Latest News

EAG 2023 show director unveiled by bacta

Published

3 years ago

July 18, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Entertainment, Attractions & Gaming International Expo (EAG 2023), bacta’s popular business-to-business trade exhibition, has unveiled its new show director ahead of its return to ExCeL London in January 2023.

Bacta has appointed Nicola Lazenby from the Community Care Group at Mark Allen, where she served as Head of Marketing, Operations and Product, ensuring and overseeing the commercial success of all group events with full responsibility for marketing and operations, as well as oversight responsibility for content and sales functions. Nicola has extensive experience in the events world, with a career spanning more than 20 years.

In her new role, Nicola will be seamlessly absorbing the management of the 2023 Show before next year beginning work both on the 2024 iteration of the event and looking to grow EAG Ltd into a multi-show exhibition company.

EAG 2023 is the leisure industry’s leading coin-operated amusements show and a great opportunity for visitors to keep up to date with what’s new in coin-op visitor attractions, entertainment and gaming. The event is the perfect place to see the latest revenue-boosting products, source fresh ideas to increase footfall to your establishment, learn from the best at world-class seminars, and network with fellow professionals.

Stand bookings are now being accepted from exhibitors across the leisure sector. This includes manufacturers of coin-operated amusement equipment, kiddie rides, new entertainment technologies, and virtual and augmented reality experiences, along with eSports and other leisure-related ancillary services.

The event will provide exhibitors with a unique opportunity to promote products and services to approximately 5,000 key buyers representing some of the world’s leading theme parks, tourist attractions, amusement arcades and family entertainment centres, as well as trampoline and leisure parks, shopping centres, pubs, clubs and restaurants, bowling venues and holiday parks

EAG 2023 Show Director Nicola Lazenby said: “I am delighted to be joining John and Martin at such an important time for EAG Ltd. I look forward to working with colleagues and professionals from across the sector to ensure a bright future for the EAG Show, and am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

EAG Ltd. Chairman Martin Burlin added: “Nicola joins the EAG Show at a pivotal time, as we gear-up for EAG 2023 and plan for EAG 2024. As part of her remit, Nicola will seek to move EAG Ltd. to a multi-exhibition model as we return to in-person events.”

Bacta CEO John White said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola to this integral role. The EAG Show has been a highlight of the industry for many years, and we expect it to go from strength-to-strength following the return of the in-person event this year. With her extensive experience, Nicola can take the EAG show to new levels.”

DUPR Ratings

USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza

Published

49 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

usa-pickleball-“golden-ticket”-returns-to-las-vegas:-february-2026-at-the-plaza

USA Pickleball is heading back to the “Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World” for the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas, presented by Tommy Bahama.

Taking place from February 18–22, 2026, the event moves to a new iconic home at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. As a premier qualifying event for the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships, this tournament offers amateur players their fastest “Path to Nationals.”

The “Golden Ticket” Advantage

In the competitive world of pickleball, a “Golden Ticket” is the ultimate prize for amateur athletes.

Priority Registration: Gold medalists in each age and skill bracket receive a Golden Ticket, granting them guaranteed priority registration for the National Championships in November.
Tiered Point System (TPS): Participants who do not win gold still earn maximum ranking points toward Nationals eligibility, as Golden Ticket events sit at the highest tier of the sanctioned points system.
Official Rankings: As a sanctioned event, results are reported to DUPR, providing athletes with verified skill ratings.

Venue Spotlight: The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Plaza has established itself as the premier pickleball destination in Las Vegas, boasting more courts than any other hotel-casino resort in the city.

16 Tournament-Level Courts: The venue features 12 permanent rooftop courts and a dedicated championship court area that can expand to accommodate large-scale tournament play.
Rooftop Experience: Players compete on the Plaza’s fifth-floor pool deck, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley and the historic Fremont Street District.
Capacity: The event expects to host over 500 athletes across five days of high-stakes competition.

“This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball.

Tournament Registration & Logistics

Registration for the Las Vegas Golden Ticket is currently open, with several key deadlines and costs for participants:

Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026.
Cost: $95 Registration Fee + $45 Event Fee (Amateurs).
Skill Levels: Open to players in skill brackets 3.0 to 5.0, with age divisions ranging from 19 to 80+.
Exclusive Rates: A special hotel rate is available at the Plaza using group code SUSAPGT for bookings made by February 2nd.

For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.

The post USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DUPR Ratings

USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month

Published

50 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

usa-pickleball-golden-ticket-heads-to-the-plaza-hotel-and-casino-in-downtown-las-vegas-next-month

USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama set for Feb. 18-22

USA Pickleball is returning to Las Vegas next month with the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama, bringing one of the organization’s premier qualifying events back to the city after a highly successful 2024 tournament. The event will take place Feb. 18–22, at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, offering athletes a new venue and an elevated tournament experience.

Golden Ticket Tournaments are official qualifying events for the USA Pickleball National Championships, the sport’s most prestigious competition. Winners earn a coveted Golden Ticket, securing priority registration to Nationals, while all participants earn points as part of USA Pickleball’s Tiered Point System.

Golden Ticket Tournaments attract top players from across the country, offering a professionally run environment with certified referees, official rules, and first-class venues designed for fair and competitive play. As sanctioned USA Pickleball events, participants earn official DUPR ratings and ranking points, helping athletes track progress and advance competitively.

“We’re excited to bring the Golden Ticket back to Las Vegas and to do it at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, with an expected 500+ athletes,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball. “This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city. Golden Ticket tournaments are a vital part of The Path to Nationals, and Las Vegas is the perfect place for players to test themselves, earn their way forward, and compete among the best in the country.”

“With the most pickleball courts of any resort, the Plaza has become the premier destination for pickleball in Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “We are excited to host this prestigious tournament and welcome the top USA Pickleball players from across the country to the Plaza. This event will be one not to miss with exciting, competitive matches played on our courts that offer unforgettable views of the Las Vegas valley.”

A special hotel rate at the Plaza is available for tournament participants. Rooms must be reserved online by Feb. 2, with group code SUSAPGT at https://book.passkey.com/go/SUSAPGT. Guests can also make reservations by phone, 1-800-634-6575, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.

The post USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-bring-luxury-lifestyle-to-north-american-igaming

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.

The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.

Immersive Luxury Table Games

The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.

FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.

The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.

Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap

For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.