Gambling in the USA

The Comedy Works upcoming schedule at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Published

5 years ago

January 30, 2020

Nationally acclaimed top-tier talent performing in coming weeks, ticket prices starting at $20

Longstanding comedy club and entertainment company, The Comedy Works, has a full slate of nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians and up-and-coming talent scheduled to appear at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas with ticket prices starting at only $20.

The Comedy Works at the Plaza has live stand-up performances at 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the Plaza’s classic Vegas showroom featuring red velvet booth seating, a new digital QSC sound system, full bars and table cocktail service. Show schedule and tickets for purchase are available online at: www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/the-comedy-works. New shows are added regularly, and the upcoming lineup currently includes:

January 30-February 1: Kevin Brennan – Host of the wildly popular Misery Loves Company and Burning Bridges podcasts, Brennan was voted “Best Comedian” at the 2005 Aspen Comedy Festival which led to him taping his own HBO half-hour comedy special. Brennan started his career in Chicago but soon relocated to New York City to pursue his dream of being on the Late Show with David Letterman. He nailed his first Letterman set which led to bookings on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Last Call with Carson Daly. Brennan is also a former writer/performer on Saturday Night Live.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

February 6-8: Steve Byrne – One of the industry’s most innovative and sought-after performers, Bryne has evolved throughout the years into an extremely versatile entertainer. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Penn., Byrne was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father. His unique background gave him the base comedic material for his first television show, Sullivan & Son, which aired for three seasons on TBS.

February 13-15: Mike Gaffney – With a conversational comedic style, Gaffney discusses day-to-day life, not only as a single dad, but as a friend, son, uncle and all-around good guy. Gaffney is a comedy club favorite thanks to his likability, high energy and quick wit that keeps audiences engaged and entertained. A semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Executive Producer Wanda Sykes was so impressed with him that she used his clip to promote the show on Ellen and The View. He has appeared on The Artie Lange Show, Gotham Comedy Live, and 30 Rock and has his own weekly podcast All in Our Heads.

February 20-22: Jade Catta-Preta – A Brazilian Comic who was recently tapped to host The Soup on the E! Network beginning in February of 2020, Catta-Preta performs stand-up comedy all over the country and features for Bill Burr, Kevin Nealon and Bobby Lee. You can catch her on Pop’s New Series Return of The Mac and Trutv’s Those Who Can’t, Greatest Ever and Comedy Knockdown.

February 27-29: Kevin Farley – After studying at the famous Second City in Chicago, Farley starred in films such as Black Sheep with his brother Chris Farley and The Waterboy with Adam Sandler. He is a regular comedian at notable venues such as The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and Chicago and The Improv in Los Angeles and Palm Beach, Florida. His TV guest appearances include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rules of Engagement, The Neighbors, Hot in Cleveland, Just Shoot Me, United States of Tara, True Jackson, VP, Comedy Central’s Drunk History, and Hawaii Five -O to name just a few.

March 5-7: “The America I Grew Up In” with Jeff Allen – Now in his fifth decade as a working comedian, Allen has been on Comedy Central, VH-1, Showtime, TBN, CBN, Family Net and many other television networks. He has performed for our troops on aircraft carriers and ships in the Indian Ocean. Allen is heard regularly on SiriusXM’s comedy channels and on the fast-growing comedy internet sensation, Drybar Comedy, surpassing 30 million views on Facebook and YouTube. He also produced and starred in his own sitcom pilot for Castlerock Television and in the critically acclaimed films, Apostles of Comedy.

March 12-14: Thea Vidale – An American stand-up comedian and actress, Vidale began her career doing stand-up comedy in comic clubs in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles. As an actress, she has made numerous guest appearances on sitcoms, including Ellen, The Wayans Bros., The Drew Carey Show, and My Wife and Kids. She may be best known for her portrayal of “Thea” on her own sitcom for which she was nominated for a People’s Choice Award as Favorite Female in a New Series.

April 9-11: Vic DiBitetto – Called a “cross between Rodney Dangerfield and Ralph Kramden” and “The Italian Hurricane of Comedy,” DiBitetto is famous for his frenetic pace, vivid language and punchline-a-second style. His sitcom, Don’t Know Jack on Hulu, was the latest in a long list of achievements for this Brooklyn-born comic, including winning America’s Funniest People on ABC and racking up 22 million views on YouTube. He also had a role in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and has headlined top clubs on both coasts.

April 23-25: Craig Gass – He first gained fame as the guy who did voices for The Howard Stern Show and his Gene Simmons impression sparked an on-air feud between him and the real Gene Simmons. He also became a favorite character on King of Queens as the funny guy at work that drove Kevin James crazy with jealousy. He’s been the voice of memorable characters on Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.

