Gambling in the USA
The Comedy Works upcoming schedule at the Plaza Hotel & Casino
Nationally acclaimed top-tier talent performing in coming weeks, ticket prices starting at $20
Longstanding comedy club and entertainment company, The Comedy Works, has a full slate of nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians and up-and-coming talent scheduled to appear at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas with ticket prices starting at only $20.
The Comedy Works at the Plaza has live stand-up performances at 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the Plaza’s classic Vegas showroom featuring red velvet booth seating, a new digital QSC sound system, full bars and table cocktail service. Show schedule and tickets for purchase are available online at: www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/the-comedy-works. New shows are added regularly, and the upcoming lineup currently includes:
January 30-February 1: Kevin Brennan – Host of the wildly popular Misery Loves Company and Burning Bridges podcasts, Brennan was voted “Best Comedian” at the 2005 Aspen Comedy Festival which led to him taping his own HBO half-hour comedy special. Brennan started his career in Chicago but soon relocated to New York City to pursue his dream of being on the Late Show with David Letterman. He nailed his first Letterman set which led to bookings on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Last Call with Carson Daly. Brennan is also a former writer/performer on Saturday Night Live.
February 6-8: Steve Byrne – One of the industry’s most innovative and sought-after performers, Bryne has evolved throughout the years into an extremely versatile entertainer. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Penn., Byrne was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father. His unique background gave him the base comedic material for his first television show, Sullivan & Son, which aired for three seasons on TBS.
February 13-15: Mike Gaffney – With a conversational comedic style, Gaffney discusses day-to-day life, not only as a single dad, but as a friend, son, uncle and all-around good guy. Gaffney is a comedy club favorite thanks to his likability, high energy and quick wit that keeps audiences engaged and entertained. A semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Executive Producer Wanda Sykes was so impressed with him that she used his clip to promote the show on Ellen and The View. He has appeared on The Artie Lange Show, Gotham Comedy Live, and 30 Rock and has his own weekly podcast All in Our Heads.
February 20-22: Jade Catta-Preta – A Brazilian Comic who was recently tapped to host The Soup on the E! Network beginning in February of 2020, Catta-Preta performs stand-up comedy all over the country and features for Bill Burr, Kevin Nealon and Bobby Lee. You can catch her on Pop’s New Series Return of The Mac and Trutv’s Those Who Can’t, Greatest Ever and Comedy Knockdown.
February 27-29: Kevin Farley – After studying at the famous Second City in Chicago, Farley starred in films such as Black Sheep with his brother Chris Farley and The Waterboy with Adam Sandler. He is a regular comedian at notable venues such as The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and Chicago and The Improv in Los Angeles and Palm Beach, Florida. His TV guest appearances include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rules of Engagement, The Neighbors, Hot in Cleveland, Just Shoot Me, United States of Tara, True Jackson, VP, Comedy Central’s Drunk History, and Hawaii Five -O to name just a few.
March 5-7: “The America I Grew Up In” with Jeff Allen – Now in his fifth decade as a working comedian, Allen has been on Comedy Central, VH-1, Showtime, TBN, CBN, Family Net and many other television networks. He has performed for our troops on aircraft carriers and ships in the Indian Ocean. Allen is heard regularly on SiriusXM’s comedy channels and on the fast-growing comedy internet sensation, Drybar Comedy, surpassing 30 million views on Facebook and YouTube. He also produced and starred in his own sitcom pilot for Castlerock Television and in the critically acclaimed films, Apostles of Comedy.
March 12-14: Thea Vidale – An American stand-up comedian and actress, Vidale began her career doing stand-up comedy in comic clubs in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles. As an actress, she has made numerous guest appearances on sitcoms, including Ellen, The Wayans Bros., The Drew Carey Show, and My Wife and Kids. She may be best known for her portrayal of “Thea” on her own sitcom for which she was nominated for a People’s Choice Award as Favorite Female in a New Series.
April 9-11: Vic DiBitetto – Called a “cross between Rodney Dangerfield and Ralph Kramden” and “The Italian Hurricane of Comedy,” DiBitetto is famous for his frenetic pace, vivid language and punchline-a-second style. His sitcom, Don’t Know Jack on Hulu, was the latest in a long list of achievements for this Brooklyn-born comic, including winning America’s Funniest People on ABC and racking up 22 million views on YouTube. He also had a role in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and has headlined top clubs on both coasts.
April 23-25: Craig Gass – He first gained fame as the guy who did voices for The Howard Stern Show and his Gene Simmons impression sparked an on-air feud between him and the real Gene Simmons. He also became a favorite character on King of Queens as the funny guy at work that drove Kevin James crazy with jealousy. He’s been the voice of memorable characters on Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.
The Comedy Works has been producing stand-up comedy events since 1981. It owns and operates comedy clubs, produces shows in theaters throughout the U.S, and guides the careers of a number of performers. Having worked with many all-time great comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, and Ray Romano, The Comedy Works is now owned by Tommy Nicchi who grew up in stand-up comedy given that he was just three years old when his father founded the company.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Fennica Gaming has announced that it has been granted a gaming supplier license in Ontario, Canada. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, allowing it to offer its cutting-edge gaming experiences to gaming operators in one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets. The supplier license, granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enables Fennica Gaming to introduce its portfolio of entertaining and high-quality games to gaming operators across the province. This registration empowers Ontarian operators, whether online or land-based, to access the omnichannel offerings developed in the Nordics.
