The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.
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The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.

Gaming

Brett Abarbanel Named Executive Director of UNLV International Gaming Institute

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Brett Abarbanel has been named executive director for the UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI). IGI is a nonprofit academic center that offers research and educational programs for the global gaming industry.

The appointment, effective Jan. 1, 2023, marks the latest chapter in an award-winning catalog of research, advisory, and leadership work for Abarbanel, who has worked at IGI since 2016 as the director of research. Abarbanel’s expertise includes the intersection of gambling with esports, video games and traditional sports. She also has extensive experience in gaming operations and technology, responsible gambling and community relations, and gaming history. To date, she has presented her work in more than 20 countries and dozens of U.S. states.

Abarbanel succeeds Bo Bernhard, who will transition to serve full-time as UNLV vice president of economic development but maintain his affiliation with IGI as special advisor to the executive director.

“It is an honor to step into the role of executive director at International Gaming Institute, a world-renowned research, education, and innovation hub for the study of gambling with a brilliant staff,” Abarbanel said.

“As the gaming world continues to evolve and expand,” she said, “I am eager to collaborate with our many stakeholders in higher education, government, non-profit, and industry and build on IGI’s established momentum to improve industry learning, create workforce pipelines, and diversify the scope of knowledge in this field.”

Abarbanel — who is also an associate professor with UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and has an affiliate research position at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre — brings almost two decades of experience to the position.

She earned bachelor’s degrees in statistics and architectural studies at Brown University and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees at UNLV, where she also worked at IGI as a UNLV graduate student. Abarbanel received the Best Thesis and Best Dissertation awards for her work on sportsbook patronage and online gambling user experiences, respectively.

After completing her Ph.D., Abarbanel served as the head of social and recreational gambling research at the UCLA Gambling Studies Program before returning to UNLV in her current role.

Abarbanel is the executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, an editorial board member at International Gambling Studies, and Harvard University’s Brief Addiction Science Information Source. She is a founding director of the Nevada Esports Alliance, which promotes the development of best practices at the intersection of the esports and regulated gambling industries. In 2021, she was among seven industry expert professionals named to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s first-ever Esports Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations to the board on guidelines for maintaining integrity in esports when betting is involved.

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The Innovation Group honored Abarbanel with the 2015 Emerging Leader Award and she was named to the 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 list. She has been interviewed as a gambling expert in local, national, and international media outlets, and served as a consultant for multiple industry, non-profit, and government entities.

IGI is part of UNLV’s Division of Research. For more than 25 years, IGI has provided research-based solutions, insights, and executive education to the gaming industry. IGI houses several entities and initiatives focused on key needs in the global gambling world, including responsible gaming initiatives, the Center for Gaming Innovation, the International Center for Gaming Regulation, and the Expanding the Leaderverse initiative.

“The Division of Research is looking forward to working with Brett Abarbanel and thanks Bo Bernhard for his tremendous leadership at IGI and his continued service to the institute and to UNLV,” said David Hatchett, UNLV interim vice president for research. “I am confident in Brett’s leadership of this very important program. I am also looking forward to having her join our executive leadership and the perspective she brings to the team.”

Gaming

Best Game Server Hosting (2025): Nitrado Ranked Top Across Leading Games by Software Experts

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Software Experts has recognized Nitrado as the leading choice in its 2025 feature on the best game server hosting platforms. Nitrado was ranked highly across major titles such as Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, and DayZ.

Nitrado delivers scalable and reliable server hosting solutions for a wide range of online multiplayer games. The demand for high-quality game server hosting has increased as online multiplayer games have grown in scale and complexity. Expansions, downloadable content (DLC), and frequent updates have placed pressure on server infrastructure, requiring providers to deliver stability, fast updates, and community integration. For players of ARK, Minecraft, or DayZ, server downtime can result in lost progress, interruptions to group play, and diminished gaming experiences.

This trend underscores why a strong hosting partner is essential. Servers are not only responsible for keeping games online but also for supporting the evolving needs of large player communities. Nitrado has consistently aligned its platform with these expectations, offering infrastructure that adapts to both technical requirements and user demand.

Recognition Across Key Games

Software Experts noted that Nitrado has demonstrated consistent support for popular titles through timely hosting updates and tools designed for specific gameplay environments.

Minecraft hosting: With the release of the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update, Nitrado provided immediate server support, allowing players to explore new dungeons and mechanics without interruption.

ARK hosting: Nitrado servers were prepared for the Ragnarok Map in ARK: Survival Ascended and are optimized for the upcoming Aquatica DLC, ensuring survival experiences remain stable even with expansive maps and mods.

DayZ hosting: Survival titles demand persistence and uptime. Expansions such as Frostline and the upcoming Badlands were supported rapidly on Nitrado servers, enabling players to adapt to environmental changes without server disruption.

Expansion to Broader Multiplayer Titles

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The recognition also emphasized Nitrado’s versatility beyond the most popular titles. In 7 Days to Die, the recent Storms Brewing update was supported on Nitrado servers at launch, giving players stable access to new weather and survival mechanics. For Conan Exiles, the platform has offered guidance on server setups such as best base locations, combined with reliable performance during intensive multiplayer sessions. In Enshrouded, Nitrado integrated the Melodies of the Mire update directly into its hosting framework, ensuring smooth adoption of new classes and gameplay features.

By covering a range of genres, Nitrado provides infrastructure that extends beyond traditional survival titles, positioning itself as a multi-game hosting solution.

