MGM Resorts executives have made bold claims about their under-construction Osaka casino, suggesting it could challenge Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands as the world’s premier integrated resort. Speaking at the JP Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant, and Leisure Management Access Forum, MGM’s leadership painted an ambitious picture of their first Japanese venture.

Eye-Watering Revenue Projections

CFO Jonathan Halkyard didn’t hold back. MGM Osaka could become the largest and most successful integrated resort globally since Marina Bay Sands opened, he reckons. That’s quite the statement when you consider Marina Bay Sands has essentially written the playbook for premium integrated resorts in Asia.

CEO Bill Hornbuckle backed up his CFO’s optimism with concrete projections. He suggested the property could generate up to $2 billion in annual cash flow, benefiting from monopoly status in Japan for at least the first few years. That exclusivity window gives MGM a significant head start before any competitors enter the market.

Location Advantages Over Macau

Hornbuckle highlighted a geographical edge that many have overlooked. Osaka sits closer to Shanghai and Beijing than Macau does, potentially positioning it to siphon off some of the Chinese gaming tourism that has traditionally flowed to Macau’s casino floors.

The strategy makes sense. Chinese players won’t need to navigate the specific entry requirements for Macau. Plus, Japan offers a completely different cultural experience alongside high-end gaming facilities. Whether that’s enough to genuinely challenge Macau’s entrenched position, well, we’ll see. The logic is sound though.

Streaming Slots at Park MGM

In separate news, MGM secured approval for a novel concept at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Players will be able to record and stream their slot sessions, tapping into the same audience that watches gaming content on Twitch and YouTube.

The property’s proximity to T-Mobile Arena isn’t coincidental.

MGM is clearly targeting the crossover between traditional gaming enthusiasts and the younger demographic that consumes hours of streamed gaming content. It’s an interesting play to modernize the casino floor experience, though the practical value for players remains to be determined.

The real test will be whether streaming your slot session actually enhances the experience or just adds novelty without substance. Time will tell if this becomes standard across the industry or remains a niche offering.

A Massachusetts lottery player has claimed the state’s biggest prize of 2026 so far, collecting $25 million from a $50 scratch card game called “$25,000,000 Mega Money.” The ticket was purchased at Cumberland Farms in Turners Falls, but the winner’s identity remains unknown after claiming through a legal trust.

Trust Claim Keeps Winner Anonymous

The Open Door Trust of Boston, represented by trustee Renat Lumpau, handled the claim on behalf of the winner. Lumpau opted for the lump sum payout of $16.25 million before taxes rather than the full amount paid over time. The Cumberland Farms store at 10 Montague City Road received a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Massachusetts doesn’t typically allow lottery winners to remain anonymous, but there’s a loophole. Winners can set up a trust, have a trustee submit the ticket, and collect the funds on their behalf. Only the trustee’s name becomes public record, not the actual winner’s.

Pretty clever, really.

Mark William Bracken, executive director of the Massachusetts State Lottery, confirmed that more big prize winners are using this approach. The trend toward trust claims has been growing in recent years as winners look for privacy and security.

Strong Start for Massachusetts Lottery in 2026

The $25 million win leads a series of hefty claims this year. The second biggest was $5 million from a “$5,000,000 100X Cashword 2024” ticket sold at a Mobil station in Uxbridge, claimed on January 20.

Recent days have seen more big wins. A $1 million prize was claimed Thursday from a “$2,000,000 50X Cashword 2024” ticket bought at Sids Smoke Shop in Boston. A $250,000 prize came from a “$250,000 Winter Winnings” ticket sold at a Speedway in Spencer. Another winner collected $100,000 from a “$15,000,000 Colossal Millions” ticket purchased at Pine Tree Market in Chelmsford.

The string of high-value claims shows strong player engagement with the state’s scratch card products, particularly at the premium price points. These bigger ticket denominations continue to attract players hunting for serious jackpots.

The debate over expanding casinos beyond Atlantic City is back on the table in New Jersey. State lawmakers are pushing for a referendum that would allow casino development in northern counties, nearly a decade after voters rejected a similar proposal by a four-to-one margin.

