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.

Gambling in the USA

New Jersey Sportsbooks Accepting Legal Oscars Bets for First Time in U.S. History

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Academy Awards should generate interest from bettors, according to PlayUSA.com analysts

For movie lovers in and around New Jersey, there has never been a better time to have a strong opinion on this year’s Oscars. New Jersey sportsbooks are the first in United States history to legally accept bets on the Academy Awards — which are set for Feb. 24 — breaking new ground on the rapidly expanding legal sports betting market, according to analysts at PlayUSA.com.

PlayUSA.com’s complete rundown of the Oscars — including odds on every major category, a pick sheet, what sites are accepting bets, and analysis on the races — can be found at www.playusa.com/sports-betting/oscars.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for American movie lovers to bet on the Academy Awards — legally — for the first time ever,” said Jessica Welman, betting analyst for PlayUSA.com and a movie historian who earned a bachelor’s in Cinema-TV Critical Studies from the University of Southern California, and a master’s in Film and Media Studies from Indiana University Bloomington. “Oscars betting has been popular overseas for years, so it will be intriguing to see what the reaction here is. We suspect interest will be relatively high during a typically slow month for sportsbooks.”

In late January, New Jersey regulators opened the door to legal Oscars betting, though it is possible that this is the only year that it is offered. New Jersey sports betting operators have responded, with nine online sites currently offering odds on the Academy Awards.

Odds and contests vary by sportsbooks, and betting limits are relatively low compared with mainstream sporting events. Most books are simply offering odds on the winners of the big six Academy Awards categories: best picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress.

“The novelty alone should pique interest of bettors,” said Dustin Gouker, lead sports betting analyst for PlayUSA.com. “People already love to try to predict who will win the Oscars, and now they can actually put their money where their mouth is. Do you think Black Panther, Roma, or A Star Is Born can win it all? You can bet on it in New Jersey.”

As an event that has never been offered before, the handle for legal Academy Awards betting is difficult to predict. But this year could be ideally situated. Odds for a tight Best Picture race range from the favorite, Roma (odds are as low as 1 to 2), to the dark horse, Vice (as high as 800 to 1).

Without a clear favorite, the Best Picture race could generate significant interest.

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“This is a fun year, especially for bettors, because there is no heavy favorite,” Welman said. “Looking at the classic indicators of who will win Best Picture, the results are all over the map. While Roma may be the frontrunner, it is far from a guaranteed winner, which means one of these underdog winners could result in big payday for those who back them. Take Black Panther, for example. There is a scenario that the box office smash could win Best Picture. And with some books offering +2,500 odds, a small $10 bet could result in $250 profit.”

For more information, visit www.playusa.com/sports-betting/oscars.

About The PlayUSA Network:
The PlayUSA Network and its state-focused branches (including PlayNJ.com and PlayPennsylvania.com) is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the U.S.

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Gambling in the USA

TCSJOHNHUXLEY to Sponsor Inaugural G2E Dealer Championship

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G2E Las Vegas 2025 is set to host the first-ever US Dealer Championship, and TCSJOHNHUXLEY is delighted to announce its sponsorship of this landmark event. The championship, which celebrates the skill and professionalism of casino dealers, will take place at The Venetian Expo from October 7-9, 2025.

The G2E Dealer Championship will bring together the nation’s top casino dealers to compete for the title of “Best Dealer.” Contestants will be judged on their technical precision, game knowledge, and ability to provide a superior player experience.

As a proud sponsor TCSJOHNHUXLEY will be supplying all the Roulette tables for the competition, ensuring the highest standard of equipment for the championship. This not only highlights the company’s commitment to the dealers but also provides the perfect platform to showcase its renowned manufacturing expertise. TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s world-class Roulette tables are testament to the precision engineering and superior craftsmanship that has set the industry standard for decades.

Phil Lee, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director Americas comments, “We are delighted to be a part of the first G2E Dealer Championship, an event that truly celebrates the invaluable role of casino dealers. Dealers are the heart of the live gaming experience, and we are committed to supporting their success. Our outstanding Roulette tables will provide the perfect platform for these talented professionals to showcase their artistry and skill.”

The G2E Dealer Championship will take place at Booth #5225, located in The Strip at G2E.

The sponsorship underscores TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s unwavering commitment to the live gaming sector and the professionals who drive its success. The company invites all attendees to witness the championship and visit its stand at Booth #4439 during the expo to see its full range of innovative solutions.

 

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Gambling in the USA

Kindbridge Research Institute Launches “Stigma Stand Down” for Military Mental Health

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Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI), a national leader in behavioral addiction research, announced the launch of Stigma Stand Down (SSD), a Colorado statewide initiative dedicated to confronting stigma, breaking down barriers, and fostering resilience among active-duty service members, veterans, and their families impacted by mental health and gambling-related challenges.

Inspired by military “safety stand-downs,” SSD addresses the hidden burdens carried by those who serve, where stigma often prevents seeking help for mental health issues, including gambling disorder – a condition up to 3.5 times more prevalent in military populations than civilians. With over 60,000 active-duty, guard, and reserve personnel in Colorado, as well as the rapid growth of legalized sports betting since 2018, SSD arrives at a critical time to normalize conversations around mental health, PTSD, depression, substance use, and gambling-related harms.

