Gambling in the USA

The Comedy Works upcoming schedule at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Published

6 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.

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.

betting app engagement

Inside NFL Stadiums: How Fans Are Driving Record Sports Betting Engagement During Live Games

Published

3 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

inside-nfl-stadiums:-how-fans-are-driving-record-sports-betting-engagement-during-live-games

During the latest NFL season, one of the most valuable arenas for sports betting engagement wasn’t online or at home—it was inside the stadium itself. Using insights from GeoComply Edge Stadium Data, analysts examined how fans interacted with betting apps while attending live NFL games, revealing a powerful convergence of fandom, technology, and real-time wagering.

From the season opener at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to the final Wildcard Weekend matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on January 12, GeoComply analyzed in-stadium activity across every NFL venue located in US states with legal sports betting. The findings provide a clear, data-driven picture of how live attendance influences digital betting behavior.

The result is a uniquely detailed view into in-stadium engagement, customer acquisition, and long-term bettor value, offering operators critical insight into where and when fans are most likely to engage.

GeoComply Edge Stadium Data: Visibility Others Don’t Have

GeoComply Edge is purpose-built to measure fan acquisition and betting engagement within precise stadium-level geofences. This advanced location intelligence allows sportsbooks and operators to identify which teams, games, and venues generate the strongest engagement, turning live events into actionable growth opportunities.

Rather than tracking generic app usage, GeoComply Edge delivers insights into:

Which NFL games drive the highest in-stadium betting activity
How frequently fans check betting apps during live action
Where new sportsbook accounts are created inside stadiums
How engagement varies by venue, team performance, and market maturity

This season-long data view highlights how in-person fandom directly translates into digital wagering behavior, offering a deeper understanding of the customer journey.

Growth Leaders: Stadiums Where Betting Engagement Is Accelerating

Five NFL stadiums stood out for year-over-year growth in geolocation checks and active betting accounts—two strong indicators of in-stadium betting engagement.

In many cases, increased engagement closely followed on-field success. Teams such as the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Carolina Panthers returned to playoff contention after turnaround seasons, reigniting fan excitement and digital interaction.

The Las Vegas Raiders emerged as a notable outlier. Allegiant Stadium continues to function as a destination venue, attracting traveling fans from across the country and creating a uniquely strong in-stadium betting environment, independent of team performance.

Engagement Rate Leaders: Quality Over Volume

While total geolocation volume remains important, the most telling metric this season was engagement rate—the percentage of fans inside the stadium actively using betting apps during games.

Top-performing venues recorded 10% to 13% engagement, meaning nearly one in every eight fans accessed a sports betting app at least once while attending a live NFL game. This highlights the growing normalization of in-game wagering as part of the live sports experience.

New User Acquisition: Stadiums as Sportsbook Growth Engines

One of the most compelling insights from GeoComply Edge data is the consistent creation of brand-new betting customers inside NFL stadiums.

Leading venues generated new sportsbook sign-ups at rates between 0.2% and 0.7% of total attendance per game. For a typical 65,000-seat stadium, that translates to 130 to 450 new accounts per game.

GEHA Field, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, led all venues in new customer creation, benefiting from Missouri’s launch of mobile sports betting on December 1, 2025, during the Chiefs’ final three home games.

Reducing Friction with Compliant Onboarding

GeoComply supports operators at every stage of the customer journey. Through IDComply®, the company enables a fully compliant KYC process that delivers 95%+ onboarding success rates, while GeoComply Edge pinpoints where and when these high-value acquisition moments occur.

This dual approach allows sportsbooks to engage fans in a way that is timely, targeted, and non-intrusive, enhancing both compliance and customer experience.

Doing More With “Where” at Live Sporting Events

NFL stadiums have evolved into digital engagement hubs, where live entertainment, mobile technology, and sports betting intersect in real time.

GeoComply Edge Stadium Data brings clarity to this intersection by providing:

Actionable insights into in-stadium betting behavior
Clear visibility into acquisition and engagement trends
A season-long perspective beyond single-game analysis

As the NFL continues to grow and fan experiences become increasingly digital, one conclusion is unmistakable: the future of sports betting is already unfolding inside the stadium.

The post Inside NFL Stadiums: How Fans Are Driving Record Sports Betting Engagement During Live Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

The Plaza Hotel & Casino brings back the only All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package in Las Vegas this summer

Published

2 days ago

January 27, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

the-plaza-hotel-&-casino-brings-back-the-only-all-inclusive-hotel-room-package-in-las-vegas-this-summer

Given its popularity for the past two summers, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is again offering Las Vegas’ only all-inclusive hotel room package starting at $104 per person per night for stays this summer.

The Plaza was the first Las Vegas property to introduce an all-inclusive hotel room package in the summer of 2024. It was so well received by guests that the iconic downtown Las Vegas property has offered it every summer since.

“We always want our guests to have a great time and feel that they are getting the best value for their vacation dollars,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “Our all-inclusive hotel package has been created based on our guests’ feedback and offers waived resort fees, meals, bottomless drinks, and other perks to ensure they have a memorable experience.”

The Plaza’ all-inclusive hotel room package waives all resort fees, but guests still can enjoy free access to the fitness center, self-parking, and rooftop pool. The package also includes free early check-in, free bottled water, bottomless drinks from the Omaha Bar and Sports Book Bar on the casino floor, and breakfast and dinner from various dining outlets. Guests also receive a 25% discount on cocktails at the rooftop pool, because there is no better way to enjoy a summer vacation than sipping a chilled beverage poolside.

The Plaza’s all-inclusive hotel room package is available for booking online for stays June 1 through August 31 at plazahotelcasino.com/las-vegas-all-inclusive-room-package/.

The post The Plaza Hotel & Casino brings back the only All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package in Las Vegas this summer appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

American gambling industry

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 19-25

Published

2 days ago

January 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-january-19-25

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

Lotto.com, the nation’s first online lottery platform to digitally deliver draw games and scratch tickets, has announced a major milestone – reaching 4 million customers, and counting, in less than five years since launching in Spring 2021. As the fastest-growing lottery courier platform, Lotto.com continues to redefine accessibility and convenience for players nationwide. Customers have collectively won over $150 million in prizes through Lotto.com, including $90 million in draw wins and $63 million in scratch wins, with more than 7 million winning tickets ordered on the platform. These results highlight the excitement, ease and trust players have in Lotto.com’s modern approach to lottery.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has requested the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to pause all college sport offerings in prediction markets until the agency implements appropriate regulations. The NCAA sent a letter to the CFTC calling for a robust system of safeguards and detailed its willingness to work with the regulatory body to assist with developing the necessary guardrails to protect student-athletes and college sports. The critical safeguards requested include age and advertising restrictions, enhanced integrity monitoring, prop market prevention, anti-harassment measures, and harm reduction resources.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a civil enforcement action in the District Court for Carson City against BLOCKRATIZE INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET; QCX LLC d/b/a POLYMARKET US; and ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET. In its complaint, the Board asked the court for a declaration and injunction to stop Polymarket from offering unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law. Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale. These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada. The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.

Partnerships

High Roller Technologies Inc. announced it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA), for an exclusive partnership to launch an event-based prediction markets product in the US. The events contracts will be offered by CDNA, a CFTC-registered exchange and clearinghouse and affiliate of Crypto.com, to customers through HighRoller.com. The partnership will offer people the opportunity to trade event contracts across markets including finance, entertainment, and sports, through a legal, engaging, and user-friendly platform.

High Roller Technologies Inc. announced it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Lines.com, a premier sports media platform owned by Spike Up Media, to enter into and execute a strategic marketing partnership designed to accelerate customer acquisition and brand awareness for High Roller’s planned entry into U.S. prediction markets. This LOI follows High Roller’s announcement of its strategic partnership with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America to launch a regulated event-based prediction markets product in the US. Through the contemplated strategic marketing partnership, Lines.com will serve as a key distribution and media partner, leveraging its high-intent audience, advanced automation infrastructure, and market-leading conversion performance to support High Roller’s prediction markets rollout.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 19-25 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.