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UNLV Announces $15M Gift from Las Vegas Sands to Establish Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture

UNLV and Las Vegas Sands are pleased to announce the creation of the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV, which was formally approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents at its quarterly meeting on Dec. 5, 2024.
Made possible by a generous $15 million donation from Sands to the UNLV Foundation, this initiative highlights a shared commitment to enriching the educational and cultural landscape of Las Vegas and beyond.
“This partnership with UNLV reflects our dedication to global engagement and cultural exchange,” said Sands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert G. Goldstein. “The Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV will serve as a vital resource for students, scholars, and the broader community to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of China. We are honored to support an initiative that will enhance Chinese cultural literacy and provide significant opportunities for meaningful intercultural dialogue in one of the world’s most visible cities and one of its most dynamic universities.”
The Sands Institute will offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to promote appreciation and understanding of Chinese language, traditions, and history. These offerings will include Mandarin language courses for students and community members; cultural programming such as film screenings, art exhibitions, musical performances, and lectures; and student and faculty exchanges.
As Las Vegas continues to grow as a global hub for tourism, hospitality, business, and sports, the ability to understand and engage with Chinese citizens and culture becomes increasingly important. The Sands Institute will serve as a platform for robust community engagement, strengthening the cultural fabric of the region and enhancing its connections with China. By offering educational programs and training for professionals, the Institute will equip industry leaders and workers with the cultural competence needed to navigate and succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
“We are excited to work with Sands in establishing the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV,” said Chris L. Heavey, Executive Vice President and Provost of UNLV. “The Sands Institute will significantly increase learning opportunities for local students and community members, providing them with the tools to engage more effectively with the world around them. The incredibly generous support from Sands is crucial in bringing this vision to life, and we look forward to the opportunities it will create for our university and the wider Las Vegas community.”
The Sands Institute will be housed in UNLV’s newly renovated Maryland Administrative Building, offering a central location accessible to both university students and the broader Las Vegas community. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms, exhibition spaces, and meeting venues designed to host a wide array of events.
With the substantial financial support from Sands, the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV is poised to become an internationally recognized center for the study and appreciation of Chinese language and culture.
“UNLV is proud to be one of the most diverse universities in the country, and launching the Sands Institute highlights our commitment to embracing all cultures,” said UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield. “This fits right in with what we’re all about – giving our students and community opportunities to learn about the world and connect with people from different backgrounds. It’s going to make a big difference in how we prepare our students for the global stage.”
Sands has been a long-time supporter of UNLV and its academic initiatives. “Their nearly two decades of support have been essential to our university,” Whitfield continued. “From funding facilities and athletic programs to backing innovative student projects and the Sands Center for Professional Development, Sands has consistently shown a strong commitment to our campus and our students.”
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Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate Fourth of July with a holiday edition of its free Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will celebrate the Fourth of July with a bigger and brighter version of its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Firework Show. As in past years, it will be the only Fourth of July fireworks show in downtown Las Vegas, and it is free to view.
Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower on Friday, July 4, at 9:15 p.m., the public can watch the fireworks for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue. Guests can also watch the fireworks from a free viewing party on the Plaza’s rooftop pool deck. Doors open for the rooftop viewing party at 7 p.m.
Also on July 4, the Plaza will host a Buffalo wing eating contest at Carousel Bar at 6 p.m. Inspired by the popular Buffalo wing eating competitions in Philadelphia, qualifying “Wing Offs” and the championship “Wing Bowl”, the July 4 contest will be a qualifying event for the Plaza’s main Wing Bowl event on Feb. 7, 2026. The Plaza will award $1,000 to the person who eats the most Buffalo wings in 10 minutes on July 4. The first and second place eaters will qualify for the Plaza’s Wing Bowl in February.
Carousel Bar and the rooftop pool will also feature special summertime cocktails. The rooftop fireworks viewing party will feature three specialty cocktails: a margarita with Casamigos Blanco Tequila and Cointreau Orange Liqueur, the “Cruiser & Captain” with Sun Cruiser Iced Tea, vodka, and a shot of Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime Rum, and the “You Call It” featuring Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime Rum.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation.
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EDGE Boost Launches Social Accountability Program, Adding Peer-based Accountability to its Roster of Responsible Gaming Tools

EDGE Markets, the company behind EDGE Boost, one of the first debit cards designed specifically for responsible gaming, announced the launch of its newest responsible gaming feature: a co-pilot system for social accountability. Through the EDGE Boost platform, users can nominate trusted friends or family to receive weekly reports of their transactions and participate in real-time limit adjustments, creating a shared commitment to more responsible play.
Social accountability leans on a core behavioral insight that accountability works best when it comes from someone you know, not a faceless platform or app. Early adoption of the co-pilot system has already exceeded expectations with 7% of EDGE Boost users enabling the feature, far surpassing the industry standard of 1-2% adoption for similar, operator-based responsible gaming tools.
“The reason why the co-pilot feature has been so successful is peer involvement. Social accountability is why having a gym buddy works. By involving a buddy in your betting lifestyle, one is set up even better for responsible play. We have always said that EDGE Boost’s mission is to provide a safer and more responsible environment for users to engage with gaming and we know social accountability is doing just that,” said Seni Thomas, Founder and CEO of EDGE Boost.
Co-pilots will receive weekly snapshots of a user’s EDGE Boost transactions. If a user attempts to raise their deposit or spending limits, a co-pilot must enter a verification code before the change can take effect.
The new feature aligns with the American Gambling Association’s (AGA) evolving Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct. Social accountability also helps foster responsible gaming by avoiding punitive approaches and reducing negative stigma.
The co-pilot feature is now live and available to all EDGE Boost users.
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Matt Holt Joins nVenue as Advisor and Board Observer

nVenue, the industry-leading B2B enterprise platform providing predictive data analytics for leagues, media, and gaming, announced the appointment of Matt Holt to the Company’s board. Holt brings over 15 years of experience in the sports and gaming industries and has been an instrumental figure in the development of U.S. sports betting.
“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the nVenue team. His deep operational experience and extensive network of relationships in the sports and gaming industry will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business,” said Quinton Singleton, President & COO of nVenue.
Holt is founder and served as Chief Executive Officer for U.S. Integrity, where he led development of sports integrity for professional and collegiate sporting leagues across the US.
“I am excited to join nVenue at such a pivotal time in the company’s growth. nVenue is the industry-leading provider of live and micro market products, and their innovative technology is revolutionizing the way leagues and the global gaming industry pivot into the high growth sector of real-time engagement in sports. I look forward to working with the team to expand in the U.S. and international markets,” said Holt.
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