Gambling in the USA
Hard Rock International Unveils Star-Studded Cast In Big Game Commercial
Jennifer Lopez stars, cameos from DJ Khaled, Alex Rodriguez, Pitbull, and Steven Van Zandt in “The Hype,” directed by Michael Bay
Ahead of its primetime premiere, Hard Rock International reveals an all-star celebrity line-up, featured in the Michael Bay production titled, “The Hype.” The first Big Game commercial for both the brand and South Florida-based filmmaker, “The Hype” follows global superstar Jennifer Lopez on a thrilling pursuit through the world’s first Guitar Hotel® at the newly expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, encountering a few familiar faces along the way.
Hard Rock International will debut its first Big Game commercial at the end of the first half of the event broadcast on February 2, 2020, which takes place at the state-of-the-art Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida.
“The Hard Rock brand has celebrated and archived iconography and memorabilia that is synonymous with the best of music and entertainment,” expressed megastar Jennifer Lopez. “I hope this fun, action-packed spot filmed at The Hard Rock’s Guitar Hotel & Casino will continue to add to that tradition.”
Hard Rock tapped filmmaker Michael Bay to create a highly visual, fast action commercial that will leave a lasting impression on audiences. Bay’s repertoire – with film credits including, “Armageddon,” the “Transformers” series, and “Bad Boys” – name recognition and deep roots in South Florida make him the ideal fit for this powerful collaboration.
Joining Jennifer Lopez in the spot are GRAMMY® Award winning artist and producer DJ Khaled, who just announced a residency with Hard Rock International; GRAMMY® Award winner Pitbull; former Major League Baseball All-Star Alex Rodriguez; and singer-songwriter/actor Steven Van Zandt.
“The Big Game is a global sporting event that incorporates music and entertainment, two cornerstones of the Hard Rock brand,” said Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International. “As one of the most recognizable brands in the world, this is the perfect platform for Hard Rock to collaborate with immensely talented star power, including Michael Bay, one of the world’s greatest producers and directors. We’re confident that ‘The Hype’ will captivate millions of viewers.”
In conjunction with the spot, Hard Rock’s “Live Like a Legend” $2 Million Giveaway will also be launching on hardrock.com. Details on how to enter will be announced in the upcoming days.
Since the brand’s inception in 1971, Hard Rock has been synonymous with music and entertainment, as evidenced by 35,000 live shows annually across the portfolio, celebrating contemporary, emerging and legendary artists worldwide. This is also displayed in Hard Rock’s curated music memorabilia, which includes the world’s most valuable collection of more than 83,000 music items and pop-culture artifacts. Along with unique memorabilia adorning the walls, every property offers stylish design, unparalleled service and a unique vibe. With 31 hotels and 12 casinos currently operating around the globe (and exploration of more than 17 property deals in the pipeline), in addition to 251 iconic Hard Rock Cafes, Hard Rock is recognized as a world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand, offering guests an immersive music experience relevant to all generations.
For more information or to book a stay at any of the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos around the globe, visit hardrock.com.
FanDuel Casino
Wazdan Strengthens US Footprint with FanDuel Pennsylvania Launch
Wazdan has continued to accelerate its North American expansion after going live with FanDuel Casino in Pennsylvania through Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform.
The latest launch marks another important milestone in Wazdan’s growth strategy across regulated US markets, extending the supplier’s partnership with one of North America’s leading online gaming brands. The rollout follows Wazdan’s successful launch with FanDuel in Ontario and Michigan earlier this year and further reinforces the developer’s commitment to delivering engaging gaming experiences to players across the region.
As part of the initial Pennsylvania deployment, FanDuel Casino players will gain access to two of Wazdan’s popular titles, 12 Bells and Hot Slot: 777 Crown. The first wave of content will be followed by additional game releases across several subsequent launch phases, steadily expanding Wazdan’s presence on the operator’s platform.
Powered by Light & Wonder’s industry-leading aggregation technology, the integration provides Pennsylvania players with seamless access to Wazdan’s innovative slot portfolio, renowned for its engaging gameplay and player-first mechanics.
The launch represents another key step for Wazdan, building on the company’s established presence across regulated markets.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Launching with FanDuel in Pennsylvania marks another significant step in strengthening our North American footprint and further builds on a successful partnership with one of the industry’s most recognised operators.
“FanDuel’s strong brand, extensive reach and deep understanding of its player base make it an excellent strategic fit for Wazdan. We are delighted to expand our collaboration into another key regulated jurisdiction and look forward to delivering additional content to Pennsylvania players in the months ahead.”
