Renowned integrated entertainment destination, Mohegan Sun, has been recognized across multiple categories in this year’s USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, including being named #1 in the inaugural “Best Casino for Slots” category. Mohegan Sun was also ranked #2 for “Best Casino Hotel,” and “Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas,” and Momentum, Mohegan Sun’s rewards program, placed #2 for “Best Players Club”.

Nominees for all categories in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are selected by a panel of subject matter experts including editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and contributors across Gannett properties, before being opened to public voting. Readers then cast their votes over a four-week period on 10Best.com, which attracts more than 5 million visitors per month.

“Over the past two years, Mohegan Sun has invested $15 million in the slot floor to ensure we’re offering the newest and most exciting games across both Casino of the Sky and Casino of the Earth. Being named Best Casino Slots by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is a true testament to that commitment, as well as the exceptional service delivered by our gaming team. We’re equally proud to be recognized as runner-up in three additional major casino resort categories, an achievement that reflects the passion and excellence of our more than 5000 team members at Mohegan Sun,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun.

This year has been an abundant award season for Mohegan Sun. The resort earned accolades for its dining, with Michael Jordan’s Steak House named “Best Casino Fine Dining” and TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge winning “Best Casino Casual Dining” in the Best of Connecticut 2025 awards, while Beauty & Essex was honored by Yankee Magazine as Connecticut’s “Best Immersive Dining Experience”. On the entertainment side, the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena was voted “Best Casino Performance Venue” in the Best of Connecticut 2025 awards and was spotlighted by Yankee Magazine as one of the “10 Best Things to Do in Connecticut This Summer,” further solidifying its reputation as one of the premier entertainment destinations in the region.

The “Best Casino for Slots” honor arrives during a year in which Mohegan Sun has awarded various major jackpots, including $1,374,307 won by a lucky guest on the popular IGT game, Jumanji Next Level. A $5 bet on a Monopoly Cash Wheel game by Aristocrat Gaming also netted $412,607 for a Connecticut native visiting Mohegan Sun in early August. Mohegan Sun recently rolled out the Sky Slot Tournament Zone located near The Cabaret Theatre, featuring games like Wheel of Fortune, Hex Breaker, and Cleopatra, all of which seamlessly switch between tournament mode and regular play.

Aristocrat Interactive™, 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 8–11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed “Here to Play”, 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 director’s 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 business’s 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 Lottery’s 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 Carolina—where Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactive’s commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.

“NASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.”

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 visit  aristocratinteractive.com.

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Premium Instant Scratch Game Innovation Adds Luxury and Uniqueness at Retail with Exclusive Play Experience

Scientific Games announces Obsidian, its latest breakthrough in instant scratch game innovation. A revolutionary addition to the global lottery company’s holographic product offerings, Obsidian will debut at the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries 2025 Conference taking place September 8 to September 11 in Ontario, Canada.

With 18 unique design concepts, Obsidian games feature a dramatic combination of all-black tones and holographics to create a sleek, glasslike appearance. Named after naturally occurring volcanic rock, the Obsidian line offers a bold, ultra-premium look and scratch experience.

Obsidian is one of a number of new product designs from Scientific Games to be unveiled at NASPL 2025. The new products were developed by Scientific Games’ Innovation and Discovery teams at its metro Atlanta global headquarters, the largest lottery instant game production facility in the world. Obsidian games will also be produced at the company’s Canadian and UK facilities.

“Our game innovators have followed holographic trends on high-end luxury items and were inspired to create fresh, new games centered on value proposition design for our lottery partners,” said Danielle Hodges, Senior Director, Global Product Innovation & Development for Scientific Games. “At a time when the market basket average is increasing, holographic games allow lotteries to differentiate their games by adding a touch of luxury and uniqueness. In sneak previews of Obsidian with several lotteries, the response we’ve received is pure excitement.”

The company continues to lead the industry in scratch game innovation, using holographics to heighten retail appeal and create immersive player experiences.

Scientific Games, the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery instant games, offers more than 100 strategic enhancements for its world-leading scratch products. The company’s products represent 70% of global instant game retail sales.

Innovating products and solutions that move the global lottery industry forward since 1973, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.

Obsidian™ is a trademark of Scientific Games, LLC. © 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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