Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)
check-before-you-bet-–-play-responsibly-ahead-of-march-madness check-before-you-bet-–-play-responsibly-ahead-of-march-madness

Latest News

Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness

Published

on

 

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

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

 

The post Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Affiliate Industry

Affilka by SOFTSWISS Joins Gaming Operations Academy

Published

on

affilka-by-softswiss-joins-gaming-operations-academy
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

SOFTSWISS, a global tech company with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, partners with one of the leading education centres in the industry – Gaming Operations Academy. Anastasia Borovaya, Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, will be joining the Affiliate Management course as a guest lecturer. 

The Affiliate Management course at the Gaming Operations Academy equips industry professionals with practical skills in affiliate recruitment, relationship management, and performance optimisation. Leveraging her extensive experience driving Affilka’s expansion and innovation, Anastasia will provide students with valuable insights into effective strategies and best practices in affiliate marketing.

Affilka by SOFTSWISS currently powers more than 440 brands and continues to expand its global footprint. With a 58% year-over-year increase in player registrations, the platform is recognised for its transparency, flexibility, and data-driven approach. Recent milestones include launching the Cohort Analysis Report, a powerful tool designed to enhance traffic evaluation and player behaviour analysis.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

As a leading affiliate marketing platform, Affilka consistently delivers innovative solutions tailored to the needs of iGaming operators. With 10 years of experience in the iGaming industry and extensive professional expertise, Anastasia will share valuable insights into building successful affiliate programs and optimising partnerships for long-term success.

Commenting on her participation, Anastasia Borovaya stated: “Affiliate marketing is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, and knowledge-sharing plays a crucial role in its development. Through this course, I look forward to helping professionals refine their strategies and maximise their affiliate program’s potential using the latest tools and insights.”

Affilka by SOFTSWISS remains committed to advancing the iGaming industry through education, innovation, and top-tier technological solutions. Anastasia’s involvement in the course underscores Affilka’s dedication to empowering professionals with the expertise needed to succeed in a competitive market.

Elaine Gardiner, Affiliate Management Academy Course Director, shared: “The Affiliate Management Masterclass is not just about theory. With over 16 years of hands-on experience in Affiliate Management and Program Management, it’s packed with real-life insights, proven strategies and practical advice you can start implementing straight away. We are proud to strengthen the upcoming course with the extensive expertise from Affilka by SOFTSWISS.”

 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

The post Affilka by SOFTSWISS Joins Gaming Operations Academy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Brazilian Volleyball Confederation

Brazilian Volleyball Confederation Partners with Sportradar

Published

on

brazilian-volleyball-confederation-partners-with-sportradar

 

The Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) has announced a comprehensive, multi-year partnership with Sportradar Group, a leading global sports technology company, to strengthen the performance of its athletes, from grassroots to professional levels of the sport.

Starting this season, Sportradar will leverage computer vision to capture deep data from CBV matches and training sessions, on the beach and the court, to create detailed metrics and dynamic visualizations from every rally, point and match, providing teams and coaches with valuable insights that will contribute to the growth and success of Brazilian volleyball.

In collaboration with fellow CBV partner VolleyStation, Sportradar will implement several additional technology upgrades for the federation. These include a new Video Checking System at 22 training venues to improve officiating; a Brazilian Player Data Hub to track athlete development; and automated data collection and video production capabilities at the national team training center in Saquarema.

In addition, CBV will partner with Sportradar to safeguard more than 7400 annual CBV competitions from corruption and match-fixing through Sportradar’s industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) and educational workshops for athletes, administrators, and referees.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“We are delighted CBV has selected Sportradar to transform sports performance for Brazilian volleyball. Through this partnership, we are equipping CBV with the deep data and insights to identify the next generation of champions, as well as ensuring the integrity of their competitions,” said Sergio Floris, Managing Director Brazil, Sportradar.

“The partnership with Sportradar yields important results, such as the implementation of the challenge system in all Superliga matches, bringing even more security and fairness to the games. In addition, the specific data of each athlete is a fundamental tool for the development of national volleyball,” said Jorge Bichara, Technical Director of CBV.

“We are pleased with our partnership with Sportradar through its portfolio of products and services to enhance CBV’s technical, operational, and commercial efficiency. This is another important step in our ongoing efforts to improve the relationship between fans and the sport. The data provided by Sportradar will enable the development of new experiences for fans and new revenue opportunities for CBV,” said Henrique Netto, CBV’s Director of Marketing and New Business.

The post Brazilian Volleyball Confederation Partners with Sportradar appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Bryan T. Cafferelli

DCP Issues Summary Suspension of High5Games License for Conducting Illegal Gaming Activity

Published

on

dcp-issues-summary-suspension-of-high5games-license-for-conducting-illegal-gaming-activity

 

The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division has issued a summary suspension of the license for Online Gaming Service Provider, High5Games.

High5Games is a licensed service provider that develops and provides online slot content for the legal gaming platforms in Connecticut. The Gaming Division’s investigation determined that High5Games also illegally operates an unlicensed online casino, High5Casino.

High5Casino was marketed by High5Games as a legal “licensed” casino and accepted wagers from Connecticut bettors, including individuals who had signed up for the statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion List.

There are only two legal platforms licensed to accept iCasino wagers from Connecticut consumers: FanDuel and DraftKings. They are affiliated with Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino, respectively.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The DCP Gaming Division investigation determined that 1100 Connecticut customers made deposits and gambled on the unlicensed High5Casino platform. Of those, 911 customers lost a total of $937,938, and 108 were individuals who had signed up for the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List. Customers on the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List lost nearly $300,000 on the platform.

High5Games, a majority owner of High5Casino, will be charged with 1065 criminal counts of conducting illegal gaming activity. Gaming Division Criminal Investigators will seek criminal charges for all of the violations of Connecticut’s gaming laws, for which each charge is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2000.

DCP will seek restitution for eligible consumers who suffered a financial loss after being misled to believe that High5Casino was a legal form of gaming in Connecticut.

“Thank you to our Gaming Division team for their hard work to hold this licensee accountable. It is a privilege to hold this license, and we expect our credential holders to take that responsibility seriously. High5Games took advantage of their credential to mislead consumers into believing they were participating in gaming on a legal platform when, in fact, they were breaking the law. We remind consumers that there are only two licensed online casinos in Connecticut — DraftKings/Foxwoods and FanDuel/Mohegan Sun — and if you choose to participate in online gaming, you should only utilize one of the legal platforms licensed to operate in our state,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.

“We are disappointed that a licensed gaming service provider took advantage of Connecticut consumers by operating an illegal casino platform. It is difficult to recover funds for consumers from illegal platforms. We remind consumers that gambling on licensed platforms is the only way to guarantee recovered funds in the event of an issue with a game or platform,” said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The post DCP Issues Summary Suspension of High5Games License for Conducting Illegal Gaming Activity appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending