Light & Wonder and ELK Studios’ games to be unleashed on Mexican market

Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has expanded its existing partnerships with Light & Wonder and ELK Studios by launching their premium gaming content in the burgeoning Mexican market.

This expansion reinforces SkillOnNet’s commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences to players in regulated markets across the globe.

Players in Mexico will now have access to a rich portfolio of Light & Wonder and Elk Studios titles on SkillOnNet-powered Spanish-language casino brands, including its flagship, PlayUZU.

Light & Wonder is a global gaming powerhouse that developed some of the world’s most famous slot games, including ‘Dragon Train’, ‘Hot Hot Blazing Locks’, ‘Double Dragon’, ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Stargate Megaways’.

In 2021, the company acquired maverick Swedish game developer, ELK Studios. ELK is known for cutting-edge games that blend unique storytelling and humour with off-the-chart playability, such as ‘Nitropolis’, ‘Tinkerbot’ and ‘Pirot’, as well as for its signature X-iter and CollectR mechanics.

Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “We are delighted to bring Light & Wonder’s and Elk Studios’ superb portfolios to our Mexican customers. Both studios have a strong reputation for developing world-class content, and their games have already proven to be hugely popular in other markets. By strengthening these partnerships, we continue to offer our players in Mexico an unmatched gaming experience with top-tier titles.”

Jack Riley, Commercial Account Director at Light & Wonder said: “It’s great to build on our highly successful partnership with SkillOnNet, enhancing our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, immersive gaming experiences. Through this expansion, we’re ensuring that more players have access to the rich variety of games that have made Light & Wonder and ELK Gaming leaders in the industry.”

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced the BetMGM Poker Championship returns to ARIA in Las Vegas Monday, June 30 to Friday, July 4, highlighting the ARIA Poker Classic Summer Series. The no-limit hold ‘em tournament has a $3,500 buy-in and offers participants a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. For the fourth consecutive year, the BetMGM Poker Championship will begin in ARIA’s Poker Room and conclude with a live-streamed Final Table at the PokerGO Studio. The ARIA Poker Classic runs May 29 through July 13 with the full schedule available at ARIA Poker on X.

“BetMGM’s relationship with MGM Resorts is our differentiator and the BetMGM Poker Championship presents a unique opportunity to connect our online players with one of the premier properties and events that Las Vegas has to offer. We are preparing to use our brand ambassadors – Darren Elias and Abby Merk – as well as our media partners, to engage with the poker community in new ways throughout the summer,” said Angus Nisbet, VP of Gaming at BetMGM.

Online qualifiers for the BetMGM Poker Championship run at 9:15 p.m. EST every Thursday and Sunday through Sunday, June 22. More than 100 players from BetMGM Poker markets including New Jersey, Michan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario (Canada) will win BetMGM Poker Championship packages that include a $3,500 Championship entry, a five-night stay at ARIA, travel credit, and a BetMGM swag bag. A full online qualifier schedule is available at BetMGMPoker.com.

Ryan Kirk, ARIA’s Director of Poker Operations, said: “ARIA has long been recognized as the epicenter of poker in Las Vegas and we’re proud, once again, to host the BetMGM Poker Championship during our ARIA Poker Classic. This event continues to raise the bar, bringing together the prestige of our world-class poker room with BetMGM’s innovative online platform. We look forward to welcoming players from across North America to experience the energy, excitement and hospitality that ARIA delivers.”

Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement program to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organization’s youth mentorship, scholarship, and community service offerings.

The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programs including a science, technology, engineering, and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service program, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers.

In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organization.

“Sands has always understood our overall goal across all of our offerings, which work together to empower our youth and community members to be healthy, self-sufficient and successful. We’ve greatly expanded our reach over the past four years with Sands’ support, and the 2025 contribution is helping us grow current programs and introduce new initiatives to increase our positive impact even further,” Gentry Richardson, executive director of 100 Black Men Las Vegas, said.

The Sands Cares contribution continues to help underwrite 100 Black Men Las Vegas’ youth leadership development programs, including the flagship Crossroads youth mentoring and life skills program for middle and high school students. Crossroads covers more than 30 critical social and emotional skills that equip participants to successfully engage in their education, professions, and community. In 2024, mentor programs served more than 1500 students in the Las Vegas area and helped students achieve a cumulative 20% grade point average increase over 2023.

Sands’ donation also continues underwriting of scholarships for local college students. Last year, Sands Cares funding contributed to a scholarship pool that cumulatively enabled 100 Black Men Las Vegas to distribute more than $80,000 in scholarships funds, and the organization aims to provide $100,000 in scholarships in 2025.

Finally, the Sands Cares contribution also supports direct community service programs, including a free monthly Virtual Youth Cooking Class and Thanksgiving with the 100 and Friends, the organization’s annual Thanksgiving dinner distribution event.

Sands’ partnership with 100 Black Men Las Vegas is aligned with the company’s focus on education and helping build the workforce of the future.