The Comedy Works has been producing stand-up comedy events since 1981. It owns and operates comedy clubs, produces shows in theaters throughout the U.S, and guides the careers of a number of performers. Having worked with many all-time great comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, and Ray Romano, The Comedy Works is now owned by Tommy Nicchi who grew up in stand-up comedy given that he was just three years old when his father founded the company.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-april-28-may-4

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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 announced it has reached an agreement with its lenders, certain entities controlled by Doug Fallon, to repay USD 5 million of its outstanding USD 7 million secured promissory note and to extend the maturity of the remaining USD 2 million until June 6, 2025 (the Note). The company is in the process of securing a new revolving credit facility from a third-party lender. This facility is expected to offer more favourable terms than the existing Note, including lower borrowing costs and improved drawdown flexibility. All other terms of the original Note remain unchanged.

PENN Entertainment Inc announced plans for an expected $180–$200 million project to relocate its Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Ameristar) riverboat casino operations to a new, state-of-the-art land-based property to be rebranded as Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs (Hollywood Council Bluffs). The proposal is approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in conjunction with a 15-year extension of Ameristar’s partnership with the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organisation (QSO) Iowa West Racing Association. All commercial operators in Iowa are required to have an operating agreement with a QSO licensed to conduct gaming operations. Under the proposed plan, the new Hollywood Council Bluffs is expected to include roughly 125,000 square feet of new development with approximately 58,000 square feet of gaming space.

PENN Entertainment Inc announced that it intends to nominate Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez for election to its Board of Directors following discussions with HG Vora Capital Management LLC (HG Vora). Ron Naples has informed the Board that he will retire from the Board, effective immediately. Barbara Shattuck Kohn and Saul Reibstein have notified the Company that they will not stand for reelection at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board now comprises eight directors, seven of whom are independent.

Partnerships

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Genius Sports Limited have announced a significant extension of their long-term partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to innovation, transparency and the integrity of college athletics. Under the expanded agreement, Genius Sports has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for all post-season tournaments, including March Madness, through 2032. This long-term agreement ensures the delivery of fast, accurate and secure data to the regulated sports betting market.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that it has been named the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the San Francisco Giants. The new partnership strengthens the DFS leader’s presence in professional baseball and features digital and in-park activations at Oracle Park. As part of the multi-year partnership, PrizePicks branding will be showcased prominently throughout Oracle Park with rotating signage behind home plate and LED signage on each baseline. PrizePicks logos will be featured across the K-Counter in right field, creating an interactive experience for fans in the ballpark. Fans seated on top of the right field wall near the strikeout counter will have the opportunity to flip over the PrizePicks branded signs, revealing a “K” for each strikeout earned by a Giants pitcher.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27

Published

1 week ago

April 29, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-april-21-27

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

International Game Technology PLC announced that its dynamic Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet recently launched in casinos across the US. Guests of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, Calif. and of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. were among the first players in the world to enjoy the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold games on IGT’s new ultra-high-tech, mechanical-reel cabinet. Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box and a 23-inch transmissive display.

CT Gaming continues its strong momentum from the first quarter of 2025 with a new wave of installations in Panama. Strengthening its position in the Latin American market, the company has partnered with leading operators to introduce top-performing products, including the EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the highly successful Diamond King series. Among the highlights of the installation is Diamond King 3—CT Gaming’s bestselling multigame featuring 50 captivating titles. Players can enjoy a diverse mix of content, including the legendary Mega Jack trio: Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe and Champagne Party. The experience is further enhanced by the Diamond Tree progressive jackpot, which delivers elevated gameplay and exciting reward potential.

Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement programme to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organisation’s youth mentorship, scholarship and community service offerings. The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programmes including a science, technology, engineering and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service programme, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers. In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organisation.

Partnerships

SCCG Management has announced an expanded partnership with AWARE, a global leader in biometric verification software. Under this agreement, SCCG becomes a preferred reseller for AWARE’s biometric and identity verification solutions within the global gaming industry. AWARE’s advanced biometric technology offers a future-proof solution for iGaming and gambling platforms—empowering operators to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and protect players, all while delivering a seamless and secure user experience. With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for frictionless onboarding, AWARE’s adaptive biometrics provide a scalable and trusted identity framework for modern gaming environments.

The Brazilian Football Confederation and Sportradar Integrity & Regulatory Services, a unit of Sportradar AG announced the extension of their long-standing partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season. The new agreement aims to enhance efforts to combat match-fixing in Brazilian football and safeguard the integrity of the sport. Sportradar, through its industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8200 men’s and women’s matches organised annually by the CBF. Through this renewed partnership, the UFDS will now cover all Brazilian national championships.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

California Gambling Control Commission

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Published

2 weeks ago

April 25, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

california-gambling-control-commission-advances-licensing,-tribal-partnerships,-and-responsible-gaming-initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

HCAL, LLC
JCM Global
Konami Gaming, Inc.
PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

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