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East Coast Gaming Congress Announces Revised Schedule for 25th Annual Conference September 21-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
The 25th annual East Coast Gaming Congress will feature more than 50 speakers, including top CEOs, the Governor of New Jersey, and scores of industry experts as it convenes September 21-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Several hundred gaming industry leaders, legislators, regulators, educators, suppliers, gaming lawyers, media, and other stakeholders will attend the conference’s Silver Jubilee to learn more about the trends, challenges, and critical issues facing all segments of the gaming industries.
The luncheon will feature a keynote address from Hon. Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, and will also include the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to industry veteran Virginia McDowell.
Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association, will provide an update and analysis on national issues.
The revised schedule, announced today, includes:
Wednesday, September 21
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Registration
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Welcome Cocktail Reception, Hard Rock Café, SPONSORED BY: Sightline
Thursday, September 22
7:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:15 am Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr.
James T. Plousis, Chairman, New Jersey Casino Control Commission
Opening Keynote: Bill Miller, CEO, American Gaming Association
8:50 am – 9:40 am Sports Betting: Which Model Is Working Best?
Now legal and active in 31 US jurisdictions, it seems no two states have the same sports betting model. From an online-only model to a model offering dozens of skins to one offering tax rates four to five times higher than others, states have created their own schemes in an effort to maximize results. But which model is working best? And should this be measured by GGR – or by state tax receipts? Do high tax rates matter? Operators and legislators debate.
Moderator: John Atkinson, Director of Business Development, Sports Illustrated Sportsbook/888 Holdings
- Senator Jon Ford, State of Indiana; President, NCLGS
- Gina Smith, Deputy Director of Gaming Compliance, Virginia Lottery
- Elizabeth Suever, Vice President, Government Relations, Bally’s Corporation
- Andrew Winchell, Director of Government Affairs, FanDuel
9:45 am – 11:15 am Industry Leaders Roundtable I
In the first segment of our ECGC signature roundtable events, these top executives from leading gaming companies gather to discuss the status and future of their industry.
Moderator: Lynne Levin Kaufman, Partner and Co-Chair, Gaming & iGaming Group, Cooper Levenson
James F. Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International and CEO, Seminole Gaming
David Cordish, Chairman, The Cordish Companies
Jay Dorris, CEO, PCI Gaming Authority
Jason Guyot, President and CEO, Foxwoods Resort Casino
E. Brian Hansberry, President, Delaware North, Gaming
11:15 am – 11:45 am Networking Break
11:50 am – 12:40 pm Analyze This
Sports betting and igaming operators are spending tons on advertising and promotions. Is this smart? Casinos are facing competition from digital gaming and now even their own state lotteries. What does their future hold? Traditional casino companies have bought digital providers, technology companies and even media companies. How are these acquisitions panning out? Join a panel of distinguished Wall Street analysts and investors for a no-holds-barred discussion of the gaming industry from a financial perspective.
Moderator: David Isaacson, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Capital
- Gabriel Fineberg, Vice President, Beach Point Capital Management
- Colin Mansfield, Sector Head – US Gaming & Leisure, Fitch Ratings
- Joel Simkins, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
- Teddy Swigert, Managing Director, Credit Suisse
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon – Keynote Speaker: New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
– Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation to Virginia McDowell
2:00 pm – 2:50 pm Is Gaming Growing Responsibly?
Gaming is still growing, thanks to high-growth segments such as sports betting, ilottery, and igaming. But are legislators, regulators and operators ensuring that responsible-gaming programs have the necessary resources to keep pace with the rise in the number of gamblers and their increasing expenditures? What technology is – or should be available – to help both programs and gamblers? Are research projects adequately assessing the behaviors associated with the new generation of gaming?
Moderator: Marlene Warner, Principal, Spectrum Safer Gaming Advisors, and Executive Director, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
- Shawn Fluharty, Minority Whip, West Virginia House of Delegates
- Elizabeth Lanza, Director, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University
- Richard L. Taylor, Jr., Responsible Gaming Program Manager, BetMGM
2:55 pm – 3:45 pm The Northeast Cauldron
Casino operators throughout the intensively competitive Northeast not only have to compete among themselves these days, but also with digital gaming operators (both casino and sportsbook), rapidly evolving state lottery games, and, in some cases, the rapid spread of unregulated gaming devices in retail locations. How do land-based casinos continue to thrive in this environment, and do they view other forms of gaming as an opportunity or a threat? Operators from four states assess the state of play in the region.
