The announcement on January 15 that Keith Whyte is stepping down as executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) took the gambling community by surprise. Whyte, who has been a prominent figure in the responsible gaming and problem gambling sector since 1998, officially resigned effective January 13. Nancy Green has been appointed as the interim executive director, with plans to appoint a permanent successor later this year. In his LinkedIn post, Whyte noted it was "time for a new challenge" after nearly three decades with the organization. He has been an outspoken advocate for responsible gambling, often standing alone in his commitment to the cause. "There are far too many to thank here, but I hope you know how deeply I appreciate all the innovative leaders, passionate advocates, dedicated staff, engaged members, generous supporters, and friends who have inspired, challenged and helped me on my journey over the years," he shared. Whyte also expressed his intention to continue working on issues related to responsible gambling and gambling addiction, with hopes for widely accessible and affordable prevention, education, treatment, enforcement, research, and recovery services.
In the waning weeks of Joe Biden's presidency, the administration has made notable decisions affecting Indian Country, particularly with the approval of several controversial tribal casino projects. Among these is a casino proposed by the Koi Nation near Windsor, California, which received approval from the Department of Interior on January 13. The casino is expected to offer 2,750 slot machines, 105 table games, and a 400-room hotel, with construction possibly starting in 2026 and estimated to last 18 to 24 months. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a prominent tribe in California, has publicly opposed this decision, stating it represents a "clear failure" by the government and sets a "dangerous precedent" for off-reservation approvals, according to Graton chair Greg Sarris.
Another controversial decision came on January 10 when the Coquille Indian Tribe received Department of Interior approval for an off-reservation casino project in Medford, Oregon. This longstanding project, over a decade in the making, faced immediate pushback from three dissenting tribes who filed a lawsuit seeking temporary restraining orders the same day. Senator Ron Wyden also voiced his opposition, declaring he would “fight this senseless decision with all the options available.” Despite the legal challenges, the Coquille Tribe has begun installing Class II slot machines at the proposed site, formerly a bowling alley, with reports confirming a couple of dozen machines are already operational.
On January 10, FanDuel revealed that NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning will be featured in their Super Bowl campaign. Both brothers, who each have two Super Bowl wins, will engage in a live kicking competition called 'Kick of Destiny 3' on Fox, attempting to make a 25-yard field goal. FanDuel is inviting users to make free predictions on the contest, offering bonus rewards for participants. FanDuel’s executive vice president of marketing, Andrew Sneyd, stated that the third iteration aims to create a greater connection with Super Bowl Sunday, adding, "Peyton and Eli Manning will make history by competing against each other live for the first time in Super Bowl history. May the best Manning win!"
On January 15, Kindbridge Behavioral Health announced it is providing free mental health services to victims affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, which are among the costliest in U.S. history, having destroyed thousands of properties and displaced numerous residents. Kindbridge is able to offer these services thanks to collaborations with partners, including the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), EPIC Global Solutions, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PrizePicks, Underdog, DruvStar, and Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC.
Lastly, Bragg Gaming Group and Caesars Entertainment forged a partnership on January 15, aiming to create a technology platform and develop games for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Bragg will work with Caesars’ in-house studio to produce content for Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino. This new partnership elevates Bragg’s role from a content supplier to a technology partner, with expectations of driving double-digit growth in revenue and profitability in 2025, particularly focusing on North America as a core area for expansion.
