Gambling in the USA
Cordish Gaming Group Names Sean Sullivan As General Manager Of New $150 Million Live! Casino
Cordish Gaming Group, a division of The Cordish Companies, announced the appointment of SEAN SULLIVAN as GENERAL MANAGER of the new $150 million Live! Casino in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, set to open in 2020.
The 100,000-square-foot gaming, dining and entertainment destination will be part of the popular Westmoreland Mall development, located in Hempfield Township, approximately 30 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. Live! Casino will feature 750 slots and approximately 30 live action table games; plus, new dining and entertainment venues, such as Sports & Social Steel City, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant and social lounge.
The Project is expected to generate $188 Million in annual economic impact, with an additional $148 Million in economic impact from construction, including approximately 960 direct and indirect construction jobs, plus approximately 500 permanent new jobs for local and regional residents.
In his role as General Manager, Mr. Sullivan will oversee development, opening and oversight of the day-to-day management and operations of the first Live! branded gaming facility to open in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A gaming industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Sullivan has held leadership positions with several prestigious gaming companies in a variety of U.S jurisdictions, including Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, California, and Colorado. Before joining Live!, he served as General Manager at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing, Minnesota. Prior, he was the Vice President of Special Projects at Pinnacle Entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During his career, he also spent nearly a decade as Vice President and General Manager of Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington, Pennsylvania, located just 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. His extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality sector, as well as his knowledge of the Pennsylvania market, will lead the Live! brand towards significant growth as it opens its newest endeavor.
“As Cordish Gaming Group proudly expands into new jurisdictions, we have made it a priority to hire experts of the highest caliber in the industry to lead our new Live! developments and we have certainly found that with the appointment of Mr. Sullivan,” said Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group. “Under his leadership as General Manager, we are confident the new Live! Casino will become the premier gaming and entertainment destination in the Pittsburgh market and deliver the same excellent customer service that guests have come to expect at all our Live! locations.”
For information about Live! Casino, visit www.livecasinowest.com
About The Cordish Companies:
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships, and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
SOURCE Live! Casino Pittsburgh

2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
BMM Innovation Group to Advise Tribal Leaders on Compliance, Cybersecurity and Training at IGA 2026
BMM Innovation Group, an international technology firm offering compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training services for the regulated global gaming sector, today declared its backing and involvement in the 2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA) from March 30 to April 2 at the San Diego Convention Center. With its three leading brands, BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training®, BIG maintains its enduring dedication to supporting Tribal regulators, suppliers, and operators throughout North America.
The BMM Innovation Group serves as a sponsor for the show, highlighting its evident and continued commitment to the Tribal gaming community. The Company is dispatching representatives from BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training to engage with Tribal leaders and industry partners during the event.
BMM Chief Government and Regulatory Officer Travis Foley said, “Tribal gaming has always been central to BMM’s story. We are honored to support the Indian Gaming Association and to continue working alongside Tribal suppliers, regulators, and operators to strengthen compliance, protect players, and support sustainable growth across Indian Country.”
At the conference, BIG specialists will participate in multiple key educational sessions aimed at assisting Tribal gaming organizations in enhancing operations, security, responsible gaming, and human resources:
- Peter Nikiper, Director-Technical Compliance, will deliver Level III Commissioner Training on Network Risk Assessment, helping regulators better understand today’s evolving technology risks.
- Heather Lee, Senior Director of Sales at BIG Cyber, will moderate the panel Cyber Defense Fundamentals: Protecting the Gaming Enterprise, focused on practical strategies to strengthen cybersecurity readiness.
- Wendy Anderson, CEO of RG24seven Virtual Training, will speak on the responsible gaming panel, Innovate. Protect. Heal: The Future of Tribal Problem Gambling Prevention Begins Here, and will also moderate the HR-focused session, Workforce Sustainability: Building Talent Pipelines That Actually Hold.
BMM Innovation Group provides Tribal gaming organizations an all-encompassing range of services via BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training, which includes product testing and certification, cybersecurity safeguards, and compliance-focused virtual training tailored for gaming staff.
The post BMM Innovation Group to Advise Tribal Leaders on Compliance, Cybersecurity and Training at IGA 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Fredrik Liljewall CEO at PlayStar
Strive Gaming Partners with PlayStar Casino to Expand Presence in New Jersey
Strive Gaming, the contemporary multi-state, multi-tenant platform provider designed for the North American market, has unveiled a new collaboration with prominent online casino operator PlayStar.
