The Hippodrome has been named official casino partner of iGB L!VE.

Sited in Leicester Square, London, in the heart of the city’s West End entertainment hub, the Hippodrome comprises seven floors of entertainment and gaming, with three uniquely-themed casino floors, the capital’s largest dedicated poker deck, nine bars, two award winning restaurants – Heliot Steak House and the Chinese restaurant Chop Chop – a ‘hidden’ cocktail bar Archive & Myth and the record breaking Magic Mike Live show.

The partnership which is part of iGB L!VE’s London iGaming Week a program of immersive curated networking events, seminars, socials and parties, will see delegates and exhibitors receive a complementary drink on arrival and a 25% discount at Heliot Steak House and Chop Chop. Delegates will need to present their iGB L!VE show pass to secure their discount and complementary welcome drink.

Announcing the collaboration Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter said: “When ICE was held in London the Hippodrome was the ‘go to’ social and networking hub enjoyed by show visitors from throughout the world. This will be the first edition of iGB L!VE to take place in the capital and I am absolutely delighted to continue that unique relationship with what is a cornerstone of London’s West End. There’s no doubt that the Hippodrome has provided the backdrop to numerous discussions, partnerships and collaborations that have impacted the gaming industry and I am certain that will continue when iGB L!VE comes to town!”

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Simon Thomas, the Hippodrome’s executive chairman, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming delegates to iGB LIVE as we celebrate our 13th birthday. I’m proud to say we have grown into one of the London’s most famous (and busiest) venues, a night time icon that has introduced casino-going to hundreds of thousands new customers. So where better for visitors to iGB LIVE to come and celebrate this prestigious event.

Connecting igaming operators, affiliates, tech vendors and game providers, iGB L!VE will welcome a projected 15,000 iGaming and affiliate pioneers helping businesses throughout the ecosystem to navigate the iGaming landscape, provide networking opportunities, showcase cutting-edge innovations and share crucial market knowledge.

For more information and to register for iGB L!VE, 2 – 3 JULY 2025, ExCeL London: igblive.com

Scientific Games proudly announces the induction of Charlie Scannella, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Client Relations, into the prestigious Lottery Industry Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes Scannella’s extraordinary contributions to the North American lottery industry during his 40-year career. He will be honored at a ceremony with all 2025 inductees on September 10 at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries 2025 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Scannella joins an elite group of lottery professionals worldwide whose efforts have made an indelible impact on the industry. His deep industry knowledge, strategic vision and dedication to client success have set the highest standard for excellence. Scannella’s contributions have fueled lottery growth, mentored future leaders and strengthened the industry at every level.

“Charlie’s passion for the lottery business, his commitment to collaboration and unique ability to build strong, enduring relationships have set our industry’s gold standard for client partnership and support,” said Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games. “His Hall of Fame induction is a well-deserved recognition of the profound and lasting mark he has made on the success of the North American lottery industry.”

Building on valuable foundational experience gained at the New Jersey Lottery and Webcraft Games, Scannella joined Scientific Games in 1990, where he has since held several pivotal roles, including leading instant product sales, portfolio management, licensed properties and customer relations. His extensive work with lotteries across the U.S. has been instrumental in helping them responsibly grow their game portfolios and meet profit goals to fund their good cause programs.

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McHugh added, “Trusted and respected by peers and customers alike, Charlie is known not only for his operational expertise and strategic thinking but also as a mentor who continuously gives back to our industry. His leadership has strengthened lottery programs across North America and inspired generations of professionals.”

With operations on five continents, Scientific Games is the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery games and a global leader in lottery and sports betting technology, digital games, player loyalty programs and advanced analytics. The company serves 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.

© 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CRKD Collaborates With Licensed Special Edition NEO S™ Controller, Complete with 5 Fret Festival Attachment

CRKD™, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck™ and NEO S™ collectible controllers, announced today the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition, a licensed, special edition NEO S controller, designed for use with Fortnite Festival and other rhythm-based games.

Compatible with Nintendo® Switch™, PC, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TV’s, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition celebrates the global superstar artist’s arrival in Fortnite Festival.

The ideal companion for Bruno Mars and Fortnite Festival fans, the limited-edition NEO S Controller features artwork inspired by the 16-time GRAMMY winner himself, matching the artwork appearing in Fortnite Festival.

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Available for pre-order now, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is expected to ship in September of this year.

The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is the third NEO S controller in CRKD’s Festival range, bringing gamers closer to the music they love and transforming the Fortnite Festival experience thanks to the unique Festival Attachment (included), which replicates the frets found on a real guitar, providing a more authentic and immersive experience.

The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition follows the recently announced NEO S LINKIN PARK 5 Fret Edition controller, as well as the long-awaited CRKD Gibson® Les Paul™ Guitar Controller range, which will also be fully compatible with Fortnite Festival, bringing rhythm music fans more ways to play and enjoy their favorite music.

All products in the CRKD music controller range have been designed to continue the proud legacy of dedicated rhythm-based controllers, with the new hardware designed and engineered by team members behind the much-loved hardware for Guitar Hero™ and DJ Hero™.

Attaching with ease to the NEO S, the Festival Attachment has been ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of your hand. Featuring five action buttons which replicate the frets on a guitar, fans of rhythm music games such as Fortnite Festival or Rock Band™ will feel right at home.

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The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition can be used to play multiple instruments within Fortnite Festival, including Guitar, Keytar, Drum, Mic and Bass song parts. Compatible with multiple community-based rhythm music games, players can easily remove the Festival Attachment, to enjoy their NEO S controller with all regular games.

With robust wireless compatibility and compact footprint, the NEO S is the ideal controller for gaming at home or on the move. With Hall-Effect Thumbsticks, ‘Stick Drift’ is a thing of the past and the ‘No Deadzone Mode’, integrated Motion Controls and Adjustable Trigger Sensitivity mean that the NEO S is a highly adept controller, no matter what you’re playing. Remappable Back Buttons provide extra controls when you need them the most, and Adjustable Vibration and Swappable Stick Tops provide a wealth of customizable options. Thanks to Bluetooth® technology, the NEO S can even be used with Smart TV’s, mobile devices and tablets, delivering a mighty controller for all your gaming!

Like all CRKD hardware, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is fully compatible with the CRKD ‘True Collection System’ a free mobile App for iOS™ and Android® which will register the product number and rarity ranking of your hardware into your personal secure collection, adding to your bragging rights and giving instant oversight to all your CRKD gaming gear. CRKD products with Bluetooth capabilities also connect to CRKD CTRL feature within the App which allows users the ability to customize the adjustable features of their controller.

The NEO S BRUNO MARS Edition is available for pre-order today crkd.gg, and is expected to start shipping from September this year for a suggested retail price of $59.99/ €69.99 / £59.99. Browse the full 5-Fret Festival collection crkd.gg/pages/fortnite-festival.

This collaboration was facilitated by Epic Games’ licensing agency IMG Licensing.

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Stay up to date with all the latest news, product releases, and more by following CRKD on all social media channels @crkdgg or visiting go.crkd.gg/socials

To join the CRKD Discord, a growing community of engaged gamers and collectors please visit: go.crkd.gg/discord

To read our latest blog post to the rhythm community please visit: go.crkd.gg/rhythm