Ziv Chen

Ziv Chen


Ziv has been deep in the iGaming trenches for over 20 years, long before most people could spell "geolocation compliance." With a background in marketing and business development at some of the biggest names in gambling tech, Ziv knows the industry from the inside out. Since joining Covers, he's turned his sharp eye (and sharper keyboard) toward everything happening in the fast-moving world of online gambling. Whether it's new state launches, the latest twists in regulation, or what the big operators and game providers are cooking up next, Ziv breaks it all down with clarity, context, and just the right amount of snark. He covers the business side of betting, from affiliate trends and revenue reports to the tech powering your favorite slots. His motto in writing is “let’s make it make sense without putting you to sleep.”
When he’s not tracking gambling legislation or looking for the next breaking story, Ziv is living and dying with every pitch and play from his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. As a Pitt graduate, it’s a city loyalty forged in heartbreak, but one he wouldn’t trade for anything, except maybe a few more playoff wins.
When away from the keyboard, Ziv loves to hit the road and soak up the energy of casinos. Whether strolling the neon jungle called the Vegas Strip, or wandering into a smoky riverboat casino in the Midwest, Ziv’s in his element. He’s the guy chatting with players, blackjack dealers, and asking pit bosses way too many questions, all in the name of “research,” of course. The casino floor isn’t just his workplace, it’s a weird and wonderful ecosystem of flashing lights, wild characters, and pure sensory overload, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sport to bet on: College Football
Sports movie: Any Given Sunday
Sports snack: Primanti’s sandwich at Acrisure Stadium
Covers feature: iGaming News


Circa Sports Opens Kentucky's Largest Sportsbook at The Mint Gaming Hall
Circa Sports launched the Blue Grass State's largest sportsbook at The Mint Gaming Hall, Kentucky Downs in Franklin. This is the operator's fifth state as it continues to seek out new markets.
Las Vegas Sands Q2 Earnings Rise on Singapore Strength
The casino and resort company reported a 22.4% second-quarter net profit increase to $519 million. Its Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore largely drove the outcome.
Hard Rock Reveals 2028 Opening Plan for United Arab Emirates Resort
Hard Rock International will debut in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, with a luxury hotel and residences project set for completion by 2028, offering 300 hotel rooms, 395 apartments, and a wide array of upscale amenities.
Massachusetts Online Casino Bills Face Deadline Pressure
Massachusetts online casino legislation remains stalled with a key deadline of November 19 looming.
DraftKings Tops Customer Satisfaction Index
DraftKings received the highest satisfaction score among online gambling apps in the ACSI's 2025 report.
Michigan Supreme Court Sides with Gambler Against BetMGM
The Michigan Supreme Court has supported a woman’s claim for over $3 million in winnings at BetMGM.
Catawba Two Kings Casino Joins Forces with Carolina Panthers
Catawba Two Kings Casino and the Carolina Panthers have partnered to bring scoreboard signage, fan giveaways, and exclusive game-day rewards to the stadium, boosting the casino's visibility ahead of its 2026 soft resort launch.
Las Vegas Poker Chips No Longer Interchangeable Between Venues
Major Sin City casinos now don't accept poker chips other properties issued, ending a classic benefit for regulars who play in a series of poker rooms.
Pixiu Joins SG Content Hub, Expanding iLottery Content with Monopoly and Battleship Titles
Pixiu Gaming has joined Scientific Games' SG Content Hub, bringing its signature Keno-style games and new branded Monopoly and Battleship iLottery titles to a growing digital content ecosystem.
Def Leppard Announces 2026 Las Vegas Residency at Caesars Palace
Def Leppard will return to Las Vegas for its third residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with a new stage show and hit-filled setlist.
Analyst Gives Wynn Resorts Price Target Raise
A Barclays analyst raised the company's target price from $101 to $127 and kept a positive rating on the stock. This follows strong Q2 results in regional, online, and Macau operations, although Vegas' performance was a bit weaker.
California Sweepstakes Bill Softens Stance on Individual Players
California lawmakers revised AB831 to remove language that would have criminalized players of online sweepstakes games, but critics argue the bill still unfairly targets businesses and service providers supporting these platforms.
Peer-to-Peer Only: Underdog Adjusts Pick'em Offerings in California
Underdog Sports has pulled its house-based Pick’em contests in California, pivoting to a peer-to-peer model amid legal pressure and a recent AG opinion labeling DFS contests illegal under state law.
Legal Dispute Between CCGNJ and NCPG Threatens National Gambling Helpline
A legal dispute over the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline threatens national access to problem gambling support services.
NY Mayor Adams Could Still Save Bally’s New York Casino Bid
While the New York City Council has voted against zoning changes for the new casino, Mayor Adams could still veto the rejection.
Five-Card Pai Gow Among Games Approved by Nevada Regulators
The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved several new table games, including a five-card Pai Gow variant, following successful trials at Las Vegas casinos.
California Coalition Opposes Sweepstakes Bill Amid Gambling Debate
A coalition including the ACLU and major advertisers is pushing back against California’s AB 831, a bill aimed at illegal gambling that critics warn could ban legal sweepstakes and promotional marketing.
Bowyer Sentencing Nears in Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal's Final Chapter
Almost a year after pleading guilty to a string of federal offenses, Matt Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker at the center of the Ohtani betting saga, appears headed for sentencing in late August.
NBA Expansion Talks Intensify with Las Vegas and Seattle Leading the Conversation
The research has no time frame, but the NBA Commissioner mentioned Las Vegas’ links to recent basketball events like the NBA Cup.
Bruno Mars Quips He's 'Almost Out of Debt' Following Viral Moment With Blackpink’s Rosé
Bruno Mars jokingly claimed he’s “almost out of debt” after performing with Blackpink’s Rosé, reigniting rumors of $50 million in gambling losses.