Four Winds Casinos Promotes Raquel Buari to Executive Vice President of Administration
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos announced in a press release on April 22, 2024 the recent promotion of Raquel Buari, Esq, CCEP to Executive Vice President of Administration. Mrs. Buari has served in a number of positions within Four Winds Casinos leading up to her promotion, including Vice President of Compliance and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance. In addition to her work history, Mrs. Buari was inducted to Global Gaming Business’s international class of 40 under 40 in 2018 and the Michiana 40 under 40 class of 2022.
Mrs. Buari, the first female executive to hold this position, said, “I would like to thank Mary Smith and the Pokagon Gaming Authority for recognizing my contributions and their confidence in my ability to serve on the casino operations team in this expanded capacity. I look forward to continuing my service to my tribe and supporting the long-term success of Four Winds Casinos.”
Mary Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos, commented on Mrs. Buari’s promotion, stating, “We are very pleased to recognize Raquel Buari’s contributions and promote her to the role of Executive Vice President of Administration. In addition to being a long-time member of our casino operations team with a tenure of 16 years, Raquel has demonstrated diverse and valuable expertise in the areas of regulatory management, compliance, policy and produce, ethics, and law.”
SBC Summit North America 2024
SBC Events posted the Agenda for the fifth edition of the SBC Summit North America 2024. The event will be taking place in New Jersey on May 7-9 of this year. There will be discussion panels covering a wide range of hot topics within the online betting and gaming industry in the U.S. and Canada. Panelists feature a number of reputable industry professionals including operator leadership teams, product and technology specialists, representatives of tribal and commercial casinos, investors, regulators, legal experts, and more. Some featured panels to look out for include:
May 7- Regulation 2030: Anticipating Future Compliance Challenges
- Cathy Judd-Stein- Speaker, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Louis Rogacki- Speaker, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Cole Wogoman- Speaker, National Council on Problem Gambling
- Behnam Dayanim- Speaker, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- James Kilsby- Moderator, VIXIO
May 8- Omnichannel effectiveness: from land-based to digital and back
- Bobby Soper-Speaker, Sun Gaming & Hospitality
- Oliver Bartlett- Speaker, Vice President of Gaming- Product & Content
- Nick Patrick- Speaker, Radar
- Stacey Rowland- Speaker, Genting Americas
- Jason McCulloch- Speaker, Galaxy Gaming
- Zoe Ebling- Moderator, AGS
May 9- A Tribal Success Story
- Denise Petoskey- Speaker, Odawa Casino Resort
- Matt Stemoski- Speaker, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
- Raquel Buari- Speaker, Four Winds Casino
- Robert Russell- Moderator, Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C.
May 9- What does regulated betting on video games look like?
- Seth Schorr- Speaker, Fifth Street Gaming
- Brett Abarbanel- Speaker, UNLV International Gaming Institute
- Barbara DeMarco- Speaker, Porzio Government Affairs
- Michele Fischer- Speaker, SIS Content Services, Inc.
- Anthony Gaud- Moderator, Regulated Esports and Video Came Committee (NJ)
In addition to these panels, attendees can also attend a series of networking parties in upscale NYC and NJ venues as well as the showcase of new sportsbook and iGaming technology in the expo hall. Tickets are available for purchase at this link: SBC Summit North America 2024 – Tickets – SBC Events
Attending SBC Summit North America? Want to connect with RMC? Click here to set up a meeting with Gaming Analyst Robert Russell, or attend the panel he is moderating on Thursday, May 9—A Tribal Success Story from 10:30—11:00 a.m. on Stage 3.
ESPN BET’s First Retail Sportsbook Opens at Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Downtown Detroit has introduced its newest attraction: the ESPN BET branded sportsbook and restaurant. Spanning 4,500 square feet, this space offers cutting-edge betting technology alongside a dining experience featuring elevated bar food and beverages. It’s the inaugural ESPN BET retail location within the PENN Entertainment portfolio, promising an immersive sports viewing experience with high-tech wagering kiosks, big-screen TVs, and a 30-foot video wall.
“This is an exciting week to debut PENN’s first physical ESPN BET sportsbook as the city of Detroit hosts the NFL Draft and its festivities,” said Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager, John Drake. “Bringing ESPN BET to Hollywood Greektown combines PENN’s premier sports media and sports betting offerings to create an amazing atmosphere for fans to watch and bet on sports. To celebrate the opening, we’re thrilled to host ESPN talent and programming at our property throughout the week.”
“We’re thrilled to open the first ESPN BET retail location in Detroit and become part of a community of deeply passionate sports fans. We want fans to come embrace a first-class betting experience and we’re excited to showcase the ESPN BET brand in a contemporary space,” said Mike Morrison, Vice President, ESPN BET and ESPN Fantasy.
The introduction of the ESPN BET sportsbook and restaurant marks a significant milestone for Hollywood Casino at Greektown, blending premium dining options with state-of-the-art sports betting technology to create an unparalleled experience for sports fans in Detroit.
Submit Your Nomination for AGA’s 35th Annual Gaming Hall of Fame
American Gaming Association (“AGA”) is accepting nominations for the 35th annual Gaming Hall of Fame. For more than 30 years, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized leaders who have made significant contributions to the gaming industry. Consider nominating a leader that has played a role in helping the industry succeed for this highest honor. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 24. Submit your nomination now using this link.
ELG 40 Under 40 Nominations Are Open
Emerging Leaders of Gaming (“ELG”) is a program that supports today’s young executives on their path to becoming tomorrow’s industry leaders through education, networking, and other career development opportunities. Each year, in partnership with Global Gaming Business magazine, the program sponsors an industrywide search for the most promising of these individuals, called the ELG 40 Under 40.
Are there exceptional individuals in your organization under the age of 40 who you would like to recognize for contributing above and beyond? The deadline for nominations is August 1, 2024.