Gambling in the USA
Accel Entertainment Announces Two Senior Executive Appointments
Accel Entertainment, Inc. announced two appointments to its executive management team, with Ryan Hammer named as President of Gaming Operations and Michael Marino named as Chief Commercial Officer. Both appointments are effective immediately and will report directly to Andy Rubenstein, Accel’s Chief Executive Officer.
As President of Gaming Operations, Mr. Hammer will lead the company’s video gaming business in Illinois and additional states. Initially he will be based out of Chicago but later this year he will build the Company’s presence in Southern Illinois and new opportunities in other states. As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Marino will lead the company’s strategic development with a focus on incremental service offerings, partnerships, marketing, analytics and loyalty. Mr. Hammer and Mr. Marino will both be based in Illinois.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ryan and Michael to the Accel family and to our executive management team,” said Andy Rubenstein, CEO of Accel. “The opportunities for Accel to rapidly expand beyond our current footprint are steadily increasing, and with these two key hires we are now even better positioned to execute our vision of being a multi-state operator with a differentiated range of gaming-as-a-service solutions. Being able to recruit executives of their caliber speaks to the exciting opportunities in front of Accel and we look forward to their contributions.”
“In the past few years Accel has established itself as an absolute leader in the video gaming market and I could not be more honored to join the company,” said Ryan Hammer, President of Gaming Operations. “Accel represents the most exciting growth opportunity within the distributed gaming sector and is one of the best capitalized companies in the entire industry. I look forward to applying my operational and financial skills to build on Accel’s current momentum.”
“This is a truly exciting time in the history of Accel and I could not be more pleased to begin collaborating with this highly respected team,” said Michael Marino, Chief Commercial Officer. “I have long admired Accel’s entrepreneurial spirit and energy and its relentless focus on building and maintaining partnerships which has ultimately contributed to their success and reputation as a leader in the industry. I joined because of my conviction that Accel has an exciting growth agenda and I look forward to bringing my skills and expertise to help make that a reality.”
A native of Illinois, Mr. Hammer joins Accel with more than 16 years of gaming experience working in various roles at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, most recently serving as Senior Vice President & General Manager, where he oversaw operations at five Las Vegas resorts. Mr. Hammer began his career with the company in 2003 as an Analytics Manager and since that time has held a number of executive roles of increasing importance in finance, human resources and operations, and across five markets including Chicago, Louisville, Atlantic City, St. Louis and Las Vegas. Mr. Hammer holds a B.S. in Finance from Southern Illinois University, an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and a J.D. from Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law. He is currently a board member for the Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada.
A resident of Chicago, Mr. Marino joins Accel after 8 years of experience in a variety of marketing, strategy and analytic roles at Caesars Entertainment. He most recently served the last three years as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Chief Experience Officer where he managed the end-to-end customer journey including oversight of Caesars Rewards, the gaming industry’s leading loyalty program, partnerships, advertising, brand, digital and online hotel distribution. He also helped expand Caesars’ efforts in sports inclusive of marketing, partnerships and betting. Mr. Marino’s earlier roles at Caesars included oversight of marketing analytics, Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chairman & CEO and Senior Vice President of loyalty and digital. Prior to Caesars, Mr. Marino worked four years as a management consultant at Bain & Company and five years in a variety of marketing, risk management, strategy and M&A roles at Capital One Financial. Mr. Marino holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.
Gambling in the USA
Wind Creek Hospitality Celebrates “Winner Takes All” Champion After $1 Million Win, Chance at Up to $11.8 Million
Wind Creek Hospitality has announced the winner of its cross-property “Winner Takes All” casino promotion, which culminated in a championship event held at Wind Creek Chicago Southland. The event brought together finalists from across Wind Creek’s portfolio for a high-stakes grand prize championship competition and VIP Guest experience.
Finalists qualified through slot tournaments at their home properties and advanced through quarterfinal and semifinal rounds before earning their place in the final championship event in Chicago. The finale featured a series of timed slot tournaments held on June 13, progressively narrowing the field of competitors through elimination rounds until the final winner was determined.