Tools and Community Integrations

Software Experts also highlighted Nitrado’s focus on server management tools and community features. The platform’s web interface and mobile applications allow administrators to adjust settings with minimal technical complexity, from rolling back Minecraft worlds to tuning difficulty levels in ARK.

Support for mods and plugins further enhances gameplay. Communities can integrate texture packs, maps, and total conversions without complicated manual setups. This has proven especially useful in titles with active modding cultures, including ARK and Minecraft.

Nitrado also integrates with platforms such as Discord, creating a unified environment where players can coordinate matches, share updates, and stay connected. These integrations have become increasingly important as multiplayer gaming extends beyond gameplay into community interaction.

Performance and Reliability

Reliability remains a core measure of success in server hosting. Software Experts reported that Nitrado’s global infrastructure of data centers reduces latency for players across regions. Built-in protections such as DDoS mitigation ensure that servers remain stable against external threats.

Performance is measured in player experiences rather than technical specifications. Large Minecraft builds, ARK raids with high player counts, or DayZ survival sessions all require servers capable of managing demand without lag or interruption. Nitrado has consistently met these requirements, providing stability for both small private groups and larger multiplayer communities.

The recognition comes at a time when server hosting has become critical to the success of modern games. The rise of live-service models, frequent DLC releases, and growing player bases has made infrastructure a competitive differentiator. Hosting platforms that can update quickly, manage new expansions, and support community tools are essential for maintaining engagement.

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For players, this translates into uninterrupted sessions and reliable access to content. For developers, it ensures that game updates are supported with minimal disruption. Software Experts’ analysis noted that Nitrado’s approach positions it well within this broader industry context.

Nitrado’s recognition by Software Experts as the leader in best game server hosting reflects its consistent performance across multiple titles, timely integration of expansions and updates, and investment in tools that support both administrators and communities.

As online communities expand and games evolve, the importance of reliability, performance, and community integration will only increase. Nitrado’s ability to address these needs underscores why it was recognized as a top choice for 2025.

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Gaming

Valicy Gaming Launches as New Brand in Land-Based Gaming, Evolving from Grover Gaming

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The former Founder and CEO of Grover Gaming has officially launched a new brand in land-based gaming. Named by combining the names of his daughters, Valicy Gaming was unveiled during a recent company launch party held in Greenville, North Carolina.

Evolving from Grover Gaming—which was recently sold to Light & Wonder for a total consideration of $1.05 billion —Valicy will now focus on becoming a major manufacturer in land-based gaming across North America. Retaining a majority of the employees from the acquisition, Valicy will continue forward with a veteran team that will have a sharper focus on game development and hardware design.

Despite the name change, Valicy continues under the same experienced executive leadership team and remains dedicated to providing best-in-class customer service and technical support—qualities customers have come to depend on. The company’s values, represented by its CARE triangle—People, Company, and Work—are deeply rooted in its culture and will remain central to its mission moving forward.

The public debut of the Valicy brand will take place at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, October 6–9, at the Venetian Expo, Booth #1623, where the team will showcase its new identity and game offerings to casino partners and operators from across the industry.

“This is an exciting time for our teams,” said Garrett Blackwelder, Founder and CEO of Valicy. “We have the opportunity to do big things in new markets, which gives us energy and enthusiasm. As we grow Valicy, we will focus on relationships, excellence, and innovation.”

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Gaming

Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing

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Monster Energy is teaming up once again with Call of Duty to deliver bonus in-game rewards, bonus 2XP and an expanded promotional window that gives fans even more opportunities to fuel up and power their gameplay.

Gamers and Monster fans can start collecting codes to stockpile rewards ahead of the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14. Following the record-breaking success of the last year’s program – the 2025 campaign has been extended and will run through March 31, 2026, with code redemption available until April 30, 2026.

Players who purchase specially marked Call of Duty cans of Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar, or Monster Zero Ultra can find a unique code under the tab and redeem it online at callofduty.monsterenergy.com. Every can unlocks bonus in-game items and double experience points.

2025 in-game rewards include:

• 1 Can = “Energy Flash” Large Decal + 15 min 2XP

• 2 Cans = “Peacekeeper MK1 – Hyper Green” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 3 Cans = “Green Fury” Operator Skin + 15 min 2XP

• 4 Cans = “VS Recon – Green Thunder” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP

• 5 Cans = “Daylight Ripper” Operator Skin Recolor + 15 min 2XP

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In addition, select retailers will feature specialty bonus in-game content such as Emblems, Charms, Weapon Stickers, and Dual 2XP.

And as an added bonus, fans who create an account on callofduty.monsterenergy.com before October 31 will score a Black Ops 6 in-game skin – no purchase required.

“Monster Energy is built on fueling competitive spirit and our collaboration with Call of Duty continues to push that to new levels. With expanded timing, bonus rewards and the unmatched value of Double XP in every can, this year’s program is our biggest and most exciting yet,” said Dan McHugh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Monster Energy.

“We’re proud to continue building on the success of our partnership with Monster Energy. Monster is the go-to fuel of gamers and they are going to drink up these exciting in-game rewards,” added Cody Neal, Associate Director of Global Partnerships, Call of Duty.

The limited-edition Monster Energy Call of Duty cans are available in 16oz in Original Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar and Monster Zero Ultra. Special 4, 12, and 15 can Monster Energy Call of Duty multipacks are on shelves now.

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