Latest News
Sharp Alpha Closes Fund II With Over $25 Million To Back Sports, Gaming, Entertainment Startups
Sharp Alpha Advisors announced the closing of Sharp Alpha Fund II, an oversubscribed $25 million venture capital fund investing in early-stage sports, gaming, and entertainment businesses.
Existing investments in Fund II include C15 Studio, which recently emerged from stealth mode as the operator and distributor of Formula 1’s new streaming channel. Previous investments include Almost Friday Media, Jackpot.com, and Betcha (acquired by Vivid Seats).
The fund targets seed investments ranging from $1 – 2 million. Sharp Alpha also operates a co-investment vehicle that provides limited partners the ability to invest additional capital in select deals alongside the fund.
Managing Partner Lloyd Danzig was recently named to Business Insider’s Top Venture Capitalists in Sports and ELG’s 40 Under 40. He is frequently featured by CNBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
The fund is backed by public companies, US fnancial institutions, pro sports team owners, family offces, top venture capitalists, and funds of funds, among others.
According to Danzig, there is a signifcant opportunity at the intersection of sports, gaming, media, and technology. “The competitive entertainment category is experiencing exponential growth but at the same time is desperate for innovation that early-stage companies are best positioned to supply.”
The fund has exceeded its $25 million capital raise target and expanded the size of its deal team.
Commenting on current market conditions, Danzig explained, “we are entering the most favorable period in the last 15 years to bet on great founders.”
Sharp Alpha’s advisory board includes Keith Horn, founder of Loring Capital Advisors and former COO of Elliott Management and Global Head of Leveraged Finance at Merrill Lynch; Emanuel Pearlman, the former Chairman of Empire Resorts and board member at several public companies; Daniel Bernard, Founder and Chairman of Redwood International Sports; Roy Behren, the President and Chief Investment Offcer of a $5.2 billion asset manager; and Don Kornstein, the Vice Chairman of Caesars Entertainment and former executive at numerous successful gaming companies.
In addition to investment capital, the frm provides portfolio companies with a suite of resources and opportunities spanning fundraising, revenue generation, brand awareness, commercial strategy, fnancial planning, and product development.
DUPR Ratings
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026.
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Cost: $95 Registration Fee + $45 Event Fee (Amateurs).
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Skill Levels: Open to players in skill brackets 3.0 to 5.0, with age divisions ranging from 19 to 80+.
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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
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
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.
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FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
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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.
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