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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.
Apple
IBJR hails App Store approval as a milestone in the fight against illegal betting in Brazil
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) considers Apple’s decision to allow the distribution of regulated sports betting and online gaming applications on its Brazilian App Store a key milestone for the consolidation of a transparent and integrity-driven sector.
This measure strengthens regulation by making it easier for users to clearly identify operators that are duly authorized to operate in compliance with national rules.
Following Google’s decision, made less than a year ago, to authorize the distribution of sports betting apps on the Play Store in Brazil, this initiative acts as a powerful cybersecurity filter and helps protect consumers from the risks of the illegal market.
Since only operators licensed by the SPA are allowed to offer services to iOS users, the process of channeling traffic into the regulated environment is further strengthened.
However, for the measure to be fully effective, continuous enforcement is required, as several illegal apps can still be found on major platforms.

Data from Instituto Locomotiva, in partnership with LCA Consultoria, indicate that the illegal environment—much of it controlled by organized crime—moves around R$40 billion per year in Brazil and generates an estimated annual loss of R$10.8 billion in tax revenue.
In this context, actions that help distinguish legal operators from unauthorized ones are essential.
The presence of applications on both the Play Store and Apple Store reinforces the commitment to Responsible Gaming, as they integrate functionalities required by legislation and audited by the platforms.
These include strict age verification to prevent access by minors under 18, clear risk warnings related to gambling, and self-exclusion tools.
The post IBJR hails App Store approval as a milestone in the fight against illegal betting in Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Black Label
Pragmatic Play signs Latam Agreement with Black Label
Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the iGaming industry, has strengthened its reach in the regulated Latin American market through a multi-product deal with platform provider Black Label.
The partnership will see Pragmatic Play’s premium portfolio, including Slots, Live Casino, and Virtual Sports, integrated into the Black Label platform, enabling regulated operators across LatAm to seamlessly access the supplier’s content.
Pragmatic Play titles, including multi-award-winning slots such as Gates of Olympus and Sugar Rush, as well as popular crash games like High Flyer and Spaceman, are now available to Black Label’s partners in the region.
Black Label, a 360‑degree online gaming experience, serves as an end‑to‑end integration platform for launching or scaling online casinos.
Built with a deep understanding of Latin American players and offered in Spanish, it provides locally aligned solutions for one of the fastest‑growing regulated markets in the industry.
Victor Arias, VP of Latin America at ARRISE, a global iGaming software and services leader and a key partner to Pragmatic Play, said:
“Latin America remains one of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions in the industry, and partnering with Black Label allows Pragmatic Play to further boost its reach across the market.
“Combining Pragmatic Play’s award‑winning content with Black Label’s locally aligned platform to support operators and players across the region is another positive step, and one that further cements Pragmatic Play’s status in Latin America.”
Roberto González, general manager at Black Label, added: “Pragmatic Play is a globally respected supplier, and integrating its multi–product portfolio is a major milestone for Black Label.
“Our platform is built specifically for the needs of Latin American operators, and adding Pragmatic Play’s high‑performing content further strengthens the value we deliver to our partners.
The post Pragmatic Play signs Latam Agreement with Black Label appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Advanced Compliance Technology
Advanced Compliance Technology partners with the Soccer Federation of Rio Grande do Norte
ACT has been selected to collaborate in building integrity programs of Brazil’s football leagues through its independent, real-time Sports Integrity monitoring technology and specialized education programs to strengthen Brazilian Sports Integrity.
Advanced Compliance Technology (ACT), a leader in compliance, sports integrity and risk solutions for the global regulated betting and gaming industry, has entered a partnership with the Soccer Federation of North Rio Grande, a regional member of the national Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF).
The agreement signifies an important step forward in Brazilian football’s vision for the future as it adapts to the needs of the country’s new sports betting regulations, with an equal focus on safeguarding the integrity of competitions and protecting the athletes.
Under the agreement, ACT will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current status of the leagues’ needs operating within Brazil’s emerging regulated market.
ACT will also deliver educational programs tailored to the Brazilian sports markets, drawing on its expert sports leadership team, who share decades of experience and who have identified some of the largest match-fixing incidents in the United States.
The ACT team will combine their knowledge of sports betting, insider trading, and specialized analytics to address the growing need for sports integrity monitoring across Brazilian leagues. This will include the application of advanced technology through ACT’s proprietary online monitoring platform, the only real-time technology of its kind that is independent from betting operators and trading services.
Susan Bala, Co-Founder and Director at Advanced Compliance Technology, and former Delegate for the U.S. Commerce Department in Central and South America said:
“We are entering a new chapter in global sports with the introduction of legalised sports betting in Brazil. The country has an incredible and proud history in soccer, producing many of the game’s greatest athletes.
ACT is very pleased to collaborate with the leadership of the Soccer Federation of Rio Grande do Norte league in their mission to build a strong future through education and application of the most advanced technology solutions to safeguard the sport.”

Felipe Silva, Acting President of the Soccer Federation of Rio Grande do Norte, and José Silva, Vice President of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation, said:
“We are extremely pleased to be working with ACT on this initiative. We recognise the importance of educating our athletes and protecting the sport we love. It is our mission through this work to contribute to the future success of Brazilian football.
About Advanced Compliance Technology (ACT)
Advanced Compliance Technology is a leading provider of regulatory technology solutions for compliance and integrity monitoring in the global betting and gaming sector.
ACT’s all-in-one platform delivers the most advanced technology tools to help leagues, operators and regulators meet their complex compliance requirements with an independent expert service and real-time performance.
The company’s technology combines advanced geolocation intelligence, identity verification, advanced anti-fraud mechanisms, sports integrity and behavioural analytics to prevent circumvention, strengthen market integrity and support player protection.
The post Advanced Compliance Technology partners with the Soccer Federation of Rio Grande do Norte appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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