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AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024

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Allen, Feldman, Nutton to be Inducted

Today, the American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024, honoring three leaders who have made significant contributions to the industry:

  • Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International; Chief Executive Officer, Seminole Gaming; Former Chairman, American Gaming Association
  • Alan Feldman, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Former Executive, MGM Resorts International
  • Debi Nutton, Board Member, Everi Holdings; Executive Coach-Consultant; Former Casino Operations Executive, MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts

“From helping transform tribal gaming and pioneering responsible gaming research to blazing new paths in casino operations, Jim, Alan and Debi have been integral to shaping the modern gaming industry,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.

Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized gaming icons and leaders for their enduring influence on the industry. The Class of 2024 will receive recognition at an invitation-only induction ceremony held during G2E 2024 in Las Vegas this October.

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“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors leaders that have had a distinct impact on our industry’s success,” added AGA Chairman of the Board and Everi Executive Chairman Mike Rumbolz (Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022). “This year’s inductees have met and exceeded this threshold throughout their careers and continue to do so in their current work. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at G2E 2024.”

Hall of Fame honorees are selected by an independent panel of gaming executives. This year’s selection committee members include:

  • Maureen Adams, EVP, Gaming, Churchill Downs Inc.
  • Jay Dorris, President and CEO, Wind Creek Hospitality
  • Siobhan Lane, EVP and CEO, Gaming, Light & Wonder
  • Alex Dixon, CEO, DRA and Co-Founder and Co-Chair, African Americans in Gaming
  • Mark Lipparelli, Chairman, International Center for Responsible Gaming
  • Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, International Association of Gaming Advisors
  • Lauren Bates, Chair, Global Gaming Women
  • Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
  • Mike Rumbolz, Executive Chairman, Everi and Chairman of the Board, AGA

Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International; Chief Executive Officer, Seminole Gaming; Former Chairman, American Gaming Association

A gaming and hospitality industry veteran with more than 44 years of experience, Allen currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International and Hard Rock Digital. He also recently served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AGA. Since 2001, Allen has overseen all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including leading the tribe’s 2007 acquisition of Hard Rock International, the first acquisition of a major international company by a North American Indian tribe. Under his leadership, Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International have grown their global business footprint and their leadership in U.S. casino gaming, winning numerous awards for excellence in operations, hospitality and employment. Allen has also led the expansion of the company’s entertainment offerings to sports and sports betting, including the 2020 launch of Hard Rock Digital—an online and retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform—and partnerships with Formula One Racing in both Miami and Las Vegas, Red Bull Racing, Lionel Messi, and Hard Rock Stadium which hosts the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Allen also lectures at many professional conferences, governmental programs and college campuses and makes frequent appearances on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business and other financial news networks.

Alan Feldman, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Former Executive, MGM Resorts International

Alan Feldman currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, where he is at the forefront of developing programs and policies that enhance industry knowledge and regulatory practices around responsible gaming. During his 30-year tenure at MGM Resorts, Feldman was instrumental in launching GameSense, a pioneering initiative that now promotes healthy gambling behaviors across all MGM U.S. properties. Feldman is also a globally sought-after speaker on responsible gaming and holds key advisory roles in the industry, including serving as Chair Emeritus of the International Center for Responsible Gaming, where he formerly served as Chair of the Board. Feldman’s significant contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Gaming Professional of the Year by the Casino Management Association in 2002 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Gaming Communications from the American Gaming Association in 2009.

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Debi Nutton, Board Member, Everi Holdings; Executive Coach-Consultant; Former Casino Operations Executive, MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts

Nutton currently serves as a Board Member at Everi Holdings while also helming her business as a gaming consultant and executive coach. Her career in the gaming industry began in 1980 as one of the few female dice dealers on the Las Vegas Strip. She notably contributed to the opening team of The Mirage in 1989, where she distinguished herself as the sole female dice pit manager at the time. Over her 24-year tenure with MGM and Mirage, Debi rose to Senior Vice President of Casino Operations and Marketing for MGM and Bellagio before assuming the role of Executive Vice President of Casino Operations at Wynn Resorts in 2013. Today, she is shaping the next generation of gaming as an executive coach-consultant, advising the industry on leadership practices and casino operations. A founding board member of Global Gaming Women, Debi has received numerous accolades, including the 2018 Great Women of Gaming Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2009 Casino Enterprise Management Great Women of Gaming Proven Leader Award, and being named a “Woman of Distinction” by the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2007.

