Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced the launch of SweepX, a revolutionary social sweepstakes casino platform solution for the USA, with the release further bolstered by the announcement of a binding Head of Terms for a strategic partnership with Primero Games LLC, the largest land-based sweepstake operator in the states.

Designed to deliver a cutting-edge solution for the burgeoning sweepstakes market in the US, SweepX combines dual-wallet, store management for redemptions and prize-rewards, with GiG’s AI assisted content management technology to provide a prominent competitive advantage to operators across the market, driving significant growth and engagement across social sweepstakes casino gaming.

The landmark agreement will see GiG’s market-leading technology power Primero into the online social sweepstakes casino market for the first time. Founded in 2009, Primero Games specialises in developing innovative casino software and equipment for the gaming industry,with over 50,000 sweepstakes machines across the US, and also own Storm Games ltd, a UK retail operator and content studio. The collaboration will see Primero leverage its extensive player database to quickly expand into the online social sweepstakes casino market.

SweepX combines GiG’s highly successful real-money iGaming platform technology, which is currently live in the US, Europe and across Latin America, with a bespoke sweepstake back office, AI assisted gamification layer and one of the most comprehensive sweepstake casino content libraries available on the market, supporting immediate growth throughout the emerging US sweepstake market.

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The sweepstakes gaming market saw enormous growth in 2020 due to pandemic market conditions, and it has continued to grow at a very healthy pace since. It is estimated that the sweeps market generated about $3.1 billion in 2022, and we project that it will continue to grow at a +31% CAGR, reaching $6.9 billion by 2025, as per data shared by E&K.

Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer at GiG said; “GiG is synonymous with innovation and our SweepX solution is the result of our tireless pursuit of excellence for product innovation across the online sweepstake market. As an extremely experienced turnkey solutions provider, the strength inherent in our technology and services has allowed us to develop what we consider to be the leading platform, data and AI driven solutions available within social gaming, and will help power the growth of the market across the US within the next few years.”

Barry Rutherford, CEO at Primero, added; “GiG’s world class platform will allow us to bring more content and an experience for our players that is second to none. Combining our unique player acquisition strategy and GiG’s innovative technology, we are positioned perfectly for the US market and for iGaming markets across the globe.”

Saratoga Casino Holdings announced that Eugene Gibson has joined the team as General Manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel located in Natchez, Mississippi. Gibson enters his new role with more than 30 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry.

He will oversee the day-to-day operations and work with the existing team to build on the current success of the property. Most recently, Gibson worked at Riverwalk Casino in Vicksburg, MS as the Senior Director of Operations. Previous positions include several director-level and leadership roles focused on casino operations at properties in Louisiana, Washington, and Mississippi.

“Eugene will play an essential role in continuing the success we’ve seen at Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel. His extensive wealth of knowledge in the business will allow him to effectively lead the team and strengthen our overall operations, while continuing to deliver exceptional service to our guests,” said Sam Gerrity, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC, the owner of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel.

“I’m thrilled to join the team at Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel. I look forward to becoming a member of the Natchez community and working closely with the team to grow the success of the property,” Gibson said.

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International Game Technology PLC (IGT) announced that its Tiger and Dragon multi-level progressive (MLP) game debuted in the number-one position on Eilers & Krejcik’s May 2024 US & Canada Game Performance Report in the “Top Indexing NEW Games – Premium Leased & WAP” category. Tiger and Dragon Cash on Reels took the top position by performing at more than 2.8X zone average and Tiger and Dragon Multipliers ranked third for performing at more than 2.5X zone average.

“Building on the tremendous success of IGT’s Prosperity Link and Mystery of the Lamp games, Tiger and Dragon earning this number-one position in Eiler & Krejcik’s May 2024 game performance report validates our commitment to delivering the industry’s best MLP games. Both Tiger and Dragon themes deliver compelling gameplay mechanics, vibrant graphics, and stunning merchandising that provide our casino operator partners with games that players truly love to play,” said Nick Khin, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Gaming.

IGT’s Tiger and Dragon is housed on IGT’s PeakCurve 49 cabinet and features three unique bonuses: Tiger, Dragon, and the combined Tiger and Dragon bonus. The game introduces an entirely new lock-and-respin and reveals a bonus structure featuring money ball symbols with credit values that can combine. In another new game mechanic, when gong symbols on reels land in the same row, monetary winnings are revealed. Adding to the gameplay excitement are the game’s “up arrows” that appear on reels and increase credit values exponentially.