GAMING News
The One Decision That Can Insure Your Tribe’s Future
BOOTH #2206
By Tina Duncan, Director of Business Development, AMERIND
For tribal enterprises, long-term economic strength is shaped by a series of decisions, many of them made quietly behind the scenes Even small choices can have lasting consequences, either supporting sustainable growth or creating unnecessary obstacles Selecting the right insurance carrier is one of those decisions that is often underestimated, especially in a marketplace with companies that appear to offer similar coverage. The reality is that the wrong choice can introduce significant financial and operational strain.
AMERIND is the first and only 100% tribally owned insurance carrier for a reason Founded 40 years ago by tribes, for tribes, AMERIND was created to protect tribal people and communities, tribal assets and tribal sovereignty at a time when few others would
Today, AMERIND is a leading insurance carrier for workers’ compensation and tribal government and business coverage because it understands a fundamental truth: workers’ compensation in Indian Country is not governed by a single rulebook Tribal lands do not universally follow state law, and there is no single ordinance
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts has selected Tangam Systems, the leader in table games and slot floor optimization software, along with its Client Success team, to enhance operational efficiency and further enrich the guest experience at its Durant, Oklahoma, property Tangam’s software and services deliver real-time analytics and operational recommendations, proven at scale globally to help casino operators optimize casino floor performance, align staffing and floor layouts with player demand, and strengthen brand leadership in competitive gaming markets
Enhancing Operations and Empowering Teams
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts also has a long history of implementing innovative solutions to advance gaming operations while delivering exceptional patron experiences.
“Our focus is to equip our teams with the right tools and insight to make faster, more consistent decisions on the floor Tangam’s analytics will help us translate operational data into meaningful insights, enabling smarter decisions that strengthen loyalty, enhance satisfaction and support our long-term growth objectives,” says Heidi Grant, Senior Executive Officer, Commerce Division, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
BOOTH #1910
A m e r i c a a n d a
l e a d e r i n t h e s p e -
c i a l t y a r e a s o f t r i b a l
b u s i n e s s e n t e r p r i s -
e s , i n c l u d i n g g a mi n g , a l t e r n a t i v e
e n e r g y , c o n s t r u c -
t i o n a n d h o u s i n g
a u t h o r i t i e s I n a d d i -
t i o n t o i t s l o n g s t a n d i n g p r e s e n c e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , T r i b a l F i r s t p r o v i d e s a
b e s t - i n - c l a s s i n s u r a n c e a n d c o n s u l t i n g s o l u t i o n s t o C a n a d a ’ s F i r s t N a t i o n s v i a i t s
platform that compiles and maintains structured data on
IGT Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Wheel of Fortune Slots
IGT, a global gaming leader, announces the 30th anniversary of the wildly pop-
u l a r W h e e l o f F o r t u n e S l o t s g a m e Famous for awarding players $1 mil-
l i o n - p l u s l i f e - c h a n g i n g j a c k p o t s a n d the familiar "Wheel-Of-Fortune!" chant that can be heard across a casino floor, Wheel of Fortune Slots is credited for changing the casino experience as the gaming industry's first licensed slots game
T o r e c o g n i z e t h i s m o n u m e n t a l
m i l e s t o n e , I G T k i c k e d off a multi-month cele-
b r a t i o n t h a t i n c l u d e s new product launches,
c o a s t - t o - c o a s t i n - c a s i -
n o c e l e b r a t i o n s , c o ntests run via Instagram
a n d F a c e b o o k , s l o t s
i n f l u e n c e r c o l l a b o r a -
t i o n s , a n e w c r e a t i v e
c a m p a i g n , a w e e k o f integrations to be fea-
t u r e d o n " W h e e l o f Fortune" and more.
