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Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the 2025 March Madness tournament begins with Selection Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. March Madness is the coined name for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The penultimate (second to last) round is known as the Final Four, where only 4 teams remain.
Check out the full schedule below:
- Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 16 on CBS
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
With March Madness being one of the most anticipated, watched, and wagered-on events in all of sports, the Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) is reminding Arizona residents and visitors to remember to play smart and bet responsibly, remaining within the bounds of the law.
“Every year, March Madness continues to rank among the top sporting events to wager on nationally, as excitement and anxiety builds as fans watch to see if their team will make it to the Final Four,” said Jackie Johnson, ADG Director. “The Department wants to use this opportunity as a chance to remind and encourage Arizona residents, as well as our springtime visitors, to make sure they are enjoying the games responsibly. Protect your bet and ensure your wagers are placed legally and thoughtfully this March.”
Sports Pools – Know What Rules to Follow
In the United States, it is common to see friends, families, and colleagues participate in sports pools for March Madness. These pools are legal as long as the state’s social gambling rules are followed. According to Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 13-3301(9)), social gambling requires:
- That gambling cannot be conducted as business, which means that hosts cannot receive financial benefit, unless they are participating in the game;
- Hosts pay out all pool money to the winner(s);
- Only participants can win; and
- Players compete on equal terms with each other.
A few things to be on the lookout for that indicate illegal gambling:
- Paying a fee to participate, including “suggested” or “voluntary” donations.
- A host who keeps a percentage of the pool for administering the game.
- A required minimum purchase to participate (food or beverage, etc.).
- Unequal odds.
- Underage participants (under 21 years of age).
ADG takes complaints about illegal gambling seriously. To report suspected illegal gambling activity, visit our website at gaming.az.gov/about/contact-us, call (602) 255-3886, or email [email protected]. You can remain anonymous.
Responsible Betting – What to Keep in Mind
With sports betting legal in the state, it has become increasingly important to educate yourself on how you can bet responsibly. Listed below are some helpful tips as part of the American Gaming Association’s (AGA)
Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.
campaign:
- Set a Budget – It is crucial to keep in mind that everyone will have different budgets; never bet beyond your own means. Be cautious and make sure you set a limit – and stick to it – if you plan on wagering. More information on how to responsibly set a budget for wagering can be found on the AGA’s Have A Game Plan website: How Much Should I Wager?
- Know the Odds – There are plenty of key terms everyone should know when making a sports bet. What’s a parlay? Over/under? Moneyline? If you decide to wager, make sure you are briefed on The Basics of Sports Betting.
- Keep it Social – Whenever gambling, be mindful that all forms of gambling are for the purpose of entertainment. This is not a way to make money. By gaming with friends, family, and colleagues, you can keep playing responsibly and have fun.
- Keep Your Cool – No one’s perfect, and in sports, winning and losing are all part of the game. Whether you’re wagering from the sidelines or watching from home, remember to keep your cool. Good sportsmanship isn’t just for the players on the field; it’s for everyone.
- Play Legally – Legal operators provide important player protections that are not found in the illegal market. Whether you are placing a wager on your phone or at a physical sportsbook, make sure you are using a legal operator in the state. Visit the ADG website to view a full list of the state’s approved operators and retail locations: Approved Operators.
You can view more information on how to bet responsibly by visiting haveagameplan.org. In recognition of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (“PGAM”), the Department wants to remind Arizonans that if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, the Division of Problem Gambling (“DPG”) urges you to get help now by calling 1-800-NEXT STEP (1.800.639.8783), DPG’s confidential helpline, texting “NEXTSTEP” to 53342, or utilizing a chat feature on the DPG website. DPG’s helpline provides confidentiality and connects callers with a master’s level counselor who can connect them with available resources, including statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling.
The helpline is available 24/7 to everyone facing a problem with gambling – individuals and affected family members, friends, or co-workers. Learn more and access resources at problemgambling.az.gov. Additionally, the ADG published a press release on March 3 recognizing PGAM.
Please view the press release by visiting our website’s Media Room, as well as DPG’s PGAM toolkit for more information.
The post Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetComply, iGaming’s most trusted technical and regulatory compliance firm, has hired the former Entain executive Jez White in a new role overseeing safer gambling and sustainability.
White joins BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain, where he served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics. His expertise across responsible gaming, risk management, and player protection technology has been instrumental in shaping industry standards.
In his new position, White will design and implement safer gambling strategies, audit existing safer gambling models and design CRM strategies for BetComply clients.
