Gambling in the USA

Summits by Gaming Americas brings you two conferences next week between 22-23 June

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2021

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Gaming Summit North America and Gaming Summit Latin America to take place next week between 22-23 June.

We are excited to announce the final agenda for the upcoming Gaming Summit North America & Gaming Summit Latin America which are taking place in a virtual layout next week.

The conference series is Gaming Americas’ flagship event in the Americas and was previously titled “Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America”, and complements the Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups. (read more about the rebranding here).

The conferences gather regulators, top C-Level Executives, and most of the industry shareholders for two days of quality learning and engaging discussion about the gambling industry in North America and the LATAM region.

The North American conference will target compliance updates from the West Side and East Side of the US will feature the special ongoing series of talks with Chantal Cipriano about the Canadian gaming industry, and will also include discussions about Responsible Gaming, Fintech and investment tips from the top investors of the gaming industry in North America.

You can view the full program here.

The registration is free and the conference already attracted 2k registrations. So, if you haven’t yet registered, make sure you get in on the list to receive the login details. Register here!

Here is a short preview of the panel discussions on 22 June (North America):

(East Side) US Legislation Round-up
The Gaming Gold Rush has to consider the implementation of Responsible Gaming measures
The Canadian Gaming Industry Updates with Chantal Cipriano
Focus on Yahoo Sports’ sports betting strategy in North America
(West Side) US Legislation Round-up
Innovative payment technologies and the regulators catch up
M&A, Making of Unicorns and how VCs are reshaping the future of the sports betting industry

Among the leading speakers you can find:

Dr. Laila Mintas – CEO at PlayUp US
Ryan Butler @ Action Network
Chantal Cipriano – Senior Director, Legal & Compliance at Mazooma
Adrianna Cuccinello – VP, Online Gaming & Compliance Operations – US at Maxima Compliance
Lloyd Danzig – Founder & Managing Partner at Sharp Alpha Advisors
Andrew Crowe – SVP of Business Development at Sightline Payments
Rich Roberts – Non-Executive Board Member with Webis Holdings PLC
Bill Pascrell, III – Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.
Martin Lycka – SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Entain
Keith S. Whyte – Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
Tammi Barlow – Director of Responsible Gaming and Corporate Social Responsibility at Caesars Entertainment
Wendy Anderson – Chief Executive Officer at RG24seven
Neil Erlick – Chief Corporate Development Officer at Nuvei
Geoff Reiss – GM of Yahoo Sports
Sarah Crennan – VP & Head of Content at Yahoo Sports
Minty Bets – Yahoo Sports’ lead betting reporter and analyst
Elizabeth Suever – Vice President of Government Relations at Bally’s Corporation
Daniel Wallach – Founder at Wallach Legal LLC
Wayne Kimmel – Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital
Matt Davey – President & CEO at Tekkorp Capital LLC
Daniel Bernard – Investor and General Partner at Mindspring Capital
and many more…

The Latin American conference targets compliance-related matters and give clear updates about the state of the industry in Brasil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and Curacao. Besides the trending topics, the experts will also dive into discussions about the state of Responsible Gaming in the region.

Among the leaders who will present during the panel discussions, you can find the regulators and lotteries representatives from Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica and Curacao.

Top brand such as Nuvei, Betwarrior, Playtech, Entain, Play’n GO, Codere, and GLI will also share their information about the region.

The panel discussions will be hosted in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, while live interpreting is ensured at all times by one of the sponsors of the conference series, All-In Global.

The conference enjoys the support of Play’n GO as sponsors.

Here is a short preview of the panel discussions on 23 June (Latin America):

Regulation in the spotlight: Brasil (operators, payment methods, legal update) (Portuguese to English)
Hear from the industry stakeholders in Argentina (operators, software providers) (Spanish to English)
Responsible Gaming Programs across LATAM (English to Spanish and Portuguese)
Regulation in the spotlight: Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Curacao (regulators, lotteries representatives) (Spanish to English)

Among the leading speakers’ you can find:

Sebastian Vivot – Head of Modernisation and Information Technology, Loter’a de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Manuel San Román – Dir. Gral. de Juegos de Casino y Máquinas Tragamonedas de Perú
Esmeralda Britton – President of Social Protection Board (JPS) of Costa Rica
Jamir Barton – Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Curacao Gaming Control Board
Neil Montgomery – Founding and Managing Partner at Montgomery & Associados
Roberto Carvalho Brasil Fernandes – Senior Lawyer at Brasil Fernandes Advogados
Danilo Gennari – Sócio-Diretor na Distrito Relações Governamentais
Pedro Extremera – Regional Director at Playtech
Victor Arias – Vice President LATAM at Pragmatic Play
Cristian Acuna – Head of Sales LATAM at Play’n GO
Salo Leder – Business Development Executive at Codere
Juan Espinosa García – Ministerio de Hacienda Espana
Martin Lycka – SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain
Fernando Sussesso – Sales Manager LATAM at Nuvei
Alasdair Townsend – Managing Partner at Sherlock Communications
Georges Didier Flores – Latin America Government Relations and Business Development Representative at Gaming Laboratories International
Seth Palansky – Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility & Communications at Conscious Gaming
Richard Bayliss – Senior Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Manager at Playtech
José Carlos Figueroa – Caribbean Government Relations and Business Development Representative Gaming Laboratories International, LLC (GLI®)

For 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).

To receive constant updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

Arizona Benefits Fund

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

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

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

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:

Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.
National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.
Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.
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:

15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.
Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.
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.