"For three decades, IGT's Wheel of Fortune
S l o t s h a v e c a p t i v a t e d
s l o t s p l a y e r s a r o u n d the world and earned a reputation for deliveri n g w o r l d - c l a s s e n t e r -
t a i n m e n t c o m b i n e d
Carnival Cruise Line, IGT's Spin and Sail Cruise empowers select casinos across the United States to reward players
w
Carnival Jubilee[R], where travelers will compete in a slot tournament with a $1 million prize pool Players also have the
c
November Spin and Sail Cruise via contests run on the IGT Jackpots Facebook a n d I G T G a m i n g N o r
America Instagram pages "Our longstanding
w i t h h u g e j a c k p o t s i n c a s i n o s a n d
o n l i n e , " s a i d H e c t o r F e r n a n d e z , I G T
i n c o m i n g C h i e f E x e c u t i v e
Officer "Through our relationship with Sony Pictures Television and Carnival Cruise Line[R], IGT created a robust campaign for 2026 that honors the legacy of Wheel of Fortune Slots, while rewarding players and delivering value to our customers worldwide "
A highly anticipated element of the campaign is IGT's "Spin and Sail Cruise " Presented in partnership with
has been
remarkable
BetWright Announces Sponsorship with Sky Sports Racing
BetWright announced a new sponsor-
brand’s presence within horse racing and expanding its reach across one of the sport’s most widely viewed broadcast platforms
BetWright sponsor idents will feature within Sky Sports Racing’s live U K racing coverage, aligning the brand with one of the U K and Ireland’s leading horse racing broadcasters
The agreement marks another step i n B
IGT's Wheel of Fortune
S
leader that resonates with a wide audience,
enduring commitment to the franchise
IGT licenses the exclusive rights to the legendary Wheel of Fortune brand across gaming, lottery, iGaming and iLottery, and non-exclusive rights to distribute Wheel of Fortune content for free-to-play social casinos, from Sony Pictures Television, which owns and produces the long-running television program
igtjackpots com
Bally’s Brings Las Vegas to Newcastle with Re-Launch of First U.K. Flagship Casino
Newcastle is about to experience a taste of Las Vegas as Bally’s officially relaunches its first U.K. flagship casino at The Gate in the heart of the city center. Following significant investment in a striking interior design and cuttingedge facilities, Bally’s Casino Newcastle o f f e r s a l u
entertainment destination As a globally recognized brand, Bally’s enters the U.K. market and becomes part of the Newcastle community.
Bally’s Casino Newcastle has been designed to be the beating heart of the
city center’s nightlife, delivering a complete entertainment experience under one roof.
G u e s
exciting range of new features including slots, live gaming tables, 38 electronic roulette terminals and a dedicated poker room The casino also boasts 4 4 s c r e
throughout the venue, with dedicated sports viewing areas and giant screens to ensure fans never miss a moment of the action. The venue also features an
across major sports media partnerships as the company looks to connect with racing fans through premium coverage of the sport
Partnership Statement
Chris Dilley, Sales Director of Sky Sports Racing added, “It’s fantastic to welcome BetWright as a sponsor partner to Sky Sports Racing. We look forward to working with the team and growing the profile of the brand as we continue t o d e l i v e r t o p c l a s s c o v e r a g e a n d engagement with a loyal and passionate betting audience ”
BetWright’s Vision
D a v i d M a t t h e w s , C h i e f E x e c u t i v e Officer of BetWright, said, “Horse racing is at the heart of British sport, so partnering with Sky Sports Racing is a natural fit for BetWright Their coverage brings the sport to life for fans every
from lunchtime until 3 a
guests and extended opening hours – moving to 24hour operation. W i t h r e
Bally’s Casino Newcastle is set to become a major new destination for entertainment in the city
day, and we’re excited to align our brand with a broadcaster that shares our passion for racing. As we continue to grow, partnerships like this help us move in the Wright direction, connecting BetWright with racing audiences across the U K and Ireland ” The partnership further strengthe n s B
across the U K sports landscape follow-
agreements. The U.K.-licensed online betting and gaming platform launched
of the
growing betting brands in the market
betwright
Bally’s Casino Newcastle, said, “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing the B a l l y ’
launching our first U K flagship venue in such a vibrant city Having overseen this amazing refurb, I can genuinely say it is phenomenal ”
Caesars Entertainment Launches First-Ever Branded Version of ReelPlay’s Popular Hypernova Megaways Slot
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. announced
t h e l a u n c h o f C a e s a r s P a l a c e
H y p e r n o v a M e g a w a y s ™ , t h e f i r s t branded version of ReelPlay’s hit slot game, Hypernova Megaways The slot title is now available exclusively on
C a e s a r s P a l a c e O n l i n e C a s i n o a n d Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in New J e r s e y , M i c h i g a n , P e n n s y l v a n i a a n d Ontario via Light & Wonder.
