Gambling in the USA
Plaza Hotel & Casino to host fifth annual Las Vegas Pickleball Open, Sept. 21-25

With more pickleball courts than any Las Vegas hotel/casino, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is again the official hotel and title sponsor of the Las Vegas Pickleball Open, set for Sept. 21-25. The tournament will again offer professional players a competitive prize package of $60,000 split between grand prize, silver, and bronze medalists.
Tournament directors expect more than 400 players, both professionals and amateurs, to play in this yearās event on the Plazaās newly resurfaced tournament level courts. The event will offer menās, womenās, and mixed amateur doubles matches as well as menās, womenās, mixed and senior (50-plus) professional doubles matches. Spectators are welcome to watch any of the matches for free.
āThe Plaza has built a reputation as a premier pickleball destination. As a result, the Las Vegas Pickleball Open has welcomed hundreds of players from across the globe over the years, and it is very exciting that the event is celebrating its fifth anniversary on our rooftop courts.ā said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
Players can register for the tournament at www.lasvegaspickleballopen.com. Participants can also book exclusive hotel packages at the Plaza offering discounted room rates, complimentary room upgrades, free slot play, and bingo match play. To book and for more details visit: https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/pickleball-open/.
A cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball is the fastest growing racquet sport in the U.S., boasting more than three million players ā a number that has been growing by more than 10 percent each year over the past decade.
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.
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