Gambling in the USA
Top-performing Ohio Lottery Extends Successful Scratch-Off Games Partnership with Scientific Games
Scientific Games and the Ohio Lottery have extended their successful partnership on Scratch-Off Games management and SCiQ retail point-of-sale technology for two years. The Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership with the Ohio Lottery began in 2019, responsibly driving four consecutive years of growth in Scratch-Off revenues and funding for education in the state. The Ohio Lottery is ranked among the Top 20 lotteries worldwide for instant Scratch-Off game performance (La Fleur’s 2023 World Almanac).
Managed under the Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership, Ohio Lottery Scratch-Off sales grew from $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2019 to more than $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2023. The Ohio Lottery achieved an 8.8% compound annual growth rate compared to an average 5% CAGR for the top 10 U.S. lotteries (weekly per capita sales FY 2019 to FY 2023).
The company also deployed its SCiQ retail ecosystem at more than 800 Ohio Lottery retailers, including two of the largest convenience store chains in the U.S. and the largest grocery chain in the U.S. SCiQ improves Scratch-Off inventory management and the retailer’s experience selling lottery products while providing enhanced security and real-time, store-level sales analytics.
The partnership has also provided Ohio Lottery retailers with innovative technology to easily manage and sell Scratch-off games and helped us add key convenience store chains like Circle K and Speedway to make games more accessible to players throughout the state.
Facilitated from the company’s Ohio operations near the Lottery’s headquarters in Cleveland, the Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership optimizes the Scratch-Offs products through portfolio management and game design services, data-driven analytics, advanced logistics, licensed brand services, and retail sales and marketing support. The program is used by more than 20 lotteries worldwide, including 10 of the Top 20-performing instant game lotteries.
John Schulz, President of Americas and Global Instant Products for Scientific Games, said, “We thank the Ohio Lottery for having the vision to partner with us on instant games to optimize the product portfolio and generate maximum revenues for education. Ohio was also one of the first lotteries to launch our breakthrough SCiQ ecosystem at retail, which is the first technology of its kind to help retailers fully manage the lottery category in-store.”
Scientific Games is one of the first companies to be certified by the World Lottery Association as a responsible gaming supplier. With products representing 70% of instant scratch game retail sales globally, the company is the world’s largest instant games creator, producer and services provider in the world. Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 130 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.
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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