Moderator: Joseph Weinert, Executive VP, Spectrum Gaming Group
- Anthony Faranca, President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
- Eric Hausler, CEO, Greenwood Racing (PARX Casino)
- David Martinelli, Jr., Chief Marketing Officer, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
- Robert Norton, President, Cordish Gaming Group
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Networking Break
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Industry Leaders Roundtable II
In the second segment of our ECGC signature roundtable events, these top executives from leading gaming companies gather to discuss the status and future of their industry.
Moderator: Juliann Barreto, Chief Operating Officer, Spectrum Gaming Group
- Kevin Jones, Chief Strategy and Legal Officer, Resorts World Casino and Genting Americas
- Jette Nygaard-Andersen, CEO, Entain
- Ray Pineault, President and CEO, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
- Thomas Reeg, CEO, Caesars Entertainment
- Jay Snowden, CEO, Penn National Gaming
6 pm – 8 pm Silver Anniversary Celebration, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino, SPONSORED BY: Meet AC
Friday, September 23
7:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 am Keynote Address – Howard S. Mittman, President, 888 US, Inc.
8:50 am – 9:40 am The Best Things in Gaming Right Now Are …
Sports betting is growing rapidly … historical horse racing is expanding where slots cannot … esports is just beginning to tie itself to gaming … the movement to cashless casino gaming is starting to take root. So, what exactly do casino operators and suppliers think are the best things going for the gaming industry at large?
Moderator: Lucas Levenson, Attorney, Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law
- Brooke Fiumara, Chief Executive Officer, OPTX
- Grant Johnson, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Esports Entertainment Group
- Mandi Hart, Chief Client Solutions Officer, Sightline Payments
- Deron Hunsberger, Chief Commercial Officer, Ainsworth Game Technology
9:45 am – 10:35 am State Regulators: Keeping Their Promise to Keep Pace?
When new technology brings forth new games, new ways to play those games, or new ways to transact money, gaming operators and suppliers want it – now! Ultimately, state gaming regulators determine whether – or how fast – such technology can be offered to the consumer. Are the regulators doing this quickly enough? Do they have the physical and human resources needed to keep pace in the rapidly evolving gaming industry? Regulators discuss this critical issue.
Moderator: Cyrus Pitre, Chief Enforcement Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Stephen Cook, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Cathy Judd-Stein, Chair, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- John Martin, Executive Director, Maryland Lottery
- David Rebuck, Director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- June E. Taylor, Chair, Ohio Casino Control Commission
10:35 am – 10:55 am Networking Break
10:55 am – 11:45 am Whither Igaming?
The limited rollout of igaming nationwide stands in stark contrast to the rollout of sports betting. Whereas 30 jurisdictions launched sports betting within 3½ years of the Supreme Court overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018 – including 21 that offer digital betting – only six states have launched igaming in the 8½ years since it began in 2013. One reason for the states’ caution toward igaming may be their concern for their casinos. Is such concern justified? Why the slow rollout of igaming? Will the rapid adoption of digital sports betting speed up the adoption of igaming?
Moderator: Sherry Amos, Principal, Spectrum Gaming Hospitality Group
- Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, Light & Wonder
- Jeffrey Millar, Commercial Director, North America, Evolution
- Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, Rush Street Interactive
- Luisa Woods, Vice President, Marketing, Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North
11:55 am – 12:45 pm Creating One Industry: Lotteries, Gaming
Lotteries and casinos have historically been separate industries. The Digital revolution is changing that. As ilottery and lottery courier services emerge, and as lotteries delve into sports betting and other shared verticals, what are the implications for policies and profits? At the same time, lotteries and casinos share a common challenge: unregulated slot machines.
Moderator: James A. Carey, Jr., Executive Director, New Jersey Lottery
- Scott Bowen, Government Affairs Specialist, NeoPollard Interactive; former Commissioner, Michigan Lottery
- Peggy Daniel, US General Manager, The Lotter/New Jersey Lotto LLC
- Drew Svitko, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Lottery
- Richard Weil, President, Richard Weil Group; Principal, Spectrum Gaming Lottery Group
Schedule is subject to change. For additional conference or sponsorship information, visit http://www.ecgc.us or contact Donna Vecere at [email protected].
