Ernie Stevens Jr. has been re-elected for his 13th term as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA). Running unopposed, he received unanimous support from tribal leadership, reinforcing their confidence in his leadership.

Stevens said: “From day one of my Chairmanship, my commitment has been unwavering – my work is my campaign, always inspired and guided by our tribal leadership. For 24 years, I have remained steadfast, and I will not unpack my bags for the next two years either. Together, we will vigorously advance our proactive agenda and stand ready to unite Indian Country to defend tribal sovereignty at all costs. I promised each of you that I would dedicate myself fully – morning, noon, and night – to champion our interests in tribal government gaming. I am honored to be your messenger, amplifying the voices of our elected tribal officials, and I will carry your message with pride and purpose.”

During his tenure, Indian gaming revenues have soared from $11 billion in 2000 to over $49.1 billion in 2024, solidifying tribal government gaming as the largest segment of the gaming industry in the US.

BetConstruct, a global pioneer in iGaming and sports betting solutions, has announced a significant milestone in the gaming industry. Through its affiliate entity, BetConstruct has become the first iGaming company authorized to facilitate the issuance of both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) licenses. This remarkable achievement was made possible by obtaining a direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation in Canada.

The Tobique First Nation, renowned for its innovative and forward-thinking regulatory approach, has entrusted BetConstruct’s affiliate entity with the authority to oversee applications and facilitate the issuance of licenses from its jurisdiction. This partnership underscores shared values of innovation, transparency, and a commitment to responsible gaming practices.

This historic development places BetConstruct at the forefront of the Canadian iGaming market, redefining the opportunities available to gaming operators. By leveraging its affiliate entity’s licensing capabilities, BetConstruct empowers businesses to navigate a streamlined and transparent regulatory environment, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.

“At BetConstruct, we’ve always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible in iGaming. This landmark achievement with the Tobique First Nation reflects our unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for our partners while upholding the highest standards of responsibility and integrity in gaming,” said Vigen Badalyan, Co-Founder of BetConstruct.

Advertisement

The issuance of dual licenses under the watchful eye of BetConstruct’s affiliate not only highlights BetConstruct’s commitment to supporting its partners but also reinforces the company’s role as a trusted leader in the global iGaming landscape.

This milestone signals a new era for regulated iGaming, as BetConstruct takes bold steps to establish a robust ecosystem for operators and consumers alike. With its direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation, BetConstruct is setting a new standard for innovation, consumer protection, and sustainable growth in Canada and beyond.

As the global hub of the gaming industry, Las Vegas once again provided the perfect setting to showcase the latest innovations and trends at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). From October 8 to 10, around 350 industry players from more than 100 countries gathered at “The Venetian Expo” to introduce their latest product solutions to gaming enthusiasts from around the world. As one of the few German companies, the Merkur Group was also present in the gambling metropolis to exhibit its impressive product portfolio to the international trade audience on a 625-square-meter exhibition platform.

“The Latin American gaming market, despite facing significant regulatory challenges, remains a crucial pillar of our international distribution network. The G2E, as one of the most important flagship trade fairs in the industry, provides the ideal venue to present our forward-looking product range and engage in meaningful dialogue with our LATAM customers. Moreover, the expo offers tremendous potential to increase the visibility of the Merkur sun logo on international markets, thereby further strengthening the brand beyond Europe’s borders,” said Jürgen Stühmeyer, Management Board member, Merkur Sales.

The main focus of Merkur Gaming’s product showcase was its Linked Progressive Jackpot Systems, which are particularly in demand within the global industry. The German gaming expert introduced two new systems – Link Wave and Clash Link – both of which quickly became crowd favorites at the expo. These jackpot systems stand out thanks to their exciting features, which make the gaming experience even more thrilling and diverse. The new Mod Ex cabinet family also attracted significant attention. Visitors were particularly impressed by the modularity of the cabinet, which allows customers to configure their preferred device with a variety of monitor, body, and base options.

In keeping with tradition, several other subsidiaries of the German Merkur Group traveled to “Sin City” to showcase their diverse and forward-thinking portfolios. The cash-handling specialists from GeWeTe once again demonstrated the strengths of their versatile and high-performance product range, which enables efficient and easy cash management at gaming locations. Additionally, the British subsidiary Bede Gaming presented its flexible iGaming solutions, while edict egaming captured attendees’ attention with its unique approach to game aggregation. For the first time, the two strategic partners Spintec and Gaming Arts also joined the Merkur booth, enhancing the trade show experience with their innovative gaming portfolios.

“The G2E 2024 has exceeded our expectations in every way. The new booth concept, which includes a larger footprint and stylish new design elements, was met with tremendous approval. Thanks to our outstanding product lineup – most notably the Linked Progressive Jackpot Systems Link Wave and Clash Link, as well as the Mod Ex cabinet family – we were able to impress visitors not only with our aesthetic presentation but also with our innovative products. The resulting fruitful and promising discussions leave us with a positive outlook on the trade fair and confidence in the future,” said Athanasios “Sakis” Isaakidis, Chief Executive International at Merkur Gaming.

Advertisement