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ADG Urges Responsible and Legal Betting Ahead of Super Bowl LIX

On Sunday, February 9, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, with kick-off at 6:30 p.m. ET. As one of the most anticipated and wagered-on sporting events of the year, the Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) is reminding Arizona residents and visitors to bet responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
“The Super Bowl is an exciting event that brings communities together, but it’s essential to approach event wagering with caution and accountability,” said Jackie Johnson, ADG Director. “We encourage all Arizonans to enjoy the game responsibly by ensuring their wagers are placed legally and thoughtfully.” Further emphasizing the importance of using licensed operators for all event wagering activities, “illegal gambling undermines public safety and the integrity of the game, while responsible betting practices help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants,” stated ADG Director, Jackie Johnson.
Sports Pools – Know What Rules to Follow
In the United States, it is common to see friends and family participate in sports pools for the Super Bowl, often known as “Super Bowl Squares”. These pools are legal as long as the state’s social gambling rules are followed. According to Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 13-3301(7)), 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).
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.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can get help now by calling 1-800- NEXT-STEP (1.800.639.8783), the Division of Problem Gaming (“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, whether that be individuals and affected family members, friends, or co-workers.
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Belatra unveils Lucila M. Barletta as new Head of Accounts LatAm

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has unveiled Lucila M. Barletta as its new Head of Accounts LatAm as the company accelerates its expansion across the region.
Lucila M. Barletta, Head of Accounts LatAm at Belatra, said: “Latin America is one of Belatra’s key growth engines for the long term. My goal is to help Latin America reach its full potential within the global gaming landscape. This region has incredible energy and growth opportunities, and I see my role as ensuring we’re not only present, but also adding real value and building long-term, meaningful partnerships.”
Latin America is a cornerstone of Belatra’s global growth strategy, with the company investing in regional talent, dedicated account management, and tailored game content designed specifically for local audiences.
Barletta brings valuable experience that combines her people-focused skills with business development, having worked on creating strategic alliances, integrating games into diverse markets, and gaining deep insight into the dynamics of a fast-moving industry.
Belatra will also be presenting its latest slot innovations at SBC Summit Lisbon (Stand B523) highlighting its mobile-first, immersive content built for global reach but with local flavour. Visitors will be treated to an unforgettable experience inspired by Blast the Bass, Belatra’s smash-hit slot that exploded onto the market with massive success. There will also be a themed bar built around the game’s legendary energy, giving guests a taste of the excitement through a special menu served by Belatra’s expert team.
Gambling in the USA
ETPL APPOINTS LONDON-BASED OAKVALE CAPITAL AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER TO LEAD CAPITAL RAISE AND GROWTH STRATEGY

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-approved T20 league co-owned by Abhishek Bachchan and backed by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, has appointed Oakvale Capital as its exclusive investment banker.
“Oakvale’s deep expertise in sports finance will be a game-changer for ETPL’s long-term vision. We look forward to working closely with their expert team to help bring our event to fruition,” said Warren Deutrom, CEO, Cricket Ireland.
“Oakvale is one of the leading London-based investment banks in the sports and gaming ecosystem. Their sector depth, global network, and track record advising rights-holders, clubs, and technology platforms make them the right partner for ETPL as we scale,” said Saurav Banerjee, Co-owner and Director, ETPL.
“We’re excited to support ETPL’s bold and innovative approach to cricket. The vision to elevate the sport in Europe with a premium, differentiated offering aligns well with Oakvale’s strategic focus in global sports properties,” said Sandford Loudon, Partner, Oakvale Capital.
Blending world-class cricket with a distinctively European experience, ETPL aims to redefine the sport through elite talent, immersive fan experiences, and data-driven innovation. In addition, KPMG in India has been appointed as ETPL’s strategic advisor.
Latest News
WinSpirit and Casino Guru Turn Responsible Gaming into a Trend

Talking about Responsible Gaming (RG) is nothing new in iGaming — but doing it in a way players actually enjoy is rare. For WinSpirit, it became a chance to do what the brand does best — think differently, engage, and prove that even the most serious topics can be turned into content players actually want to share.
Instead of burying RG in disclaimers or policy pages, WinSpirit brought together their creativity and expertise of Casino Guru to turn it into a SmartPlay Social Media campaign.
Data-Driven Creativity
Before launching the campaign, WinSpirit turned to its community with a simple question: what do you really know about Responsible Gaming? Nearly 800 players responded, and the results were telling.
- 63% knew the primary goal of RG.
- 46% felt enabling those tools was easy and knew where to find information.
- 56% highlighted WinSpirit’s own email disclaimers (launched this year) as the most effective reminders.
The findings confirmed that awareness was already strong, but also showed that some players still found RG “too complicated.”
“When we asked our community which reminders help them stay mindful, 56% highlighted the email disclaimers developed by WinSpirit Casino this year as the most effective”, – said WinSpirit analytics team manager.
This insight revealed a gap: while some forms work well for many, others may need a different touchpoint to simplify the message. Social media naturally became the next logical step to address the topic.
A Campaign Built for the Feed
The six-part series was crafted not just to inform, but to feel native to social media culture. Players swiped through “red flag or green light” checks, busted common myths with quick-hit facts, and even debated an “unpopular opinion”: games are built for entertainment, not profit. The final self-check felt less like a form and more like a challenge — engaging, fast, and easy to share.
What elevated the initiative further was the expertise behind it. WinSpirit teamed up with Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at Casino Guru — a rare pairing of a progressive operator and an independent authority. In an industry where these voices often stay on opposite sides, this collaboration showed the power of combining creativity with credibility.
Here is what Šimon Vincze said about the initiative: “I am glad we could support WinSpirit on this journey and help bring a successful campaign to life by combining expert insights with natural and engaging communication. Their PR team did an excellent job, as demonstrated by the statistics. Player protection is an integral part of the gambling industry’s development. Sooner or later, most players will expect a certain level of well-being and care. Those who start on this journey earlier will benefit from a competitive edge and a loyal player base.”
Impact That Lasts
Social media reach for the campaign exceeded 10,000 people.
Social Media Engagement achieved 53% and boosted monthly metrics of Social Media pages by 80%. But the main result is still on the way – in the first month alone, WinSpirit saw a 12% rise in player support queries about Responsible Gaming tools.
More importantly, Responsible Gaming shifted from being background noise to a conversation players wanted to join. Awareness turned into curiosity — and curiosity sparked deeper understanding.
“This isn’t about ticking boxes,” says the WinSpirit team. “It’s about giving players the confidence and control that keep the game fun.”
For an industry where communication often feels routine, the campaign proved that creativity doesn’t weaken the message — it amplifies it. Even compliance can capture attention when delivered in the language of players.
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