Coleen King

MGCB Wins Platinum dotCOMM Award for “Mini Me” Responsible Gaming Commercial

Published

3 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

mgcb-wins-platinum-dotcomm-award-for-“mini-me”-responsible-gaming-commercial

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has earned a 2025 Platinum dotCOMM Award—the competition’s highest honor—for its “Mini Me” commercial, part of the agency’s Don’t Regret the Bet responsible gaming campaign. The spot won top recognition in the Social Media Marketing – Use of Video category, honoring creativity and excellence in digital communication.

Developed to reach young adults ages 18-24—a demographic research shows is at heightened risk of gambling-related harm—“Mini Me” combines hand-drawn animation with live-action footage to deliver a lighthearted yet impactful reminder about making smart choices when it comes to gambling. The approachable tone was designed to engage without stigma or judgment, helping the message resonate with its intended audience.

In just six months, the video generated strong engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Gas Station TV (GSTV), and other digital platforms, including:

• 255,781 impressions

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

• 149,345 individuals reached

• 13,059 clicks—more than any other ad in the MGCB’s campaign

• On GSTV, 2.2 million+ impressions and a 100% completion rate, surpassing industry benchmarks by 10%

“Winning a Platinum dotCOMM Award underscores the effectiveness of our responsible gaming messaging. The ‘Mini Me’ spot was intentionally designed to speak to young adults in a way that is approachable, relatable, and memorable. This recognition affirms that our message is not only being heard, but also making an impact,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.

The MGCB previously earned a Platinum dotCOMM Award in 2023 alongside King Media for the launch of the Don’t Regret the Bet integrated marketing campaign, which continues to expand its reach across Michigan.

Launched in March 2023, Don’t Regret the Bet aims to prevent gambling problems before they start and reduce the number of people in Michigan who develop a serious gambling addiction. The MGCB and King Media have collaborated on a wide range of responsible gaming messages reaching Michiganders across multiple platforms — including broadcast TV and radio, point-of-sale video ads at gas stations, digital billboards, social media, streaming services, and podcasts.

“We’re proud to see the ‘Mini Me’ spot recognized on an international stage. From the very beginning of our partnership with the MGCB, our focus has been on creating work that not only stands out creatively, but also makes a measurable difference in people’s lives. This award validates the power of that mission—and it inspires us to keep pushing forward in our shared commitment to prevent problem gambling before it starts,” said Coleen King, president and founder of King Media.

The post MGCB Wins Platinum dotCOMM Award for “Mini Me” Responsible Gaming Commercial appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Related Topics:Coleen King Gambling in the USA latest-news MGCB MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams Michigan Gaming Control Board

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Michigan Gaming Control Board Rolls Out Don’t Regret the Bet Responsible Gambling Campaign

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2023

GamingAmericas.com

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has launched its new Don’t Regret the Bet multi-media campaign as a way of encouraging residents to wager responsibly when utilizing one of the state’s many legal and regulated forms of gambling.

The responsible gambling exercise was developed in partnership with Lansing-headquartered King Media and is to include television and radio spots broadcast as part of the local coverage of professional and collegiate sporting events. The statewide exercise is to moreover encompass point-of-sale video advertisements, digital billboards and a social and digital media push over streaming and podcast audio services.

“Michigan residents will hear and see new public service messages on local television and radio stations and on popular social media platforms reminding them to enjoy gaming responsibly,” Henry Williams, Executive Director for the Michigan Gaming Control Board, said. “March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to launch the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s educational campaign. The year-long campaign is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to reach the public with information, tips and tactics promoting responsible gaming.”

As part of this fresh responsible gambling campaign and the Michigan Gaming Control Board has furthermore premiered the educational website at DontRegretTheBet.org for the state’s 10.1 million residents. This new domain features a broad range of responsible gaming information and links while being additionally accessible via the ‘responsible gaming’ section of the regulator’s own homepage at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

Funding for the Don’t Regret the Bet campaign was included in the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s budget for 2023, which was approved by local legislators last year before being signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The watchdog has now embarked on a campaign to secure enough cash to extend this fresh responsible gambling campaign into 2024 and beyond.

“We are honored to partner with the Michigan Gaming Control Board to promote responsible gambling,” Coleen King, President for King Media, said. “Don’t Regret the Bet is a campaign that will have a positive impact on individuals and communities across Michigan and that aligns perfectly with our focus on meaningful work.”