 

The post AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4

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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

Bragg Gaming Group announced it has reached an agreement with its lenders, certain entities controlled by Doug Fallon, to repay USD 5 million of its outstanding USD 7 million secured promissory note and to extend the maturity of the remaining USD 2 million until June 6, 2025 (the Note). The company is in the process of securing a new revolving credit facility from a third-party lender. This facility is expected to offer more favourable terms than the existing Note, including lower borrowing costs and improved drawdown flexibility. All other terms of the original Note remain unchanged.

PENN Entertainment Inc announced plans for an expected $180–$200 million project to relocate its Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Ameristar) riverboat casino operations to a new, state-of-the-art land-based property to be rebranded as Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs (Hollywood Council Bluffs). The proposal is approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in conjunction with a 15-year extension of Ameristar’s partnership with the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organisation (QSO) Iowa West Racing Association. All commercial operators in Iowa are required to have an operating agreement with a QSO licensed to conduct gaming operations. Under the proposed plan, the new Hollywood Council Bluffs is expected to include roughly 125,000 square feet of new development with approximately 58,000 square feet of gaming space.

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PENN Entertainment Inc announced that it intends to nominate Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez for election to its Board of Directors following discussions with HG Vora Capital Management LLC (HG Vora). Ron Naples has informed the Board that he will retire from the Board, effective immediately. Barbara Shattuck Kohn and Saul Reibstein have notified the Company that they will not stand for reelection at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board now comprises eight directors, seven of whom are independent.

Partnerships

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Genius Sports Limited have announced a significant extension of their long-term partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to innovation, transparency and the integrity of college athletics. Under the expanded agreement, Genius Sports has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for all post-season tournaments, including March Madness, through 2032. This long-term agreement ensures the delivery of fast, accurate and secure data to the regulated sports betting market.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that it has been named the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the San Francisco Giants. The new partnership strengthens the DFS leader’s presence in professional baseball and features digital and in-park activations at Oracle Park. As part of the multi-year partnership, PrizePicks branding will be showcased prominently throughout Oracle Park with rotating signage behind home plate and LED signage on each baseline. PrizePicks logos will be featured across the K-Counter in right field, creating an interactive experience for fans in the ballpark. Fans seated on top of the right field wall near the strikeout counter will have the opportunity to flip over the PrizePicks branded signs, revealing a “K” for each strikeout earned by a Giants pitcher.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 28-May 4 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27

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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

International Game Technology PLC announced that its dynamic Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet recently launched in casinos across the US. Guests of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, Calif. and of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. were among the first players in the world to enjoy the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold games on IGT’s new ultra-high-tech, mechanical-reel cabinet. Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box and a 23-inch transmissive display.

CT Gaming continues its strong momentum from the first quarter of 2025 with a new wave of installations in Panama. Strengthening its position in the Latin American market, the company has partnered with leading operators to introduce top-performing products, including the EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the highly successful Diamond King series. Among the highlights of the installation is Diamond King 3—CT Gaming’s bestselling multigame featuring 50 captivating titles. Players can enjoy a diverse mix of content, including the legendary Mega Jack trio: Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe and Champagne Party. The experience is further enhanced by the Diamond Tree progressive jackpot, which delivers elevated gameplay and exciting reward potential.

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Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement programme to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organisation’s youth mentorship, scholarship and community service offerings. The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programmes including a science, technology, engineering and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service programme, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers. In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organisation.

Partnerships

SCCG Management has announced an expanded partnership with AWARE, a global leader in biometric verification software. Under this agreement, SCCG becomes a preferred reseller for AWARE’s biometric and identity verification solutions within the global gaming industry. AWARE’s advanced biometric technology offers a future-proof solution for iGaming and gambling platforms—empowering operators to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and protect players, all while delivering a seamless and secure user experience. With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for frictionless onboarding, AWARE’s adaptive biometrics provide a scalable and trusted identity framework for modern gaming environments.

The Brazilian Football Confederation and Sportradar Integrity & Regulatory Services, a unit of Sportradar AG announced the extension of their long-standing partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season. The new agreement aims to enhance efforts to combat match-fixing in Brazilian football and safeguard the integrity of the sport. Sportradar, through its industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8200 men’s and women’s matches organised annually by the CBF. Through this renewed partnership, the UFDS will now cover all Brazilian national championships.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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California Gambling Control Commission

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

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Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

  • 500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.

  • Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.

  • Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

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  • Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.

  • Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

  • HCAL, LLC

  • JCM Global

  • Konami Gaming, Inc.

  • PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

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A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

The post California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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