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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.
CasinoCanada has announced a strategic partnership with MelBet, the international betting and gaming operator, aimed at expanding the brand’s footprint in Canada through dedicated content and brand representation on CasinoCanada’s digital platforms.
Under the agreement, CasinoCanada.com will produce detailed reviews and SEO-focused content tailored to Canadian audiences. The partnership is designed to provide users with clear, transparent information about MelBet’s products and services, while enhancing the operator’s visibility in Canada and driving traffic to the MelBet website.
CasinoCanada is operated by SEOBROTHERS, and Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR, said:
“MelBet operates across multiple international markets and has established a consistent presence in the iGaming industry. Through CasinoCanada, we will focus on delivering clear, data-based content tailored to users in Canada and quality traffic to the MelBet website. This partnership is structured around transparent communication and long-term cooperation.”
MelBet offers daily betting on over 1,000 events across sports and esports, alongside a wide range of slots from more than 120 global providers. The brand has earned multiple accolades, including Best Online Gambling Operator (EVENTUS 2023), Best Affiliate Program (SiGMA Africa Awards 2024), and Live Casino of the Year (AffPapa iGaming Awards 2024).
The operator’s high-profile sports partnerships feature legends such as Andrés Iniesta, Didier Drogba, and Kamaru Usman. In October 2025, MelBet extended its agreement as Juventus’ official betting partner in MENA and Africa, while Spanish La Liga and professional Dota 2 organisation OG Esports further enhance its global portfolio.
Anastasiia Shcherbyna, CMO at MelBet Affiliates, commented:
“Working with CasinoCanada has been smooth and efficient. They understand the specifics of our brand, communicate clearly, and consistently deliver on their commitments. We appreciate their professional approach and see strong potential for long-term cooperation.”
This collaboration positions MelBet for sustained growth in Canada, leveraging CasinoCanada’s content expertise and digital reach to strengthen brand awareness and user engagement.
The post CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Emerging-markets leader enhances its content selection with new games from a rising contender.
QTech Games, the premier game aggregator for emerging markets, has sustained its robust momentum in its pipeline, owing to its recent agreement with promising studio, Barbara Bang, a slots provider recognized for its unique method of game development and a customized approach to discovering localized solutions for various markets.
Incorporating an outstanding portfolio from a highly unique and innovative digital slots supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which is bringing a diverse selection of online games to emerging markets, featuring well-known brands alongside the industry’s most thrilling new providers.
The games offered to QTech partners through this agreement are crypto-friendly and include popular titles and new releases like Sky Rail Riches, Juicy Fruits, Sunshine Rich, and Chieftain Buffalo. Each utilizes distinct maths modeling that alters the volatility spectrum, contributing to an engaging gaming experience.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Barbara Bang extends our impressive sequential pipeline – and we’ve so much more to come in 2026! In today’s marketplace, only high-quality games offering something different separate you from the rabble, so we’re delighted to see how Barbara Bang is fulfilling this demand. Their dedication to data-driven content development, coupled with an acute focus on even the most specific player-centric details, matches up neatly with QTech’s own localisation techniques across emerging markets.
George Dias, Partnership Manager of Barbara Bang, added: “Barbara Bang prides itself on our ever-expanding production line of titles which provide unique and head-turning experiences in an increasingly homogenised space. And we’ve found QTech to be a natural habitat for embracing such content, and delivering it to new audiences. Founded with the goal of bridging the gap between players and gaming platforms, Barbara Bang is now acquiring progressive recognition in the iGaming market, thanks to this deal with the top aggregator QTech Games.
“We’re confident that this partnership will allow us to seamlessly broaden the scope of our slots for fresh audiences across emerging markets. It’s a significant step for Barbara Bang in enlarging our global footprint.”
The post QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Hub88 has enhanced its Operator Backoffice suite with the launch of Player Analytics, a tool designed to provide operators with a clear, actionable view of player behaviour across their platform.
Traditionally, understanding player activity has been a manual, time-consuming process, often requiring data to be pulled from multiple systems or spreadsheets. Player Analytics consolidates this information into a single interface, improving efficiency and enabling data-driven decision-making.
The tool offers two main interfaces:
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Table View: Provides broad segmentation and filtering across the entire player base. Operators can sort players by date, product, country, device, currency, or player ID, and save custom segments for ongoing analysis.
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Player Profile: Delivers a detailed overview of individual users, including gameplay history, KPIs, supplier activity, devices, currencies, geography, and flagged events — all presented via customizable charts and dashboards.
With advanced insights, operators can detect financial spikes or drops, analyze behavioural trends, forecast churn, and identify potential fraud. Linking supplier IDs directly to player activity also helps operators spot inconsistencies and streamline support processes.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director of Hub88, commented:
“With high volumes of player activity, modern operators are often overwhelmed by raw data. Player Analytics gives teams the ability to understand player behaviour at both a high level and in granular detail, without relying on manual processes or specialists. Operators deserve clarity, speed and actionable insight, and through this new tool, they can make smarter decisions with confidence.”
The launch of Player Analytics reinforces Hub88’s commitment to providing operators with tools that enhance efficiency, support long-term growth, and maximize platform performance.
The post Hub88 launches Player Analytics to give operators complete view of user behaviour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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