Latest News
AFC Wimbledon Become the Latest Club to Back The Big Step Campaign
AFC Wimbledon has become the fifth English league club to take a stand against gambling advertising in football by signing up for The Big Step campaign.
Johnnie Jackson, manager of AFC Wimbledon, said: “If you look at gambling and the damage it causes – the stats around suicides in particular – it’s touched a lot of people and probably more than we realise.
“The fact that so many people voted it through shows just how prevalent the problems around it are and how much people are affected by it, whether it’s themselves or the people around them. The more awareness around gambling you can create, the better.”
Tom Fleming, Communications Manager at Gambling with Lives and The Big Step, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of Wimbledon and their owners – the fans. Gambling advertising is unhealthy and unpopular so the Club’s decision is welcome good news, following the sharp rise in high-profile players harmed by gambling. We’re sure that if it were down to the fans of each club, no club would partner with a gambling company.
“Despite young fans being bombarded with relentless gambling adverts while watching their heroes, this year has shown that football is incapable of self-regulating. We still hope the government will take control and end gambling advertising in football, but in the meantime it’s so important that clubs like AFC Wimbledon have taken a stand to protect their fans.”
The announcement comes at a time when gambling’s relationship with football is under increasing scrutiny, following the high-profile cases of players including Ivan Toney, Harry Toffolo, Sandro Tonali and Lucas Paqueta – all are either under investigation or serving a ban for breaking gambling regulations.
Michele Little, Dons Trust Board member, said: “As a club at the heart of our community, we are committed to being a force for good. We took the decision some time ago not to accept gambling advertising or sponsorship as a club. Now with the backing of our owners – the fans – we’re signing up to The Big Step and saying that it’s time to end the harm that gambling advertising in football causes.”
The Big Step campaign is part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide. A 2023 Office for Health Improvement and Disparities study estimated there are up to 496 suicides related to gambling every year in England alone.
Earlier this year, the Premier League announced it will phase-out front-of-shirt gambling sponsors by the 2026/27 season. But a government whitepaper on gambling reform, published in April, took no action on gambling advertising in football despite a recent study finding that up to 3500 gambling logos were visible during a single televised Premier League game – only 7% were on the front of shirts.
Another study found that fans received 11,000 gambling messages during the opening weekend of the Premier League season in August.
The Club will work in partnership with Gambling with Lives to promote preventative messages and information, as well as provide training and education about the risks of gambling in the community.
Latest News
Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month
State agencies join forces to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide tools for safe and responsible play.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and the Arizona Lottery are proud to announce a joint effort in support of a new Proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month in Arizona.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. While problem gambling initiatives focus on helping those already experiencing harm from gambling, responsible gaming emphasizes prevention by encouraging healthy play behaviors before they reach a critical point.
Throughout September, and continuing in the months ahead, the ADG and Arizona Lottery will work together to strengthen education and awareness initiatives. The goal is to equip players with strategies and resources that help them keep gaming fun and safe, while helping reduce the risks associated with problem gambling.
“For over 30 years, the Arizona Department of Gaming has safeguarded the integrity of gaming through strong consumer protections, enforcement against illegal operators, and support services for those impacted by problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Arizona Department of Gaming Agency Director. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, we remind everyone that part of playing responsibly is being informed—always double-check before you place your bet to ensure you are using a legal, regulated operator at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.”
The Arizona Lottery also remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible play and has a Level 2 certification with the World Lottery Association for responsible gaming. Lottery games benefit the people of Arizona by generating critical revenue that funds education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development. At the same time, the Lottery prioritizes the well-being of its players. Each ticket includes clear odds of winning, vending machines display game odds, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline is featured across Lottery products and advertising.
“We are proud to deliver entertainment that benefits communities across our state, while recognizing our responsibility to promote safe play,” said Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director. “Through transparency and awareness, we want every player to have the tools they need to make informed decisions and enjoy the Lottery responsibly.”
As Arizona observes Responsible Gaming Education Month, ADG and the Arizona Lottery encourage all players to stay informed, know their limits, and seek help if needed. Together, we can ensure that gaming remains a source of entertainment that strengthens, rather than harms, Arizona communities.
For more information and resources, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or ArizonaLottery.com/ResponsibleGaming. If you or someone you know may be struggling with problem gambling, call or text 1-800-NEXT-STEP for confidential support available 24/7.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Seasoned iGaming executive brings decade of commercial expertise to drive B2B growth
VeliTech, the B2B technology division of Veli Group, today announced the appointment of Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Lundin brings over 10 years of commercial leadership experience across the iGaming sector to accelerate VeliTech expansion as operators worldwide seek battle-tested platform solutions.
In his new role, Lundin will spearhead VeliTech global sales strategy, focusing on delivering the company’s comprehensive suite of iGaming solutions to operators seeking proven technology backed by real-world performance. His appointment reinforces VeliTech commitment to partnering with operators who demand more than promises – they want technology that is already winning in the market.
“Mats embodies the kind of proven expertise that our operator partners expect,” said Giorgi Aleksidze, CEO at VeliTech.
“His track record of building meaningful relationships and driving revenue growth aligns perfectly with our approach of backing our technology with real results. When we say we bet on our tech, we need leaders who understand what that means in practice.”
Lundin joins VeliTech from Vegangster, where he served as Sales Manager. His career spans key roles including Director of Sales and Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, Head of Sales at iSoftBet, and various commercial positions where he consistently delivered revenue growth and market expansion
“What drew me to VeliTech is their unique position in the market,” said Lundin.
“This is not just another platform provider making bold claims – this is a team that operates their own gaming brands and proves their technology works where it matters most. That combination of technical excellence and real-world validation creates compelling value for operators.”
Throughout his career, Lundin has specialised in provider and operator relationship management, regulatory navigation, and market analysis. His expertise spans both B2B and B2C sectors, with a proven ability to identify growth opportunities and translate them into sustainable commercial success.
The VeliTech platforms cover all critical aspects of iGaming, including player account management, no-code CRM, payment gateway, content aggregation, and game development. The appointment of Lundin as CSO comes as the company continues expanding its presence across regulated markets, from European casinos to emerging African markets.
The post VeliTech Appoints Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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