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Ziv Chen

Ziv Chen - News Editor at Covers.com

Ziv Chen

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News Editor
News Editor
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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.

Favorites
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Sport to bet on: College Football
Sports movie: Any Given Sunday
Sports snack: Primanti’s sandwich at Acrisure Stadium
Covers feature: iGaming News
Super Bowl XLIII – first-half bet, Steelers return 100 yards and pick for six
Best Betting Memory Icon Best Betting Memory
Super Bowl XLV – betting on Ben Roethlisberger to win MVP
Best Betting Memory Icon Worst Beat

Meta Moves to Restrict Gambling Ads on Facebook and Instagram

Jul 9, 2025 • 1:33 PM ET

Advertisers must now identify their role in advertising and provide more advanced paperwork, including gambling licenses.

Maine Governor Holds Off on Tribal iGaming Bill Amid Legislative Adjournment

Jul 9, 2025 • 12:58 PM ET

The proposed bill grants tribes exclusive rights to offer online casino gaming via digital platforms.

Flutter Entertainment Gets 'Buy' Rating from Jefferies

Jul 9, 2025 • 8:10 AM ET

Jefferies Financial Group re-initiated coverage on Flutter Entertainment with a “Buy” rating and a $380 target, citing strong digital performance, global expansion, and recession resilience.

Jesse Lonis Agrees to $1 Million Bet on Himself to Win WSOP Main Event with Fellow Poker Player

Jul 8, 2025 • 4:38 PM ET

Poker player Jesse Lonis agreed to bet $2,000 with fellow player Mikita Badziakouski that Lonis will win the World Series of Poker Main Event. Badziakouski offered +50,000 odds, so if Lonis does prevail, he’ll collect $1 million from the wager.

Zelenskyy's Wardrobe Causes Polymarket Betting Malfunction

Jul 8, 2025 • 1:40 PM ET

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s suit has sparked dispute, revealing flaws in Polymarket’s current oracle resolution system.

New York Teachers Fund Cuts MGM Resorts Stake by 16%

Jul 8, 2025 • 11:35 AM ET

The New York State Teachers Retirement System trimmed its stake in MGM Resorts by 16% in Q1 2025, even as other institutions boosted holdings and the company reported strong Macau growth.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa Officially Opens Its Doors

Jul 8, 2025 • 8:53 AM ET

Hard Rock’s $350M Ottawa Hotel & Casino is officially open, bringing 150,000+ square feet of entertainment, dining, and gaming to Canada’s capital and creating over 600 jobs in the process.

GOP Big Beautiful Bill Raises Gamblers’ Concerns

Jul 7, 2025 • 3:45 PM ET

A sweeping tax and spending measure President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4 limits how much bettors are allowed to deduct of gambling-related losses and expenses. They're now capped at 90% of gross winnings.

FanDuel Donates $100K to Support Veterans’ Mental Health at John Deere Classic

Jul 4, 2025 • 8:32 AM ET

FanDuel, the PGA Tour's official betting partner, donated $100K to Next 18, a nonprofit helping military veterans and first responders through golf and mental health support programs.

WSOP Rules No Winner in Millionaire Maker After Controversy

Jul 4, 2025 • 8:02 AM ET

The WSOP has voided the outcome of its $1,500 Millionaire Maker event after an investigation into collusion between the final two players, sparked by suspicions of chip dumping and a $1M bonus promotion from ClubWPT Gold.

Pennsylvania Lottery to Increase Player Payouts Under New Bill

Jul 3, 2025 • 5:47 PM ET

The Keystone State's House and Senate just passed a measure reducing the required profit margin on traditional lottery games. This lets the PA Lottery increase player payouts and offer customers more high-prize games.

Michigan Woman Issues Warning After Losing $2M Through Gambling

Jul 3, 2025 • 5:11 PM ET

A Wolverine State resident cautioned about the dangers of online gambling after she lost $2 million in six months.

Jefferies Trims DraftKings Target Amid Tax Headwinds and Revised Forecasts

Jul 3, 2025 • 4:13 PM ET

The investment bank and financial services firm reduced its price target for DraftKings to $53 from $60 and has a Buy recommendation on the stock.

PrizePicks Switches to Peer-to-Peer Games in California Ahead of AG Ruling

Jul 3, 2025 • 3:22 PM ET

The fantasy sports provider changed the games it offers in the Golden State. Customers can no longer access Pick’Em and can only play Arena.

Aristocrat Interactive Launches Jackpot Carnival Buffalo Online

Jul 3, 2025 • 2:56 PM ET

Jackpot Carnival Buffalo debuts online in three U.S. states, Ontario, and the U.K.

Sports Trading Still Accounts for 50% of Kalshi Markets in the Offseason

Jul 3, 2025 • 2:30 PM ET

Kalshi players have drifted towards niche sports like the WNBA, UFC, and hot dog eating.

Bragg Gaming Expands U.S. Footprint with Fanatics Casino Launch in Three States

Jul 3, 2025 • 6:18 AM ET

Bragg Gaming is expanding its U.S. presence by launching proprietary and partner studio games through Fanatics Casino in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, using its exclusive RGS technology and promotional tools.

PrizePicks Resolves Lawsuit Against Former Employee Judah Huffman

Jul 2, 2025 • 3:11 PM ET

PrizePicks has resolved its lawsuit against Judah Huffman after reaching a confidential out-of-court agreement.

PENN Entertainment Launches PGA TOUR Mines Game

Jul 2, 2025 • 2:22 PM ET

The gaming, sports and entertainment company debuts a new golf-themed online offering, PGA TOUR Mines.

Bally’s Sells Global Interactive Arm to Intralot for $3.17 Billion

Jul 2, 2025 • 12:47 PM ET

Intralot is set to acquire Bally’s international interactive business, formerly Gamesys, for $3.17 billion in a deal aimed at expanding its reach across Europe and Asia while Bally’s reallocates capital for U.S. growth.

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