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This year has seen gaming titan Caesars introduce live dealer studios, merging the digital world with the physical.
It’s a new experience for players, with the brand having just expanded into its third major jurisdiction, all in the space of just a few months.
While the addition doesn’t take away from the physical offerings at the brick and mortar casinos, it does represent a push towards adopting digital products at a time when the industry needs to keep up with moving attitudes, preferences, and interests.
What are Caesars Entertainment’s live dealer studios?
First introduced in January 2025, Caesars launched live dealer tables where they use human dealers working at real tables inside their studio and stream this to devices in real time.
This allows people who aren’t there in person to get involved, as they can place bets, chat with the dealer, and see the cards being physically dealt. Unlike computer-generated casino games, Caesars’ approach is real.
While the company isn’t the first to adopt this approach, they’ve differentiated themselves by launching branded full-scale studios that aim to replicate the ambiance of their properties.
Where are Caesars Entertainment’s current fully-branded live dealer studios?
The first branded, live dealer studio, created in partnership with Evolution Gaming, went live at the beginning of the year. It was in January when it went live for players on Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casinos in Pennsylvania.
According to the brand, the experience of the live dealer is “reminiscent of the energy and grandeur of the Caesars Palace Las Vegas gaming floor.”
The Philadelphia-based studio includes five blackjack tables, as well as a VIP-exclusive blackjack table, one roulette table, and one baccarat table. Each one has a custom felt with imagery and branding from Caesars Palace and Caesars online casino brands.
In April, a branded studio went live in New Jersey inside Tropicana Atlantic City, with this featuring the same amount of tables as the previous. Then, in July, the third live dealer studio launched and is available to players in Michigan.
Why has the brand started to adopt live dealer tables?
“We’re always striving to marry the world-class experiences our players enjoy at our destinations with the online casino play they love,” said Matt Sunderland, senior vice president and chief iGaming officers at Caesars Digital, in a press release.
The introduction is described as having ‘heightened the user experience’ by ‘providing a Las Vegas Strip-style experience directly in the palm of our players’ hands.’
While the actual reasoning behind the modern move hasn’t been properly shared, it does come at a time when the iGaming market has seen a huge boom. The industry is expected to grow at an 11.5% CAGR by 2027.
Could this be the way forward for casinos looking to expand?
While some may roll their eyes at the inclusion of another technology-focused offering, the launch of these studios could appeal to those of a younger generation, or iGaming enthusiasts, who are looking for an interactive experience online.
Livestreaming has become a key feature on many social media platforms too, like TikTok and Instagram, with it having grown in interest over the last few years. In Q2 of 2024, it was reported that 8.5 billion hours of live stream content was watched across various streaming platforms.
A massive 63% of marketers were also said to be planning to increase their investment in live videos in the future.
With this in mind, it appears that Caesars’ latest digital dealer push could have come at the right time for its audience. It has also come at a time when casinos worldwide have had to adapt to meet the ever-changing demands of their audiences.
At a time when Gen Z is becoming a larger portion of the buying power, entertainment has become a huge attraction for the younger audiences. With this age group being used to livestreaming online, could the live dealer casinos become more of an interest as time goes on?
When reporting the latest figures from the second quarter, Caesars Entertainment said its digital segment had experienced one of its strongest quarters ever. There has been a 24.3% increase in ‘Caesars Digital’ in Q2 compared to 2024.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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With F1 teams coming to the end of their scheduled summer break, all eyes are on the second half of the season to see which team and driver will come out on top.
The Formula 1 summer shutdown occurs every year, with the FIA mandating a two-week factory closure for every team. This time off offers a reset for everyone involved, with there being no car development, wind tunnels, or late-night simulator runs able to be completed during this period.
The full break ends up being three and a half weeks long, with the Dutch Grand Prix being the first welcome back.
As we get closer to the return of the open-wheel, single-seater racing sport, we’re looking at how the odds are standing for the second half of the F1 season.
How are the drivers getting ready for the remainder of the season?
The shutdown impacts the drivers too, as many take this opportunity to recharge and recover ahead of the remaining races.
The seven-time world champion Lewis Champion has posted about being on ‘DND,’ with a social media post of him outside enjoying nature. Other drivers have taken a similar approach, including Williams’ driver Carlos Sainz, who has shared images of himself cycling in his spare time and enjoying the shutdown with family.
