Latest News
UNLV’s International Gaming Institute to Collaborate with ESPN Regarding Sports Betting and the Media

ESPN Commits to Pioneering Collaboration with UNLV’s International Gaming Institute
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and ESPN, a leader in sports media, are proud to announce a collaboration to advance responsible sports betting practices and media impact analysis. ESPN, renowned for providing sports content, is set to be a founding donor of this innovative program, leveraging the expertise of UNLV’s prestigious International Gaming Institute (IGI).
The rapidly evolving landscape of sports betting presents an array of complex opportunities and challenges. To address these, UNLV IGI will develop a pioneering program dedicated to the study of, education on and advisory services related to sports betting and its intersection with the media.
âWe are thrilled to have ESPNâs support for research, education and innovation in the responsible, sustainable representation of sports betting in the media,â says Brett Abarbanel, IGI Executive Director. âThe growth of betting and gambling subjects in United States media have exploded in the past five years. So, too, have calls for extended research and thought leadership alongside this proliferation of content.
âESPN is a market leader in sports media and collaboratively we will advance local, national and global discussions on sports while also establishing UNLVâs IGI as the academic hub for thought leadership in this important area.â
The collaboration, fueled by a philanthropic investment of $200,000 from ESPN, aims to catalyze the launch of this leading-edge initiative. ESPN’s contribution will support the program in various capacities including personnel, scholarly research, global outreach efforts and operational needs. Key areas of focus for this collaborative effort include:
* Enhancing Responsible Gambling:Â The program will conduct comprehensive reviews of current regulatory practices and recommend best practices to increase engagement in responsible gambling for both employees and customers.
* Developing Evidence-Based Insights:Â Researchers will provide evidence-based insights on the development of policies, messaging, technology components and more. IGI will create open-call research fellowships for international scholars in gambling to encourage global impact.
* Responsible Marketing Practices:Â A structured review process will be established to assess marketing and promotional materials, ensuring responsible marketing practices and the development of best practice policies.
* Creating Responsible Gambling Program Parameters: Collaborating with stakeholders, the program will advise on the creation of named, marketable and easily identifiable responsible gambling programs.
* Educating Industry Leaders: This initiative will also educate executive leadership in the media sector on best practices in sports betting including responsible gambling, responsible marketing, advertising policies, broadcast standards and risk management.
âESPN is proud to support this initiative at UNLV,â said Kevin Martinez, Vice-President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. âOur investment reflects our commitment to ensuring that the world of sports betting is not only entertaining but also responsible. We are eager to work alongside UNLV’s International Gaming Institute in advancing industry standards.â
UNLV Vice-President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and UNLV Foundation President Rickey N McCurry echoes Martinezâs positive outlook on the partnership, stating: âThe university is deeply grateful for ESPN’s commitment, which will enable us to create a global hub of knowledge and best practices in this ever-evolving field.â
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing the understanding of sports betting and its media interactions on a global scale, ensuring responsible gambling practices and fostering responsible marketing standards.
For more information about the International Gaming Institute at UNLV, please visit UNLV .edu/IGI.
Latest News
JCM Global Transforms Chinook Winds Casino Resortâs Casino Floor with Towering Digital Signage at High Limit Area

JCM Global has installed a towering new digital signage solution at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, Ore.
The digital signage frames the entrance of the casinoâs high limit area and creates a stunning visual destination that transforms the casino floor.
Specifically, JCM installed three curved 2.5mm FLEX LITE-S solutions. The two pillars each measure nearly 8 feet high by 7 feet wide, and they connect to an overhead soffit that is nearly 24 feet wide and 5 feet high. The entire solution is programmable and can display different content for each piece of digital signage or showcase one video across all three signs.
The dynamic digital signage replaced static wood pillars and can feature a range of messaging, images, and video limited only by the imagination. This is the first digital signage project JCM has installed at Chinook Winds. The casino also has JCM GEN5 thermal printers on each of its slot machines.
âThis breathtaking new entry into our High Stakes room is just the beginning of all the exciting new changes we will be implementing at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. We are glad JCM Global has been able to be a part of this journey,â said Sean Sheridan, Director of Facilities at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.
JCM SVP â Sales, Marketing & Operations Dave Kubajak said: âChinook Winds says, âItâs Better at the Beachâ, and their management proved it with this incredible digital signage installation. Our digital signage team brought their vision to life with our unique curved displays showcasing their high limit room entrance. The movement of the ocean and the whales on the curved signage truly illustrate the power of digital signage and the virtually limitless creativity it unleashes.â
JCM digital signage solutions transform hospitality areas, indoors, and outdoors. They come in a wide range of sizes and options to perfectly fit any space and enhance the guest experience.
Latest News
BetMGM Partners with Las Vegas Aces