At the conclusion of the tournament on June 13, Aaron Nelson from Wind Creek Atmore was crowned the winner of the “Winner Takes All” competition, claiming a $1,000,000 prize in the tournament’s final round, and earning the opportunity to compete for the promotion’s ultimate grand prize of up to $11,888,888. “Winner Takes All” finalists were also awarded more than $200,000 in cash and prizes in the finale tournament, including a $100,000 second-place prize followed up by a drawing with a $50,000 prize pool, including a $25,000 top prize and multiple $1000 prize winners.
In addition to the competition, finalists participated in curated Wind Creek Rewards experiences designed to highlight Chicago’s cultural and hospitality offerings. Experiences included a Chicago River architectural boat cruise and a guided Chinatown culinary tasting tour, alongside a welcome reception featuring food and beverage service. Travel and accommodations were provided by Wind Creek Hospitality as part of the finalist experience.
The “Winner Takes All” promotion marked one of Wind Creek Hospitality’s most expansive cross-property tournament experiences, combining competitive gaming with destination-based Guest programming and elevated hospitality.
The post Wind Creek Hospitality Celebrates “Winner Takes All” Champion After $1 Million Win, Chance at Up to $11.8 Million appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Limited-run “Super By Superbet” launch includes the “Camisa Cafu,” with 150 numbered and signed units referencing his 150 Brazil caps.
Superbet honored former Brazil captain Cafu on Monday (15) with a campaign displayed on a Times Square billboard in New York City. The company said the activation promoted its “Super By Superbet” exclusive collection created for the 2026 edition, which includes a special piece dedicated to the player.
According to the company, Cafu attended the display in person, drawing a crowd of fans seeking photos and chanting his name in one of the city’s busiest tourist areas.
“The shirt is wonderful. I feel very happy for all the incredible moments I’ve experienced here. I receive so much affection everywhere I go. Receiving recognition while still alive is one of the best things in the world.”.
“It’s an inexplicable energy to feel the love of the Brazilian people for me, right there in Times Square. Only we Brazilians know what that means.”
The centerpiece of the launch, which Superbet said totals 3,000 pieces, is the “Camisa Cafu.” The item is a limited run of 150 numbered and autographed units, which the company said references Cafu’s 150 matches for the Brazilian national team, and includes the inscription “Jardim Irene,” highlighting the player’s roots.
The post Superbet honors Cafu with Times Square campaign for 2026 collection appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Choctaw Casino & Resort
Oklahoma Man Wins $1 Million in Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant’s first “3 Months. 3 Millionaires.” Drawing of 2026
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant announced its first millionaire of the summer late Saturday evening as part of the 2026 edition of “3 Months. 3 Millionaires.” Douglas C. from Norman, Oklahoma, became the First of three lucky Choctaw Rewards Club members to become an instant millionaire this summer.
Douglas who was very surprised to hear his name, said he plans to give a portion of his winnings to a few charities.
“I don’t feel any different. Being a millionaire is a state of mind and how you deal with folks and what you do to make this world a better place,” he said.
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant is also taking the excitement of “3 Months. 3 Millionaires.” to the winner’s hometown and will make a $10,000 donation to a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of the winner’s choice.
In addition to crowning a new millionaire, Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant also held its first-ever bonus drawing for $250,000, where Eden H. from Richardson, Texas, was the winner. This new addition will take place on each million-dollar drawing day, one hour after the grand-prize drawing.
“We are thrilled to announce our first millionaire of the summer. By the end of this summer, Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant will have made 12 Choctaw Rewards Club members millionaires through this promotion. This truly is where millionaires are made. This is an incredible, life-changing opportunity for our rewards club members, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide it. We look forward to continuing to innovate ways to create exciting opportunities for guests to win here at Choctaw,” said Jeff Penz, senior director of gaming and hospitality for Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant.
The next $1 million drawing will be held on Saturday, July 11, and the winner must be present to claim their prize.
The post Oklahoma Man Wins $1 Million in Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant’s first “3 Months. 3 Millionaires.” Drawing of 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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