This exclusive launch marks another milestone in Caesars’ strategy to deliver exclusive branded content that differentiates its digital platforms and enhances player engagement
“This launch reflects our focus on creating distinctive experiences for our p l a y e r s , ” s a i d M a t t h e w S u n d e r l a n d ,
S e n i o r V i c e P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f
i G a m i n g O f f i c e r a t C a e s a r s D i g i t a l
“ H y p e r n o v a M e g a w a y s i s a p r o v e n favorite, and bringing a Caesars-branded version to market shows how we’re c o m b i n i n g t r u s t e d t i t l e s w i t h t h e
C a e s a r s n a m e t o d e l i v e r s o m e t h i n g unique and memorable.”
“ H y p e r n o v a M e g a w a y s h a s l o n g
b e e n a b e l o v e d c l a s s i c w i t h l a s t i n g
a p p e a l , a n d i t s s t r o n
ReelPlay first launched Hypernova Megaways in Europe in 2018 to immediate success, later expanding the franchise with Atlantis Megaways and Big Bucks Bandit Megaways The company has since introduced proprietary series like Infinity Reels™ and 10K WAYS™, widely adopted across regulated global operators.
e x p e r i e n c e t h a t f e a t u r e s C a e s a r s -
b r a n d e d g a m e s , t i m e l e s s c a s i n o c l a s -
s i c s a n d u n i q u e t i t l e s f r o m t o p
p r o v i d e r s E a c h p l a t f o r m i n t e g r a t e s C a e s a r s R e w a r d s ® , t h e c o m -
p a n y ' s i n d u s t r y - l e a d i n g l o y a l t y p r o -
g r a m , a l l o w i n g p l a y e r s i n t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s t o e a r n C a e s a r s R e w a r d s
C r e d i t s r e d e e m a b l e f o r u n f o r g e t t a b l e
e x p e r i e n c e s a t m o r e t h a n 5 0 w o r l d -
c l a s s C a e s a r s R e w a r d s d e s t i n a t i o n s
a c r o s s N o r t h A m e r i c a
Caesars Entertainment is an indust r y l e a d e r i n R e s p o n s i b l e G a m i n g ,
k n o w n f o r p i o n e e r i n g R e s p o n s i b l e
Gaming awareness and education. In 1989, Caesars became the first comm e r c i a l c a s i n o c o m p a n y t o a d d r e s s problem gambling by launching the i n d u s t r y ’ s f i r s t R e s p o n s i b l e G a m i n g program, Project 21 Today, the company’s commitment to ensuring all players are aware of Responsible Gaming resources remains steadfast and spans all of Caesars’ digital platforms and w o r l d - c l a s s d e s t i n a t i o n s i n w h i c h i t o p e r a t e s C a e s a r s E n t e r t a i n m e n t p r o u d l y e n f o r c e s a n e n h a n c e d 2 1 + gaming policy that prevents individuals under the age of 21 from using Caesars Rewards and restricts access to i t s g a m i n g p r o d u c t s f o r i n d i v i d u a l s under the age of 21.
