Gambling in the USA
Everi Announces Senior Management Transition

The Board of Directors of Everi Holdings has announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Rumbolz will be appointed Executive Chairman of the Board and that current Chief Operating Officer Randy L. Taylor will succeed Mr. Rumbolz as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Taylor also will be appointed to the Board of Directors. All appointments will be effective 1 April 2022.
“Under Mike’s leadership the Company’s market capitalization has increased from $168 million at the time of his appointment as Interim President and CEO in February 2016 to approximately $2 billion today. The Company’s appreciation in market value, the significant growth we have achieved across our business and the culture of collaboration and innovation that exists at Everi today all directly reflect Mike’s leadership. Mike was instrumental in establishing a vision for Everi, and he steered the Company through significant changes while implementing new operational practices. His contributions include improving the Company’s depth and breadth of leadership, driving a corporate culture based on teamwork, collaboration and inclusion, and putting Everi on a growth path based on continuous operational improvement. He led the Company’s smart, targeted internal and external investments that have significantly improved the Company’s earnings power and its Free Cash Flow. Mike has placed Everi on a very strong foundation for the future. On behalf of our Board of Directors, we sincerely thank Mike for his nearly six years of outstanding service to the Company as our CEO, and we are excited that we will continue to benefit from his experience, insights and guidance as Executive Chairman,” Ronald Congemi, Lead Independent Director of Everi, said.
“During his more than ten years at Everi, Randy Taylor has consistently assumed additional leadership and operations responsibilities. We are very fortunate to have a talented executive in Randy who is capable of seamlessly stepping into the CEO role to continue to lead and advance the strong growth trajectory and momentum the Company has established over the last several years. Randy knows Everi intimately and has played a critical role in shaping the Company’s growth initiatives while also being a leading advocate for establishing the values and principles we stand for as a company. Randy is highly respected by all of our stakeholders, both in and outside the company, and the Board is highly confident he is ideally suited to become our next CEO to continue to advance and execute Everi’s growth strategy in the years ahead,” Ronald Congemi added.
“I am honored by the trust the Board has shown me and excited by the substantial opportunities we have to grow Everi in the years ahead. Mike has had a tremendous influence on building Everi, and I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work closely with him. With our core, recurring-revenue businesses continuing to grow strongly and early-phase growth ventures like iGaming and our cashless wallet technology set to be meaningful contributors in the future, Everi is favorably positioned for near and long-term growth and continued success,” Randy Taylor said.
Randy Taylor has served as President and COO since 1 April 2020, having previously been Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer since March 2014. Mr. Taylor joined Everi in November 2011 as Senior Vice President and Controller.
Prior to joining Everi, he served at Citadel Broadcasting Corporation for ten years rising through a variety of financial roles to become Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Accounting Officer. Previously, Mr. Taylor served in various financial positions in the gaming industry with both casino operators and gaming suppliers.
“It has been an honor to serve as Everi’s CEO, working with the finest team in the industry for nearly six years. I believe the Company’s best years are still ahead and I look forward to all of Everi’s future successes. I am confident that under the continuity of the Company’s leadership highlighted by Randy assuming the CEO role and with our great team, that Everi will continue to drive our existing business momentum and will continue to grow shareholder value,” Mike Rumbolz said.
Gambling in the USA
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Rising in Kings Mountain as First Year of Construction is Completed

