Gambling in the USA
Monarch Casino & Resort Announces Management Changes

Monarch Casino & Resort has announced that its Chief Operating Officer David Farahi is going to leave the company next month.
Farahi will leave Monarch on 3 September 2021 in order to pursue business interests outside the gaming and hospitality industry.
“On behalf of the Board and our entire team, I want to thank David for his 14 years of significant contributions to Monarch, including nine years as Chief Operating Officer. We appreciate David’s commitment and tireless efforts in managing operations during the construction and expansion of our resort in Black Hawk, Colorado, while also leading our Reno operations. David was also instrumental in securing the passage of Amendment 77 in November 2020, which has paved the way for unlimited wagers and a variety of new games for casinos in Colorado,” John Farahi, Co-Chairman and CEO of Monarch Casino & Resort, said.
“I would like to thank Monarch’s Co-Chairmen and Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve as Chief Operating Officer for these past nine years; it has been a tremendous privilege. I am incredibly proud of what our entire team has accomplished together and have every confidence in Monarch’s continued success,” David Farahi said.
Monarch also announced that Michelle Shriver has joined the Company as Corporate Vice President of Operations. In this role, she will have primary responsibility for the operation of the newly expanded Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk and will reside in Denver, Colorado. Michelle has been a consultant to the Company since April 2021.
John Farahi said: “Michelle has a track record of approximately 20 years in the gaming and hospitality industry. She has extensive experience developing a corporate strategy aimed at maximizing revenues and achieving market leadership. As a member of the executive management team of Ameristar Casinos, she was responsible for the operations of all eight of their regional casino resorts. Michelle also oversaw a significant expansion of Ameristar Casino Black Hawk and is very familiar with the Denver area market.
Craig Pleva will continue to lead the experienced and loyal management team in Black Hawk as General Manager. He has been with the Company for over 16 years and has served as General Manager in Black Hawk since July 2014. Prior to relocating to Denver, Craig gained significant marketing and operational experience at our Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. We are excited to have Craig and Michelle collaborate to further implement our overall operational strategies in our newly expanded Black Hawk resort.”
John Farahi continued: “Looking ahead, Monarch is well positioned to pursue growth opportunities, having assembled a talented and experienced management team. Our balance sheet is among the best in the industry and our track record in operations gives us confidence in our ability to execute our strategic plan.”
Gambling in the USA
Aristocrat Interactive™ to Showcase Innovative iLottery Solutions at NASPL 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show

Aristocrat Interactive™, 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 8–11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed “Here to Play”, 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 director’s 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 business’s 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 Lottery’s 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 Carolina—where Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactive’s commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.
“NASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.”
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 visit aristocratinteractive.com.
Gambling in the USA
Scientific Games Introduces Obsidian, All-Black Holographic Lottery Scratch Games

Premium Instant Scratch Game Innovation Adds Luxury and Uniqueness at Retail with Exclusive Play Experience
Scientific Games announces Obsidian, its latest breakthrough in instant scratch game innovation. A revolutionary addition to the global lottery company’s holographic product offerings, Obsidian will debut at the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries 2025 Conference taking place September 8 to September 11 in Ontario, Canada.
With 18 unique design concepts, Obsidian games feature a dramatic combination of all-black tones and holographics to create a sleek, glasslike appearance. Named after naturally occurring volcanic rock, the Obsidian line offers a bold, ultra-premium look and scratch experience.
Obsidian is one of a number of new product designs from Scientific Games to be unveiled at NASPL 2025. The new products were developed by Scientific Games’ Innovation and Discovery teams at its metro Atlanta global headquarters, the largest lottery instant game production facility in the world. Obsidian games will also be produced at the company’s Canadian and UK facilities.
“Our game innovators have followed holographic trends on high-end luxury items and were inspired to create fresh, new games centered on value proposition design for our lottery partners,” said Danielle Hodges, Senior Director, Global Product Innovation & Development for Scientific Games. “At a time when the market basket average is increasing, holographic games allow lotteries to differentiate their games by adding a touch of luxury and uniqueness. In sneak previews of Obsidian with several lotteries, the response we’ve received is pure excitement.”
The company continues to lead the industry in scratch game innovation, using holographics to heighten retail appeal and create immersive player experiences.
Scientific Games, the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery instant games, offers more than 100 strategic enhancements for its world-leading scratch products. The company’s products represent 70% of global instant game retail sales.
Innovating products and solutions that move the global lottery industry forward since 1973, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.
Obsidian™ is a trademark of Scientific Games, LLC. © 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Gambling in the USA
ETPL APPOINTS LONDON-BASED OAKVALE CAPITAL AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER TO LEAD CAPITAL RAISE AND GROWTH STRATEGY

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-approved T20 league co-owned by Abhishek Bachchan and backed by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, has appointed Oakvale Capital as its exclusive investment banker.
“Oakvale’s deep expertise in sports finance will be a game-changer for ETPL’s long-term vision. We look forward to working closely with their expert team to help bring our event to fruition,” said Warren Deutrom, CEO, Cricket Ireland.
“Oakvale is one of the leading London-based investment banks in the sports and gaming ecosystem. Their sector depth, global network, and track record advising rights-holders, clubs, and technology platforms make them the right partner for ETPL as we scale,” said Saurav Banerjee, Co-owner and Director, ETPL.
“We’re excited to support ETPL’s bold and innovative approach to cricket. The vision to elevate the sport in Europe with a premium, differentiated offering aligns well with Oakvale’s strategic focus in global sports properties,” said Sandford Loudon, Partner, Oakvale Capital.
Blending world-class cricket with a distinctively European experience, ETPL aims to redefine the sport through elite talent, immersive fan experiences, and data-driven innovation. In addition, KPMG in India has been appointed as ETPL’s strategic advisor.
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