o a n d W e s t V i r g i n i a ,
o f f e r i n g a d y n a m i c o n l i n e c a s i n o
Tribal Leaders Warn of Threat from Unregulated Prediction Markets at UINO Quarterly Meeting
Country organizations gathered at the
o n s o f O k l a h o m a ( U I N O ) M a r c h Q u
r l y M e e t i n g a t River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa for a roundtable discussion addressing the growing threat of unregulated prediction market wagering and its potential impact on tribal sovereignty and the lawful gaming industry
The discussion, led by the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), centered on the expansion of so-called prediction m a r k e t s t h a t a r e o p e r a t i n g i l l e g a l l y under federal commodities law and on the role of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in permitting platforms to offer contracts linked to sports and other real-world events Tribal leaders expressed concerns that these contracts act as gambling but function outside the established regulatory systems that oversee tribal and state gaming.
Roundtable participants included Christie Modlin, Secretary of the Indian
Gambling Council in Ontario, Canada, w
achieve the highest standards for their Responsible Gaming practices Just a few months later, the company was a
Corporate Social Responsibility
About Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
C a e s a r s E n
largest casino-entertainment company in the United States and one of the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment providers. Since its beginning i n R e n o , N
Entertainment, Inc has grown through development of new resorts, expan-
Entertainment, Inc offers diversified gaming, entertainment and hospitality amenities, one-of-a-kind destinations, and a full suite of mobile and online
ences All tied to its industry-leading Caesars Rewards loyalty program, the company focuses on building value with its guests through a unique combination of impeccable service, operational excellence and technology leadership.
Oklahoma; Larry Wright, Jr., Executive
Director of the National Congress of
National Tribal Gaming Regulators and Commissioners
IGA leadership briefed tribal leaders on the rapidly evolving national response to prediction market platforms and the growing coalition of tribal governments, states, and gaming organizations working to address the issue
t one of the most successful and responsibly regulated gaming industries in the world,” said Jason Giles, Executive
D i r e c t o r o f
attempting to offer sports event contracts outside the established gaming regulatory framework threaten tribal sovereignty, consumer protections and t h e e c o n
Country is working together with our partners across the gaming industry
a
ensure these activities cannot bypass the law ”
The discussion highlighted several recent developments in Congress. On
In March 2024, Caesars Sportsbook r e c
March 4, 2026, Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) introduced an amendm e n t d u r i n g t h e H o u s e A g r i c u l t u r e
C o m m i t t e e ’ s m a r k u p o f t h e F a r m , Food, and National Security Act of 2026 t o r e a f f i r m t h a t f e d e r a l l y r e g u l a t e d d e r i v a t i v e e x c h a n g e s c a n n o t o f f e r event contracts tied to sporting events or casino-style gambling.
Continued outreach has been unwavering. Last week, the Indian Gaming Association, along with the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA), issued a unified statement supporting the amendment, emphasizing that federal commodities law should not be used as a backdoor to authorize unlicensed sports betting nationwide
A d d i t i o n a l b i p a r t i s a n l e g i s l a t i o n introduced by Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) would strengthen federal oversight of prediction markets by directing the C o m m o d i t y F u t u r e s T r a d i n g
C o m m i s s i o n t o p r o h i b i t e v e n t c o ntracts tied to sports, elections, terrorism and other activities where contracts function as gambling rather than legitimate financial instruments
“Tribal leaders across the country are speaking with one voice on this issue,” said Christie Modlin, Secretary of t h e I n d i a n G a m i n g A s s o c i a t i o n . “Prediction markets represent a clear attempt to sidestep the laws that govern gaming in the United States Tribal
caesars com
that protect consumers and support tribal communities We will continue working with Congress, states and our industry partners to ensure those protections are not undermined ”
Indian Country is working in partnership with tribal governments, national o
Congress of American Indians, regional
state leaders to build a coordinated national response
The legal and regulated gaming industry supports hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity nationwide, including more than $44 billion in tribal gaming revenue that funds tribal governments and essential services across Indian Country Tribal leaders warned that allowing unregulated prediction markets to operate nation-
systems and threaten the
tribal communities
The roundtable discussion at the UINO quarterly meeting reflects the growing unity among tribal governm
gaming industry partners to defend tribal sovereignty and ensure that all
frameworks
or regulatory framework that applies a c r o s s a l l t r i b a l n a t i o n s B e c a u s e AMERIND is 100% tribally owned and operated, it understands this reality from the inside.
