For the first time since 2019, the gaming industry came out in full force for the annual Global Gaming Expo. Attendance and exhibitor numbers were just about back to pre-pandemic levels, and the biggest companies and figures from around the world converged in Las Vegas to see the latest and greatest that gaming has to offer.

In preparation for its $1.74 billion downtown Chicago casino, Bally’s purchase of the Freedom Center (l.), home of the Chicago Tribune, is expected to close by October 25. A temporary casino will open in June 2023 and the permanent facility will debut by 2026.

The Bermuda Gaming Commission (BGC) has granted Bermuda’s first casino license to the St. Regis Hotel (l.). The action comes eight years after parliament passed the Gaming Act. Before the casino can open it must meet all legislative requirements, says the commission.

The rollercoaster ride isn’t over for Macau gaming operators, whose stocks dropped amid a boost in Covid cases after Golden Week. In addition, they may have to invest more in non-gaming to win new licenses.

The casino at GreeneTrack (l.) in Eutaw, Alabama reopened following a 1-month closure, after the state Supreme Court removed its charity bingo status and ordered it to pay $76 million in back taxes.

The U.K. white paper for updating the Gambling Act of 2005 could be released to the public within a few weeks, according to government sources. At one time it looked like the new government of PM Liz Truss (l.) might push the release date back to 2023. Now it appears to be back on track.

Light & Wonder’s board of directors has named Matt Wilson (l.) permanent chief executive officer, after he has served as interim CEO since the departure of Barry Cottle. And Siobhan Lane, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of gaming, has been named the new chief executive officer of gaming.

Maybe the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (l.) is just erring on the side of caution. But at an emergency meeting on October 7, they couldn’t agree on sports betting launch dates, then they couldn’t agree on windows of time.

The Fantini Research CEO One-On-One interviews at G2E showed the resilience of gaming and the opportunism that still await the innovative companies. Even the current recession hasn’t dampened enthusiasm.

This week the GGB Podcast sits down with David Rebuck, the director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, on what may be the end of his career where he has overseen milestone issues in the state’s gaming industry.

In the ongoing trial of Suncity Group chief Alvin Chau (l.), employees acknowledged that the junket conducted illegal bets, which reportedly accounted for 40 percent of performance metrics.

The Philippines’ Chinese Embassy denies a recent statement by Senate President Migz Subiri (l.) that Beijing has blacklisted the country as a tourism destination. The supposed ban was related to iGaming crimes.

Kuoch Chamroeun (l.), governor of Preah Sihanouk in Cambodia, has announced new law enforcement measures designed to prevent human trafficking and other crimes in the province’s gaming industry.

Vietnam’s Kien Gang Province will ask the country’s Ministry of Finance to extend a pilot program that allows Vietnamese locals to gamble at the Corona Resort and Casino (l.) on Phu Quoc Island.

The first year of the Dutch regulated iGaming market has had challenges, wrote regulator de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Chairman René Jansen (l.). The market’s goal is: “a completely safe environment for people who want to gamble online, without any place for illegal providers.”

Although the “for sale” sign isn’t exactly posted outside of headquarters of Ireland’s second-largest bookmaker, BoyleSports it is viewed as an “attractive acquisition target.” One rival who might be looking to buy is Entain Plc.

The Western Australian government has appointed Paul Steel (l.), a high-ranking police official, to oversee the compliance of Crown Perth as it moves forward with remediation efforts.

Quebec casinos can be vulnerable to money laundering from organized crime, experts say, and a report from Loto-Quebec shows that numerous large cash transactions have occurred.

Cashless gaming may not be far off for New South Wales bettors, as the state recently launched a three-month trial of various cashless technologies, in hopes of cutting down on instances of fraud and money laundering. NSW’s top regulator, Kevin Anderson (l.), says the project is “part of an exciting new era.”

A new public service advertisement by Ontario, Canada’s Responsible Gambling Council shows the dangers of reckless gambling in an attempt to counteract the plethora of casino advertising.

The Australian company Tabcorp invested $21 million for a 20 percent share in Dabble Sports Pty Ltd. The investment brings Tabcorp innovative product capabilities and a younger customer base.

Pennsylvania regulators have predicted an expansion of online casinos in the state as well as additional sports wagering sites, and two more retail sportsbooks.

Sportradar has settled its argument with Genius Sports and Football DataCo and will receive a sublicense in order to access English football data.

You’ve heard of Fanatics—the same company that sells all things fan-based, expects to launch a sportsbook in January, at least according to CEO Michael Rubin (l.).

Penn Entertainment and Kambi Group have reached an agreement under which Kambi will end its operation of Penn’s sports betting platform as Penn builds its own platform.

