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The Comedy Works upcoming schedule at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

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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.

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Arizona Benefits Fund

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026

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The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially announced a total of $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This performance marks an approximate 5.6 percent increase compared to the same period in FY 2025, signaling continued strength in the state’s tribal gaming sector.

These contributions are vital to the state’s infrastructure, supporting everything from classroom improvements to emergency medical services.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

Where the Money Goes: The Arizona Benefits Fund

Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, 88 percent of all tribal gaming contributions are directed into the Arizona Benefits Fund. This revenue is strictly allocated to high-priority state initiatives.

The Q2 FY 2026 distribution breakdown is as follows:

Fund Category Contribution Amount
Instructional Improvement Fund (Education) $22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund $11,186,905
ADG Operating Costs $4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund $3,196,258
State Tourism Fund $3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education & Treatment $897,825
Total to Arizona Benefits Fund $44,891,270

Local Community Impact

Beyond the state-level funds, the remaining 12 percent of tribal contributions are distributed directly by the tribes to specific cities, towns, and counties. these funds are often used for local community services and public safety programs.

Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions from Arizona’s tribes have surpassed $2.5 billion, demonstrating the long-term economic impact of the partnership between the state and its 22 federally recognized tribes.

Regulatory Oversight and Growth

Currently, the ADG regulates 26 Class III casinos across the state in close partnership with tribal authorities. This regulatory framework ensures the integrity of the games while maximizing the benefits delivered to the public.

For those interested in exploring historical data, the ADG maintains a comprehensive archive of cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year.

To learn more about the current landscape of gaming in the state, visit the official Tribal Gaming webpage.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Arizona

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

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arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-the-second-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This represents an approximate 5.6 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.” 

The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.

Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:

Instructional Improvement Fund/Education………………………………………………..$22,373,810

Trauma and Emergency Services Fund………………………………………………………..$11,186,905

Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs………………………………………….$4,040,214

Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund……………………………………………………………$3,196,258

Tourism Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..$3,196,258

Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention……………………………..$897,825

Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund……………………..$44,891,270

Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.

Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Activision Blizzard

BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships

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BLAST, a global leader in competitive entertainment, has officially announced the appointment of Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships. Rossi joins the team at a pivotal moment, following a record-breaking 2025 that saw the company expand its footprint into New York City, Malta, and Mumbai.

With over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships across sports, media, and gaming, Rossi is set to lead BLAST’s next phase of commercial evolution.

A Proven Leader in Global Commercial Strategy

Rossi’s career is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between iconic intellectual properties and Fortune 100 brands. His previous roles include senior leadership positions at:

  • Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.

  • National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.

  • Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.

  • PlayVS: Focusing on the intersection of youth esports and brand engagement.

Based in the newly established New York office, Rossi will oversee BLAST’s global Sponsorship Sales and Partner Management & Activation.

Building on a Record-Breaking 2025

The appointment comes as BLAST continues to scale at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the company delivered:

  • 15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.

  • Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.

  • Expanded Portfolio: Continued investment in top-tier titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Brawl Stars.

“BLAST has built a truly premium proposition at the intersection of entertainment, gaming, sport and culture,” said Steve Rossi. “I’m excited to work with the team to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that deliver real value for brands, publishers and fans alike.”

A Strategic Vision for 2026

Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at BLAST, emphasized that Rossi’s leadership will be instrumental as the company evolves its partnership offerings. “Steve brings deep experience across esports, sport, media and entertainment. His ability to scale global commercial partnerships makes him the perfect fit for BLAST at this incredibly exciting time.”

As BLAST enters 2026, the focus remains on delivering fan-first experiences and commercially impactful collaborations that maintain BLAST’s position as a pioneer in the competitive gaming space.

Learn More

To stay updated on BLAST’s upcoming arena events and commercial ventures, visit the official BLAST website.

The post BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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