“Stigma is a silent enemy that leaves our service members and veterans isolated, harming their families, units, and mission readiness. Stigma Stand Down is our frontline response: dismantling shame and delivering free, confidential, evidence-based care designed for military realities. We thank our partners for standing with us and call on more allies to help transform lives and build stronger communities,” said Mark Lucia, Director of Programming at Kindbridge Research Institute.

Key elements of Stigma Stand Down include:

• Education and Resources: Practical, no-jargon webinars, videos, and courses on gambling disorder, mental health, financial literacy, and stigma reduction, accessible via a dedicated, mobile-friendly website for leaders, families, and providers.

• Free Mental Health Support: Through a partnership with Kindbridge Behavioral Health – a specialized national telehealth provider for gaming, gambling, and mental health issues – military members and their families can access free, confidential virtual therapy sessions.

• Statewide Outreach: Multimedia campaigns, on-base distributions, geographically targeted ads, and veteran-led stories to reach rural and underserved areas, fostering a culture where seeking help is seen as strength.

• Self-Assessment Tools: An anonymous Gambling Self-Check (BBGS) screener providing immediate, personalized feedback to encourage early intervention.

SSD builds on insights from KRI’s 50×4 Vets initiative and partnerships with organizations including the University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of New Mexico, Cactus Advertising Agency, and Kindbridge Behavioral Health. This program was made possible through grants provided by the Colorado Division of Gaming and FanDuel.

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GAMING INDUSTRY’S TOP CEOs BILL HORNBUCKLE, PETER JACKSON & JASON ROBINS TO KEYNOTE G2E 2025

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Main Stage Also Features Tribal Innovation Discussion Oct. 6;  Global Gaming Women to Present Mental Health Dialogue Oct. 8

The Global Gaming Expo, presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and organized by RX, announces its highly anticipated main stage programming for G2E 2025. Over three days, G2E will feature conversations with some of the most influential voices in gaming and offer diverse perspectives on the future of the industry. G2E 2025 takes place Oct. 6-9 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas and marks the event’s 25th year.

“We are honored to welcome a distinguished lineup of key industry leaders to the G2E main stage,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “As we mark 25 years of G2E, we’re proud to continue to be a catalyst for gaming’s growth, and our programming reflects the ideas and leadership shaping the industry’s future.”

Progress or Pressure: How Tribes Can Harness Innovation on Their Terms

Monday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. will open the main stage by underscoring the central contributions of tribal operators to the U.S. gaming landscape and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Bringing together leading tribal voices, the program will explore how tribes embrace innovation on their own terms—balancing growth with sovereignty and long-term success. Panelists will address how emerging technologies, evolving business models, and the rise of illegal, unregulated markets are reshaping the competitive environment. The dialogue will highlight both the opportunities to harness new tools for sustainable growth and the pressures of protecting the industry’s integrity in a rapidly changing landscape.

Moderated by IGA’s Executive Director Jason Giles, the conversation will feature:

  • Rodney Butler, Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
  • James Siva, Chairman, California Nations Indian Gaming Association

Additional participants may be announced in the coming days.

Inside the C-Suite: Gaming’s Future in Focus on Stage

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Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8:45 a.m. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller will open G2E 2025’s keynote session, welcoming global gaming professionals and underscoring the strength and momentum of legal gaming upon the opening of the industry’s biggest gathering of the year.

Following Miller’s remarks, Hope King, founder of Macro Talk, on-air contributor to Yahoo Finance, and events host and moderator for Axios, will lead an impactful series of one-on-one conversations with top global gaming CEOs. Discussions will address key trends and challenges shaping the industry—including investor expectations, domestic and international expansion, and intensifying competition in regulated and unregulated markets. Featuring:

  • Bill Hornbuckle – CEO & President, MGM Resorts International
  • Peter Jackson – CEO, Flutter Entertainment
  • Jason Robins – CEO, DraftKings

The session will conclude at 10 a.m., immediately followed by the opening of the expo floor.

Breaking the Stigma: An Honest Dialogue on Mental Health

Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. Doors open at 8:45 a.m.

Multi-sport athlete and mental health advocate Kendall Toole will share her personal journey in a conversation moderated by Global Gaming Women (GGW) Sip & Social Chair Meghan Speranzo. Presented by GGW, the session will foster an open dialogue on mental health, designed to reframe how attendees think about wellness and inspire stronger voices across the gaming industry and beyond. This conversation will be open to all badge holders. Ahead of the discussion, GGW will host their Sip & Social event from 8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. in the same room. For more information on this separate networking event, visit globalgamingwomen.org/event-6325670.

Presented by the AGA and organized by RX, G2E’s full education lineup features more than 100 sessions. G2E 2025 runs from October 6-9 (Education: October 6-9 | Expo Hall: October 7-9) at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.

Since 2001, G2E has served as the premier global event for the legal, regulated gaming industry, fostering innovation and driving growth across casinos, hospitality, technology, iGaming, sports betting, and more. The event will welcome over 25,000 industry professionals from more than 120 countries, regions, and territories, and nearly 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest global gaming technologies.

For more information, visit globalgamingexpo.com.

 

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