersey regulator David Rebuck testified that iGaming complemented land-based casinos there. He pointed to New Jersey’s market, where online play boosted tourism and in-person casino revenue.

However, some Virginia legislators expressed skepticism, citing fears of cannibalization. They questioned whether online casinos might draw customers away from brick-and-mortar venues.

Industry experts countered that New Jersey and Michigan showed the opposite effect. Rebuck explained: “The evidence demonstrates iGaming expands the player base rather than cannibalizes physical casinos.”

Supporters argued that Virginia’s land-based operators could benefit from cross-promotion, loyalty programs, and expanded reach to players in rural areas.

The subcommittee must make recommendations by November 30, 2025. Officials expect the commission’s creation will precede legalization of online casinos. The Virginia lawmakers will review feasibility and revise HB 2171 before the 2026 legislative session.

The post Virginia Lawmakers Debate Creating iGaming Agency appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Plaza Hotel & Casino to debut Bluberi’s Smokin’ Train slot on April 22

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Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas says it will be the first Las Vegas property to debut Bluberi’s new Smokin’ Train video slot game, with the launch set for April 22.

“We are committed to bringing to the Plaza’s casino floor the latest and greatest games with Bluberi’s Smokin’ Train being our newest addition,” said Sue Ascanio, general manager of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “Relatively new to the Las Vegas market, Bluberi is offering exciting video slot options that we think will have a loyal following very quickly. So, we are excited to partner with them as they expand their installations in Vegas. Based on the feedback we have so far, we are confident that Smokin’ Train will be highly popular with players at the Plaza.”

Smokin’ Train is a five-reel, 50-line video slot with multiple denominations and a top award of a progressive $10,000, according to the company. The title is themed around the Wild West Gold Rush and includes a Triple Pot Filler mechanic featuring mystery door reveals, combining pots, and a Super Nugget feature that triggers all pots.

In the Hold & Spin bonus, players collect enhancements from train cars to boost, collect, or add cash balls. The Plaza’s announcement comes as suppliers continue to compete for floor space and visibility in the Las Vegas market, where new-game debuts can serve as a bellwether for broader regional rollouts across North America.

 

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino to debut Bluberi’s Smokin’ Train slot on April 22 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Media Troopers highlights prediction markets focus at Bitcoin 2026 Las Vegas

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Affiliate says it has upgraded its Media Cruiser platform to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.

Media Troopers said it reinforced its focus on prediction markets during the 2026 Bitcoin Conference, held April 27 to April 29 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

The digital marketing and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from long-standing operator partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming, and positioned its attendance at the event as an opportunity to engage with platforms operating at the intersection of gaming and crypto.

“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”

The company said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network, including enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform Media Cruiser. Media Troopers said the updates are intended to provide operators with more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.

“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.” Media Troopers said it aims to support operators expanding into prediction markets across North America and other markets.

The post Media Troopers highlights prediction markets focus at Bitcoin 2026 Las Vegas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Media Troopers spotlights prediction market push at Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas

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Affiliate says it upgraded Media Cruiser to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.

Media Troopers used the 2026 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas (April 27–29 at The Venetian Resort) to highlight its growing focus on prediction markets and its work with operators moving into the category.

The affiliate and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from existing partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming.

Media Troopers said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network. The company also cited enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform, Media Cruiser, aimed at “more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.”

“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”

“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.”

The post Media Troopers spotlights prediction market push at Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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