Gambling in the USA

Rush Street Interactive Partners With Michigan’s Gun Lake Casino

Published

6 years ago

July 25, 2019

Launches a Gun Lake Casino-branded Social Casino and Social Sportsbook Customer Acquisition & Engagement Platform

Rush Street Interactive (RSI), the developer and operator of a leading social gaming platform, CASINO4FUN®, which is currently deployed at Rush Street-affiliated casinos, today announced the launch of its Social Casino & Social Sportsbook for Gun Lake Casino in Michigan. The Gun Lake Casino4Fun site, which is powered by a proprietary Internet gaming platform owned by RSI, allows visitors to the website to play a wide range of online slots, table games, live dealer games, and to place bets in a world-class sportsbook for free.

“We are excited to offer our casino guests, and all Michigan residents who want to enjoy the online fun, an exciting experience away from our brick-and-mortar casino floor,” said Sal Semola, President and Chief Operating Officer for Gun Lake Casino. “We are pleased to partner with Rush Street Interactive to be the first Tribal casino partner to deploy the proven CASINO4FUN® platform, and begin taking advantage of this dynamic marketing tool to expand the reach of the Gun Lake Casino brand in the digital world.”

RSI’s platform technology powers Casino4Fun®, as well as real money gaming sites, and omni-channel retail sportsbook solutions. The product has been built for the U.S. market from the perspective of a U.S. land-based casino operator.

“We are humbled to have the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians as our first partner in Indian Country. As states move forward in legalizing sports betting and online gaming, our CASINO4FUN® product provides our brick-and-mortar casino partners with the marketing opportunity to both increase the engagement levels of current casino customers and convert the play-for-fun social players into play-for-real money patrons should online gaming become legalized in their state,” explained Richard Schwartz, president of Rush Street Interactive.

RSI launched its first casino site, PlaySugarHouse.com, in New Jersey in 2016 and, when sports betting was legalized, was the first in the United States to offer a fully integrated online sportsbook and casino. RSI is also the service provider of Pennsylvania’s #1 and #2 sportsbooks at the Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia; along with the latest addition in New York at Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The company also operates Pennsylvania’s first online sportsbooks, PlaySugarHouse.com along with BetRivers.com.

“We thank the Gun Lake Tribe for their vote of confidence in authorizing Rush Street Interactive to bring our online Social Sportsbook & Casino to gaming enthusiasts in the state of Michigan,” said Schwartz. “We look forward to working together to build Gun Lake Casino’s online database through dynamic marketing & promotions, which will increase visitation to its property while generating incremental revenues.”

The Gun Lake Casino4Fun® site offers players promotions and opportunities to win real prizes that are redeemable by visiting the casino property. Real prizes include free slot play, dining comps, virtual credits and more. All CASINO4FUN players must be at least 21 years old; the site includes industry-leading functionality for age verification and player eligibility. The sportsbook and casino games are available on all mobile devices, tablets, desktop and laptop computers. Registration is free and easy at https://www.gunlakecasino4fun.com/.

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ABOUT RUSH STREET INTERACTIVE:
Rush Street Interactive (RSI) was founded by pioneers in the internet gaming industry with decades of collective experience in developing, supplying and operating online gaming sites. The Chicago-based business launched its first casino site, PlaySugarHouse.com in NJ, in September 2016 and made history in August 2018, as the first online operator in the United States to offer a fully integrated online sportsbook and casino. Rush Street Interactive is also the service provider of the sportsbooks at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia. RSI made history once again by next launching Pennsylvania’s first online sportsbook, PlaySugarHouse.com, and on its heels followed that with a second online sportsbook site, BetRivers.com. Most recently, RSI supported Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady to become the first gaming operator to ever accept a legal sports bet in the state of New York. Additionally, RSI remains the only U.S. gaming company to operate a regulated online sportsbook, RushBet.co, in Latin America (Colombia). Rush Street Interactive is also the developer and operator of a leading social gaming platform that is currently deployed at Rush Street-affiliated casinos (Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois and Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, New York), as well as selected third party partners. Rush Street Interactive was named “Mobile Operator of the Year” in North America at the EGR North America Awards 2019 and “American Operator of the Year” & “Casino Operator of the Year” at the American Gambling Awards in 2019. For more information, visit rushstreetinteractive.com.

ABOUT GUN LAKE CASINO:
Gun Lake Casino is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The casino features over 2,200 slot machines, 47 table games, a 14-table poker room, a 225-seat café, and a 300-seat buffet, along with bars, lounges, and live entertainment.

Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi. For more information, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.

Source: Rush Street Interactive

Gambling in the USA

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

Published

5 days ago

April 25, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

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:

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.

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.

Gambling in the USA

NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Peter Tolan

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.

Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.

The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.

On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.

Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”

For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”

Gambling in the USA

Sky River Casino Guest Wins Half-million Dollars Playing Progressive Blackjack

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

Sky River Casino has announced that an Elk Grove resident has won a whopping $511,311 while playing progressive blackjack on March 31, 2025. The Sky River Rewards member hit the big win after playing the table game for less than an hour.

“Our progressive table games and slot machines continue to be really hot here at Sky River Casino. Our players have had an impressive number of life-changing jackpots and our winning streak continues. We look forward to the next big win and welcome adults near and far to visit to explore and enjoy our high-energy atmosphere, lively promotions, exciting gaming, and unparalleled dining experiences,” said Michael J. Facenda, President of Sky River Casino.

The lucky local guest plans to use her winnings to renovate a kitchen and build a house back home.

“Without question, the best part of my job is watching our valued members and guests experience jaw dropping wins like this one. We all share in the incredible excitement that is absolutely contagious and can be felt throughout the casino,” said Charleen Ripley, VP of Casino Operations for Sky River Casino.