Ricky Grant

Ricky Grant

iGaming.org Writer Crypto/Casino/Sports
Ricky is a bitcoin enthusiast and understands the significance of cryptocurrencies not just in the iGaming industry but in society. Ricky has a particular interest in the US Casino landscape, and anything related to this. His favorite casino table games are blackjack and baccarat.

EXPERTISE

  • Crypto
  • Casino
  • US Market
  • iGaming

Ricky's latest articles


Hard Rock Fires VP Alex Pariente on Misconduct Claims

Hard Rock International has cut ties with a senior executive following financial misconduct allegations, just as it competes for one of New York’s coveted downstate casino licenses The company confirmed it fired Alex Pariente, a top hotel and casino operations VP, after a whistleblower reported questionable practices at the Hard Rock Punta Cana..
9 months ago

Light and Wonder Grows Profit in Q2 Despite Small Revenue Drop

Light & Wonder shared its Q2 2025 earnings, showing a small dip in revenue while managing to grow profits and improve efficiency across several areas of its business Despite a 1% year-over-year revenue drop, the company posted a 16% increase in net income, supported by cost controls, strong margin performance, and gains in the iGaming segment..
9 months ago

DraftKings Sets Revenue and Profit Record in Q2 2025

DraftKings reported its strongest quarter to date, with a huge jump in both revenue and profit The operator continues to benefit from growing sportsbook engagement, expanding iGaming activity, and improved hold percentages Alongside the record-setting financials, DraftKings is sticking to its full-year outlook and exploring a new acquisition that..
9 months ago

Casino Access for Vietnamese Locals Could Return Soon

Vietnam might soon welcome a major shift in its gambling policy—one that could reshape the country’s entire casino industry After a pause in local access following the expiration of a pilot program, the Ministry of Finance is now pushing for a return—this time with simpler rules and clearer terms for local players Good to know..
9 months ago

VGW Shareholders Back Escalante Buyout as Firm Prepares to Go Private

Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) is heading for a major transition after shareholders approved a buyout proposal from founder Laurence Escalante, clearing the path for the Australian gaming firm to go private The decision comes as VGW faces increased regulatory challenges, particularly in the US, and looks to regain strategic flexibility Good to..
9 months ago

Maryland Casino Revenue Slips Slightly in July While Smaller Venues Grow

Maryland’s casino industry saw a slight dip in revenue this July, according to the latest data from Maryland Lottery and Gaming While the overall numbers were down compared to the same time last year, several of the state’s smaller casinos posted year-over-year growth, softening the blow from declines at the top Good to know..
9 months ago

States Ask DOJ to Act on Offshore Gambling Operators

A large group of state attorneys general is calling on the federal government to finally step in and help tackle the flood of illegal offshore gambling across the US In a letter sent Monday to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, 50 attorneys general urged the Department of Justice to crack down on offshore sportsbooks and casino operators that continue..
9 months ago

Incentive Games Approved to Operate in Ontario

Incentive Games is continuing its North American expansion, locking in another key market just weeks after debuting in Michigan The game developer has now secured regulatory approval to operate in Ontario, one of Canada’s most active iGaming provinces Good to know Incentive Games has been approved by both AGCO and iGaming Ontario..
9 months ago

Peter Thiel-Backed Bullish Targets $4.2 Billion IPO

A crypto exchange backed by billionaire Peter Thiel is making moves toward Wall Street Bullish, the digital asset trading platform, is aiming for a US IPO that would value the company at over $42 billion, according to a report from Reuters This comes months after we first reported about the preparations having started Good to know..
9 months ago

Caesars and Dry Creek Break Ground on Sonoma County Resort

Construction has officially begun on Caesars Republic Sonoma County, a new resort casino project from Dry Creek Rancheria and Caesars Entertainment The groundbreaking ceremony took place Saturday, setting the stage for a full transformation of River Rock Casino, with a target opening in summer 2027 Good to know Caesars Republic Sonoma..
9 months ago

Illinois Updates Rules on Casino and Sportsbook Ads: More Strict

Illinois is tightening the rules around how gambling operators advertise, with a new set of regulations now in place for casinos, sportsbooks, and video gaming providers The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) rolled out these updates Monday, aiming to cut down on irresponsible gambling promotion and shield young adults, especially college students, from..
9 months ago

City of Dreams Marks New Chapter for Colombo & Sri Lanka Tourism

Melco Resorts & Entertainment and Sri Lanka’s John Keells Group have officially opened City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking the start of a major new chapter for the country’s tourism and entertainment sector The integrated resort in Colombo is now open to guests, with a Melco-branded hotel and casino already operational Good to..
9 months ago

Philippines: No Immediate Action on Online Gambling Says Marcos Office

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr isn’t rushing into any decisions about the future of licensed domestic online gambling, according to recent remarks from his spokesperson Claire Castro During a media briefing, she emphasized that the President “cannot act in haste” when it comes to shaping gambling policy Good to know Some..
9 months ago

XRP Gains Momentum While Ripple Waits on SEC Response

The legal battle between Ripple and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is dragging on, with no final decision in sight Even after Ripple backed out of its appeal, the SEC hasn’t done the same, leaving the case hanging and the crypto world waiting Good to know A federal judge has already blocked the earlier settlement..
9 months ago

NY Mayor Eric Adams Reverses Council Move Blocking Bronx Casino Plan

New York City’s debate over where to place new casinos just took a sharp turn Mayor Eric Adams has officially vetoed the City Council’s move to block Bally’s plan to build a casino in the Bronx, pushing the controversial proposal back into the running for one of three downstate gaming licenses Good to know Bally’s Bronx project..
9 months ago

One Big Beautiful Bill Delivers Mixed Results for Gaming

Las Vegas casino giants like MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment could see a financial boost worth hundreds of millions due to recent tax reforms under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) While the law has sparked alarm in parts of the gambling world, operators say the bill works in their favor—at least for now Good to know MGM and..
9 months ago

Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas Will Close This Fall

Poker Palace Casino, a North Las Vegas staple since the 1970s, will officially close on October 1, 2025 Known for its neighborhood feel and long-standing community ties, the casino has been a regular stop for locals for over five decades The closure was confirmed through a WARN letter submitted to state and gaming regulators Good to..
9 months ago

Kraken Eyes 2026 IPO with $15 Billion Valuation Goal

Kraken, the second-largest crypto exchange in the US by trading volume, is reportedly preparing for a public listing with eyes on a $500 million raise at a $15 billion valuation The move could make 2026 a pivotal year for the company and for crypto exchanges looking to go public Good to know Kraken is aiming for a Q1 2026 IPO,..
9 months ago

Tribal Casinos Generate $43.9B in Revenue in 2024

Indian gaming operations across the United States had another strong year, with revenue climbing to $439 billion in the 2024 fiscal year The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) shared the results in its latest financial report, reflecting steady growth and ongoing contributions to tribal economies Good to know A total of 532..
9 months ago

Consumers Say Sweepstakes Casinos Are Gambling

The debate over sweepstakes casinos is heating up, and new research from the American Gaming Association (AGA) makes one thing clear: players see these sites as gambling, no matter how they’re marketed Before diving into the details, here are a few things to keep in mind: Good to know 90% of sweepstakes casino users say they..
9 months ago