The post Wazdan Strengthens US Footprint with FanDuel Pennsylvania Launch appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Delaware North
Ember Ignites Delaware North’s Next Chapter in Digital Gaming with New Jersey Launch
Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a portfolio of casinos and other gaming venues, announced the launch of Ember Casino in New Jersey, marking the first phase of a broader rebrand of the company’s gaming business under a unified brand identity.
The New Jersey debut represents the first step in this transformation as Delaware North transitions its existing digital gaming operations from the Betly brand to Ember across current and future markets. Additional brand integrations and market expansions are planned throughout the year as Ember becomes the unified identity for the company’s gaming portfolio.
“Ember represents the next chapter for our gaming business. We are building a connected platform that integrates our digital and brick-and-mortar expertise, creating a seamless experience for players while positioning us for long-term growth in highly competitive regulated markets,” said Jason Gregorec, president of gaming for Delaware North.
New Jersey, one of the nation’s most established and competitive iGaming markets, serves as the launchpad for Ember’s broader rollout strategy. In 2025, online casinos in the state generated nearly $2.9 billion in gross gaming revenue, reflecting continued growth in internet gaming. The performance underscores the scale and opportunity within the sector as Ember enters the market.
As part of the launch, Ember is introducing a Play to Earn promotion designed to reward early player engagement. Players who register and participate will have the opportunity to earn entries for a chance to win a Toyota GR86, a Ford Mustang or a Ford Bronco, with a series of vehicle giveaways planned during the platform’s initial launch period. The promotion introduces players to the new Ember experience while reinforcing the brand’s focus on engagement and value.
Ember Casino is powered by leading online gaming platform and services provider Playtech. The platform features Playtech’s responsible gaming solutions, including BetBuddy, along with a diverse portfolio of content that includes slots and live dealer games, supported by high-quality streaming and real-time gameplay designed to deliver an engaging and reliable player experience.
In recent months, Delaware North has expanded relationships with leading online gaming content providers, including IGT, White Hat Studios, and Light and Wonder, leveraging those partnerships to support the Ember launch in New Jersey and future markets. The company also works with Vegas Kings for platform design and AquireBet for user acquisition and experience optimization.
“Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional experiences. These partnerships are fueling our expansion in the digital gaming space with the same level of precision, personalization and innovation our players have come to expect,” said Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer for Delaware North.
Delaware North’s broader gaming portfolio includes properties across seven states and Australia, including the superregional Southland Casino Hotel in Arkansas. The company also serves as developer and gaming and hospitality consultant for the Catawba Nation’s $1 billion casino resort project in North Carolina.
The launch of Ember Casino in New Jersey positions Delaware North for sustained growth in digital gaming, uniting its hospitality legacy with a modern, scalable online platform built for expansion across regulated markets.
The post Ember Ignites Delaware North’s Next Chapter in Digital Gaming with New Jersey Launch appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
SkillOnNet rolls out Ready Play Gaming slots in Ontario, Canada and Mexico
SkillOnNet has launched Ready Play Gaming’s slot portfolio across Ontario, Canada and Mexico, with additional international markets planned to follow later this year.
The content is now available across SkillOnNet’s iGaming brands including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, Slingo, Mega Casino and LuckyNiki.
Titles going live include Ready Play Gaming’s Reel Jackpots series, including Reel Bingo and Reel Triple, which the studio describes as “soft slot” experiences aimed at the bingo generation.
Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “We are proud to welcome Ready Play Gaming as we continue to strengthen our global content offering with innovative and high-performing studio partners. In a crowded market, they’ve focused on building games with personality and strong entertainment value, and we believe that’s exactly the kind of content today’s players respond to.
Christoph Härtel, COO at Ready Play Gaming said: “Partnering with SkillOnNet is a major milestone for Ready Play Gaming as we continue to expand our international footprint. SkillOnNet’s strong presence in regulated markets and extensive operator network make them an ideal partner to help bring our games to even more players globally.”
The post SkillOnNet rolls out Ready Play Gaming slots in Ontario, Canada and Mexico appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
2026 FIFA World Cup6 days agoBetano Sends a Video Game Character into the Real World to Capture the Emotion of the World Cup
-
Balkans7 days agoExpanse Studios Signs Content Distribution Agreement with MaxBet
-
Baltics7 days agoEndorphina Confirms Spelet.lv Partnership
-
Asia7 days agoNODWIN and Nodding Heads launch India Games Showcase with Summer Game Fest
-
Amusnet5 days agoWeekend Reels | Week 23: Slot Drops & Trends
-
Affiliate Industry7 days agoHub Affiliations partners with Gana Media to expand Estadio Gana in Mexico
-
Asia5 days agoPhilWeb Showcases Technology-Driven Growth Vision at SiGMA Asia 2026
-
Asia7 days agoEGT wins SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 for Best Land-Based Game Feature



