Gambling in the USA
Vegas Pickle Bowl at the Plaza Hotel & Casino to welcome NFL players and celebrities this weekend to benefit children’s charity

Tournaments are free to watch, amateur players can still register to play.
The Plaza Hotel & Casino is proud to welcome the Vegas Pickle Bowl benefiting the Inspiring Children Foundation this weekend.
The event includes a celebrity, athlete, and influencer tournament from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 followed by open play from 2 to 7 p.m.
Then on Saturday, Feb. 10, an amateur tournament with multiple divisions for all skill levels will be held starting at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited to watch both tournaments, and interested amateur players can register for the Saturday tournament online at https://www.inspiringchildren.org/vegas-pickle-bowl with fees starting at $100 per player. The event concludes with open play on Sunday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The celebrity tournament on Friday will be led by Matt Manasse, professional pickleball player and coach to the stars and pickleball professional commentator Kamryn Blackwood. Numerous NFL players, including former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl players, in town for Super Bowl LVIII will participate in the invitation-only tournament Friday including: Marcellus Wiley, Golden Tate, Cliff Avril, Trill Williams, Gehrig Dieter, and T.J. Edwards.
Other celebrities and athletes playing in the Friday invitation-only tournament, include:
- Logan Lisle – comedian
- Kelly Dod – cast member, The Real Housewives of Orange County
- Casey Patterson – Olympian
- Joey & Steven – AreYouKiddingTV
- Rick Brenkus – BrinxTV
- Joe Benavides – UFC fighter
- Tyler Wagner – former MLB pitcher
- Andrew Spencer – contestant, The Bachelorette and The Bachelor
- Taylor Nikolai – social media influencer
- Luke Sanson – model
- Carl Michael – magician
- Jenna Bandy – sports influencer
The event benefits the Inspiring Children Foundation, which provides physical, social, emotional, and mental health to at-risk youth. For 22 years, Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation (ICF) has been transforming the lives of at-risk youth in Las Vegas through a whole human approach to physical, emotional and mental health. ICF serves hundreds of youth in-person and millions online.
95% of students in their Leadership Program have earned college scholarships for academics & athletics (tennis) to some of the best colleges in the US.
Parts of the program are now being duplicated in 22 cities by other nonprofits. For more information, please visit https://www.inspiringchildren.org.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 8-15

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
IGT announced that its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin electronic table game (ETG) recently made its world debut at Downtown Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The vibrant standalone ETG game includes many of the attributes that have propelled the success of the Wheel of Fortune slots franchise for nearly three decades including word puzzles, wheel spins and exciting jackpot rewards. The game is accompanied by an attention-grabbing, 9-plus-feet upright video wheel that stands independent of the ETG terminals and entertains casino guests with the famous “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” chant.
MGM Resorts International has announced that Corey Sanders, Chief Operating Officer, will retire from the company after more than 30 years of dedicated service and leadership. Sanders has agreed to remain COO through Dec. 31, 2025, and to serve as an advisor to the President and CEO through Dec. 31, 2026. The Company intends to name a new COO to serve as Sanders’ successor later this month. Sanders is currently MGM Resorts’ Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the company’s Las Vegas and regional properties as well as multiple corporate departments, including Hospitality, Gaming, Human Resources and Strategic Initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Members of Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and Big Lagoon Rancheria gathered outside the State Capitol in Sacramento to protest Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831). If passed, the bill would limit economic opportunities available to less wealthy tribes in the state by banning legitimate online social games using sweepstakes promotions. It would also eliminate more than $1 billion of existing economic activity generated by the industry in California, and close off a potential new revenue source for the state via sensible, modern regulation and taxation.
Partnerships
Genius Sports Limited has expanded its long-term partnership with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook (Hard Rock Bet) to power the top-rated platform with its market-leading official data, trading and marketing solutions, as well as its ground-breaking BetVision product. Genius Sports has worked in partnership with the leading operator since 2021, providing the highest quality official data and pinpoint trading solutions across top tier leagues globally, including the Premier League, Serie A, European Leagues, Liga MX, NFL and more. Hard Rock Bet will be able to provide its customers with Genius Sports’ first-of-its-kind BetVision low latency streaming solution.
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of data-driven casino intelligence and player engagement platforms, has announced that Dania Beach Casino is continuing to benefit from its deployment of the QCI Nimble platform. While the property currently focuses on the QCI Host and QCI Marketing modules, it has expressed enthusiasm about the capabilities of the new AGI56 release and its impact on future customer engagement strategies. AGI56 represents the most ambitious release in QCI’s history, with the platform undergoing a full refresh of its technology stack, improved integration of advanced analytics, and the introduction of generative AI-driven tooling through Chatalytics.com. QCI’s platform is currently deployed in more than 350 casinos worldwide.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 8-15 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gambling in the USA
TCSJOHNHUXLEY to Sponsor Inaugural G2E Dealer Championship

