Press Releases
PlayVirginia.com: Virginia sportsbooks extend historic start with $265 million in February

Virginia sportsbooks hauled in more than $265 million in wagers in what was the Commonwealth’s first full month of legal sports betting, extending one of the highest volume debuts in U.S. history, according to PlayVirginia, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Virginia’s debut has been overshadowed some by Michigan, but together the two states show just how far the U.S. has come,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayVirginia.com. “The nation’s major operators have the resources to engage bettors in new markets in ways that were impossible in the early days of legalization, which benefits later-comers like Virginia. Ultimately, that will mean a market that goes through fewer growing pains than some of the earlier adopters.”
Spurred by $19.6 million in Super Bowl betting, matching PlayUSA.com projections for the state, Virginia sportsbooks collected $265.8 million in wagers in February, according to official data released Thursday by The Virginia Lottery. That is up from $58.9 million in January. The per-day handle nearly doubled to $9.5 million per day through the 28 days of February from $5.4 million per day in January, easily the largest month-over-month per day gain in the U.S. during the month.
Launched on consecutive days in January, Virginia and Michigan have now combined to take in $741.7 million in online bets so far. And with Michigan’s $301.9 million in online bets in February, the two states represent No. 1 and No. 2 on the list of highest-volume first full months of legalized online sports betting in U.S. history.
Virginia’s sportsbooks won $12.2 million on February’s bets, up from $3.6 million in January. Promotional credits again sapped much of the win, pushing combined adjusted gaming revenue to a $3.2 million loss in adjusted gross revenue. The collective win yielded $300,593 taxes for the state.
Even more, new operators continue to enter the market, joining national heavyweights FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers, which all launched in January. That includes William Hill, which launched just before the Super Bowl in February, and WynnBet, which opened ahead of March Madness, giving Virginians a more robust selection to choose from.
“The enthusiasm from bettors will eventually settle down, and sportsbooks will pull back a bit from this heavy promotional period,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayVirignia.com. “Ultimately, the goal in these early days for sportsbooks is to engage sports bettors, introduce them to their product, and begin building relationships that will act as the foundation. So far Virginia’s operators are doing just that.”
The growth in Virginia should continue in March, which includes the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. But Virginia may not be in as good a position as other states to capitalize on March Madness.
The Commonwealth had five schools reach the NCAA Tournament, but a state ban on wagering on in-state college teams and in-game wagering on college games in general could mute the results of what is traditionally the nation’s single-biggest sports betting holiday in the U.S.
“The NCAA tournament will bring significant interest in Virginia, but the restrictions will prevent a huge leap forward,” Welman said. “Removing those restrictions would really help get the most out of what still should be a big month next month. Regardless of what happens in March, Virginia is off to a great start by most any measure.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Virginia, visit PlayVirginia.com/revenue.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over two dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches, including PlayVirginia.com, produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
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Plaza Hotel & Casino launches Stay for a Cause to benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children

Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has partnered with the Southern Nevada charity, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, to launch Stay for a Cause.
Any guest who books a room at the Plaza Hotel & Casino for check-in prior to Dec. 31, 2025, via the Stay for a Cause hotel package will have 20 percent of the room rate automatically donated to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Established in 1966, the nonprofit organization helps provide healing and hope to abused and at-risk children in Southern Nevada.
“The Plaza has previously held toy drives to benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, and we wanted to expand our partnership this year,” said Gary Vickery, vice president of operations at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “With Stay for a Cause, guests can enjoy a great vacation at the Plaza and make a difference in our community at the same time.”
“We are grateful to the Plaza for their generous support through this innovative program,” said St. Jude’s Ranch for Children CEO Dr. Christina Vela. “By choosing to stay at the Plaza, guests are not just enjoying the wonderful accommodations, but also contributing to providing healing and hope to abused, neglected, exploited, and/or homeless children. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Plaza and all the guests who choose to make their stay count for a greater cause.”
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Booming Games Expands into Venezuela and LATAM through Partnership with JuegaenLínea

Booming Games is excited to announce its latest collaboration with Venezuela’s leading operator, JuegaenLínea.
Booming Games, a leading provider of online casino games, has announced a strategic partnership with JuegaenLínea, one of the largest online casino operators in Venezuela and the rest of Latin America (LATAM). This partnership will allow Booming Games to distribute its portfolio of innovative and engaging games to JuegaenLínea’s extensive player base.
Booming Games has a proven track record of delivering high-quality games with stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and exciting bonus features. The company’s games have been enjoyed by players worldwide and have received numerous industry accolades.
Daniela Parra, Senior Account Manager at Booming Games, stated: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our expansion efforts, allowing us to reach a broader audience while strengthening our position as a leading provider of online casino games. Collaborating with one of the most respected and successful online casino operators in Venezuela and LATAM reaffirms our commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences across the region.”
Gerardo Alcega Founder and CEO of JuegaenLínea stated: “We are honoured to collaborate with esteemed companies like Booming Games. This partnership represents an important step in our commitment to delivering top-quality gaming experiences to our players. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to significant accomplishments and long-term success for both parties.”
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IGT and Graton Resort & Casino Celebrate Global Debut of Wheel of Fortune Trio Cabinet

IGT expands celebrated Wheel of Fortune slots portfolio with new Cash Link™ Big Money™ game at luxury Northern California casino
International Game Technology PLC and Graton Resort & Casino announced today the global debut of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet featuring the new Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money video slots game. Guests of the Rohnert Park, Calif. casino will be the first players in the world to experience the latest entertainment showcase from IGT’s renowned Wheel of Fortune slots brand.
“Graton Resort & Casino is thrilled to be the first property in North America to offer the newest entertainment innovation from IGT’s popular Wheel of Fortune slots brand on our gaming floor,” said Brian Green, Chief Operations Officer, Graton Resort & Casino. “Our players have a strong affinity for the Wheel of Fortune brand, and the Wheel of Fortune Trio’s community-style win celebrations and large stature are sure to drive jackpot excitement across the gaming floor.”
“Launching Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money on the new Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet with Graton Resort & Casino kicks off a year full of premier Wheel of Fortune product launches across multiple categories,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming. “This solution combines legendary Wheel of Fortune gameplay with compelling hardware and community-style jackpot celebrations to create something special for our customers and their players.”
The Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet features a massive 76-inch mechanical wheel centered above three ultra-high-definition 49-inch portrait screen gaming machines with a commanding 140-inch-tall video backdrop. The cabinet will house the new Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money video slots game featuring the player-preferred Cash Link coin collection feature, a Cash on Reels mechanic, a Cash Link Multiplier that can award up to 35X, and free games.
First launched in 1996, IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slots is hailed as one of the most successful slot themes of all time. Since the game’s debut, IGT has paid out nearly $3.6 billion in jackpots and minted more than 1,200 millionaires. Last year, IGT announced that it extended its licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Television to continue producing Wheel of Fortune games via a contract that extends through 2034.
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