The full conference schedule and registration is at www.ecgc.us. ECGC is organized and produced by Cooper Levenson, Attorneys at Law; Spectrum Gaming Group; Esports Entertainment Group; and Sports Illustrated Sportsbook.
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The Canadian iGaming market has evolved from an emerging opportunity into one of the most competitive and innovative digital gaming arenas worldwide. Ontario’s regulated framework has paved the way for rapid expansion, attracting established international operators alongside ambitious newcomers that are carving out share through brand differentiation and data-driven acquisition.
Methodology: How Growth Was Measured
To understand which casino brands are gaining momentum and why, the award-winning Mr. Gamble Casino Trends Meter—a proprietary performance index powered by Semrush, Ahrefs, in-house click tracking, market benchmarks, and predictive analytics—analyzed year-over-year (YoY) performance from January–June 2024 versus January–June 2025. The results point to a vibrant, fiercely competitive landscape where execution, trust, and experience are the real drivers of sustained growth.
Brands Showing Standout Growth in 2025
Strong outperformance highlights different paths to scale
Wild Tokyo posted an extraordinary +134% YoY, showing how bold branding, a distinctive identity, and targeted acquisition can resonate with players seeking unique experiences. Clean yet edgy design, paired with robust SEO execution and engagement programs, helped the brand cut through a crowded market.
LuckyDays delivered +110% YoY by striking a balance between simplicity and substance. A minimalistic UX, a vast game library, and strong affiliate relationships have positioned it as a trusted destination for Canadian players.
BetVictor, a legacy operator with deep roots, recorded +107% YoY. Its evolution from traditional bookmaker to diversified iGaming powerhouse underscores how credibility and adaptability can translate into modern growth.
Agile mid-tier brands are also accelerating: SlotsMagic at +94% and Betibet at +88% demonstrate how focused SEO, analytics-led decision making, and smart promotional strategy can punch above weight.
Crypto-forward momentum and broader market depth
The joint rise of BetFury and SmokAce—both at +74%—signals growing acceptance of crypto and blockchain-based gaming among Canadian users, driven by transparency, fast payments, and a tech-forward ethos.
Meanwhile, Paripesa, Mond, and ComeOn maintained robust double-digit YoY growth, underscoring the market’s depth and diversity beyond a handful of headline names.
Market Maturity: Compliance, Trust, and UX Win
As more provinces explore regulated frameworks modeled on Ontario, competition is intensifying. The brands pulling ahead are those investing in compliance, transparency, and player satisfaction—prioritizing product quality and retention over short-term promotions.
“Players are becoming more selective, more informed, and more focused on trust,” says Paul Puolakka, CMO at Mr. Gamble. “We’re seeing a clear shift toward quality brands that prioritize experience, safety, and innovation—the ones achieving real, sustained growth.”
Puolakka adds: “Data doesn’t just tell us who’s growing—it shows us why. The operators succeeding in Canada are those that deeply understand their audience, use insights effectively, and build long-term value instead of chasing short-term hype.”
Trends Shaping the Next Phase of iGaming in Canada
- Branding + data-led acquisition let emerging brands challenge incumbents more effectively than ever.
- Crypto-friendly casinos are moving from niche to mainstream consideration for Canadian users.
- SEO, content strategy, and affiliate partnerships remain reliable, capital-efficient growth levers.
- Compliance, transparency, and UX are central to sustainable market share gains.
Looking Ahead
The fastest-growing casino brands capture more than impressive statistics—they reflect a market in transformation. With Wild Tokyo setting creative benchmarks and veterans like BetVictor and ComeOn proving that brand equity still matters, Canada’s iGaming sector is entering a phase defined by intelligent growth, regulatory maturity, and player empowerment.
As the industry continues to evolve, the Mr. Gamble Casino Trends Meter remains a useful compass for players, affiliates, and operators navigating this fast-changing landscape.
The post Canadian iGaming Growth Trends 2025: Data, Strategy, and the Brands Defining the Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Ezugi, an innovative live dealer casino supplier known for pushing the boundaries of live gaming, retention, and distribution solutions, is proud to announce a new partnership with PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site.