George Russell appears to have enjoyed time away at sea in Italy, with Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, and Max Verstappen also posting yacht-related images on social media.
What has happened in the first half of the F1 ‘25 season?
So far, the F1 season has been dominated by McLaren as the British team has won 11 Grand Prix out of the 14 events. It was only in Canada that both papaya drivers failed to make the podium.
Lando Norris secured the win five times out of the 14 races, with his worst performance being a DNF and P4. Oscar Piastri, the other McLaren driver, has won six times in the first half of the season. His worst position was P9, which was in his home country of Australia, at the beginning of the season.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is a four-time World Champion in the sport and previously won in 2024, has won twice this season. The Mercedes driver, George Russell, has one win under his belt in the 2025 races so far.
How many races are in the second half of the season?
This is where the Formula 1 season really starts to heat up, as fans have seen how cars are performing and some drivers have started to pull away in the drivers championship points.
The races to come are also some of the most gruelling, with high temperatures and humidity in places like Singapore being a tough aspect for drivers to contend with.
The second half begins at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands on August 31, with there being just 10 races remaining. The upcoming events are as follows:

Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort: August 31 2025
Italian Grand Prix, Monza: September 7, 2025
Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku: September 21, 2025
Singapore Grand Prix, Street Circuit: October 5, 2025
United States Grand Prix, Texas: October 19, 2025
Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City: October 26, 2025
Brazilian Grand Prix, São Paulo: November 9, 2025
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Street Circuit: November 23, 2025
Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail/Qatar: November 30, 2025
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina: December 7, 2025

What are the odds for the second half of the F1 season?
The second half of the F1 season in 2025 will prove to be the most important as a number of drivers are competing for the championship.
Currently, Oddschecker has Australian-born Oscar Piastri as 8/13 to win the Drivers’ Championship, with British driver Lando Norris at 7/5. Max Verstappen is 100/1, with George Russell at 250/1.
These four drivers are at the top of the drivers’ standings at the moment, with Piastri having 284 points, followed by Norris with 275, Verstappen with 187, and Russell with 172. Although there’s no knowing what will happen over the next several races, as the leaderboard could completely change.
As for the first race of the season, in the Netherlands, the sports betting website has Oscar Piastri at 6/4 to be the Dutch Grand Prix winner. Lando Norris is 8/5, Max Verstappen is 9/1, and Charles Leclerc is 12/1.
Featured Image: Credit to Liauzh on Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license
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In an age where it feels like almost anything physical is being swapped out for technology, casinos being taken over by the metaverse isn’t as strange a thought as it once was.
This blending of technology into real-world uses and hobbies can be seen with the rise of AI, which has become commonplace in many people’s day-to-day lives.
ChatGPT, for example, was reported to be on track to reach 700 million weekly active users at the beginning of August. This marks a 4x year-over-year increase in usage.
Although the emergence of artificial intelligence appeared to have happened overnight, it was a slow transition for some companies. With this in mind, could physical casinos be taken over by the metaverse if this form of technology also sees a rise in users in the future?
What is the metaverse?
The metaverse refers to the immersive digital spaces which are like virtual worlds. People can enter these areas through the use of technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR.)
Currently, the most common use cases of the metaverse are for entertainment purposes, with people using VR or AR equipment (like the Meta Quest, Oculus, smart glasses, etc) to play games and join an online world.
Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite are all examples of popular games that can be played in the metaverse. It’s not just this category that has seen the introduction of this technology, though, as it can also be used in education, particularly when simulations for hands-on training are useful, like in medicine, engineering, or aviation.
While the industry has seen some interest in the last few years, it’s still at the start and hasn’t yet garnered the attention that AI has. As we look to the future though, this could all change if the concept becomes more understood.
Are there casinos in the metaverse currently?
While not yet mainstream, there are a number of decentralized casinos now in operation. They work in a similar fashion to a physical casino, except you’re walking up to a table or game and placing bets in the virtual world.
Typically, the virtual casinos offer a similar set-up to what you’d see in the physical world, with slots, table games, poker, and even live dealer games.
Pros and cons of metaverse casinos
With it being a case of opening a computer, putting on a headset, or wearing a pair of glasses, the metaverse could have a wide variety of players from several countries involved as no travel is needed. Some may also have a lower barrier to entry.
