Gambling in the USA
2021 WORLD SERIES OF POKER® IN REVIEW: WEEK TWO HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

The 52nd annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) wrapped up its second week of play at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino with thrilling wins and new champions crowned. With over 5,300 participants in just the Millionaire Maker event and over 20 gold bracelets already awarded, week two of the WSOP delivered some exciting events and game-winning hands including the debut live iteration of the Flip & Go format and a heart-racing finale in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker event.
Poker fans and interested media can tune into the weekly WSOP virtual press conference on Friday, Oct. 15 at 12 p.m. PST where host Tiffany Michelle will dive deeper into this week’s milestone events with special guests, bracelet winners and more. This week’s virtual press conference can be viewed on the WSOP YouTube channel
Week 2 Highlights
Phil Hellmuth Denied 16th Bracelet as Anthony Zinno Wins His 3rd in the $10K Stud Championship
Anthony Zinno, a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and former World Poker Tour Player of the Year, earned a new gold bracelet after beating out two Poker Hall of Famers and denying crowd favorite Phil Hellmuth his 16th gold bracelet.
DJ Alexander Captures First WSOP Bracelet in Event #20: GGPoker Flip & Go ($180,665)
The popular online Flip & Go format made its live debut at WSOP on Oct. 10, offering players a chance to quickly move on to the next table in a single hand. After seven hours of play on Day 2, DJ Alexander emerged victorious, earning his first WSOP gold bracelet and $180,665 in cash.
Pete Chen Wins His First WSOP Bracelet in the Ultra-Deepstack Online Event
Pete Chen claimed his first WSOP gold bracelet after defeating “Selvastar7” in a heads-up showdown with a river paired ace-jack, earning him $82,559. Chen’s victory marks a career-high online score bringing his total tournament earnings to $661,618.
John Monnette Wins Fourth WSOP Bracelet after 11 Hours of Play in the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship
John Monnette snags his fourth WSOP bracelet on Oct. 10, winning a total $245,680 and handing defeat to Nate Silver heads-up.
Jason Koon Snags His First WSOP Bracelet in $25K Heads Up Championship
American Poker Pro and new GGPoker ambassador Jason Koon wins intense face-off with Gabor Szabo, snagging his first-ever WSOP bracelet for $243,981.
What To Look Forward To
Friday, Oct. 15 – Event #30A: MONSTER STACK No-Limit Hold’em (Freezeout)
Players will face-off for a chance at a WSOP gold bracelet in a $1,500 buy in, no re-entry tournament.
Tuesday, Oct. 19 – Event #37: 1,500 Super Bounty No-Limit Hold’em
Players will compete in a one-day tournament where they will receive $500 from the prize pool for every player they eliminate.
Upcoming WSOP live streaming on PokerGO: PokerGO.com is live streaming 36 days of action from the 2021 World Series of Poker, including the entire $10,000 Main Event from start to finish. Coming up are live streams of Event #25: $5,000 NL Hold’em Six-Handed on Friday, October 15, Event #29: $10,000 Short Deck on Saturday, October 16, and Event #32: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. on Monday, October 18. Watch now on PokerGO.com.
For real-time WSOP coverage, please visit PokerNews.com https://bit.ly/3uLIQdj.
Gambling in the USA
UNLV International Gaming Institute Announces 2025 ESPN Research Fellows