Rather than relying on standardi z e d a s s u m p t i o n s o r o n e - s i z e - f i t s - a l l programs, AMERIND takes the time to understand each tribe’s specific laws, governance structure and operational needs That approach allows coverage to be tailored thoughtfully for each Native gaming enterprise and tribal business, ensuring workers’ compensation programs align with how those
Tribal First’s mission is twofold: To help you preserve your heritage and to protect your future. By focusing exclu-
SlotCatalog (Cont’d from p 1)
• S a t u r a t e d r e l e a s e c y c l e s – N e w titles appear constantly, competing for lobby space
• Short attention spans – Players expect games to feel clear and responsive within seconds.
• Volatility balance – Risk, pacing, and reward frequency must align with expectations
• M e a s u r a b l e e n g a g e m e n t –Session length, replay rate, and feature use show what keeps players returning Uncrossable Rush follows this logic. It is an instant-format game inspired by CrossyRun mechanics, where players guide Eggwina across traffic lanes, col-
Tangam Systems and the Solution
For over 20 years, Tangam Systems has supported casino operators in making r e a l - t i m e , d a t a - b a c k e d d e c i s i o n s t o enhance the table game experience through actionable recommendations that help align table game mix, open hours and pricing to demand. Tangam i s t r u s t e d n o t o n l y f o r i t s s o f t w a r e f o c u s e d o n t a b l e g a m e s ( T Y M ) a n d slots (SODA), but also for its extensive team of experienced casino operators, comprising the Client Success team that supports over 200 casinos globally
Achieving Key Operational Goals
“At Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, our table games teams are deeply committed to creating an engaging and seaml e s s e x p e r i e n c e f o r e v e r y g u e s t Partnering with Tangam allows us to bring clearer, more actionable insights to our operations, helping our team respond faster, align with guest prefere n c e s , a n d o p t i m i z e p e r f o r m a n c e across our gaming floor,” said James Gutierrez, Senior Director Table Games of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
operations truly function W o r k e r s ’ c o m p e n s a t i o n r e m a i n s one of the most significant risks facing new and growing tribal enterprises. When not properly structured, claims can escalate quickly and create lasting financial impact Selecting an insurance carrier that provides guidance on prevention, reporting and claims management before injuries occur is essential. When designed correctly, workers’ compensation programs protect both the business and its employees in a way that is ethical, proactive and sustainable T h e r e ’ s
owned company can truly understand
sively on serving Native America, Tribal First has a deep understanding of the many diverse cultures employed by tribally owned and operated organizations and will structure insurance pro-
lect multipliers and decide when to cash out Fast rounds, rising difficulty and repeatable patterns support quick, replayable sessions
About the Collaboration
SlotCatalog operates as an analytics platform tracking slot mechanics, availability and market activity across a large catalogue of games Evoplay is an international studio producing slots and instant titles for online casino operators The work on Uncrossable Rush marks SlotCatalog's first co-development project and introduces external research directly into the design process.
From SlotCatalog's analytical perspective, the goal was to build a game
Table Games Yield Management ( T Y M ) p r o v
o n s teams with real-time and predictive insights into table games, enabling a more responsive and efficient gaming floor By delivering clear, actionable recommendations, TYM helps operators optimize table spreads, table minimums, and the number of open tables in alignment with actual and forecaste d p l a y e
n g improved operational efficiency and a m
insights that help reduce table congestion and improve dealer coverage during peak periods or special events.
