Press Releases
UK’s Betting and Gaming Council announced that Kevin Schofield has been appointed as Director of Communications and Digital
Kevin will be joining the Betting and Gaming Council in summer, from his current role as editor of PoliticsHome.
The Betting and Gaming Council is the new standards body committed to setting the highest industry standards and to building consumer and public trust in the betting and gaming industry.
Kevin Schofield joins the BGC with an outstanding career in journalism. For more than 25 years, he has worked for a range of newspapers across the UK, including The Scotsman, The Herald, Daily Record and The Sun. Since 2015 he has been editor of PoliticsHome.
In nearly two decades covering politics, he has reported on six general elections as well as the Scottish independence and EU referendums.
Membership of the Betting and Gaming Council is open to all gambling operators with a UK licence. It comprises members from the online and retail sectors, representing over 90% of the betting and gaming sector (excluding lotteries). All members are required to adhere to a new Code of Conduct setting the highest standards for membership.
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive, Betting and Gaming Council commenting said:
“The BGC is a new standards body committed to delivering big changes across the industry. To do that, we need top people. Kevin Schofield is one of the very best media professionals of his generation, he commands massive respect across journalism and politics, and he is an outstanding hire for the BGC.
“Kevin is joining an already top class and growing team at the BGC. This shows that we are building something exciting at the BGC as we strive to become the very best in the business.”
Kevin Schofield, newly appointed Director of Communications and Digital said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Betting and Gaming Council and can’t wait to get started. I know that they have big ambitions for the years ahead and I’m looking forward to working with the team to help drive up standards in the industry.”
In addition, Wes Himes, former CEO of the RGA has been appointed Executive Director, Standards and Innovation responsible for safer gambling, policy, research and regulation and Gary Follis, former interim CEO of the ABB and Director of Communications at the BGC has been appointed Executive Director for Corporate Affairs responsible for communications, government relations and membership.
Ady Totah
LuckyStreak Confirms Return to ICE Barcelona 2026
LuckyStreak, the Riga-based live casino specialist, has officially confirmed its participation in ICE Barcelona 2026. The company will showcase its latest live dealer technology and aggregation solutions at Stand 1F52 in Hall 1 from January 19–21.
This year’s appearance focuses on the evolution of LuckyStreak’s dual-threat offering: premium in-house live dealer content and the expansive LuckyConnect aggregation platform.
2026 Product Highlights: Live Dealer & Aggregation
LuckyStreak continues to expand its footprint by supporting diverse business models, including real-money, crypto, and sweepstakes casinos.
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Live Dealer Portfolio: High-definition (1080p) streaming of Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat from their purpose-built studio in Latvia.
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LuckyConnect Aggregation: A single API providing access to 6,000+ games from 50+ tier-one providers, including Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, and EGT Digital.
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Compliance & Technical Solutions: Introduction of a new dynamic auto-domain switching solution designed to help operators maintain uptime and accessibility in fast-changing or complex regulatory markets.
Booth Activities at Stand 1F52
LuckyStreak is blending business networking with high-energy fan engagement through several planned events:
| Activity | Timing | Details |
| Provider Open-House | Day 2 (3pm–5pm) | A dedicated session for game studios to meet CEO Ady Totah and the LuckyConnect team to discuss distribution opportunities. |
| The Streak Challenge | Ongoing | A competition on the LuckyStreak roulette wheel to build the longest winning streak. Prizes include iPads, AirPods, and AirTags. |
| Spin-for-a-Shot | Daily (4pm–5pm) | A social hour featuring drinks, networking, and branded merchandise giveaways. |
Executive Commentary
“ICE remains the most important meeting point for the global iGaming industry,” said Ady Totah, CEO and Co-founder of LuckyStreak. “It’s a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how our live casino and aggregation solutions continue to evolve in line with market demands… and to develop new opportunities.”
The post LuckyStreak Confirms Return to ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Arizona Department of Gaming
Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has released its sports betting report for October 2025, revealing a record-breaking month for the Grand Canyon State. Total wagers reached approximately $967.1 million, marking a significant 22.2% increase year-over-year and a 13.6% jump from September 2025.
This performance solidified Arizona’s position as a top-tier U.S. betting market, ranking 6th nationally in total handle for the month, just behind Pennsylvania.
October 2025 Performance Breakdown
The surge in betting activity was driven almost entirely by mobile operators, which accounted for 99.4% of the total handle.
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Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)
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Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million
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Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million
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Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)
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Privilege Fees (Taxes): $5.2 Million collected by the state.
Top Operators by Market Share
The “Big Three” continue to dominate the Arizona landscape, with FanDuel and DraftKings locked in a tight battle for the top spot.
| Operator | October Handle | Mobile Handle | Adjusted Revenue |
| FanDuel | $317.1 Million | $317.1 Million | $13.4 Million |
| DraftKings | $297.8 Million | $293.7 Million | $22.7 Million |
| BetMGM | $102.9 Million | $102.0 Million | $5.0 Million |
| Fanatics | $88.2 Million | $88.2 Million | $4.8 Million |
| bet365 | $55.0 Million | $55.0 Million | — |
Note: While FanDuel led in total amount wagered (handle), DraftKings reported the highest adjusted revenue for the month at $22.7 million.
Fiscal Year-to-Date (FY26) Summary
Through the first four months of the 2026 fiscal year (July–October), Arizona has generated substantial revenue for state funds:
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Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million
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Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million
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Fantasy Sports Fees: $462,576
The ADG also noted its continued focus on player protection, recently launching the “Too Young to Bet AZ” initiative to combat underage gambling and revoking Underdog Fantasy’s license due to concerns over its prediction market offerings.
The post Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Family Feud Lottery
Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game
Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game
Scientific Games, the global leader in lottery games, has officially launched GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE. Announced on January 6, 2026, this new omnichannel “Linked Game” leverages the massive brand equity of three iconic Fremantle television properties to offer players across the United States a chance to win up to $10 million in cash.
This launch follows the company’s proven strategy of combining retail tickets with digital second-chance opportunities to drive incremental sales for state lotteries.
The Brands: TV’s Powerhouse Lineup
The promotion features a “triple-threat” of game show nostalgia and modern popularity, specifically chosen after a 2025 consumer study confirmed their high purchase intent across all demographics:
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THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.
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FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
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PRESS YOUR LUCK: A high-stakes favorite known for the legendary “Whammy” and strategic gameplay.
The Prize: An Exclusive Hollywood Experience
Lucky winners from participating U.S. lotteries will be awarded a “Linked Game” experiential prize package that takes them to the heart of the entertainment world:
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Host City: Los Angeles, California.
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Date: Fall 2027.
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The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.
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The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.
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The Event: Following the taping, the lottery winners will take center stage on the iconic set for a private GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE event, where they will compete for a share of up to $10 million.
Omnichannel Strategy and Market Impact
Scientific Games pioneered the “Linked Game” concept in 2007. To date, these programs—including hits like Willy Wonka and Deal or No Deal—have generated more than US$6.6 billion in retail value.
| Feature | Details |
| Game Formats | Instant Scratch, Fast Play, and Digital (iLottery) |
| Prize Cap | Up to $10 Million |
| Target Audience | Omnichannel (Retail & Digital players) |
| Producer | Scientific Games in partnership with Fremantle |
“The incredibly broad appeal of these classic TV game show brands makes the GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE a perfect promotion for lottery, bringing to life the surprise, joy, and wins that players love,” said Tina Hoover, VP of Licensing for Scientific Games.
The post Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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