Daniel Brookes, CEO of BetComply said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jez, who has been at the very cutting edge of regulated online gaming for many years now. Few, if any, can match his level of expertise, and this is a major coup for BetComply and our partners. His insights and experience will be invaluable as we continue to set new benchmarks in compliance and sustainability.”
Jez White, Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist at BetComply, added: “I’m incredibly proud of the advancements made in player protection during my eight years at Entain, and I’m now excited to join BetComply. They have very quickly emerged as the leading compliance firm in our industry, and I’ll be contributing to their vision of creating a safer and more sustainable gaming sector.”
While at Entain, White led the implementation of an industry-leading safe gambling strategy that incorporated pattern recognition models and real-time interaction technology.
BetComply has been expanding its senior team over recent weeks. In February, Paola Menchem was brought in to lead its legal and regulatory compliance services.
The post Former Entain exec Jez White joins BetComply appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Sought-after software provider announces new partnership deal that will see its full suite of slots go live at leading Lucky7 brands including LuckyDays.se
Having steadily expanded its presence in regulated markets in recent months, in-demand software provider, Swintt, has announced it has made further in-roads into Scandinavia and Ontario after signing a new partnership deal with licensed network, Lucky7.
Operating a wide range of high-profile online casino brands, Lucky7 has a strong presence not only in Scandinavia, where it runs platforms like LuckyDays.se and LuckyDays.com/fi – but also in Ontario, further expanding its global footprint. Through this new deal, all platforms in the Lucky7 portfolio will now have access to Swintt’s complete selection of state-of-the-art slots.
With this huge library of content not only including SwinttPremium and SwinttSelect games, but also titles from the recently-established Elysium Studios Driven by Swintt line, the collaboration will ensure that all Lucky7 customers can enjoy an even greater choice of quality gaming options.
While Swintt’s core product offering has already built up a strong following across Europe, it’s the Elysium Studios range of games that will likely hold the most appeal for Lucky7, given these titles have been designed specifically with modern markets like Scandinavia in mind.
Packed with innovative features and mobile-optimised mechanics, some of the games in the Elysium Studios line-up that will now go live across the Lucky7 network include I Hate Fairytales, Wild Wild North and the highly anticipated upcoming title, Pirate Pledge Hold & Win.
Scheduled to launch this March, the new game promises to be a swashbuckling adventure across the seven seas where players can harness the power of expanding wilds and special Pirate Spins to boost their base game winnings, making it an ideal choice for all fans of next generation slots.
Of course, with that merely being the tip of the iceberg in terms of the new games that will shortly be coming to Lucky7 brands, the partnership will help the company cement its position as a Scandinavian market leader while also helping Swintt get its games in front of a wider audience.
Lars Kollind, Head of Business Development at Swintt, said: “Scandinavia has always been an important market for Swintt – and with our new Elysium Studios line-up, we’re even better positioned to give players in the region the type of content they want. With this in mind, the timing of this partnership with Lucky7 is perfect, as it will not only help us put our titles in front of a wider audience but also allow the network to offer an even stronger range of modern gaming options.”
Klara Sedlarikova, Casino Manager at Lucky7, said: “As a brand with a strong focus on regulated markets, it’s important for Lucky7 to constantly stay on top of evolving tastes and preferences of our customers. By adding Swintt titles to our network we’ll be able to offer our players an even wider choice of quality content, all of which has been designed with this modern, tech-savvy audience in mind.”
The post Swintt games launch on LuckyDays brands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
In a world where slots are all about the thrill of the spin, PopOK Gaming has raised the stakes—bringing the high-rolling world of art and fortune together in Eye on the Money, an industry-first collaboration with globally renowned street artist Alec Monopoly.
This is not just another slot game. This is a statement, a revolution in gaming.
Imagine spinning the reels on a game that besides promising jackpots and multipliers immerses you in the rebellious, opulent world of Alec Monopoly’s signature art.
PopOK Gaming has seamlessly blended the excitement of slot gaming with the exclusivity of modern street art, offering players an experience that is as visually stunning as it is rewarding.
What makes Eye on the Money stand out? It’s more than just reels and wins—it’s a celebration of luxury, success, and fortune.
PopOK Gaming is no stranger to pushing boundaries, but Eye on the Money sets a new standard for creativity in the industry. And now, the wait is over. The reels are live, the stakes are high, and fortune favors those who dare to spin.
Ready to Play?
Eye on the Money is now available for players and casino operators ready to embrace the next era of slot gaming.
The post Eye-on-the-Money by PopOK Gaming Brings a New Breath to Slot Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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