Gambling in the USA
The Sand Dollar Lounge to open at the Plaza Hotel & Casino Classic Vegas bar and music venue to open in the fall

A longtime Las Vegas icon for live music and craft cocktails, The Sand Dollar Lounge will open a second location inside the Plaza Hotel & Casino this fall, bringing to downtown Las Vegas a venue dedicated to late-night live music and entertainment.
In 1976, the Sand Dollar Blues Bar opened its doors, and almost instantly became one of Las Vegasā most iconic bars. Some of the greatest blues legends, as well as many other famous musicians, graced its stage for more than 30 years. People like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and even Mick Jagger would swing into the Sand Dollar when they were in Las Vegas. In 2007, the Sand Dollar Blues Bar closed its doors, but it was resurrected in 2009, when The Sand Dollar Lounge opened on Spring Mountain Road honoring the tradition and history of the iconic Vegas venue. In 2015, the Sand Dollar Lounge was taken over by the current owners Nathan Grates and Anthony Jamison with an eye on bringing back and building on its original luster.
Now the iconic venue will open The Sand Dollar Downtown, a second location in a similarly iconic Vegas destination, the Plaza Hotel & Casino, which dates to the Rat Pack era as well and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The Sand Dollar Downtown will be in a nearly 5,000 sq. ft. space adjacent to the Plazaās casino floor. It plans to offer its full menu of craft cocktails with pizzas made by Pop Up Pizza at the Plaza. Live music, both local acts and other headliners, will take the stage in the evenings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
āThe Plaza is known for its vintage Vegas character and is proud to partner with a legendary Vegas venue like the Sand Dollar,ā said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. āThe opening of the Sand Dollar at the Plaza will create a late-night destination for live music unlike any other in downtown Las Vegas.ā
āWe are very excited to be expanding The Sand Dollar legacy into Downtown Las Vegas with the Plaza,” said co-owner Anthony Jamison.
āSand Dollar Downtown will be focused on recreating the classic age of electric blues and Rock ān Roll in the Downtown corridor,ā added Nathan Grates.
Gambling in the USA
IGT Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin Electronic Table Game Makes Global Debut in Las Vegas

IGT announced that its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin electronic table game (ETG) recently made its world debut at Downtown Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The vibrant standalone ETG game includes many of the attributes that have propelled the success of the Wheel of Fortune slots franchise for nearly three decades including word puzzles, wheel spins and exciting jackpot rewards. The game is accompanied by an attention-grabbing, 9-plus-feet upright video wheel that stands independent of the ETG terminals and entertains casino guests with the famous āWHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!ā chant.
āDowntown Grand was delighted to have the world premiere of IGTās Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin ETG solution on our gaming floor. Our guests instantly connected with the Wheel of Fortune brand and are eager to try their favorite slots brand in a new format. The stature and appeal of gameās accompanying āBig Wheelā is inspiring a wide range of players to give the new game a try,ā said Paul Phillips, Director of Casino Operations at Downtown Grand Las Vegas.
āBuilding on the continued success of IGTās GameAce Roulette and Mesa4K terminals across North America, we are thrilled to introduce Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin to ETG players. The successful launch of Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin at Downtown Grand Casino speaks to the excitement that we can bring to a gaming floor, the universal appeal of the Wheel of Fortune brand, and IGTās commitment to delivering game-changing innovation,ā said Nick Khin, CEO of Gaming at IGT.
IGTās Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin game is enjoyed on the Companyās GameAce ETG offering and features an intuitive gameplay design. To make a wager, players select a color-coded bet amount that corresponds with the colored wedges on the gameās digital Wheel of Fortune wheel. Players win when their wager matches the digital spin outcome, filling in letters in the gameās iconic puzzle board. The gameās Fortune Spin Bonus and Jackpot Bonus activate the solutionās large physical wheel, delivering a highly visible and recognizable win celebration on the gaming floor.
Gambling in the USA
MGCB Wins Platinum dotCOMM Award for āMini Meā Responsible Gaming Commercial

