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Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness

Published

11 months 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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MIDNITE PARADES GIANT CHIP BUTTY AHEAD OF STEEL CITY DERBY

Published

8 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Midnite, principal partners of Sheffield United, unveiled a giant chip butty ahead of the Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday. The display coincided with the Blades’ 2-1 victory, which relegated their city rivals.

To celebrate the club’s iconic chip butty anthem, Midnite collaborated with Brook Bakery to create the oversized butty, which was showcased on the touchline prior to kick-off. In addition, hundreds of chip butties will be donated to local homeless charities and food banks across Sheffield in the coming weeks.

Andrew Mook, Head of Brand at Midnite, said: “We wanted to give something back to Sheffield United fans in a way that is synonymous with the club. The chip butty anthem is instantly recognisable as being something unique to Sheffield United, and by creating a giant chip butty, we wanted to have some fun, while ultimately delivering a strong message.

“Midnite is dedicated to offering value to Sheffield United fans. We aren’t just here to use the club and stick our logo on the shirt. We want to become a part of the club, and our initiatives and activations have all been designed to bring fans closer to the clubs they love.

“It has been great to work alongside local Sheffield businesses to create the chip butty, and then to help give back to the community foodbank and charities.”

Throughout the season, Midnite has supported fans by covering travel for away matches, providing complimentary haircuts to celebrate the new year, and unveiling a 50-square-metre mural honoring Chris Wilder opposite Bramall Lane.

The post MIDNITE PARADES GIANT CHIP BUTTY AHEAD OF STEEL CITY DERBY appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Stakelogic goes live with Spanish entertainment giant Luckia

Published

8 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Stakelogic has partnered with Luckia to expand its presence in the regulated online market of Spain.

Through the agreement, a selection of Stakelogic’s slot portfolio will be integrated into Luckia’s online platform via the Light & Wonder aggregation system. The rollout includes both classic and modern video slots featuring a wide range of themes and gameplay styles designed to appeal to diverse player preferences.

Founded in 1972, Luckia has evolved from a traditional slot machine operator into a multi-channel entertainment provider offering sports betting, casino games, bingo, and slots across online and retail channels, supported by more than 2,500 employees.

Roberto Navarrete, Senior Account Manager at Stakelogic, said: “Luckia is one of Spain’s most prominent and long-standing gaming and entertainment groups, with a significant retail heritage and a growing digital presence. Partnering with a brand of this scale and reputation is a major step for Stakelogic in the Spanish market. We are excited to bring our slot portfolio to Luckia’s platform and are confident their players will enjoy the variety, quality and gameplay depth our titles are known for.”

Eloy Fernandez, Head of Product Team at Luckia, added: “Adding Stakelogic’s content allows us to further diversify the entertainment we offer online, with games that combine distinctive design and well-balanced gameplay. Strengthening our slot portfolio in this way is an important part of ensuring our digital platform continues to evolve in line with player expectations and market trends.”

The post Stakelogic goes live with Spanish entertainment giant Luckia appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Baltics

HIPTHER Baltics Launches in Vilnius with Agenda Revealing Lithuania’s 2026 Regulatory Reset

Published

8 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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A new Baltic-focused conference era begins on 21 April 2026, uniting iGaming, fintech, compliance, and innovation leaders in Lithuania’s digital-first capital

HIPTHER officially announces the agenda for HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026, the inaugural event of its newly launched Baltic conference series, taking place 21 April 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre.

Marking the evolution of the landmark MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, the new HIPTHER Baltics format introduces targeted, country-focused gatherings designed to deliver deeper regulatory insight, stronger regional dialogue, and practical strategic value for decision-makers operating across gaming, fintech, and digital innovation.

At the heart of the Vilnius edition lies a defining theme: Lithuania’s Great Regulatory Reset — a decisive transition toward stricter supervision, strengthened compliance frameworks, and sustainable, quality-driven growth across financial services and iGaming.

Lithuania 2026: From Easy-Access Hub to Compliance-Driven Ecosystem

As Lithuania sharpens oversight across banking, fintech, blockchain, and gaming, the conference agenda explores four structural shifts shaping the market:

Banking: Cyber-resilience stress testing, the rise of specialised institutions, and a pivot toward sustainable profitability
Fintech: Account-to-account dominance, international B2B expansion, and the emergence of agentic AI beyond chatbot automation
Blockchain: Post-MiCA enforcement, strengthened AML leadership requirements, and institutional tokenisation of real-world assets
iGaming: Advertising restrictions, ISP blocking acceleration, and intensified identity and source-of-funds compliance

Together, these forces signal a new operational reality for regulated digital industries in the Baltics.

Agenda Highlights Across Two Strategic Stages

Stage 1 — Strategy, Compliance & Banking

Key discussions will include:

Regulators’ Panel: Bank of Lithuania and FNTT on MiCA transition and new iGaming ISP-blocking protocols
Banking Transformation: How credit unions and specialised banks challenge Nordic incumbents
Post-MiCA Survival: Maintaining VASP licensing under 2026 regulatory structures
iGaming Advertising Ban: Operator strategies in a zero-marketing environment
AML 2.0: Implementing enhanced source-of-wealth requirements for high-stakes players
Cross-Industry Debate: Can tokenisation solve transparency challenges between blockchain and iGaming?

Stage 2 — Innovation, Blockchain & iGaming Tech

Agentic AI in Fintech: From conversational tools to autonomous financial advisors
Tokenising the Real World: Real-estate and debt instruments on-chain in the Baltics
Next-Generation Payments: A2A integration across gaming and retail ecosystems
Digital Euro & CBDCs: Technical readiness for the European Central Bank’s 2026 roadmap

A Boutique Summit Built for Decision-Makers

HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 will gather 100+ senior attendees, 30+ expert speakers, and 15+ key industry topics in a one-day, high-impact format combining:

High-level regulatory and industry panels
Curated networking among operators, fintech leaders, regulators, legal experts, and investors
A premium, centrally located boutique conference environment

The event is designed for iGaming operators, fintech and payment providers, compliance professionals, regulators, affiliates, startups, and regional investors seeking actionable intelligence in a rapidly tightening regulatory landscape.

From MARE BALTICUM Legacy to HIPTHER Baltics Future

Reflecting on the transition, Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated:

“Lithuania is entering one of the most defining regulatory transitions in its modern digital economy. With HIPTHER Baltics in Vilnius, we are creating a focused platform where regulators, financial institutions, fintech innovators, and iGaming leaders can engage in honest, high-level dialogue about what sustainable growth truly means in 2026 and beyond.”

With HIPTHER Baltics launching in Vilnius, the Baltic region enters a new phase of dialogue — closer to local markets, deeper in expertise, and stronger in cross-industry collaboration.

The journey begins in Vilnius on 21 April 2026.

The post HIPTHER Baltics Launches in Vilnius with Agenda Revealing Lithuania’s 2026 Regulatory Reset appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.