The renewed push comes as New York prepares to open three major casino resorts, including one planned near Citi Field in Queens, just 20 miles from The Meadowlands. State Senator Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo are leading the charge, arguing that New Jersey needs to protect its gambling market from operators across the river.

Racetracks Eye Full Casino Licenses

Operators of Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park Racetrack are backing the expansion plans. Both venues already offer sports betting and horse racing, and their owners reckon the existing infrastructure makes them natural candidates for full casino licenses.

The logic is straightforward.

Gambling already happens at these locations. Adding table games and slots would simply expand what’s already there, while keeping New Jersey gamblers in-state rather than letting them drift to new New York venues.

Atlantic City Pushes Back

Atlantic County leaders are having none of it. Mayor Marty Small Sr. and regional officials warn that new competition would undermine years of post-pandemic recovery. Atlantic City’s casino industry remains fragile, and diverting gamblers to northern venues could destabilise the entire southern market.

The proposed legislation attempts to soften the blow. At least 10% of tax revenue from any northern casinos would flow to Atlantic City for tourism and economic development. Whether that’s enough to win over southern stakeholders, we’ll see.

Broader Questions About Revenue Distribution

Atlantic County executive Dennis Levinson has raised another issue entirely. He argues that the financial burden of casino-related programs shouldn’t fall solely on Atlantic County taxpayers. If the gambling industry benefits the entire state, all 21 counties should contribute to supporting it.

Fair point, actually. The current arrangement concentrates both the benefits and the costs in one region, which creates political tensions when expansion gets discussed.

What Happens Next

The political situation remains uncertain. Voters rejected casino expansion decisively in 2016, and there’s no guarantee they’ll feel differently now. But with New York rolling out major new venues, New Jersey lawmakers clearly feel the competitive pressure.

The question isn’t whether competition from New York will impact New Jersey’s gambling market. It will.

The question is whether expanding northward represents the right response, or whether it risks cannibalising Atlantic City without actually solving the underlying problem. If this goes to referendum, expect a fierce campaign on both sides.

Arizona has become the latest US state to confront prediction market platforms operating in its jurisdiction, with gaming officials warning consumers about platforms that sidestep traditional licensing requirements.

Suzanne Trainor from the Arizona Department of Gaming put it plainly: licensed sportsbooks follow the rules, prediction markets don’t. “These prediction markets are not working by the same rules, the same framework as others,” she said.

The Core Issue

The department’s concern centres on consumer protection. Traditional sportsbooks operating in Arizona are licensed, regulated, and subject to oversight. Prediction markets, meanwhile, position themselves as financial instruments rather than gambling products. Which means they operate in a regulatory grey area.

That distinction matters when things go wrong. “If someone is thinking, you know, I didn’t get my money from this app, they might call a state regulator, an office like us. And we’re actually not able to, in many cases, help them right away because we don’t have that relationship. They’re not regulated and licensed,” Trainor explained.

The problem isn’t just theoretical. These platforms handle what looks, walks, and quacks like sports betting, but without the consumer safeguards that licensed operators must provide.

Part of a Broader Movement

Arizona isn’t acting alone. States across the political spectrum have moved against prediction markets. Utah’s governor Spencer Cox is expected to sign legislation banning them outright, which is hardly surprising given Utah’s stance on gambling generally.

More telling is the opposition from traditionally liberal gaming states. Nevada, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have all taken action against prediction market platforms.

When you’ve got agreement from that range of jurisdictions, it suggests the concerns are real rather than ideological.

Tribal gaming groups have also raised objections, arguing the sector threatens their sovereignty over gaming within their territories.

Federal Regulators Stepping In

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is working on new regulations to clarify what prediction markets can legally offer. Sports event contracts appear to be the sticking point. Makes sense, given that’s where the line between financial instrument and sports bet becomes decidedly blurry.

Trainor emphasised that Arizona isn’t trying to kill the sector. The goal is proper regulation that puts prediction markets on the same footing as licensed sportsbooks. That means consumer protections, regulatory oversight, and clear rules of engagement.

For now, Arizona consumers using prediction market platforms should understand they’re operating without the safety net that comes with licensed gaming. If something goes wrong, the state regulator can’t necessarily help you sort it out.

