Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas invades the region with Virtual Quarterly Meetups and sets up Advisory Board with Latin and North American gambling industry experts

Published

5 years ago

October 27, 2020

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 4 minutes

GamingAmericas.com announces quarterly virtual meetups, conference dates and advisory board.

The team at GamingAmericas.com (part of Hipther Agency), is excited to announce the launch of virtual meetup series which will increase the access to quality information to interested parties, but will also provide an excellent opportunity to participate in engaging discussions about the North and Latin American gambling industry.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The quarterly meetups will complement the yearly virtual conference and the media/publishing services offered by Gaming Americas, and will be strategically coordinated by the Gaming Americas Way Seers (Advisory Board).

“2020 was a year of growth for us in terms of reaching new markets with our unique style of running conferences and publishing quality content. Gaming Americas has become an important news outlet in the region and to supplement the engagement, we are happy to announce our quarterly meetup series. We learned a lot this year about hosting virtual gatherings and we can now say that size doesn’t matter. We tested many new ways of interacting with our audience and we can say we found a great recipe which will be implemented in these meetups”, stated Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency.

Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups

The Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups are designed to keep you up-to-date with what is fresh in the North American and Latin American gambling industry.

The dates of the meetups are the following:

The virtual meetups will be organized quarterly and the calendar looks the following way:

January 28, 2021 – Gaming Americas Q1 Meetup
April 29, 2021 – Gaming Americas Q2 Meetup
August 26, 2021 – Gaming Americas Q3 Meetup
November 18, 2021 – Gaming Americas Q4 Meetup

The tickets are sold at the rate of $99 per Meetup or you can benefit of the full year membership offer and save 25%. You can find more details about the passes here.

The meetups feature several panel discussions per region and topics that are joined by key industry experts, CEOs, C-Level Executives, Business Development Managers, and sometimes government officials/regulators.

All meetups offer the opportunity to network online in special break-out sessions, but also join a round table discussion which answers all burning questions of the industry at a certain point in time during 2021.

Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America

The team is also excited to announce the dates for the second edition of Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America, which will take place once again in the virtual world between 21-23 June, 2021.

The inaugural edition was a huge success and brought together +500 participants and 75 speakers.

The virtual conference will continue its mission of bringing together regulators, operators, suppliers, marketing managers, C-Level Executives, policymakers, and more for two days of quality online learning and networking.

To receive constant updates about the registration opening and agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

Advisory Board

In order to fully embrace all hot topics and regulatory updates from the Americas, the strategy will be orchestrated by North and Latin American gambling industry experts.

Thus, the team is honored to announce the appointment of the following experts in the Gaming Americas Way Seers (Advisory Board):

Chantal A. Cipriano (Senior Director, Legal & Compliance at Mazooma)
Karen Marcela Sierra – Hughes (Vice President of Latin America & Caribbean at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI))
Dr Laila Mintas (CEO at PlayUp US)
Fernando Saffores (Founder & Director at Focus Gaming News)
Jonodev Chaudhuri (Chair, Indian Law & Policy Practice at Quarles & Brady LLP)
Joerg Hofmann (Senior Partner at MELCHERS LAW)
Evan Davis (Managing Director, Sports Betting and Gaming for SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory)
Jeremy P. Kleiman (Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC)
Lloyd Danzig (Founder & CEO at Sharp Alpha Advisors)

The excitement about 2021 is also shared by the above-mentioned experts and here are some inputs that were stated:

“Gaming Americas has developed a method to disseminate gaming content and news, ways for businesses to collaborate and the opportunity for relationships to grow. I look forward to joining its Way Seer Advisory Board and helping to advance its initiatives in the gaming industry by providing a legal and regulatory perspective.” – Chantal A. Cipriano (Senior Director, Legal & Compliance at Mazooma)

“The American gaming market continues to grow exponentially, catalyzed by technology, investment, and legislation. As new and existing participants increasingly seek insight into the industry, thoughtfully-constructed conferences will have the opportunity to serve as nodes that disseminate the expertise to key stakeholders. I am excited to join the Gaming Americas Advisory Board alongside a prestigious collection of thought leaders in the space.” – Lloyd Danzig (Founder & CEO at Sharp Alpha Advisors)

“I am thrilled to be part of this outstanding group of international experts. The future is bright and Gaming Americas is leading the way!” – Jeremy P. Kleiman (Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC)

“I’m really proud to participate in such interesting events with other recognized executives around the world. This ‘new normality’ leads us to think out of the box, offering outstanding solutions and being close to our customers. Hipther understood this very well.” – Fernando Saffores (Founder & Director at Focus Gaming News)

“Something really big, something global, is being created here. And I am delighted to be a part of it!” – Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Senior Partner at MELCHERS LAW)

“I’m honored and excited to join the Way Seer board for Gaming Americas alongside such a diverse and knowledgeable set of experts from across the gaming community. I look forward to an exciting year of discussions focusing on topics that are of heightened interest to our industry.”– Evan Davis (Managing Director, Sports Betting and Gaming for SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory)

For further sponsorship/speaking and marketing inquiries, make sure to reach out to Andrada Marginean (B2B Sales Executive at Hipther Agency).

For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency).

