Gambling in the USA
Live opportunity

Scientific Games’ recent purchase of Authentic Gaming was designed to benefit both parties in the growing live casino segment in the US. In this interview, SG Digital’s VP Game Development Rob Procter describes the rich potential for roulette and other live dealer games.
In buying premium live casino solutions supplier Authentic Gaming, Scientific Games added a vital missing piece of the puzzle to its product offering.
The live casino market is an increasingly important product vertical for players, with an estimated 30% of the entire iGaming market now revolving around immersive, innovative and entertaining games that build on experiences traditionally found in land-based casinos.
The appetite is particularly strong in the growing US market, where the live casino segment is expanding in popularity at a rapid rate.
In this interview, we talk to Rob Procter, SG Digital’s VP Game Development, to find out why the time was right for the acquisition of a live casino company, and how the deal can significantly strengthen the company’s hand when it comes to growth in the nascent American iGaming space.
Why is the US opportunity so important when it comes to live casino products?
The land-based casino experience in the US is mainstream entertainment and is often seen as a social event opportunity. The adult population almost have an understanding of games such as blackjack and roulette built into their DNA and groups of friends will regularly spend hours at tables together. Within RNG products, this is a quality that you will very rarely find.
It follows that the live dealer segment in the US offers greater value than in many other territories, because it replicates – and we would argue, enhances – the land-based experience that players have enjoyed over the course of many decades. We have seen through data from our OpenGaming platform that this notion is backed up by the figures: live dealer games can ultimately be as big as we would like them to be. It’s just a matter of how far you are willing to go.
The competitive advantage that we confer to Authentic is the scope of our expertise within the US. Regulatory changes, new state entries and solving compliance issues are factors we have overcome time and again. While such barriers have historically been related to different product verticals, this expertise is easily transferred to live casino.
Why was the time right for this latest acquisition by Scientific Games and how does it increase your growth potential in the US?
There is no getting away from the fact that the live casino market in the US is dominated by one major player and this does present difficulties for companies looking to enter this space. However, we believe that there are also certain niches that have been under-explored within a segment that is accelerating in growth.
The time was right for us to make the move. Our goal is to have a portfolio that covers all aspects of the online gaming market and live casino was the obvious gap in that regard. We considered our options very carefully over a number of months, but it became increasingly clear that Authentic Gaming was the perfect partner as we set out to make a major impact in the vertical. There are clear opportunities for major growth, particularly in the US.
How much autonomy will Authentic continue to enjoy under the Scientific Games umbrella?
Authentic’s market knowledge is second to none and theirs has been a story of success over a number of years. They will continue to do what they do best – produce great live casino content – and our role is to facilitate that while offering additional support that can help them really put their foot down on the accelerator.
From Authentic’s perspective, Scientific Games’ level of expertise in the U.S. market is invaluable. We can help them grow by providing an increased level of operational support where it is needed and by guiding them in what is a new market for them, but one that we have a very strong legacy in. It is a partnership that we believe will be characterised by mutual success, particularly in the strategically important US.
We could have gone down the route of building live casino products from scratch. Sometimes, though, it is better to leave it to the experts. Authentic will continue to move forward thanks to their high level of skill and product knowledge, now with the backing of the Scientific Games machine.
Why did you choose to acquire Authentic Gaming, over other live casino suppliers?
It was always clear during our negotiations that Authentic has a highly engaged, skilled and enthusiastic workforce. There is a level of attention to detail and real care built into their games that we found infectious.
Small can be beautiful, too. Authentic has a set of products that is far more compact that some of its major competitors, but the fundamentals are extremely solid. We saw their titles as being built upon solid ground in terms of technological build, while also offering us the opportunity to add extra value in the future.
Gambling in the USA
Caesars Entertainment Bolsters Online Casino Live Dealer Offering with the Launch of Branded Live Dealer Studio in Michigan

Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced the launch of its third branded online casino live dealer studio, available now to players on Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Michigan. Developed in partnership with Evolution, the new studio reinforces Caesars’ commitment to delivering world-class, immersive experiences across its online platforms, inspired by the iconic atmosphere of its Caesars Rewards destinations.
The debut of the new studio marks Caesars’ third branded live dealer studio that has opened in 2025 and draws inspiration from table game play at the Las Vegas Strip’s most iconic casino, Caesars Palace. Its opening follows the successful launch of Caesars’ first branded studio with Evolution in Pennsylvania in January. In April, the Company also debuted its first studio inside a Caesars Rewards destination at Tropicana Atlantic City in New Jersey.
“Our third live dealer studio expands our fully customized live dealer experience that is already extremely popular in Pennsylvania and New Jersey into another key jurisdiction where our online casino platforms are live. The studio design takes inspiration from our flagship destination, Caesars Palace, to authentically recreate the atmosphere of Las Vegas for online players. We look forward to our Michigan players enjoying the new experience,” said Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital.
The new live dealer studio in The Great Lakes State is composed of five blackjack tables, including a VIP-exclusive blackjack table, one roulette table, and one baccarat table. The tables are adorned with custom-branded felts featuring iconic Caesars destinations and each marquee online casino platform, including Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and, for the first time, Tropicana Online Casino.
Select tables also feature custom felts co-branded through partnerships with professional sports teams. Like Caesars Rewards destinations across North America, the studio caters to VIP players with an exclusive high-limit blackjack table offering an authentic 1-to-1 live experience that could previously only be found in a physical casino.
“As the global leader in online live casino with nearly two decades of experience, Evolution is proud to partner once again with Caesars to launch this bespoke live dealer studio in Michigan. The studio brings the unmistakable character of Caesars’ iconic destinations to the online space, offering players in the state a polished, immersive entertainment experience that mirrors the energy and elegance of the casino floor. It’s another bold step forward in our shared commitment to innovation and quality at scale in the online live casino market,” said Marcus Huber, Chief Commercial Officer of Evolution North America.
Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino are available on iOS, Android, and desktop for those 21 and older in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ontario, and West Virginia. Each platform offers a dynamic online casino experience with a range of unique Caesars-branded games alongside hundreds of classic land-based casino favorites and core casino game mechanics, including high limit slots, private live dealer tables, linked progressive jackpots, variations of poker and roulette, and more.
Gambling in the USA
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Unveils Expanded Non-Smoking Gaming Floor

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel has officially opened its newly expanded non-smoking gaming floor, marking a significant milestone in the property’s continued commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the new, larger non-smoking slot floor will feature nearly 400 of today’s most popular slot machines in a fresh, modern environment designed exclusively for non-smoking guests. This addition enhances the casino’s dedication to providing smoke-free gaming options in a luxury setting. For convenience and ease of access, non-smoking guests can also take advantage of the smoke-free entrance via the hotel’s valet parking.
This new space complements Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel’s existing fully enclosed, non-smoking slot area near Falls Buffet and Snoqualmie Café & Deli, offering guests even more choice and accessibility when it comes to their preferred gaming environment.
In addition to these gaming enhancements, all restaurants on property are 100% non-smoking, making Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a premier destination for guests seeking an elevated, smoke-free entertainment and dining experience.
“We’re thrilled to offer our guests even more smoke-free options. The expansion of our non-smoking gaming floor reflects our ongoing efforts to listen to our guests and create an atmosphere that’s both exciting and comfortable for everyone,” said Mary Lou Patterson, CEO of Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel.
Gambling in the USA
Abbiati Casino Equipment and Hawkins Holdings Form Strategic Alliance to Expand Presence Across the Americas

Abbiati Casino Equipment, a globally recognised leader in premium casino equipment and technologies, announced a strategic partnership with Hawkins Holdings to strengthen its presence across North and South America. As part of this initiative, seasoned gaming executive Roger Hawkins has been appointed Brand Ambassador and Strategic Consultant for the Americas.
With more than 20 years of executive leadership in the global casino and gaming industry, Hawkins will spearhead the company’s efforts to expand its footprint throughout the Western Hemisphere. His role will include market development, strategic partnerships, regulatory positioning, and the promotion of Abbiati’s legacy of Italian innovation, craftsmanship, and integrity.
“This partnership is about more than market entry – it’s about building deeper awareness, driving product adoption, and reinforcing Abbiati’s commitment to quality across every pit and poker room in the hemisphere,” said Hawkins.
Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of Abbiati Casino Equipment, said: “We have proudly served clients in the Americas for many years, but the time is right to deepen our focus. Roger’s knowledge of our products and his insight into the market make him the ideal partner to lead this next phase.”
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