Gambling in the USA
Celebrate Fast Times! Sonic Dash Surpasses 500 Million Milestone as Fans Honour 30th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog
Beloved IP continues to drive mobile game download growth from loyal global fan base
SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that its hit mobile game Sonic Dash has surpassed a major milestone on mobile devices. Since initially launching in 2013, the game has achieved more than 500 million downloads worldwide. The endless runner game, which stars the famous blue hedgehog running, dashing, jumping, and spinning across stunning 3D environments, is the most played Sonic mobile game ever!
Sonic Dash’s major milestone also falls during the 30th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, which SEGA is celebrating with fans around the world! From the small mobile screen to the silver screen, the Blue Blur is still capturing the hearts of audiences. Last year saw the first live-action movie release of Sonic the Hedgehog, and now the next chapter of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is hotly anticipated to release next year in 2022.
Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka: “Achieving over 500 million downloads is a huge testament to the endurance of the Sonic brand and the truly fun, timeless gameplay of Sonic Dash. We appreciate our loyal fans as well as our partnership with both Apple and Google for their enduring support in showcasing Sonic Dash in the App Stores. This milestone could not have been achieved at a better time!”
SEGA HARDlight’s Studio Director, Neall Jones: “We continue to be amazed at Sonic Dash’s loyal fans and how the game is still driving millions of new downloads every month. A massive thank you to all Sonic Dash fans. We look forward to continuing to provide you with new and innovative in-game events built around the ever-expanding Sonic universe, for years to come.”
Sonic Dash was developed by HARDlight, a SEGA of Europe studio. The studio is also behind another wildly popular mobile multiplayer runner: Sonic Forces. HARDlight produces regular events in Sonic Dash, featuring collaborations with highly recognized IP. Starting Friday, September 17, fans can also join a special event in Sonic Dash, honoring this 500 million milestone.
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Arizona Department of Gaming
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.
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Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)
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Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million
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Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million
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Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)
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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:
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Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million
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Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million
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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
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:
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THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.
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FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
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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:
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Host City: Los Angeles, California.
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Date: Fall 2027.
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The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.
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The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.
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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
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:
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Personal King-Nine: Each seat at the table is assigned a unique, pre-printed King/Nine combination.
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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.
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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.
The post Lucky Player Rings in 2026 with $1.6 Million Baccarat Jackpot at Encore Boston Harbor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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