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Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2025

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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.

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QTech Games adds UU Slots content in new supplier deal

Published

55 minutes ago

May 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Partnership integrates UU Slots’ e-Games and slots catalogue into QTech’s aggregation platform for operator customers.

QTech Games has signed a new content partnership with UU Slots, adding the supplier’s slots and e-Games catalogue to QTech’s aggregation platform for its operator customers.

QTech said the integration brings titles including Bonanza Wilds Party, Golden Aztec Multiways, Ultimate Ace, Bolt of Olympus and the Mahjong Wilds series to its platform distribution.

UU Slots’ Board of Directors commented: “QTech is a natural habitat for our superior digital content. We are widening our scope across developing regions and their market-leading platform provides a flexible gateway to some previously overlooked regions.

“Operators are invited to take a dive deep into UU Slots’ vast ocean of slot games. Tailored for enthusiasts, our mobile slot game collection offers unparalleled gaming experiences, and we can’t wait to see how these titles now perform outside of our home territories.”

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “It’s another welcome validation of our platform’s diversity to have integrated more premium content from UU Slots. They’re a dynamic supplier that offers some exciting localised games, which have long reigned supreme in Eastern markets. With their flagship features and adrenaline-packed gameplay, we’re now confident of taking this portfolio into new markets, continuing to raise the bar and shape a fresh experience for global players who, in many cases, will be new to the immersive worlds of UU Slots.”

The post QTech Games adds UU Slots content in new supplier deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Conferences

Private London Forum Connecting iGaming Leaders, Investors and Advisers on Growth and M&A

Published

55 minutes ago

May 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

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London’s status as a key global financial centre will serve as the backdrop to the launch of the industry’s first World Gaming M&A Summit (WGM&A). Taking place on 1 July and serving as the curtain raiser to iGB L!VE, the WGM&A represents the only dedicated forum for corporate development officers and M&A advisors working in iGaming.

The WorldGaming M&A Summit brings a dedicated focus on mergers and acquisitions in iGaming. Convening leadership from public and private operators alongside sector-focused investment banks, legal advisers and corporate finance specialists, attendees will benefit from a highly targeted opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, originate deal flow, assess strategic fit and gain insights from active market participants.

The event provides direct access to London’s deep sector expertise built over decades of transactions and its unparalleled ecosystem of strategic acquirers, potential targets, leading advisory firms and business leaders across the M&A value chain.

Industry expert and WorldGaming chairman Michael Caselli stated: “M&A is a business imperative in the current iGaming landscape and this event features insights from sector-specialist advisers and industry leaders including Morgan Stanley’s Laurence Hopkins and Paolo Della Rovere, and Bally’s Robeson Reeves.

“Also featuring strategic intent sessions, industry leaders will host round tables to explain their growth theses, define their M&A criteria and share their business’ vision for consolidation and growth. Following the sessions attendees are invited to the M&A Summit cocktail reception and dinner where conversations will continue and deals will be cemented.”

Explaining the background to the Tier 1 event, World Gaming managing director Stuart Hunter said: “Legislative and fiscal developments, including the increase in UK gaming taxes which were announced by the government in the November 2025 budget, evolving European regulations and wider global legislative adjustments, have prompted the introduction of the World Gaming M&A Summit.

“The WGM&A is part of a broader programme of business-critical events taking place at iGB L!VE. With so many investors and decision makers based in London, iGB L!VE is closer to the people who are critical to the future development of the iGaming industry.”

In order to maintain a focused, high-level attendance, the WorldGaming M&A Summit is limiting its attendance and tickets are by application only. Applicants should be actively seeking strategic partnerships or be an experienced adviser in the sector. Applications are being accepted at igblive.com/igb-live-ma-summit.

The post Private London Forum Connecting iGaming Leaders, Investors and Advisers on Growth and M&A appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026

Published

17 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.

The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.

Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”

Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”

The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.