Gambling in the USA

Virtual Gaming, Is It Gaining Traction In America And Canada? A Hot Discussion At Sports Betting And Casino Summit North America

Published

6 years ago

June 17, 2020

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Covid-19 has driven American gamblers online and as LAS VEGAS is slowly awakening from its pandemic-induced slumber, we are just at the beginning to see how these gamblers are choosing online over land-based.

Photos from the casinos that welcomed visitors for the first time in nearly three months showed gaming tables surrounded by guests, some wearing masks.

Their thirst for a gamble is understandable. In quarantine, American high-rollers have struggled to find substitutes for the real thing. Whereas, say, British gamblers have been able to bet legally online under lockdown, Americans face a patchwork of state laws that give limited options for lawful remote betting.

An informative data report titled Virtual Sports Betting Market was published by The Research Insights and takes a closer look at the different aspects of the businesses, that are responsible for fuelling the growth of the companies.

Virtual Sports is a selection of scheduled fixed odds games (events) that use a random number generator (RNG) to decide the outcome. All customers view the same schedules and the same outcomes.

Market predictions for possible growth opportunities have been mentioned clearly. This report is a detailed description of the Virtual Sports Betting Market sector which presents a blend of research expertise and business strategies. It also projects market trends along with the increasing scope for the individual sector.

For a strong and stable business outlook, different parameters have been analyzed across the global Virtual Sports Betting Market regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia-pacific, Europe, and India.

Facts and figures about various financial terms have been researched by considering several key points such as prices, market shares, and profit margin. It examines the different modules for evaluation of the risks and threats.

It studies different models that address the challenges faced by several industries as well as stakeholders. This Virtual Sports Betting Market is classified on the basis of demand-supply chain analysis, which accounts for the requirements of the products or services.

Most of the top industry companies from North America have confirmed their interest to join the Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America (Virtual Conference), which will open its virtual doors between 23-24 June and will feature a special panel discussion dedicated for Virtual Sports Betting.

The “VIRTUAL GAMING, IS IT GAINING TRACTION IN AMERICA AND CANADA?” panel discussion will be joined by some of the top names in virtual gaming, among which you will find Araksi Sargsyan (Head Of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming), Martin Wachter (CEO at Golden Race), Lazar Miučin (VP of Strategic Partnerships at NSoft) and John Gordon (CEO & Co-Founder of Incentive Games).

The discussion will be moderated by Jaka Repanšek (Media and TECH Law Expert)

Araksi Sargsyan – Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming

In 2013, Araksi Sargsyan took her first steps in the online gaming segment as a Customer Service Representative at BetConstruct. She was quickly promoted to Account Manager, where she was in charge of developing B2B projects around the world. Subsequently, she left B2B to develop a B2C project in Kazakhstan. Then she worked as Business Development Manager for Latin America at Digitain. With an active and entrepreneurial spirit and a visionary approach, Araksi is now the Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming, a leading brand in the virtual betting domain.

Martin Wachter – CEO and Founder at Golden Race

Martin Wachter is the CEO and Founder of Golden Race and for over 15 years, has spread innovative, tailored solutions and virtual sports worldwide. He is specialized in all the areas of the company, taking special delight in being part of marketing strategy, product management, and development.

Lazar Miučin – VP of Strategic Partnerships at NSoft

I have been working within the industry for 11 years already. I have started from being System Administrator and went through all high-level positions during my gambling & casinos career. During my career, I was mostly responsible for operations and product development with extreme passion, drive, and vision that I have for igaming industry. On top of all, I am a mobile-oriented and addicted person.

Experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working within the gambling industry. Skilled in negotiation, strong operations professional and results-focused executive. During my 11 years of experience in a number of senior positions. These positions were covering areas such as Business Development, Operations, and Development from B2C and B2B levels.

iGaming industry is with one word just life, way to live. It is super dynamic, fast, and technology-oriented. In this industry there are no boundaries, it is full of networking and it is multicultural which allows you to gain a different perspective offering valuable insights, so you can adjust your product and company while you are entering specific markets.

John Gordon – CEO & Co-Founder of Incentive Games

John Gordon is the CEO of Incentive Games, an Edinburgh-based provider of both Free-To-Play and Pay-To-Play games. John has spoken and paneled at conferences such as ‘Betting on Sports’ and ‘Betting on Football’ as well as various events across Asia as a specialist in Gamification. Often invited for his expertise in streamlining the process of customer acquisition, retention and monetization as well as discussing effective methods of tapping into the Millennial market of generations Y and Z.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to attend a virtual conference that gathers all North American gaming industry experts for 2 days of discussions and networking. Register your seat now!

Arizona Department of Gaming

Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.

Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)
Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million
Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million
Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)
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:

Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million
Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million
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

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

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:

THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.
FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
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:

Host City: Los Angeles, California.
Date: Fall 2027.
The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.
The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.
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.

AGS Gaming

Lucky Player Rings in 2026 with $1.6 Million Baccarat Jackpot at Encore Boston Harbor

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

lucky-player-rings-in-2026-with-$1.6-million-baccarat-jackpot-at-encore-boston-harbor

A New Year’s Day visit to Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, turned into a historic event for a lucky gambler who hit a massive $1,620,355.70 jackpot. The win occurred on AGS’ Royal 9® Baccarat, fueled by the developer’s innovative STAX Progressive platform.

The payout is the largest single jackpot ever awarded in the history of the resort and potentially sets a new record for the state of Massachusetts.

The Winning Moment

The winner, identified as a man from Quincy, MA, who chose to remain anonymous, triggered the life-changing prize with a single $5 progressive side bet.

The Royal 9 Baccarat progressive adds a unique layer to traditional baccarat:

Personal King-Nine: Each seat at the table is assigned a unique, pre-printed King/Nine combination.
The Trigger: The top-tier jackpot is hit when both the Player and Banker hands perfectly match the specific King-Nine combination imprinted at the player’s seat.
STAX Platform: The win was facilitated by AGS’ STAX system, which allows for multi-level, “must-hit-by” jackpots and community prizes.

“We built STAX to bring incredible wins to players, and this is exactly the kind of excitement we envisioned,” said John Hemberger, SVP and General Manager, Table Games for AGS. “This is a true testament of what a single $5 progressive bet can do.”

AGS’ Historic Run in New England

This record-breaking win at Encore Boston Harbor follows a streak of high-profile AGS jackpots across the New England region in recent months:

Date	Location	Game / Side Bet	Jackpot Amount
Jan 1, 2026	Encore Boston Harbor	Royal 9 Baccarat (STAX)	$1,620,355
July 9, 2025	Mohegan Sun (Casino of the Earth)	Spanish 21 (Bonus Spin Xtreme)	$2,018,742
Feb 13, 2025	Mohegan Sun	Super 4 Blackjack (STAX)	$1,338,736

The July 2025 win at Mohegan Sun remains the largest table game progressive jackpot in AGS history, triggered by the “Triple Diamond” prize on their Bonus Spin Xtreme® wheel system.

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