G2E Las Vegas 2025 is set to host the first-ever US Dealer Championship, and TCSJOHNHUXLEY is delighted to announce its sponsorship of this landmark event. The championship, which celebrates the skill and professionalism of casino dealers, will take place at The Venetian Expo from October 7-9, 2025.
The G2E Dealer Championship will bring together the nation’s top casino dealers to compete for the title of “Best Dealer.” Contestants will be judged on their technical precision, game knowledge, and ability to provide a superior player experience.
As a proud sponsor TCSJOHNHUXLEY will be supplying all the Roulette tables for the competition, ensuring the highest standard of equipment for the championship. This not only highlights the company’s commitment to the dealers but also provides the perfect platform to showcase its renowned manufacturing expertise. TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s world-class Roulette tables are testament to the precision engineering and superior craftsmanship that has set the industry standard for decades.
Phil Lee, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director Americas comments, “We are delighted to be a part of the first G2E Dealer Championship, an event that truly celebrates the invaluable role of casino dealers. Dealers are the heart of the live gaming experience, and we are committed to supporting their success. Our outstanding Roulette tables will provide the perfect platform for these talented professionals to showcase their artistry and skill.”
The G2E Dealer Championship will take place at Booth #5225, located in The Strip at G2E.
The sponsorship underscores TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s unwavering commitment to the live gaming sector and the professionals who drive its success. The company invites all attendees to witness the championship and visit its stand at Booth #4439 during the expo to see its full range of innovative solutions.
The post TCSJOHNHUXLEY to Sponsor Inaugural G2E Dealer Championship appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Gambling in the USA
Kindbridge Research Institute Launches “Stigma Stand Down” for Military Mental Health

Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI), a national leader in behavioral addiction research, announced the launch of Stigma Stand Down (SSD), a Colorado statewide initiative dedicated to confronting stigma, breaking down barriers, and fostering resilience among active-duty service members, veterans, and their families impacted by mental health and gambling-related challenges.
Inspired by military “safety stand-downs,” SSD addresses the hidden burdens carried by those who serve, where stigma often prevents seeking help for mental health issues, including gambling disorder – a condition up to 3.5 times more prevalent in military populations than civilians. With over 60,000 active-duty, guard, and reserve personnel in Colorado, as well as the rapid growth of legalized sports betting since 2018, SSD arrives at a critical time to normalize conversations around mental health, PTSD, depression, substance use, and gambling-related harms.
“Stigma is a silent enemy that leaves our service members and veterans isolated, harming their families, units, and mission readiness. Stigma Stand Down is our frontline response: dismantling shame and delivering free, confidential, evidence-based care designed for military realities. We thank our partners for standing with us and call on more allies to help transform lives and build stronger communities,” said Mark Lucia, Director of Programming at Kindbridge Research Institute.
Key elements of Stigma Stand Down include:
• Education and Resources: Practical, no-jargon webinars, videos, and courses on gambling disorder, mental health, financial literacy, and stigma reduction, accessible via a dedicated, mobile-friendly website for leaders, families, and providers.
• Free Mental Health Support: Through a partnership with Kindbridge Behavioral Health – a specialized national telehealth provider for gaming, gambling, and mental health issues – military members and their families can access free, confidential virtual therapy sessions.
• Statewide Outreach: Multimedia campaigns, on-base distributions, geographically targeted ads, and veteran-led stories to reach rural and underserved areas, fostering a culture where seeking help is seen as strength.
• Self-Assessment Tools: An anonymous Gambling Self-Check (BBGS) screener providing immediate, personalized feedback to encourage early intervention.
SSD builds on insights from KRI’s 50×4 Vets initiative and partnerships with organizations including the University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of New Mexico, Cactus Advertising Agency, and Kindbridge Behavioral Health. This program was made possible through grants provided by the Colorado Division of Gaming and FanDuel.
The post Kindbridge Research Institute Launches “Stigma Stand Down” for Military Mental Health appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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