Although accessibility is easier, the virtual casinos may lack the physical atmosphere and experience of being in a physical location. There could be technical issues too, as you’ll need a stable internet connection and access to make these work.
Could the metaverse replace physical casinos?
The idea of metaverse casinos overtaking physical casinos is one which seems too far-fetched at the moment, but the types of businesses that operate in the digital environment could become more commonplace.
Especially as the younger generation, Gen Z, become the more prominent buyers, an attraction towards all things virtual could potentially be witnessed. Those who are aged 27 years old and younger have grown up in the ever-evolving digital age, with the use of technology being second nature to them.
According to a Deloitte report, 29% of Gen Zs and Millennials would be interested in using a VR headset to travel and explore virtually. This world has already been explored by some of them, as around 40% say they have used VR technology in some way, from gaming to attending a concert or sporting event, or for work or school.
A huge 75% of Gen Zs and Millennials class themselves as gamers too, with many playing rich, story-driven games or multiplayer combat games that offer more interactive and immersive experiences.
The love for digital platforms, and state-of-the-art video games, could be the reason why the esports industry is seeing a boom. Gen Z are five times more likely to follow esports than boomers, showing that this generation is comfortable mixing the physical with the virtual.
As technology continues to improve, and the younger generation contributes more heavily to spending/buying power, physical casinos may need to tweak their offerings to keep up – especially if the metaverse is to become popular.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Over the last year or so, several European betting operators have cut their ties with the US and have exited the market.
This comes at a time when the market, especially sports betting, is flourishing in the United States. After the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, states across the country have passed laws to legalize sports betting, with many US-based operators thriving.
In 2025, the sports betting market is projected to reach $18.51 billion, with revenue between 2025 and 2029 expected to show an annual growth rate of 7.89%.
Although these numbers sound enticing, a number of European companies have recently bowed out.
Which European betting operators have left the US?
It was back in July 2024 when the parent company of sports betting and gaming businesses, Super Group, announced it would be exiting the United States sportsbook market due to a lack of a path for profitability.
The company owns Betway, a leading online sports betting and gaming business, as well as the multi-brand online casino Spin.
The German brand Tipico announced an agreement to sell its U.S. sportsbook and online casino platform in June 2024, with the LeoVegas Group, part of MGM Resorts International, buying it.
The Evoke brand, formerly 888 Holdings Limited, first shared its strategic review of US B2C operations in March 2024 before later announcing the sale of its US B2C assets in the same month.
Betfred Sportsbook is another which announced plans to formally shut down its sports betting operations in Pennsylvania, with this being reported on in July of this year. The brand began its foray into the United States in 2020 and signed a partnership at Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.
Earlier in the year, in January, Betfred departed from Nevada following other exits in late 2024.
Why are some operators choosing to change their focus?
Although not every operator who has exited has been transparent about the reasons behind it, some shared initial details when issuing updates.
Lack of a path for profitability
When first announcing their intentions to leave the United States, Super Group said the decision to close its sportsbook operations in the nine states in which it operated came after the “completion of an extensive internal review.”
The CEO, Neal Menashe, commented that the review led them to not be able to “see a long-term path to profitability for the sportsbook product.”
While the company opted out from the sportsbook perspective, it continued its iGaming presence in the country.
A year later, in July 2025, Super Group said it was making the decision to exit iGaming in the US. “Nonetheless, recent regulatory developments combined with ongoing assessment of capital allocation requirements have led us to believe that our stringent hurdle for return on capital will likely not be met in this market any time soon,” the CEO said.
‘Intense competition,’ says operator
When Evoke shared that it was undertaking a strategic review of its US B2C operations, it explained some insight into how the company was faring. Later, it announced a sale of its US B2C assets to Hard Rock Digital.
“The gross profit margin in the US is lower than the group level, reflecting significant direct costs of operating in the market including duties, market access fees, and licence fees, in addition to intense competition from well-capitalised incumbent participants,” the news release stated.
“The Group has determined that its current structure will not optimise returns, and has initiated a strategic review of the operations.”
The company’s 888 brand was active in four states, with SI Sportsbook and SI Casino in Michigan, SI Sportsbook in Colorado and Virginia and 888casino in New Jersey.
The ‘intense competition’ is very much apparent, with some big players dominating the market. At the beginning of the year, Reuters described the wide world of sports betting as ‘narrowing’ as it stated that DraftKings and FanDuel have about 80% of the U.S. market.
