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Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness

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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.

2026 EGR Europe Awards

RocketPlay won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards

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RocketPlay Casino has been awarded European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards for its innovative community-led campaign, RocketWisdom: The Book. The EGR Europe Awards recognise trailblazers and leaders shaping the iGaming industry across Europe, with winners chosen through a rigorous judging process.

What the Award Recognises

The European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C category honours marketing initiatives that achieve significant commercial impact or enhance brand development. Judges evaluate originality, creativity, quality of execution, and measurable results.

About RocketWisdom: The Book

RocketPlay’s winning campaign began as a player research project. Over two months, the casino invited its community to share their gaming habits and “rituals,” gathering over 1,000 responses. These insights were transformed into a book featuring 100+ authentic player stories, curated but not rewritten by the brand.

The campaign gained rapid momentum after streamers discovered the book. Within just three days, RocketPlay received around 1,000 direct requests, turning a private research initiative into a fully-fledged public campaign. The project was amplified across owned channels, social media, creator content, media coverage, and in-product activations.

Campaign Highlights

  • 13,000+ downloads
  • ~100 streams showcasing the project (~200,000 viewers)
  • 50+ media outlets coverage

For RocketPlay, the award represents a major milestone and underscores the power of community-driven storytelling. The campaign demonstrates that authentic engagement can deliver measurable performance, not just visibility. RocketPlay continues to build its reputation in the community, maintaining top ratings across platforms including 9.8/10 on CasinoGuru, 9.1/10 on AskGamblers, 4.4/5 on Trustpilot, and 4.3/5 on LCB.

The post RocketPlay won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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2026 EGR Europe Awards

RocketPlay won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards

Published

on

rocketplay-won-european-marketing-campaign-of-the-year-–-b2c-at-the-2026-egr-europe-awards

RocketPlay Casino has won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the EGR Europe Awards 2026 for its community-led campaign RocketWisdom: The Book. The EGR Europe Awards acknowledges innovators and leaders shaping Europe’s iGaming sector, with winners selected through a structured judging process.

What this award recognises

European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C rewards marketing initiatives that deliver major commercial impact and/or brand development, with judges assessing originality, creativity, execution quality, and measurable outcomes

About RocketWisdom: The Book

RocketPlay won with RocketWisdom: The Book — a campaign that started as a player research project. Over 2 months, RocketPlay invited its community to share real-life gaming habits and “rituals,” collecting 1,000+ responses. Those voices became a book featuring 100+ authentic player stories — curated, not rewritten by the brand.

The release gained momentum organically: after streamers discovered the book, RocketPlay received about 1,000 direct requests within 3 days, turning a private research initiative into a full-scale public campaign supported across owned channels, social, creator content, media coverage, and in-product activations.

Highlights of the campaign

  • 13,000+ downloads
  • ~100 streams featuring the project (~200,000 viewers)
  • 50+ media outlets

For RocketPlay, the award is a major brand milestone — and a clear signal that community-led storytelling can drive real performance, not just attention. The brand continues to strengthen its reputation across the community, holding top ratings such as 9.8/10 on CasinoGuru, 9.1/10 on AskGamblers, 4.4/5 on Trustpilot, and 4.3/5 on LCB.

The post RocketPlay won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Latest News

RocketPlay won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the 2026 EGR Europe Awards

Published

on

RocketPlay Casino has won European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C at the EGR Europe Awards 2026 for its community-led campaign RocketWisdom: The Book. The EGR Europe Awards acknowledges innovators and leaders shaping Europe’s iGaming sector, with winners selected through a structured judging process.

What this award recognises

European Marketing Campaign of the Year – B2C rewards marketing initiatives that deliver major commercial impact and/or brand development, with judges assessing originality, creativity, execution quality, and measurable outcomes

About RocketWisdom: The Book

RocketPlay won with RocketWisdom: The Book — a campaign that started as a player research project. Over 2 months, RocketPlay invited its community to share real-life gaming habits and “rituals,” collecting 1,000+ responses. Those voices became a book featuring 100+ authentic player stories — curated, not rewritten by the brand.

The release gained momentum organically: after streamers discovered the book, RocketPlay received about 1,000 direct requests within 3 days, turning a private research initiative into a full-scale public campaign supported across owned channels, social, creator content, media coverage, and in-product activations.

Highlights of the campaign

  • 13,000+ downloads
  • ~100 streams featuring the project (~200,000 viewers)
  • 50+ media outlets

For RocketPlay, the award is a major brand milestone — and a clear signal that community-led storytelling can drive real performance, not just attention. The brand continues to strengthen its reputation across the community, holding top ratings such as 9.8/10 on CasinoGuru, 9.1/10 on AskGamblers, 4.4/5 on Trustpilot, and 4.3/5 on LCB.

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