Selected research projects will generate new insights into how responsible gambling messages are delivered and perceived in the rapidly evolving sports media landscape
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute (IGI) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 ESPN Research Fellowships. This year’s cohort features a group of scholars whose proposals will advance understanding of responsible gambling messaging in sports media and its implications for consumer well-being.
Fellowships recipients include:
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Dr. Brandon Mastromartino, Director of the Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming and Assistant Professor of Experiential Marketing at the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, San Diego State University. Dr. Mastromartino’s project will evaluate two of the NFL’s responsible gambling PSAs using a fan-centered marketing framework.
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Dr. Chris R. Noland, Assistant Professor of Advertising at the University of South Florida’s Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications. Dr. Noland will examine the influence of celebrity endorsements and promotional inducements in Instagram advertisements on online sports betting behavior.
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Dr. Ramon Silva Leite, Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Management at Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dr. Silva’s project will investigate how responsible gambling messages are constructed and delivered through sports media, and how young sports bettors perceive and respond to them.
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Dr. Sarah Stokowski, Associate Professor of Athletic Leadership at Clemson University’s Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development. Dr. Stokowski will investigate how college student-athletes perceive and interact with sports betting content on social media.
These projects will provide important insights into practical strategies that policymakers and the industry can adopt to help safeguard the wellbeing of sports enthusiasts and the public at large.
“IGI is tremendously proud of the work our previous Fellowships produced. A key goal of this initiative is to support innovative and impactful research to better understand the rapidly changing global sports and betting environment,” said Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at IGI. “This research represents critical perspectives on how gambling is represented in sports media and holds important implications for all gambling stakeholders.”
“Responsible gaming continues to be a priority for ESPN, and we are proud to continue our collaboration with IGI to support research that delivers real-world impact,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “These new projects will provide valuable insights into how responsible gaming messages can be delivered effectively across sports media and help strengthen standards that protect fans everywhere.”
Each research fellowship lasts six months. Research results will be featured in an IGI webinar in 2026.
Gambling in the USA
Iconic Online Games Set for Land-Based Debut Through Collaboration of Gaming Arts and Evolution

Gaming Arts, LLC and Evolution, through its dedicated land-based slot games partner Bluhare Studios, announced a landmark collaboration to adapt a select group of Evolution’s most celebrated online slot titles for the land-based Class III gaming market. This partnership combines proven game mechanics, strong brand recognition, innovative features, and Gaming Arts’ suite of high-performance MOD EX cabinets to deliver products designed to meet the expectations of today’s land-based casino players.
The first wave of releases is scheduled for Q4 2025 in North America and will be available across Gaming Arts’ latest cabinet line-up: the MOD EX J55, MOD EX 227, and MOD EX 337. Four titles will lead the launch, each carrying a strong legacy in online gaming along with exciting new enhancements for the casino floor.
Divine Fortune has been a global standout since its debut, ranking as the number one title for Evolution in the United States. Performing well in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and in all states it can be found online. It’s no surprise it has inspired successful online sequels such as Divine Fortune Megaways and Divine Fortune Black. Now, this player favorite will make its long-awaited land-based debut. Developed in collaboration with Gaming Arts, Divine Fortune Ascensionbuilds on the success of the original with a fresh twist, introducing an all-new three-pot perceived persistence feature designed to heighten engagement.
Starburst, released in 2012, is one of the most recognizable slot titles in online gaming history and Evolution’s top performer globally. With its simple yet captivating gameplay, it has remained a staple for over a decade, inspiring sequels such as Starburst XXXtreme and Starburst Galaxy. Starburst Supernovareimagines this classic with a multiplayer-enabled format, launching as part of a two-game multi-pack. Both titles will feature a new perceived persistent bonus mechanic that culminates in a hold-and-spin feature, adding a fresh layer of excitement to an already proven brand.
This collaboration also creates new opportunities for integrated marketing campaigns across both online and land-based platforms, reinforcing brand engagement and building stronger connections with players.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Evolution team, which has long been an industry leader in creating compelling content for online gambling markets. This partnership allows us to work with two of Evolution’s most celebrated titles and bring them to a brand new player base”, said Greg Colella, Chief Product Officer, Gaming Arts.
“Bringing these iconic titles to land-based casinos represents a major step forward for Gaming Arts,” said Rob Ziems, CEO of Gaming Arts. “This collaboration goes beyond simply combining Evolution’s exceptional game brands with our latest MOD EX hardware. We are working closely with Evolution to effectively adapt these classics for land-based play while also innovating and modernizing them to create fresh, engaging experiences that will truly resonate with today’s casino players.”
Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution, said: “Since the beginning of online gaming, content has traditionally flowed in one direction; from land-based casinos to online. That approach made sense, as it brought proven experiences to digital audiences. What excites us now is reversing that trend by taking some of the most successful games in the history of online gaming and bringing them to land-based casinos. Evolution is thrilled to be at the forefront of this shift. This collaboration allows us to bring our world-class IP to the incredibly talented team at Gaming Arts, and watching them work their land-based magic to adapt and reimagine our games has been truly inspiring.”
Gambling in the USA
TCSJOHNHUXLEY to Sponsor Inaugural G2E Dealer Championship

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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