T Y M i s d
operations and improve service quality through advanced simulation and f o r e c a s t i n g t o o l s O p e
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts can use data-driven modeling tools to evalu-
demand scenarios while continuing to support existing shift-bid processes. The solution also helps teams identify and quantify where additional capacity is needed from a floor layout pers p e c t i v e , i n c l u d i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o adjust table mix to better align with
what makes other tribal businesses tick and how to provide the tools to prom o t e t h e i r s u c c e s s . W i t h A M E R I N D , every dollar from policy premiums supports a tribally owned company directly and that is why the organization is dedicated to giving back through extra educational and training resources But that is just the start
AMERIND is dedicated to saving tribes and their enterprises money so that they too can reinvest those savings in the growth of tribal business across the nation Collectively, tribes are standing together to protect one another and spark growth nationwide by setting their businesses up for suc-
grams tailored to safeguard both your operations and your employees Tribal nations are embarking on a new era of success and sophistication Tribal First is here to make sure you are well pro-
around proven engagement factors rather than novelty alone Evoplay translated those insights into a fast, easy-toread format designed for repeat play
Uncrossable Rush
Key Characteristics
• Format: Instant game
• C o r e m e c h a n i c : C r o s s y R u n - s t y l e lane crossing with multipliers and cashout choice
• Volatility: Adjustable risk as difficulty rises
• RTP: 96%
• Target audience: Players who prefer short sessions and quick decisions
• Mobile compatibility: Optimized for smartphones and tablets
player demand.
T h e e n h a n c e m e n t s e n a b l e d b y
TYM will support Choctaw Casinos & Resorts’ continued focus on strengthening brand leadership and differentiation through delivering superior operat i o n a l e x e c u t i o n a n d f l o o r p e r f o r mance
“Choctaw Casinos & Resorts has a strong operating culture and a clear f o c u s o n p e r f o r m a n c e , ” s a y s A r i M i z r a c h i , S e n i o r V i c e P r e s i
t a n d H e a d o f N o r t h A m e r i c
B u s i n e s s a t Tangam Systems “We appreciate their t r u s t i n o u r a b i l i t y t o s u p p o r t t h a t vision by helping them have the right game available to the right customer at the right time.”
About Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
Owned and operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with almost 230,000 tribal members and 13,000 employees Choctaw Casinos & Resorts features a variety of gaming, hotel and resort properties throughout s o u t h e a s t e r n O k l a h o m a , i n c l u d i n g D u r a n t , G r a n t , P o c o l a , H o c h
Stringtown
cess from the start with AMERIND If you are considering a change, start by speaking with your insurance broker about bringing an AMERIND option to the table If AMERIND is not part of that conversation, it may be worth asking why Your broker can help determine whether AMERIND is the right fit for your tribe’s goals, structure and future Visit amerind com for resources, to learn more and speak with a real person about your tribe’s business goals today.
www amerind com, call 505 859 6618 or stop by booth #2206
tected on the journey
For more information, go to www tribal first com, call 800 552 8922 or stop by booth #1910.
Looking Ahead
With more games entering the market, studios face pressure to keep releases both familiar and relevant The collabo-
d Evoplay suggests a practical direction forward, where research becomes part of the groundwork rather than a tool used only after launch U n c r o s s a
mindset The project shows how established formats can be refined through i n f o
n experience that feels deliberate, accessible, and suited to today's players. F
slotcatalog com
About Tangam Systems
Tangam Systems is a leading provider o f r e c o m m e n d a t i o n - d r i v e n a n a l y t i c s and optimization software for table games and slot operations Trusted by more than 200 casinos worldwide, with over 95% client retention for more than 15 years, Tangam helps operators maximize performance through real-time recommendations, predictive analytics, and actionable insights
The TYM platform optimizes table
SODA platform delivers product recommendations and patron recommend a t i o n s , a l
heatmaps to optimize slot floor mix, settings and marketing spend, based on machine performance, location and patron preferences
T
delivers the industry’s best support, bringing experienced casino operators a n d p r o v e n b e s t p r a c
measurable results.
choctawcasinos com and www tangam systems com
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts (Cont’d. from p. 1)
Tribal First (Cont’d from p 1)