PrizePicks announced it has received Internet Compliance Assessment Programme (iCAP) accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). PrizePicks is the first and only fantasy sports operator to receive the recognition. iCAP certification is granted to operators that meet the NCPG’s high standards for responsible gaming and consumer protection practices. Developed by the NCPG, iCAP is the leading online responsible gaming assessment Programme in the US. The rigorous certification process involves an independent, comprehensive review of an operator’s responsible gaming policies and practices, spanning Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, staff training programmes, work culture, consumer protection measures, RG tool offerings, customer service standards and regulatory compliance.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law supports Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as they reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act, which addresses the risks associated with legalised gambling. As of 2025, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalised sports betting, but the necessary safeguards are not in place to address the public health risks that legalising sports betting creates. The SAFE Bet Act, first introduced in September 2024, addresses those public health concerns. The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards while preserving the opportunity for anyone who wishes to participate in legal sports betting. These standards will address advertising, affordability and artificial intelligence issues.
Partnerships
The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions announced an extension of their gambling harm education programme collaboration. This extended collaboration reinforces the NCAA’s long-standing commitment to protecting student-athlete well-being and the integrity of college athletics. Educating student-athletes on the dangers of sports betting continues to be a key priority for the Association. EPIC’s sessions have been a crucial piece of this education since January 2022. The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions have partnered to educate over 80,000 student-athletes through in-person, experiential sessions at more than 270 campuses nationwide across all three divisions, making it the largest programme of its kind globally.
SCCG Management has announced a strategic partnership with Boosted Bets. This collaboration will focus on business development, capital-raising support, and global distribution, connecting Boosted Bets with strategic partners across SCCG’s ecosystem, including sportsbook platforms, operators, data providers, CRM and gamification partners. Boosted Bets introduces a new way for sports bettors to prove their skills through a contest-based wagering model. Players enter a paid challenge, receiving a simulated betting account with a larger bankroll—giving them the ability to place bets as if they were high-stakes bettors.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 10-16 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
PENN Entertainment announced that its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app has launched in New Jersey. The new Hollywood Casino platform is available on Android, iOS, and desktop and can also be accessed via the ESPN BET app. Customers can login to Hollywood Casino using their ESPN BET credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms.
Ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US, Hollywood Casino offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house casino game development studio. Hollywood Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as the recently launched Devils Blackjack, an original title leveraging PENN’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our dedicated, casino-first experience to customers across New Jersey. Hollywood Casino delivers a best-in-class experience with an extensive game library, seamless gameplay, and exclusive content from our in-house studio. This launch builds on the strong momentum we’ve gained since introducing our enhanced standalone app in December,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer of PENN Entertainment.
The stand-alone Hollywood Casino platform debuted in Pennsylvania last December and is also available in Michigan.
The post PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone Hollywood Casino App in New Jersey appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Jackpot Digital Inc., the world’s leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that it has received license approval from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU). This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Company, as it is the first state-issued license it has received in the US. This state license allows the Company to install its casino machines throughout all of Maine. Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz ETG, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly poker solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The MGCU license will enable the company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Maine, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
The New York State Gaming Commission unanimously appointed Terryl Brown to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which is overseeing the commercial casino siting process in the New York Metro region. Terryl Brown currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel at Pace University. Prior to taking her position at Pace, Brown served as Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs and Administration for the New York City Fire Department, where she oversaw operations and legal matters for a department comprised of 17,000 employees. Brown has also been Chief Ethics Officer and Counsel with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Acting Counsel to Governor David Paterson, First Assistant Counsel to Governor Eliot Spitzer, a Commissioner of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the New York Power Authority, and a Partner at Harris Beach PLLC.
Partnerships
International Game Technology PLC has announced that IGT PlaySports is growing its sports betting presence in Nevada via a three-property, sports betting technology and services agreement with GN NV Holdings LLC, owner and operator of the Golden Nugget Casinos. Per the agreement and through a phased rollout, IGT PlaySports will power retail and mobile sports betting at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Tahoe first, followed by Golden Nugget Casino Las Vegas and Golden Nugget Casino Laughlin. Golden Nugget Casino Lake Tahoe was the first of the three casinos to convert to an IGT PlaySports-powered sportsbook after launching its retail sportsbooks in January 2025. Golden Nugget Casino Laughlin and Golden Nugget Casino Las Vegas are expected to launch their new sports betting programmes later this year, first with retail betting and then with a mobile betting option.
In Celebration of Hard Rock International’s annual “International Women’s Month” in March and International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, Hard Rock and global superstar & humanitarian, Shakira, announced a year-long partnership that aims to empower women around the world to tell their stories, be their authentic selves and unite through the power of music. The company is raising funds through its charitable arm, Hard Rock Heals Foundation, throughout International Women’s Month. A portion of proceeds will benefit Pies Descalzos Foundation—Shakira’s non-profit organisation enhancing the education and social development of girls in Colombia’s most vulnerable communities—as well as local women’s organisations within the communities of Hard Rock locations.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 3-9 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Bazk4 weeks agoIBIA establishes innovative Payment Provider Forum to protect the integrity of the sports betting market in Brazil from financial fraud
-
EurAsia4 weeks ago
PIN-UP.INVESTMENTS to Participate in AIBC Eurasia, Dubai
-
Australia3 weeks ago
VGCCC Concludes Underage Gambling Investigation
-
Africa2 weeks ago
Springbok Casino Rolls Out the Red Carpet with 25 Free Spins to Celebrate the Big 5 Oscar-Worthy Stars of the Savannah
-
Alexia Smilovic Rønde Chief Regulatory Officer at Relax Gaming3 weeks ago
Relax Gaming continues Latin American expansion entering Brazil and Peru
-
Australia4 weeks ago
Network 10 Breaches Gambling Ad Rules During Formula 1 Grand Prix Broadcast
-
Press Releases3 weeks ago
Spinomenal introduces Magical Leprechaun – Hold & Hit
-
Australia4 weeks ago
Picklebet Becomes Official Wagering Partner of Penrith Panthers