Through this partnership, PokerStars’ players in the UK and Ontario will gain access to Ezugi’s standout portfolio, including Revolution Roulette, Ultimate Roulette, Unlimited Blackjack and Lucky 7 online casino games.
PokerStars, launched in 2001, is one of the world’s leading online poker and casino brands and operates as part of Flutter Entertainment. It has grown to become the largest poker site globally, offering the widest selection of online games and hosting prestigious live tournaments.
Formed in 2012, Ezugi is a global live casino provider with a focus on meeting operator and player needs with best-of-breed localised content. The Ezugi games portfolio includes a wide range of live dealer games, many of which are unique. Ezugi became part of Evolution in 2018 and continues to build on its reputation for providing unique and innovative games and solutions for online casino and retail betting shop operators.
Gilad Ben-Ami, Chief Executive Officer at Ezugi, said: “PokerStars’ players already enjoy a wide range of live casino and online slot games from Evolution brands such as Evolution, NetEnt, Red Tiger and Big Time Gaming. Now Ezugi is delighted and honoured to add even more choice for PokerStars’ players with our own innovative games.”
Ben-Ami continued: “The release of Ezugi games to PokerStars clearly demonstrates the rich variety and innovative features of the Ezugi games portfolio. Ultimate Roulette is a unique multiplier Roulette that blends circus-themed fun and TV game show excitement; Revolution Roulette puts a unique spin on classic Roulette by adding special multiplier pockets to the wheel; Unlimited Blackjack allows an unlimited number of players to play at the table, while also featuring Auto-Split functionality and a choice of four side bets – Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Perfect 11 and Ten20; and Lucky 7 is a very popular game with its origins in the Indian subcontinent – a fast-paced, simple and exciting Hi-Lo card game.”
Ben-Ami concluded: “We are confident that PokerStars’ players will love playing these games and we look forward to adding more Ezugi titles for them in the future.”
The post Ezugi partners with PokerStars to further extend live casino game choice for players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
After A Review Of Canada’s Gambling Landscape, RoboCat Casino Was Awarded The “Best Online Casino In Canada 2025” Based On 8,000+ Games, Responsible Gambling and Fast Payouts
Vancouver, Sept. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 
RoboCat Casino, an award-winning online casino with presence on Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and LATAM, was recently awarded the title of “Best Online Casino in Canada 2025” after a comprehensive review of the online gambling industry in the country, performed by experienced iGaming specialists.
New players can take advantage of RoboCat Casino’s welcome bonus by joining their platform today:
CLAIM YOUR WELCOME BONUS AND PLAY 8,000+ GAMES AT ROBOCAT CASINO
RoboCat currently offers the biggest welcome bonus, because new players can get 100% extra on their first deposit + 200 Free Spins + a surprise bonus (more free spins, free money, cashback, amongst other possible rewards).
In addition, the Canadian online casino also offers over 8,000 real money games from the best providers in the world, putting the best online slots, blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps, crash, plinko, live dealer, lotto and bingo games at the disposal of online players and bettors in Canada.
“The mission of our team is to help players find the best sites for gambling online so they can enjoy an exciting, rewarding and safe online gaming experience” – “… and we found that RoboCat is on top of all the other online casinos in Canada, because it delivers more value in all the areas that matter for online players and bettors”.
A Comprehensive Review Focused on the Player
The team that performed the review and research revealed that they focused it on the player, hence they targeted the following areas:
- License
- Fairness
- Quality of Games
- Quality of Bonuses and Promotions
- Payment Methods and Banking Experience
- Online Security
- Mobile Experience
- Quality of Sportsbook
- KYC
- Limits for Deposits and Withdrawals
- Customer Support Service
The team used these key elements to develop the criteria for selecting, reviewing, and comparing the top online casinos in Canada, ultimately choosing RoboCat Casino as the best real money gambling platform for 2025.
The team explained that RoboCat was named ‘Best Online Casino in Canada 2025’ due to its outstanding performance across all evaluated criteria.
“RoboCat offers over 8,000 games from nearly 100 top-class providers, which is the largest library of real money games in Canada nowadays” – “offering such an outstanding number of high-quality games allows RoboCat to bring its customers a significantly better online gaming experience, especially for online slots players”.