According to the agreement, Strive will offer its top-tier PAM technology, aiding PlayStar’s ongoing expansion throughout North America. PlayStar is set to transition its New Jersey operations from its existing player account management (PAM) provider to the Strive platform, with subsequent launches planned in more regulated areas, such as Ontario and Alberta in Canada.
PlayStar chose Strive after a comprehensive assessment as it sought a platform partner that could facilitate its long-term goals throughout North America. Strive’s exclusive emphasis on the U.S. market, along with the robustness and scalability of its technology, distinguished it as the obvious partner of choice.
Max Meltzer, CEO at Strive Gaming, said: “PlayStar is a highly ambitious operator with a clear vision for building one of the leading casino brands in North America. They were looking for a platform partner that understands the realities of operating in the U.S. and Canada and can support them as they scale across multiple regulated markets.
“Our focus on North America, combined with the strength and flexibility of our platform, made this a natural fit. Both companies are on strong growth journeys and share similar ambitions for the region, so we’re excited to support PlayStar as they continue to expand.”
PlayStar Casino has quickly established itself as one of the success stories of the regulated North American casino market. The company has successfully built meaningful market share and a strong player following. Partnering with Strive marks the next stage in its growth strategy as it looks to expand further across North America.
Fredrik Liljewall, CEO at PlayStar, added: “As we continue to scale our presence across North America, selecting a platform partner with a strong regional focus and the ability to support our long-term ambitions was critical.
“Strive’s technology, deep understanding of the North American market, and collaborative mindset made them the clear partner for PlayStar. We look forward to working closely together as we migrate our New Jersey operations and expand into additional jurisdictions, including Canada.”
This partnership marks another important milestone for Strive Gaming, which now supports more B2B PAM customers in the U.S. than any other platform provider. The addition of PlayStar further strengthens Strive’s growing portfolio of operators and reinforces its position as a supplier of choice for ambitious brands looking to launch and scale in the North American market.
The post Strive Gaming Partners with PlayStar Casino to Expand Presence in New Jersey appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
PENN to Open the New Hollywood Casino Aurora to Public on June 24
PENN Entertainment Inc. has announced that it expects to open the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora to the public on Wednesday, June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. This will be the second all-new PENN property to open in the Chicagoland region following the grand opening of the land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet in August 2025.
The new $360 million entertainment destination is being developed across from Chicago Premium Outlets, located near Interstate-88 in Aurora. The state-of-the-art property will feature a luxurious hotel, more than 1200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment area, full-service spa, premium bars and restaurants, a 12,000 square foot event center and approximately 1700 parking spaces. The Company expects to employ approximately 700 team members at the new casino, which nearly doubles PENN’s existing employee roster in Aurora.
“We are now months away from opening another premium entertainment destination in the greater Chicago region. We are thrilled to follow the successful rollout of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land-based property, strengthening our overall retail portfolio in the Midwest and deepening our roots in the community,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.
Hollywood Casino Aurora will feature an upscale 226-room hotel offering a variety of standard rooms and suites, as well as a beauty and wellness space, Drift Spa.
The new property will also be outfitted with numerous world class dining experiences for guests to enjoy. As previously announced, PENN has partnered with celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis to open Sorella by Giada. The Italian-California fusion restaurant will offer approximately 170 seats for indoor and outdoor dining, a contemporary bar and private dining options.
Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, operated by McClain Camarota Hospitality (MCH), will include Lucky Goat by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard; Five50 Pizza, a pizza concept from the renowned chefs at MCH; and Chicago favorites Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. Additional restaurant partners that will be unique to Aurora’s Boulevard Food & Drink Hall will be announced in the coming weeks.
“These popular restaurateurs will provide our customers with amazing dining options at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora. Together with our hotel, event center, spa and additional amenities, patrons will experience a vibrant atmosphere at this new area attraction,” said Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations at PENN Entertainment.
The 12,000 square foot event center will be equipped to host a variety of events, including meetings, conferences, weddings, galas, entertainment and more. Entertainment bookings are already underway, and the first public events will be announced soon.
Additional details related to the grand opening of the new casino will be provided in advance of June 24. The Company expects to work with the Illinois Gaming Board on the transfer of operations from the existing Hollywood Casino Aurora, which is located on the Fox River in downtown Aurora, to the new landside facility as the opening date nears.
In conjunction with this $360 million project, PENN expects to receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. near the project’s opening, at a 7.75% capitalization rate. By the end of the year, the Company also expects to receive the remaining $21 million of the $50 million in funding being contributed by the City of Aurora by year end.
The post PENN to Open the New Hollywood Casino Aurora to Public on June 24 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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