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
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.
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).
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Arizona Benefits Fund
Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially announced a total of $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This performance marks an approximate 5.6 percent increase compared to the same period in FY 2025, signaling continued strength in the state’s tribal gaming sector.
These contributions are vital to the state’s infrastructure, supporting everything from classroom improvements to emergency medical services.
“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”
Where the Money Goes: The Arizona Benefits Fund
Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, 88 percent of all tribal gaming contributions are directed into the Arizona Benefits Fund. This revenue is strictly allocated to high-priority state initiatives.
The Q2 FY 2026 distribution breakdown is as follows:
| Fund Category | Contribution Amount |
| Instructional Improvement Fund (Education) | $22,373,810 |
| Trauma and Emergency Services Fund | $11,186,905 |
| ADG Operating Costs | $4,040,214 |
| Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund | $3,196,258 |
| State Tourism Fund | $3,196,258 |
| Problem Gambling Education & Treatment | $897,825 |
| Total to Arizona Benefits Fund | $44,891,270 |
Local Community Impact
Beyond the state-level funds, the remaining 12 percent of tribal contributions are distributed directly by the tribes to specific cities, towns, and counties. these funds are often used for local community services and public safety programs.
Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions from Arizona’s tribes have surpassed $2.5 billion, demonstrating the long-term economic impact of the partnership between the state and its 22 federally recognized tribes.
Regulatory Oversight and Growth
Currently, the ADG regulates 26 Class III casinos across the state in close partnership with tribal authorities. This regulatory framework ensures the integrity of the games while maximizing the benefits delivered to the public.
For those interested in exploring historical data, the ADG maintains a comprehensive archive of cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year.
To learn more about the current landscape of gaming in the state, visit the official Tribal Gaming webpage.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This represents an approximate 5.6 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.
“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”
The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.
Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:
Instructional Improvement Fund/Education………………………………………………..$22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund………………………………………………………..$11,186,905
Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs………………………………………….$4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund……………………………………………………………$3,196,258
Tourism Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..$3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention……………………………..$897,825
Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund……………………..$44,891,270
Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.
Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Activision Blizzard
BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships
BLAST, a global leader in competitive entertainment, has officially announced the appointment of Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships. Rossi joins the team at a pivotal moment, following a record-breaking 2025 that saw the company expand its footprint into New York City, Malta, and Mumbai.
With over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships across sports, media, and gaming, Rossi is set to lead BLAST’s next phase of commercial evolution.
A Proven Leader in Global Commercial Strategy
Rossi’s career is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between iconic intellectual properties and Fortune 100 brands. His previous roles include senior leadership positions at:
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Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.
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National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.
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Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.
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PlayVS: Focusing on the intersection of youth esports and brand engagement.
Based in the newly established New York office, Rossi will oversee BLAST’s global Sponsorship Sales and Partner Management & Activation.
Building on a Record-Breaking 2025
The appointment comes as BLAST continues to scale at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the company delivered:
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15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.
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Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.
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Expanded Portfolio: Continued investment in top-tier titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Brawl Stars.
“BLAST has built a truly premium proposition at the intersection of entertainment, gaming, sport and culture,” said Steve Rossi. “I’m excited to work with the team to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that deliver real value for brands, publishers and fans alike.”
A Strategic Vision for 2026
Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at BLAST, emphasized that Rossi’s leadership will be instrumental as the company evolves its partnership offerings. “Steve brings deep experience across esports, sport, media and entertainment. His ability to scale global commercial partnerships makes him the perfect fit for BLAST at this incredibly exciting time.”
As BLAST enters 2026, the focus remains on delivering fan-first experiences and commercially impactful collaborations that maintain BLAST’s position as a pioneer in the competitive gaming space.
Learn More
To stay updated on BLAST’s upcoming arena events and commercial ventures, visit the official BLAST website.
The post BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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