“Regarding bonuses, RoboCat Casino is the most generous platform in Canada because it offers a big welcome bonus, plenty of weekly and weekend reload bonuses which reward players with free money and free spins, extra rewards of free spins, cashback, rakeback, amongst other benefits that other Canadian online casinos fail to deliver”.
The team shared their comments for all the evaluated criteria regarding RoboCat, offering a complete overview on why they elected this brand as the best platform for real money gambling in Canada:
- License: License issued by the Offshore Finance Authority of The State of Anjouan
- Fairness: Audited by independent third-party auditing firms
- Quality of Games: 8,000+ real money games from industry-leading providers such as NetEnt, Evolution, Microgaming, Habanero and Jumpman
- Quality of Bonuses and Promotions: 100% extra on first deposit + 200 Free Spins; reload bonuses, cashback, free bets, rakeback and free spins rewards. Featuring low wagering requirements
- Payment Methods and Banking Experience: Instant deposits, fast payouts, plenty of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, trending digital wallet currencies, FundID and Interac
- Online Security: Uses military-grade encryption, has a dedicated online security team, secured servers, no history of data leaks or breaches
- Mobile Experience: Offers an HTML5-powered mobile website available on all browsers, runs on Android and iOS flawlessly
- Quality of Sportsbook: Offers over 35 sports and esports with high odds and exclusive bonuses such as free bets, deposit bonuses, reload bonuses and cashback
- KYC: Easy to fulfill KYC procedures, no requirement to complete KYC as a new user or to get first withdrawal approved
- Limits for Deposits and Withdrawals: Unlimited limit for deposits and withdrawals up to $10,000 per day. The casino can increase the limits for high rollers
- Customer Support Service: Available via live chat, email and phone. Fast answer time and professional customer support team
The team expressed their happiness in finding an online casino which can offer Canadian players and bettors the online betting and gambling experience they deserved: “RoboCat scores high in all the areas that matter, offering an outstanding, exciting, safe and fair experience”.
All players interested in joining RoboCat to play 8,000+ real money games can sign up today and claim an exclusive welcome bonus offer:
CLAIM YOUR WELCOME BONUS AND PLAY 8,000+ GAMES AT ROBOCAT CASINO
RoboCat Casino Actively Promotes and Enforces Responsible Gambling
The team explained that they considered the commitment to responsible gambling as an important factor in their comprehensive review of the industry: “A platform can deliver everything players want, but if they fail to protect players and promote responsible gambling, we take it out of our ranking… because gambling must be fun but also safe”.
RoboCat Casino is equipped with technology and a dedicated team which can detect problematic gambling patterns, providing affected players with prompt solutions and assistance.
The online casino also offers tools and features to limit the spending on their platform, granting players the possibility to control their online gambling activities.
The specialists also confirmed that RoboCat Casino provides a self-exclusion feature, with 24/7 customer support available to assist players in closing their accounts if needed.
“The era of unregulated online gambling is over. Today, safety comes first—one of the key reasons we chose RoboCat as Canada’s top online casino for 2025. They prioritise player protection and take responsible gambling seriously.”
“RoboCat Is The Best Brand in 2025, But Let’s See If They Retain Their Place in 2026”
“After making this in-depth review, analysis and research, we found out RoboCat is the best online casino brand for Canadian players in 2025” – “… but you know, the online gambling industry is extremely fast-paced. You have new brands every single month, and they’re competing fiercely against each other. Therefore, we are going to revisit our research and perform a new analysis in 2026, to see if RoboCat remains the best online casino in Canada or if another brand is going to take its place” – concluded Angel K.
To celebrate this award, RoboCat has released a new welcome bonus of 100% extra on the first deposit + 200 Free Spins + 1 surprise bonus, which new players can redeem below:
CLAIM YOUR WELCOME BONUS AND PLAY 8,000+ GAMES AT ROBOCAT CASINO
- Live Chat: https://casinos.cc/robocat-casino/support/
- Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not investment, financial, medical, or legal advice. Readers should verify details independently and consult qualified professionals before making any purchasing or financial decisions
CONTACT: Live Chat: https://casinos.cc/robocat-casino/support/ Email: [email protected]
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