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has earned a 2025 Platinum dotCOMM Awardāthe competitionās highest honorāfor its āMini Meā commercial, part of the agencyās Donāt Regret the Bet responsible gaming campaign. The spot won top recognition in the Social Media Marketing ā Use of Video category, honoring creativity and excellence in digital communication.
Developed to reach young adults ages 18-24āa demographic research shows is at heightened risk of gambling-related harmāāMini Meā combines hand-drawn animation with live-action footage to deliver a lighthearted yet impactful reminder about making smart choices when it comes to gambling. The approachable tone was designed to engage without stigma or judgment, helping the message resonate with its intended audience.
In just six months, the video generated strong engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Gas Station TV (GSTV), and other digital platforms, including:
⢠255,781 impressions
⢠149,345 individuals reached
⢠13,059 clicksāmore than any other ad in the MGCBās campaign
⢠On GSTV, 2.2 million+ impressions and a 100% completion rate, surpassing industry benchmarks by 10%
āWinning a Platinum dotCOMM Award underscores the effectiveness of our responsible gaming messaging. The āMini Meā spot was intentionally designed to speak to young adults in a way that is approachable, relatable, and memorable. This recognition affirms that our message is not only being heard, but also making an impact,ā said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
The MGCB previously earned a Platinum dotCOMM Award in 2023 alongside King Media for the launch of the Donāt Regret the Bet integrated marketing campaign, which continues to expand its reach across Michigan.
Launched in March 2023, Donāt Regret the Bet aims to prevent gambling problems before they start and reduce the number of people in Michigan who develop a serious gambling addiction. The MGCB and King Media have collaborated on a wide range of responsible gaming messages reaching Michiganders across multiple platforms ā including broadcast TV and radio, point-of-sale video ads at gas stations, digital billboards, social media, streaming services, and podcasts.
āWeāre proud to see the āMini Meā spot recognized on an international stage. From the very beginning of our partnership with the MGCB, our focus has been on creating work that not only stands out creatively, but also makes a measurable difference in peopleās lives. This award validates the power of that missionāand it inspires us to keep pushing forward in our shared commitment to prevent problem gambling before it starts,ā said Coleen King, president and founder of King Media.
Gambling in the USA
Aristocrat Interactive⢠to Showcase Innovative iLottery Solutions at NASPL 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show

Aristocrat Interactiveā¢, the Real Money Gaming (RMG) division of Aristocrat, today announced its participation as a Level II Sponsor at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show.
NASPL, the leading trade association representing 53 lottery organizations across North America, serves as a platform for collaboration, research, standards, and best practices that drive the future of the industry. Taking place September 8ā11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed āHere to Playā, will gather lottery leaders from across North America to explore the evolving future of the industry.
Aristocrat Interactive will be showcasing its latest innovations for the iLottery sector through an interactive booth setup, one-on-one directorās dialogue sessions, a product and services showcase, and more. Attendees will get a first look at new eInstant titles, featuring fresh game mechanics and the businessās first cross-over game with its iGaming & Sports division. Aristocrat Interactive will also highlight its successful omnichannel solutions, which connect retail and online play to enhance player engagement and experience.
Building on this momentum, Aristocrat Interactive recently launched the New Hampshire Lotteryās new digital platform, signed long-term contracts with the Michigan Lottery and the Massachusetts Lottery, and secured a two-year extension with its NeoPollard Joint Venture in North Carolinaāwhere Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactiveās commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.
āNASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,ā said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. āWeāre looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.ā
Attendees can connect with Aristocrat Interactive at Booth #209 and meet the team for one-on-one discussions in Room #205. Aristocrat Interactive will also hold a showcase on Wednesday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. at its booth.
For more information about Aristocrat Interactive and its iLottery solutions, please visitĀ aristocratinteractive.com.
-
Canada6 days ago
iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO
-
Canada6 days ago
Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration
-
Gambling in the USA6 days ago
$50 MILLION GUARANTEED IN ACR POKERāS BIGGEST-EVER TOURNAMENT SERIES: THE ONLINE SUPER SERIES XL, LAUNCHING THIS WEEKEND
-
Gambling in the USA6 days ago
Georgia Lottery Takes Retail Experience to Next Level with Scientific Gamesā SCiQ Technology
-
Latest News4 days ago
Proper Loud and Galactic Announce Groundbreaking Global Partnership to Launch the Worldās First Socially-Driven Prediction Market Platform
-
Canada5 days ago
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
ETPL APPOINTS LONDON-BASED OAKVALE CAPITAL AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER TO LEAD CAPITAL RAISE AND GROWTH STRATEGY
-
eSports5 days ago
TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION