American Gaming Association
MGM Resorts & BetMGM to Increase Responsible Gaming Messaging at NFL Stadiums During Upcoming Season
MGM Resorts International and BetMGM announced that they are once again partnering with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM 2024) in September. The two companies will execute their responsible gaming campaign at designated National Football League (NFL) stadiums for the second year, with increased exposure for GameSense. GameSense is an industry-leading responsible gaming program first developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The program focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly. With this development, GameSense marketing will appear more often and in more prominent venue locations during each game.
GameSense messaging will be promoted at the following stadiums:
• Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)
• Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos)
• Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
• GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)
• M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)
• MetLife Stadium (New York Jets)
• Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans)
• State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)
In 2023, MGM Resorts and BetMGM were among the first gaming operators to promote responsible gaming through marketing within League stadiums.
“We’re excited to bring responsible gaming initiatives directly to fans in these NFL venues again this season. We are setting a new standard for safety and awareness in the industry. At BetMGM, we believe that protecting our players and promoting responsible play is essential to the future of sports betting,” Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM, said.
BetMGM will also add to its catalog of advertisements in the coming months that highlight its comprehensive responsible gaming resources. The spots will feature brand ambassadors sharing engaging messaging, similar to its highly regarded responsible gaming commercial featuring NHL MVP Connor McDavid.
Also, coinciding with RGEM 2024, MGM Resorts is announcing a $440,000 contribution to fund responsible gaming research through the International Center for Responsible Gaming and Kindbridge Research Institute. These studies aim to advance industry best practices and fill significant research gaps on under-studied populations, including women military Veterans.
Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, said: “The importance of responsible gaming research funding cannot be overstated. As a gaming industry leader, it’s imperative that our company supports efforts to better understand the diverse impact gambling has on various populations, including those that may be at greater risk of developing problematic behaviors.”
Throughout RGEM 2024, MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to conduct extensive training to raise employee awareness of responsible gaming. Recently, MGM Resorts’ GameSense Advisor Program certified more than 500 customer-facing employees, equipping them with the skills and confidence to educate customers about casino games and empower them to make informed decisions. BetMGM will also deploy extensive employee training, including additional education for its VIP Staff, while advancing responsible gaming through lived experiences with its EPIC Global Solutions partnership.
Additionally in September, new GameSense messaging will be displayed prominently on table games throughout MGM Resorts’ properties nationwide. Similar messaging will continue to be featured on all slot machines, 8000 of which include QR codes offering access to responsible gaming information and educational materials from GameSense. Responsible gaming tips will also appear on MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas marquees and on more than 35,000 screens across the company’s portfolio. BetMGM will release improved responsible gaming tools within its platform as well. These tools are designed to help players manage their budgets, stay within their limits, and promote a responsible and sustainable entertainment experience.
MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue their partnership with the AGA’s “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.” public service campaign to educate new and seasoned bettors on responsible sports wagering. The campaign aims to protect customers and reinforces the use of regulated markets, which prioritizes player protection and safeguards.
Joe Maloney, SVP of Strategic Communications at American Gaming Association, said: “Collaboration is integral to strengthening our collective responsibility efforts. Both in their work with the AGA and throughout the legal, regulated gaming industry, MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue to be leaders in forming innovative partnerships that are advancing responsible gaming in meaningful ways.”
American Gaming Association
AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the 2025 inductees into the Gaming Hall of Fame, recognizing three individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:
• David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
• Ann Simmons Nicholson, Founder and CEO, Simmons Group
• Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Hard Rock Gaming, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the visionaries who’ve shaped today’s gaming industry. David, Ann, and Charlie have each made lasting contributions to the growth, integrity, and leadership of legal gaming, and we’re proud to recognize their impact,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
“This year’s inductees reflect the strength, diversity, and expertise that define our industry. The Gaming Hall of Fame honors leaders whose careers exemplify excellence and enduring influence – and these three couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said AGA Chairman Mike Rumbolz (Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022).
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2025 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this October.