That’s not scaremongering. Just the reality of how these platforms currently operate.

A Providence police detective has been suspended without pay following an alcohol-fueled incident at Bally’s Twin River Casino that saw him threaten staff and clash with responding officers.

Detective Gary Slater visited the Lincoln, Rhode Island property last October and became heavily intoxicated during his visit, according to investigative reporting by Target 12. Casino staff reported that Slater made threats against employees, with one witness telling reporters he “wanted to kill everybody.”

Family members who accompanied Slater attempted to calm the situation. Didn’t work. The detective refused to sign an eviction notice and carried on his aggressive behaviour toward casino personnel. Security called in local police to remove him from the premises.

Confrontation with Fellow Officers

Body camera footage captured Slater’s arrest, showing him swearing at responding officers and questioning their credentials. “How many gun arrests do you have?” he shouted at colleagues, calling them “zeros” and repeatedly citing his 27 years on the force.

The arresting officers made their position clear. Told Slater on camera that he was a “disgrace to the badge.”

Permanent Ban and Suspension

Bally’s Twin River issued a permanent ban following the incident. While no criminal charges were filed, the Providence Police Department conducted an investigation that resulted in Slater’s unpaid suspension.

Officials characterised the removal as “protective custody” rather than an arrest. Slater has since enrolled in a treatment programme while his suspension continues.

The incident highlights the challenges casino security teams face when dealing with intoxicated guests, particularly when those guests are law enforcement personnel. Worth noting how Twin River handled the situation. They prioritised staff safety and followed proper protocols by involving local police rather than attempting to manage the situation internally. Professional response all round.

Penn Entertainment will open a new hotel tower at Hollywood Casino Columbus on June 12, with 203 rooms including 20 luxury suites. The property aims to position itself as Ohio’s premier entertainment destination with the addition.

The tower is part of a broader agreement struck between Penn and Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc (GLPI) back in October 2022. That master lease deal committed GLPI to $350 million in capital improvements across multiple Penn properties—this Columbus hotel, a new M Resort tower in Nevada, and the relocated Hollywood Casino Joliet. In exchange, Penn accepted annual rent increases of 1.5% through 2033.

Fast Timeline, Regional Appeal

Construction wrapped in roughly two years. Initial estimates came in around $100 million. Penn broke ground in autumn 2023, promising the venue would become a “true regional destination” for central Ohio.

The 105,000-square-foot facility includes The Hill Eatery & Lounge, conference rooms for larger groups, outdoor seating areas, and a fitness centre. It’s designed to attract overnight guests who might previously have stayed elsewhere or skipped Columbus altogether.

Jay Snowden, Penn’s CEO and President, called the opening a milestone that establishes Hollywood Columbus as the region’s top entertainment venue. It’s the third major retail development Penn has completed in under a year, following Joliet’s new casino and the M Resort’s second tower.

Jobs and Bookings

The hotel will create approximately 100 positions. Penn has scheduled job fairs for March 27 and April 10 to fill all roles.

Room bookings open April 15 through the casino’s website, ahead of a June 12 grand opening celebration featuring an outdoor festival and concert.

Hollywood Columbus is one of four casinos operating in Ohio, alongside Jack Cleveland, Hard Rock Cincinnati, and Hollywood Toledo. Voters approved the licences through a statewide ballot in November 2009, and Penn secured the Columbus and Toledo properties shortly after.

The addition reflects Penn’s ongoing capital strategy as the company targets cost savings and operational efficiencies throughout 2026. The firm recently posted Q4 2025 results showing discipline on spending while investing selectively in high-return projects like this tower.

For Columbus, the hotel offers something the market lacked: dedicated overnight accommodation at the casino itself. That convenience factor could pull visitors from Cleveland, Cincinnati, and neighbouring states, particularly for weekend entertainment packages. Penn clearly sees value in building out its Ohio footprint. This tower signals real confidence in the state’s gaming market.

Chicago’s bid to bring video gaming terminals into neighbourhood bars and restaurants has hit unexpected opposition at City Council, where aldermen are split over whether the machines will deliver promised revenue or create more problems than they solve.