California Gambling Control Commission

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

california-gambling-control-commission-advances-licensing,-tribal-partnerships,-and-responsible-gaming-initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

HCAL, LLC
JCM Global
Konami Gaming, Inc.
PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

The post California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 14-20

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-april-14-20

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

H. Betti Industries Inc, the leading distributor of amusement and gaming equipment and parts, has announced the appointment of Todd Cravens as President of Betson Gaming. In this expanded leadership role, Cravens will oversee all aspects of its growing gaming division, with a focus on expanding market share, building the product portfolio and accelerating growth in new and existing markets. Since joining the Company in January 2025 as SVP of Gaming, Cravens has made an immediate and measurable impact across the business. His leadership has helped sharpen Betson’s gaming strategy, align the team and focus on new revenue streams, while also bringing operational discipline and strategic vision to other areas of the company.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has initiated investigations into unlicensed sports prediction markets operating within the state. These platforms, which bypass Michigan’s regulatory framework, have raised significant concerns about consumer protections. Michigan’s investigations align with similar actions already taken by other state regulatory bodies and focus on how this form of unlicensed sports betting may jeopardize the integrity of Michigan’s legal sports betting system. The unlicensed platforms offer what they describe as innovative financial products that allow users to trade their predictions on the outcomes of sports events. By sidestepping the regulatory protections of Michigan’s legal sports betting market, these platforms pose a serious risk to consumers. They create potential confusion among bettors and blur the line between sports betting as entertainment and sports betting as a financial trading vehicle.

Partnerships

Bragg Gaming Group announced the acquisition of a strategic equity stake in, and the signing of an exclusive content partnership with RapidPlay, a specialist Brazilian game development studio renowned for its localised, high-performance online casino content tailored to Brazilian and the broader Latin American market. Under the terms of the agreement, Bragg receives an equity stake in RapidPlay and has entered into an exclusive commercial distribution agreement with RapidPlay at standard market terms. The agreement allows Bragg to integrate and offer RapidPlay’s full content portfolio through its expanding base of licensed Brazilian operators.

PrizePicks has renewed its partnership with the Atlanta Braves, reaffirming its position as the club’s Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. This new three-year agreement reinforces the longstanding relationship between the two Atlanta-based powerhouses, building on a successful collaboration that began in 2020. As part of the partnership, PrizePicks branding will be prominently featured throughout Truist Park with a combination of static and LED signage. The company will also retain access to exclusive VIP experiences for business needs and will continue its popular “PrizePicks Pick of the Game” segment, which airs on the Braves Radio Network pregame show before all regular season games.

SCCG Management has become the sponsor of SFT Combat, one of Brazil’s premier MMA promotions. As a long-time client partner, SFT Combat continues to push boundaries in the world of professional fighting, delivering high-quality events that captivate both local and global audiences. The sponsorship reflects a strategic investment in Brazil’s sports and gaming ecosystem, where MMA plays a central role in both cultural identity and entertainment value.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 14-20 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 7-13

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-april-7-13

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

WyoLotto’s COO, Robin Medina, has been named to join a national committee to support problem gambling initiatives. The committee is through the National Council on Problem Gambling and will manage the annual selection of nominations and election of the Board of Directors that oversees NCPG. Last year WyoLotto applied for and was accepted to the NCPG and NASPL’s (North American State and Provincial Lotteries) Responsible Gambling Verification Programme. WyoLotto’s Responsible Gambling Programme includes an in depth plan to ensure the organisation honours its commitment to educating players, retailers and the general public about how to gamble responsibly and what to do if gambling becomes a problem for yourself or someone you know.

As Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon moves closer to its highly anticipated grand opening, the company is engaging with the Kern County community through exclusive informational sessions at Bakersfield College’s Renegade Event Room located at 1801 Panorama Drive. The first session, held on April 4, provided local leaders and invited guests with insights into upcoming job and vendor opportunities in the region. The second session took place on April 5 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Job opportunities for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be posted on the recruitment site, www.gotoworkhappy.com, starting in May.

An investigation by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) into VGW Luckyland – a subsidiary of the Australian-based VGW Holdings – revealed that VGW Luckyland was operating illegal online gaming. Delaware officials concluded that VGW misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings. These types of real-money games offered to Delaware residents by an unlicensed entity violate the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012. With the support of the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW.

Partnerships

AC Milan announced a new partnership with Reals, a company renowned for its excellence in Brazil’s sports betting and online gaming market, which will become Official Regional Betting Partner of the Rossoneri’s Club in Latin America. Elected in 2024 as the “Best Sportsbook Operator” in Brazil by SiGMA World – the largest international authority in iGaming – Reals has been consolidating its position in the sector, reinforcing its growing trajectory of ascent. The brand is aligned with the best market practices, presenting sustainable growth based on innovation, strategic partnerships and sports engagement.

Scientific Games’ SciQ retail technology is set to roll out at North Carolina Education Lottery retailers as part of the Lottery’s focus on improving the retail environment for its Scratch-Off games. The company will deploy 1000 SciQ units at lottery retailers across North Carolina. NCEL Scratch-Off games represented more than $2.9 billion in retail sales in fiscal year 2024, anchoring NCEL among the world’s top 15 performing instant game lotteries (La Fleur’s 2024 World Almanac). Offering real-time scratch game inventory management data that amplifies the power of Scientific Games’ SciTrak predictive ordering system used by NCEL, SciQ creates supply chain efficiencies proven to lift scratch game sales.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 7-13 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.