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VSiN Names Steve Cohen as Executive Vice President of Talent and Programming

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Sports Betting Network VsiN has announced the appointment of long-time media industry executive Steve Cohen as the network’s Executive Vice President, Talent and Programming. Cohen spent the last 20 years as the Senior Vice President of Sports Programming at SiriusXM, where he built and oversaw their sports talk radio stations, including channels done in collaboration with all professional sports leagues. He will join VSiN leadership in working to rapidly expand sponsorship, distribution, and audience, while continuing to deliver the most credible content sports bettors can find anywhere.

“With more than 37 years under his belt, Steve is one of the most respected and innovative executives in the media business and was key in VSiN’s original launch on SiriusXM. Having launched more than a dozen sports talk radio stations, including SiriusXM NFL Radio and Mad Dog Sports Radio following a successful 17-year career in terrestrial radio, it’s hard to find a media leader with more experience giving an audience exactly what they’re looking for. He is a beloved manager with a track record of getting the best out of talent and a unique understanding of the importance of unbiased, credible information for sports bettors,” VSiN Founder Brian Musburger said.

With a focus on delivering superior sports betting programming, Cohen will identify new talent, strengthen the network’s lineup, and create additional content for broader distribution. The network will leverage his decades of experience across sports and media channels to support VSiN’s mission of delivering sports news, analysis and insights that bettors use to help make more informed betting decisions.

“Since I first met the team back in 2015, I’ve known that they were building something special. I’m excited to join a group that has always been at the forefront of the sports betting industry and look forward to the opportunity to leverage my experience creating content across every sport and medium to deliver an exceptional product that satisfies the content needs of all sports fans, especially those who wager on sports,” said Cohen.

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Cohen joined SiriusXM in 2004 and, as Senior Vice President of Sports Programming, he built and oversaw the company’s sports news and talk programs on all of SiriusXM’s sports channels, including the hiring of talent, show development and production. He led the development and launch of first-of-their-kind dedicated league-partnered sports radio channels like SiriusXM NFL Radio, SiriusXM NBA Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. In addition, Cohen and his team built and programmed SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, SiriusXM College Sports Radio, SiriusXM FC, SiriusXM Fight Nation, the all-sports Mad Dog Sports Radio channel, as well as individual channels dedicated to the Power Five college conferences. He oversaw MLB Network Radio, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channels since the merger of Sirius and XM in 2008. He was also responsible for overseeing all live play-by-play programming available to SiriusXM listeners, including NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, golf, college sports, international soccer, horse racing and more.

Before joining SiriusXM, Cohen worked at WFAN Sports Radio in New York, where he served as the Executive Producer for both the New York Jets Radio Network and New York Giants Radio Network. He was among the pioneers of the fantasy sports industry when he founded the Pro Football News and Injury Report in the early 1990s and was inducted into the Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. In addition to his hosting on WFAN, Sirius XM, Westwood One and Fox Sports Radio, he has written for several print and digital outlets, including ESPN.com, the New York Daily News, New Haven Register, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Newark Star-Ledger.

Recently Cohen was honored as the recipient of the 2024 Jeff Smulyan Award given by Barrett Media. Cohen oversaw programming that won multiple Cynopsis and Ad-Week Awards for Best Radio shows and podcasts and he and his team received the 2005 Eclipse Award.

A graduate of the University of Arizona, Cohen began his career in 1987 as a board operator and tape editor at WFAN.

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Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)

Arizona’s Tribal Gaming Contributions Reach $42.5 Million in Q2 FY2025

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The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has announced an impressive $42,508,200 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. This milestone reflects the continued growth and success of the state’s tribal gaming industry, achieved through strong collaboration between the state government and tribal communities.

A Record-Breaking Year for Tribal Gaming

“This achievement is a testament to the strength of the partnership between Arizona and its tribal communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of ADG. “Consecutive record quarters in FY2025 highlight our shared commitment to fostering a thriving gaming industry. Since FY2004, total tribal contributions have exceeded $2.3 billion, significantly benefiting the state and its residents.”

Supporting Arizona’s Communities

The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88% of tribal gaming contributions, channeling these funds into key areas that directly impact the state’s residents and natural resources. The Q2 FY2025 contributions will be allocated as follows:

  • Instructional Improvement in Schools: $21,186,087
  • Trauma and Emergency Services: $10,593,043
  • Wildlife Conservation: $3,026,584
  • Tourism Promotion: $3,026,584
  • Problem Gambling Education, Treatment, and Prevention: $850,164
  • ADG Operating Costs: $3,825,738

These contributions reflect the state’s commitment to using tribal gaming revenue for meaningful community support, from enhancing education and emergency services to preserving wildlife and promoting tourism.