This year’s selection committee members include:
• Mike Palm, VP, Operations, Circa Resorts
• Anika Howard, CEO, Wondr Nation
• Ryan Comstock, COO, Ainsworth and Chair, AGEM
• Debi Nutton, Industry Consultant and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024
• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming
• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA
• Lauren Bates, VP, Sales, Light & Wonder and Chair, Global Gaming Women
• Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
• Mike Rumbolz, Chairman, AGA
About the 2025 Inductees
David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
David Berman has more than three decades of experience in gaming mergers & acquisitions and capital markets, having led more than 100 mergers & acquisitions worth more than $125 billion and helped clients raise more than $215 billion in debt and equity. He founded REGAL Capital Advisors, a gaming-focused advisory firm acquired by Macquarie in 2011, and previously held senior roles at Credit Suisse, CIBC World Markets, and Oppenheimer & Co. Berman currently serves on the Board of Leaders at USC’s Marshall School of Business and is Treasurer of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation.
Ann Simmons Nicholson, CEO and founder of Simmons Group
Ann Simmons Nicholson is an expert in strategic planning and organizational consulting. Over her 40-year career, she has worked with nearly every major gaming company, supporting more than 60 property openings, expansions, and acquisitions. Her expertise spans human capital strategy, leadership development, organizational culture, and executive coaching, and her firm has provided training to more than 27,000 gaming professionals globally. A dedicated community leader and advocate, she has served on board including United Way of Southern Nevada, Global Gaming Women, and Noah’s Animal House.
Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas
With more than 50 years of experience in slot operations and game innovation, Charles Lombardo has helped define the modern casino experience. He has held senior leadership roles at Caesars Palace, Bally’s, Paris Las Vegas, and Seminole Gaming, where he led the development of Class II and III gaming standards, pioneered groundbreaking slot technologies, and helped shape state and tribal regulatory frameworks. Today, he continues to consult on game development and casino openings and serves as a special gaming advisor to Seminole Gaming. Lombardo was the first-ever inductee into the Eilers Hall of Fame for Slot Operations.
The post AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
American Gaming Association
AGA Launches “Play Smart from the Start” Consumer Hub to Help Players Game Responsibly

The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the launch of the Play Smart Consumer Hub, a new online resource designed to help consumers game responsibly. The hub builds on AGA’s Play Smart from the Start, a messaging platform that encourages players to make informed choices and develop habits that keep gaming fun.
“The AGA is committed to making responsible gaming a seamless part of the player experience. Part of the fun of gaming is that everyone plays differently, but no matter how or where you play, staying in control starts with habits that work for you. The Play Smart Consumer Hub provides players with straightforward, actionable tools to help them stay in control and keep gaming fun,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the AGA.
Grounded in player research, Play Smart from the Start centers around three key principles:
• Right State of Mind: Start every game with the right mindset—stay present, know your limits, and play on your terms.
• Know the Game: Understand the rules, odds, and bet with intention.
• Act Intentionally: Set a budget, take breaks, and stay aware, win or lose.
The Play Smart Consumer Hub offers practical tools, including:
• A Pre-Play Checklist to help players assess their mindset and set personal limits before betting.
• A Know the Game section that demystifies odds, house advantage, and common sports betting terms.
• A Responsible Gaming IQ Quiz that allows players to evaluate their gaming habits.
• Easy access to support resources like the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and state self-exclusion options.
In addition to the consumer tools, the platform also features an Industry Toolkit, providing operators and other stakeholders with resources, including messaging guidance, creative assets, customer communications and activation ideas to support the integration of consistent, responsible gaming programs.
“Whether an operator or supplier is building a new responsible gaming program or looking to refresh existing efforts, this toolkit makes it easy to deliver consistent, player-first messaging across every customer touchpoint,” Miller said.
The Play Smart Consumer Hub is now live at playsmartfromthestart.org.
The post AGA Launches “Play Smart from the Start” Consumer Hub to Help Players Game Responsibly appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGA
Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness

The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally wager $3.1 billion on the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2024. This growth underscores the expanding legal sports betting market and the growing trust in legal wagering options.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in American sports, with fans fired up for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said AGA SVP of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
Throughout the month of March, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly. campaign will serve important messages to fans, encouraging responsible sports betting. The campaign promotes five key principles:
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to it.
- Keep it Social: Betting should be a form of entertainment shared with others.
- Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning.
- Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms.
- Keep Your Cool: The result of a bet – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials online or in-person.
“‘Keep Your Cool,’ our newest ‘Have A Game Plan’ principle, is all about keeping betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes,” Maloney added.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., offering consumers safe and regulated options to engage with their favorite sports. Americans’ support for legal sports betting continues to grow. According to the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey, 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
For more information on responsible sports betting, visit www.haveagameplan.org.
The post Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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