Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 11-17

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.

Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and new appointments. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Online casino content provider Pragmatic Play has expanded its presence in Latin America through the launch of its slots and live casino products with Boldt’s Bplay brands in Argentina and Paraguay. Players registered at Bplay.com.ar and Bplay.com.py, are now able to enjoy leading slot titles such as Wolf Gold and Sweet Bonanza, as well as all Live Casino offering including its latest Game Show release – Mega Wheel.

Boyd Gaming Corporation has announced that it awarded more than $145,000 to non-profit organisations across the country in the Company’s annual holiday competition “Wreaths of Hope.” More than 135 non-profit organisations participated in the 2020 competition, decorating wreaths that were displayed online and at Boyd Gaming properties nationwide. Winners were decided directly by Boyd Gaming customers, who were invited to vote for their favourite charities online and in-person at select participating properties.

Partnerships

Shift4 Payments and Sightline Payments have entered into a strategic partnership to power online gaming and sports betting for casinos and sports venues. This partnership between the two leading fintech companies will deliver a seamless payment experience for patrons of hospitality, online/mobile gaming, on-premise gaming and sports betting venues. Sightline’s online/mobile gaming and betting solutions complement Shift4’s end-to-end payments offering to deliver an all-inclusive payment ecosystem for casinos, sports venues and other hospitality businesses.

BetRivers.com has entered into an exclusive content deal with former NBA coach George Karl. The new partnership makes George Karl an exclusive sports betting endorser of the BetRivers brand. Coach Karl will serve as the company’s brand ambassador and spokesperson and will be engaged in great upcoming promotions and events on BetRivers platforms.

Global esports organisation Gen.G has partnered with McDonald’s Southern California franchisees to organise a series of esports initiatives focused around Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs. Specific events will include a multi-week play-in tournament for employees only and a three-day NBA 2K21 All-Star tournament to determine the best young players in Southern California.

Scientific Games Corporation has extended its existing seven-year instant games and hybrid lottery games contracts with Loto-Québec through 31 January 2022. Scientific Games is a trusted supplier to Loto-Québec for more than five decades, recently celebrating the Lottery’s 50th Anniversary and employing generations of workers from the east Montreal area of Québec. Scientific Games, creates and produces games for Loto-Québec and four Canadian provincial lotteries from its Montreal, Quebec manufacturing facility.

Appointment

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. has promoted Steven Ladany to the role of senior vice president and chief development officer. In his new role, Steven will lead the Company’s ongoing merger, acquisition and development efforts. Steven joined GLPI in September 2014 as Vice President, Finance and served in that role until March 2019, when he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance.

Compliance

Churchill Downs has secured approval for sports betting in Tennessee. Churchill Downs drew approval from the Tennessee Lottery’s Sports Wagering Committee, joining FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings and Tennessee Action 24/7. Churchill Downs’ sportsbook, BetAmerica, is rebranding as TwinSpires. BetAmerica is live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

Australian operator PlayUp has expanded its footprint across the US by acquiring a sports betting license in New Jersey. This is the second market access agreement that PlayUp has announced after the recent acquisition of their Colorado license. To gain the license, PlayUp entered into a multi-year deal with FR Park Racing (FRP) which is the sports wagering certificate holder and operator of the Freehold Racetrack. FRP is owned by Pennwood Racing, and the ultimate 50/50 partners of Pennwood are Greenwood Racing, Penn National Gaming, and Parx Casino.