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, and the Las Vegas Aces announced that BetMGM is the exclusive online casino and sportsbook partner of the WNBAâs Las Vegas Aces. The agreement runs through the 2027 season, marking BetMGMâs first major partnership with a womenâs professional sports franchise. Key features include prominent signage at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and sponsorship across Aces social media platforms. Added components of the partnership for BetMGM players include courtside access to pre-game shootarounds and luxury VIP seating.
BetMGM will also serve as an authorized gaming partner of the WNBA through the 2027 season. Under the agreement, BetMGM will receive commercial inventory on nationally televised games, WNBA tickets and experiences for its VIP players, the rights to co-branded content across BetMGMâs digital and social platforms, and articles on wnba.com/WNBABet. Additionally, BetMGM plans to release a WNBA-branded online slot game in the near future in jurisdictions where its iGaming platform is live. The slot game will be available exclusively at BetMGM and represents the first-ever WNBA online casino game.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, said: âAs we enter this era of tremendous growth in womenâs sports, BetMGM could not have two better organizations to partner with than the WNBA and the Aces. Not only do the Aces play in our backyard at Mandalay Bay, but they share our commitment to giving back to the community.â
On May 27, executives from BetMGM, Las Vegas Aces, MGM Resorts International, and The Just One Project (a cornerstone nonprofit committed to increasing access to food, resources and supportive services in Southwest Nevada) gathered in front of The Fountains of Bellagio to launch their partnership. Aces President Nikki Fargas and BetMGM Director of Team & League Partnerships Molly Wurdack-Folt led the festivities, unveiling plans for the âBetMGM Steals for Mealsâ program whereby BetMGM will donate $50 for The Just One Project to provide meals to food-insecure families for every Aces steal at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
âThe Las Vegas Aces are proud to partner with BetMGM for many reasons, but especially for the support they will provide to The Just One Project. As one of the best defenses in the league the past few seasons, especially in front of our home fans, and knowing that each steal will help families in need, this gives our team even more incentive to lock down our opponents on the defensive end,â said Fargas.
Lance Evans, SVP Sports and Sponsorships, MGM Resorts International, said: âSince 2018, the Las Vegas Aces have played a pivotal role in our cityâs growth as a global sports and entertainment destination. Together with BetMGM, we look forward to hosting gameday events at Mandalay Bay, as well as our other properties, allowing local and visiting fans to interact with their favorite basketball teams.â
Betting on the WNBA has increased exponentially, and BetMGM experienced 133% growth year-over-year during the 2024 season. BetMGM now offers more betting options than ever before including player props, odds on the 2025 Commissionerâs Cup and increased playoff offerings.
âOn the heels of an incredible 2024 season when WNBA delivered significant growth in all areas of fan engagement, and with so much excitement surrounding the 2025 season, we want to continue to lean into betting and finding new and innovative ways to engage with our fans and provide the experiences they want,â said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison.
âBetMGM is doing just that by offering new and expansive betting markets for WNBA fans. And by partnering with the Aces, BetMGM continues to recognize the extraordinary potential for growth that comes from tapping into the power of womenâs sports and the connections fans have to their favorite players and teams.â
Canada
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
âThe submission of our licensing application to access Ontarioâs regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Companyâs journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,â said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
âOntario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. Weâre excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and weâre looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,â said Clemes.
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