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.
Compliance
BMM Innovation Group confirms SBC Summit Americas 2026 presence
BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber and RG24seven Virtual Training will exhibit at Booth 730 in Fort Lauderdale, June 9-11.
BMM Innovation Group (BMM) said it will attend SBC Summit Americas 2026, running June 9-11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The company will exhibit at Booth No. 730, presenting its testing and certification, cybersecurity, and compliance-focused training services for North America and Latin America through its brands BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training. BMM said its team on-site will include multilingual business development staff supporting English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
BMM’s International iGaming Leader, María Romero de Alba, said, “SBC Summit Americas is one of the most important gatherings for the gaming industry across North and Latin America, and we’re excited to bring the BMM World Tour to Fort Lauderdale. As iGaming continues to grow across the region, BMM is helping suppliers expand into new markets with trusted compliance, cybersecurity, and training solutions.”
Separately, BMM said it has been shortlisted for “Compliance Solution of the Year” at the SBC Awards Americas 2026, scheduled for June 10 alongside the conference.
The post BMM Innovation Group confirms SBC Summit Americas 2026 presence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
BMM INNOVATION GROUP BRINGS THE WORLD TOUR TO SBC SUMMIT AMERICAS JUNE 9-11 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
BMM Innovation Group (“BMM”, “BIG Group”, or “BIG”), a global technology company providing compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training solutions for the regulated global gaming industry, today announced its participation in the SBC Summit Americas 2026 June 9-11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
BIG will exhibit in Booth No. 730, where the Company will showcase its leading testing, certification, cybersecurity, and training solutions for North America and Latin America.
In Latin America, BMM plays a leading role in gaming testing and certification, with offices in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. In North America, the Company supports the growing iGaming and sports betting market with its full portfolio of testing, certification, cybersecurity, and compliance-grade training solutions.
Representing BIG’s global brands, BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training, the team will feature multilingual business development experts speaking English, Spanish, and Portuguese to support suppliers, operators, and regulators across the Americas.
Attendees visiting the Company’s Booth No. 730 can learn more about BMM’s expert testing and certification services, cybersecurity solutions, and compliance-grade virtual training designed to help gaming companies launch faster, stay secure, and meet regulatory requirements across global markets.
BMM’s International iGaming Leader, María Romero de Alba, said, “SBC Summit Americas is one of the most important gatherings for the gaming industry across North and Latin America, and we’re excited to bring the BMM World Tour to Fort Lauderdale. As iGaming continues to grow across the region, BMM is helping suppliers expand into new markets with trusted compliance, cybersecurity, and training solutions.”
BMM Innovation Group has also been shortlisted for “Compliance Solution of the Year” at the SBC Awards Americas 2026, which will be held June 10 in conjunction with the conference.
To book a meeting with the BIG team at SBC Summit Americas 2026, visit BMM World Tour.
The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP BRINGS THE WORLD TOUR TO SBC SUMMIT AMERICAS JUNE 9-11 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
executive-moves
Yaspa hires Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales
Yaspa has appointed US fintech and gaming executive Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales, as the company pushes further into North America. The company said Fears will be based in its Atlanta office and will lead strategic commercial growth across the region.
Yaspa said Fears will focus on working with gaming operators to modernise payment experiences using real-time bank payments and transaction intelligence, and will work with its US and global commercial leadership teams to scale partnerships and adoption.
Fears brings more than 18 years of experience across payments, fintech, SaaS, and AML compliance in the gaming sector, according to Yaspa. His previous roles include senior positions at Kinectify, First Data Corporation, Glory Global Solutions, DiTronics Financial Services, NEXGEN Technology, and CASINOMONEY. Yaspa also noted he is a United States Air Force veteran.
James Neville, CEO of Yaspa, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Justin to the team as we accelerate our footprint in the US market. His deep operational understanding of gaming-focused financial infrastructure, compliance technologies, and enterprise sales leadership makes him an incredible asset. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our local team and underscores our commitment to helping North American operators lower costs, reduce fraud, and elevate the player experience through open banking.”
Fears said: “I’m excited to join Yaspa at such an important stage in the company’s growth journey. The combination of open banking, innovative payment solutions, and intelligent transaction data represents a significant opportunity within the US iGaming market, particularly as operators continue to prioritise player experience, fraud reduction, and payment efficiency. Yaspa has built an innovative platform uniquely positioned to support the evolving needs of regulated operators, and I look forward to helping expand the company’s presence and strategic partnerships across the US.”
Yaspa said it was named winner of the Real-Time Payments Innovation award at the 2025 Payments Awards and was included in the CB Insights Top 100 Fintechs list in the past 12 months. The company also referenced a $12m investment round in July led by Discerning Capital, and said it has opened a new Atlanta office and a tech hub in Leeds, UK, in August 2025.
The post Yaspa hires Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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