The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (l.) is seeking a mobile sports betting license. What makes this celebratory is that the ownership group is 40 percent women- and minority-owned, eclipsing the goal set by its parent, Caesars.

Former Michigan state Rep. Brandt Iden (l.) said he wishes he’d included proposed gambling legislation funds for establishing a gambling court. Currently, only Nevada offers a gambling court that opts for treatment instead of incarceration.

MGM announced recently that it is planning on renovating Mandalay Bay (l.) and its convention center. The cost of the project is expected to be in the range of $100 million and should be completed in two years.

The owner of Parx Casino in Philadelphia sued Pace-O-Matic, maker of video gambling machines. Parx contends the unregulated, illegal games cannibalize casino revenue and deprive the state of tax dollars.

Cuyahoga County in Ohio has announced a program dealing with gambling addiction. The Problem Gambling Addiction Program is set to help those who run afoul of the law because of issues with gambling.

If the Louisiana Gaming Control Board allows Foundation Gaming to take over the shuttered DiamondJacks Casino (l.) in Shreveport, the casino could reopen in 2024. Meanwhile, Louisiana gaming revenue has declined.

As another link in its Reno Neon Line District, Jacobs Entertainment has purchased three parcels and 63 motel units for $10.5 million. CEO Jeff Jacobs recently said: “We want to create an arts and entertainment district so people can come from the Bay Area and spend some money in Reno.”

The five North Dakota Native American tribes are seeking exclusive gambling rights with the state but might have a hard time convincing Governor Doug Burgum (l.).

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson (l.) has ruled that the Bureau of Indian Affairs didn’t take the history of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians into consideration when it rejected their proposal for a casino in Vallejo California. History that included the Bloody Island Massacre of 1850 by the U.S. Calvary.

It’s been a year since digital gaming—including sports betting— was legalized for Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Mohegan Sun casino and the Connecticut Lottery. The additional revenues have given a respectable bump in revenues to the tribes and the state.

The Department of the Interior has informed the 500-member Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan that it is delaying by four months the decision to give federal recognition to the tribe. Tribal Chairman Ron Yob commented, “It’s sad to say, but you almost expect it.”

A trio of tribes from states without legal sports betting have hooked up with a New York gaming company on PlaySqor, a sports-themed app acceptable for Class II games. The app lets players make some money, and tribes too.

IGT has won a 10-year contract with the Texas Lottery under which it will supply ticket printing and supporting services, extending IGT’s agreement with the lottery through August 2034.

Gary Fritz has been appointed president of MGM Resorts Interactive, overseeing the operator’s diversification strategy by expanding MGM digital platforms.

U.S. casino executive Alex Yemenidjian, has resigned as executive chairman of Oshidori International Holdings Ltd. He was appointed in 2020 to spearhead the firm’s bid for a Japanese integrated resort license.

Casino equipment supplier Aristocrat Gaming announced last week that Joe Kaminkow has been appointed the firm’s chief innovation officer. Aristocrat Gaming is part of Australia-listed Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

Scientific Games has named Mona Garland as its chief human resources officer. In the newly expanded role, Garland will lead global HR strategy including talent acquisition and retention and learning and development.

GLI has promoted Caio Parry, Francesca Badon and Antonino Santangelo from account managers to senior account managers to support its growing presence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

BMM Testlabs has named Adrianna Samuels as its new vice president of digital business development. Samuels most recently served as a sports betting consultant to some of the biggest bookmakers in the industry.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, Arizona announced Samantha Gulick director of marketing and hotel operations; Nathan Kinstlinger as director of food and beverage operations; and Cody Hansen as food and beverage operations manager

Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa named Scott Sirois general manager. A 40-year veteran of the gaming industry, Sirois previously held positions at casinos in Nevada, California, Arizona and Louisiana.

Kathy George (l.), chief executive officer at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek Michigan for five years, announced she is leaving to assume the position of president at a North Carolina casino.

Bragg Gaming Group and Sega Sammy Creation have agreed to a new three-year licensing agreement, under which Bragg will distribute Sega titles to its iGaming partners across the world.

Game developer AvatarUX has partnered with Light & Wonder to distribute eight new titles to new global markets, via the OPENGAMING aggregation platform.

JCM Global and Everi have expanded their existing partnership—Everi’s CashClub Wallet technology has been integrated into JCM’s FUZION system (l.)

Kalamba Games has partnered with Pariplay to distribute a number of its slot titles across Pariplay’s network of markets, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, Romania, Greece, Portugal and more.

Last week, Global Payments announced that Circa Sports Colorado is the first online sports betting operator to use its new online banking feature, expected to improve the user experience for customers.

The Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will advance its guest experience with the addition of guest mobile app and staff-facing software by Intelity.