Significant construction has been completed during the first year of work on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, N.C., a site off Interstate-85 only 35 miles from Charlotte and close to the South Carolina border.
Construction on all aspects of the project is in full swing, with the foundations for the casino complex and hotel completed several months ago, the casino complex at its full height and expanding horizontally, and steel continuing to rise for the 24-story, 385-room hotel. The hotel tower framing is now 10 stories high, with an additional floor being added nearly every week. At completion, the hotel will be connected to the casino complex.
The casino complex includes the introductory casino on the first level, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and top level with the main casino floor and restaurants. The introductory casino, set to open in spring 2026, will include 1350 slot machines, 20 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, a bar, sports betting kiosks, and Lucky North Rewards desk.
The introductory casino will replace the current temporary (prelaunch) casino, which continues to grow in popularity as it nears its fourth anniversary on July 1.
The main casino complex is targeted to open in 2027. It will be about 2 million square feet and feature:
• 4300 slot machines
• 100 table games
• 11 dining outlets, including a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, marketplace with six venues, café, and grab-and-go outlet
• A players lounge
• 11 bars, including a center bar and sports bar
• A 2700-space parking garage built under the casino complex and 800 surface parking spaces
The project has created hundreds of construction jobs. Upon completion, the casino resort will employ an estimated 2200 regional residents and citizens of the Catawba Nation.
“This casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain. This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said.
Harris noted the temporary casino is contributing to many community and charitable organizations in the region, and that will only increase as the full casino resort opens.
The project is being led by the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority under Vice President Trent Troxel, with Yates-Metcon as the construction general contractor; Delaware North as the gaming management, development and hospitality consultant; and SOSHNY Design architects.
“Once again, I want to thank the Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, federal and state leaders who have supported the Catawba Nation’s efforts develop the casino resort in its ancestral lands in North Carolina,” Harris said.
Work has also been completed on two key infrastructure projects for development of the permanent casino resort that were funded by the Catawba Nation: doubling the size of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 near the casino entrance and installing new sewer lines near the casino.
Gambling in the USA
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Named Luckiest Casino in US by Casinos.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been named the luckiest casino in the US according to a recent study conducted by Casinos.com. The resort claimed the top spot based on an in-depth analysis of Tripadvisor reviews, measuring the frequency of luck-related keyword mentions.
With a 25.49% luck rate, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa topped the list thanks to glowing guest feedback, including frequent mentions of jackpots, hand pays and bonus wins. 50 reviews mentioned the word “jackpot,” and 19 even referenced a “hand pay.”
Casinos.com tracked keywords such as lucky, luck, won, winning, success, jackpot, hand pay, winner, bonus, profit to determine which U.S. casinos inspired the most winning moments among visitors.
“I hit 4 jackpots. I stayed one night. I had a blast. The machines are as loose as anywhere else,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, noted Casinos.com, capturing the essence of why the casino landed in the No. 1 spot.
“We’ve always known this was a lucky casino, but it’s exciting to see that recognized through data-driven research. It’s a testament to the vibrant energy on our casino floor and the unforgettable experiences we strive to create for every guest,” said Steve Bonner, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
The ranking reinforces Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s reputation as one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the US. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa was not involved in the study and was unaware of it until the results were publicly released.
Over the past year, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has paid out nearly 839,000 jackpots totaling more than $2.45 billion, continuing to deliver thrilling high-stakes gaming. Since May 1, 2024, the casino resort has awarded 375 jackpots of $100,000 or more, amounting to an impressive $61 million in winnings. Notably, 47 of those massive wins stemmed from bets of $5 or less and nine came from wagers of $3 or less.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa offers a fully integrated casino experience with a sleek, modern design and welcoming atmosphere of 245,000 square feet of gaming space and entertainment. With 5230 of the hottest slot machines and a full range of table games such as poker, blackjack and baccarat, there is no shortage of opportunities to win. Additionally, guests can enjoy live craps, roulette, and sports betting at their leisure.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

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.
-
Canada6 days ago
Vancouver Resident Purchased Winning $40 Million Lotto Max Ticket While Quenching Sparkling Water Craving
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Selects New Board Chair
-
Canada6 days ago
NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform
-
Latest News6 days ago
CT Gaming Marks Another Milestone in Perú
-
Canada6 days ago
User-Centric Redesign for Casinosfiables.ca
-
Latest News6 days ago
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Applift
-
Latest News6 days ago
VIP Play Inc. Appoints Digital-Transformation Veteran Les M. Ottolenghi as Chief Executive Officer
-
eSports3 days ago
TEAM VITALITY WINS THE BLAST.TV AUSTIN MAJOR 2025, WELCOMING THE ERA OF TEAM VITALITY