A Growing Gaming Landscape

Arizona currently hosts 26 Class III casinos, regulated under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact. These casinos contribute a percentage of their gross gaming revenue to the Arizona Benefits Fund as well as to cities, towns, and counties. This model of tribal-state collaboration has proven instrumental in bolstering local economies and funding critical programs.

About the Arizona Department of Gaming

Founded in 1995, ADG is Arizona’s regulatory authority overseeing tribal gaming, racing, event wagering, and more. Beyond regulation, ADG is deeply committed to problem gambling education, offering support and resources to affected individuals and families through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

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Looking Ahead

As tribal gaming contributions continue to break records, the partnership between Arizona’s government and tribal communities stands as a model for sustainable growth and mutual benefit. These contributions not only fuel essential state programs but also underscore the lasting value of collaboration in driving economic and social progress.

For a detailed breakdown of contributions by year and further information, visit the Arizona Department of Gaming’s official website.

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Soft2Bet has been nominated in 6 categories at the EGR Europe Awards 2025

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Soft2Bet, a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, is proud to have been shortlisted in six categories, including the prominent ‘European Software Provider’ and ‘European ESG Initiative of the Year.’

In addition to these accolades, three Soft2Bet brands, which operate across B2B and B2C verticals under 13 licenses, also secured nominations in several categories:

  • Betinia: Nominated as The Nordics and Baltics – Rising Star for its innovative online sportsbook and casino offerings, featuring competitive odds and an extensive range of betting markets designed to captivate its growing audience.
  • CampoBet: Contending for the prestigious Nordics and Baltics – Operator of the Year award, reflecting its comprehensive platform and dedication to serving the needs of betting enthusiasts in Denmark and beyond.
  • se: Receiving dual nominations for The Nordics and Baltics – Rising Star and Nordics and Baltics – Operator of the Year for its focus on mobile-first design, smooth user experience, and diverse selection of live casino and sports betting options.

Oksana Tsyhankova, Soft2Bet’s CMO, commented: “Our brands’ strong performance throughout the year has been highlighted by key industry awards, reaffirming our success in localisation and delivering exceptional results in every market we serve.”

The EGR Europe Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry. They celebrate innovation, operational excellence, and exceptional contributions. This year’s nominations reaffirm Soft2Bet’s reputation as a leader in performance and innovation while emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and responsible gaming.

 

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About Soft2Bet

Soft2Bet is a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider that delivers high-quality products and services for online gambling operators. The company is known for its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), which has been proven to enhance retention and engagement. Soft2Bet has deployed numerous successful iGaming brands and has over 14 global licences.

The post Soft2Bet has been nominated in 6 categories at the EGR Europe Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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DEVILFISH SOCIAL POKER ANNOUNCES EVENBET GAMING PARTNERSHIP

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DevilFish Poker, the pioneering creator of the free-to-play social community poker game, proudly announces its strategic partnership with EvenBet Gaming to develop cutting-edge social poker software.

The DevilFish Social Poker brand has witnessed remarkable growth over the past two quarters of 2024, fuelled by the resurgence of social-based Web3 poker on a global scale. Current industry statistics indicate that the social free-to-play market is valued at $8 billion and is projected to expand by over 8% annually. The alliance with EvenBet Gaming, a leader in poker software innovation, positions the DevilFish brand to accelerate their reach across multiple international markets.

JJ Williams, Co-Founder of W3 Marketing Ltd and Devilfish Poker, confidently stated, “The growth of social poker and free-to-play models has been undeniable in recent years. We are witnessing a revitalization of interest in poker from a diverse range of digital natives eager to engage in community gameplay and the latest Web3 innovations—such as avatars, skins, traits, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and digital ownership.

Our brand is uniquely positioned, enriched by its legacy in the online poker scene and its association with the late David A. ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott, a member of the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame. Our highly engaged community represents the next generation of social poker players and followers across social media and community platforms like Discord, X and Mastodon.

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Selecting EvenBet Gaming as a strategic partner was a critical and confident choice; they possess a deep understanding of the synergy between traditional poker, social poker, and Web3/Crypto features, allowing us to deliver unique, innovative digital products for our poker brand throughout 2025.”

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, expressed, “DevilFish embodies a powerful brand narrative within traditional online poker, and we are inspired by how the team is reimagining this digital-first/Web3 product experience.

From the ground up, JJ and his team have successfully built an engaged community and revitalized the gaming franchise for today’s digital players—those who have evolved with social media, crypto, gamification, and digital asset ownership. Our vision, like DevilFish is global, and my mission is to expand our poker software innovation and platform, and support JJ and his team execute their global plans, for category dominance.”

The post DEVILFISH SOCIAL POKER ANNOUNCES EVENBET GAMING PARTNERSHIP appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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