Those with market dominance typically have the finances for major marketing, product development, and scaling efforts, which can leave others on the back foot.
Not all are leaving, as rumors are circulating about big brand
Although there have been a number of European betting operators leaving the US in recent times, not everyone has the same view.
In early May, rumors began circulating that the Coates family, who own bet365, could be considering a partial or even full sale of the business. This could be worth as much as £9 billion ($12 billion.) The Guardian reported that talks were held with Wall Street banks and US advisors.
The company has had moderate success in the US, with some wondering if the company will eventually leave the UK for the US market.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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With Generation Z (from 1997 to 2012) becoming the next dominant consumer generation for brands, casinos are aiming to impress and attract a whole new age range who are looking for more than just gambling.
These people will soon represent a large share of global spending power, as many are starting to enter the workforce and work their way up the career ladder.
In the past, casinos have appealed to gamblers for their perceived glamor and prestige (Baby Boomers) or to witness the ‘Vegas experience’ in full force (Generation X and Millenials).
Unlike the generations before them, though, Gen Z could be the toughest yet due to their changing values, habits and preferences.
Gen Z has been raised on digital play – it’s what they’re used to
It’s a tough group for casino operators to impress, as they can no longer rely on exclusivity. Gen Z has the world at their fingertips and can gamble online through the smartphone in their back pocket.
They’re the most technology-literate group and have become accustomed to completing many tasks and hobbies on their phones. With this comes the need to capture their attention and draw them away from the land of all things smartphone.
According to Golden Steps ABA, the attention span of a Gen Z individual is around eight seconds. This has been reducing as the generations go on, with the average time for a Millennial being 12 seconds and 20 seconds for a Baby Boomer.
Although this sounds like a major obstacle to overcome, it doesn’t mean that those aged between 13 and 28 years old have a weak focus. It just means that they’re highly selective with what captures their attention.
The changing preferences and habits of Generation Z
Like with every generation, new trends, the economy, and societal differences all influence how people spend their time and money.
Entertainment is a major interest amongst this age group
Unfortunately for brands, technology offers endless alternatives for Gen Z as they can flick through TikTok, watch their favorite YouTuber, or hang out with like-minded people in a Discord all in just a few clicks.
With this in mind, casinos are leaning into a shift towards heightened entertainment. Vegas brands are having major pool parties, bringing in celebrity DJs, and throwing exclusive events.
Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas, spoke to Las Vegas Review Journal and said non-gaming amenities are “really important” to operators in 2025.
“It’s really events that differentiate us from other places,” Jossel said, listing some non-gaming offerings at the property, such as pickleball, rodeo and free fireworks. “These events make a big difference in making us more relevant online, and that (attention) is from the younger demographic.”
Cliff Atkinson, the president of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, also told the publisher that millennials and Gen-Z visitors are seeking ‘well-rounded experiences.’
“While gaming remains a key attraction, these generations are also drawn to the city’s diverse wellness and culinary offerings,” he said. “For millennials and Gen Z, we’ve seen that their perfect vacation blends the excitement of gaming with relaxing poolside moments, top-notch entertainment and delectable cuisine.”
They’re a financially cautious group
The younger generation has grown up in a time of rising cost of living, high student loans, and housing unaffordability.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many are keen to launch their own ‘side hustles’ and build wealth from a young age.
A new survey from the World Economic Forum shows that 30% of Gen Z began investing in university or early adulthood, compared to 15% of Millennials, 9% of Gen Z, and 6% of Baby Boomers.
Many are feeling the constraints of the modern economy, with financial education and money management being sought after by the group. 22% want their bank to offer a financial advice hotline, and 38% want access to online financial courses.
Gen Z live online, with a world of options at their fingertips
There’s no denying that this generation was raised in the digital age, with a world of personalization and possibilities more accessible than ever.
They’ve also grown up playing state-of-the-art video games, with visuals on any digital platform needing to be top-notch to match what they’re used to.
This could be why esports is popular in this age range, with Gen Z being over five times more likely to follow esports than boomers. They are highly invested too, with the industry having become more popular over the last few years.
Over the last couple of years, some casinos in the US have begun slowly introducing esports-themed games, with this market being an interesting one to follow.
New technology has been included into many major casino brands too like contactless gaming and smart tables, with tech-enhanced machines.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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