The dispute centres on terminals that have been common across Illinois for years but banned outright in Chicago. Now, as the city looks to legalise them as part of its 2026 budget strategy, several ward representatives want to block the devices from their districts entirely.

Council Overrides Ward Requests

Six aldermen introduced local ordinances to ban the machines in their wards, covering the 26th, 27th, 28th, 33rd, 35th, and 49th districts. The License Committee rejected every proposal. That caught many council members off guard.

Alderman Jason Ervin, who sought to keep the terminals out of his West Side ward, said he’d rarely seen the council override a ward-based request. Traditionally, members defer to the local alderman on issues specific to their area.

This case breaks that pattern, suggesting deeper divisions over the policy.

Budget Hopes Meet Revenue Doubts

The machines feature in Chicago’s $16.6 billion budget plan for 2026. Supporters reckon they’ll create a steady tax stream by spreading small-scale gaming across neighbourhood businesses. The theory is sound: distribute the revenue base, capture some of what currently goes to venues outside city limits.

Reality may not match the projections. Mayor Brandon Johnson and other officials have expressed doubt about the income potential. More concerning for the city’s gaming industry, Bally’s Corporation warns the move could cost Chicago up to $74 million annually and threaten over 1,000 jobs tied to its planned $1.7 billion casino resort.

That’s a real risk. The city approved Bally’s project expecting it to anchor a proper gaming destination. Flooding the market with terminals in every tavern could cannibalise that investment before it opens.

Security and Social Concerns

Several aldermen have pointed to problems in other Illinois communities where video terminals operate. Local authorities report increased burglaries targeting the machines, which hold cash and can be lucrative targets. Plus, there are concerns about problem gambling in neighbourhood settings where the barriers to play are lower.

Chicago now faces a proper balancing act. Raise revenue without undermining major casino investments, introduce new gaming options without creating security headaches, and satisfy both pro-expansion and cautious council members. The License Committee’s rejection suggests the administration wants the machines citywide, but ward-level resistance indicates this debate is far from settled.

The fundamental question remains: will these machines generate meaningful revenue, or will Chicago end up with the social costs and security concerns while watching projected income fail to materialise?

Other cities have learned that lesson the hard way. Chicago would do well to examine their experience before committing fully to this expansion.

Michael Gaughan III got his license renewal approved by Nevada’s Gaming Control Board, but not before regulators gave him a proper dressing down over months of delayed responses to financial disclosure requests. The board chairman even considered sending the matter to the state attorney general for potential disciplinary action.

Gaughan, son of veteran casino operator Michael Gaughan, appeared before the NGCB seeking approval for his ownership stake in Stockman’s Casino in Fallon. The board ultimately backed the renewal. But the hearing made one thing clear: having a famous name in Nevada gaming doesn’t exempt you from procedural scrutiny.

Months of Unanswered Requests

Board chairman Mike Dreitzer delivered the sharpest criticism during the hearing. Investigators had spent several months chasing Gaughan for updated financial documentation. Responses arrived far too slowly for the board’s liking.

The delays were particularly noteworthy because Gaughan’s last license dated back to 2011. His financial situation had changed substantially since then. Current documentation was essential for proper oversight of his casino operations.

Gaughan apologized and explained that a cyberfraud incident had compromised multiple bank accounts belonging to him and his wife. The breach forced them to reconstruct their financial history from scratch, gathering replacement documents from banks and other institutions.

Disciplinary Action Considered

Despite the explanation, Dreitzer wasn’t entirely satisfied. He raised the possibility of referring the case to the state attorney general’s office for potential disciplinary measures. The other two board members rejected that proposal. They recommended license approval without time restrictions.

The incident shows that Nevada regulators take compliance seriously, regardless of an applicant’s pedigree or connections within the industry. Transparency and timely responses remain non-negotiable.

Stockman’s Casino Acquisition

The licensing review connects to Gaughan’s role in acquiring Stockman’s Casino through Clarity Game, a company he co-owns with gaming executive David Ross. The pair bought the Fallon property from Full House Resorts in 2024 for $9.2 million. That covered both casino operations and real estate.

Stockman’s Casino has operated since 1955 and remains a local fixture. Gaughan and Ross have invested in major updates, replacing much of the gaming floor and introducing new slot machines. According to Gaughan, early results have been encouraging. The licensing approval clears the path for further investment.

The hearing serves as a reminder that Nevada’s licensing process demands attention and prompt responses. Even established gaming families can’t afford to treat regulatory requests casually. Cyberfraud or not.

Hacksaw Gaming has launched Hacksaw Ventures, an investment and acceleration arm targeting early-stage companies across the gaming ecosystem. The move follows the studio’s $400 million IPO last year. It marks a strategic shift from pure content creation to broader industry backing.

What Hacksaw Ventures Offers

The new division will focus on game studios, technology platforms, data tools, and what the company calls “next-generation entertainment concepts.” More to the point, it’s not just chequebook investing. Startups get direct access to Hacksaw’s distribution network across regulated markets, plus operational support in product development, compliance, and marketing.

That last bit matters. Getting a gaming product from concept to market takes time. The right connections can cut months off that timeline. Hacksaw operates across dozens of regulated jurisdictions, so new ventures backed by the programme immediately plug into that infrastructure.

Marcus Cordes, Operational CEO at Hacksaw Gaming, said the team understands what early-stage founders face. “We’re prepared to support visionary founders who aim to disrupt the gaming landscape,” he stated. “Companies backed by the initiative will gain direct access to an ecosystem designed for scale.”

Who They’re Looking For

Hacksaw Ventures wants growth-stage businesses with clear expansion roadmaps. The focus is on ambitious teams building scalable solutions with global reach in mind. Founders will keep control of their vision while getting strategic guidance and access to Hacksaw’s operator relationships, the company says.

It’s a logical step for a company sitting on substantial capital from last year’s IPO. Rather than just expanding its own game portfolio, Hacksaw is positioning itself as a broader industry player. Whether that translates to genuinely useful support for startups or just another corporate venture fund remains to be seen. The distribution angle gives it more teeth than most, though.

Industry Context

Hacksaw Gaming has become one of the fastest-growing content providers in iGaming. Known for high-volatility slots and distinctive visual style. The studio’s reach across regulated markets gives it real value to offer startups beyond just money. Access to operators in multiple jurisdictions is worth having when you’re trying to prove a concept works at scale.

The company hasn’t disclosed how much capital it’s allocating to the venture arm. Or how many investments it plans to make. Those details will matter when we see what Hacksaw Ventures actually backs and whether founders get meaningful support or just another line on an investor deck.

William Hill has reported its most profitable single day in Cheltenham Festival history, with the opening races on 11 March delivering exceptional returns for the operator.

The evoke-owned bookmaker saw a string of heavily-backed favourites fail to deliver. Be Aware, Majborough, No Drama This End, Romeo Coolio — all went down. When the punters’ picks don’t come in, the bookies’ tills ring. Simple as that.

Record-Breaking Results

William Hill noted that only a handful of Grand National renewals have generated bigger profits from horse racing bets. For a single day’s racing, that’s exceptional performance.

The operator projects total wagering across the four-day festival will reach around £450 million, making it the most bet-on racing event of the year. Twenty-eight races scheduled, each one attracting serious attention from punters nationwide.

The Festival Remains King

Last year, all 28 Cheltenham races ranked among the 31 most bet-on races in the UK. The festival continues to own the horse racing calendar for both engagement and wagering volume.

William Hill sponsors the County Hurdle on Gold Cup Day, keeping a visible presence throughout the event. The company described the festival as an annual showdown between bookmakers and punters, each trying to outthink the other. That’s what it is, frankly.

When multiple market leaders go down on the same day, the swing is dramatic. That’s exactly what happened on opening day, and William Hill was well-positioned to capitalise on it.

What This Means

Results like this show why major operators invest heavily in festival coverage, sponsorship, and promotional activity. High volume plus favourable results creates real value.

For the industry, Cheltenham remains the gold standard for racing engagement. Four days of premium racing, backed by serious marketing spend, delivers returns that justify the investment every time.