Press Releases
The Arizona Department of Gaming, Arizona Lottery, and the National Council of Problem Gambling Recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month

The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”), Division of Problem Gambling (“DPG”), in collaboration with the National Council of Problem Gambling (“NCPG”), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. 2025 marks the 22nd anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The theme of this year’s campaign, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition. The campaign seeks to foster greater awareness and empathy, break down barriers to treatment, and provide support for individuals and families impacted by gambling-related harm.
“Problem gambling is a serious issue that impacts thousands of Arizonans, including families and young people,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “As Governor, I am committed to raising awareness and ensuring that those struggling with problem gambling have access to the resources and support they need.”
Problem gambling, defined as gambling behaviors that disrupt or damage personal, family, or professional lives, affects millions of Americans. Nationally, approximately 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, with an additional 5 to 8 million individuals experiencing mild to moderate gambling problems.
In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), Arizona’s Division of Problem Gambling provided 3 trainings for clinical providers and connected 992 people across the state to treatment. In the same period, DPG provided $1.3 million to support treatment of individuals affected by problem gambling. This past fiscal year, DPG continued to work with Arizona stakeholders to implement its self-exclusion program for event wagering & fantasy sports (“EWFS”), which allows those who may struggle with gambling to exclude themselves from these games statewide. DPG self-exclusion staff work with tribal gaming facilities and EWFS operators on a daily basis to update the patron self-exclusion list. In FY2024, this resulted in a total of 519 self-exclusions enrolled, bringing the total in Arizona to 2,230.
Today, DPG hosted the 17th Annual Symposium on Problem Gambling in Phoenix, Arizona, with the theme: “Envisioning the Future: A Comprehensive Approach from History to Innovation.”
“Bringing together innovators, leaders, and decision-makers face-to-face is vital to fostering meaningful dialogue and driving impactful change,” said Jackie Johnson, ADG Director. “Our annual DPG Symposium is designed to facilitate discussions, share best practices, and cultivate strategic collaborations. These are key elements in advancing DPG’s mission to provide effective problem gambling prevention, treatment, and education programs as part of the Department’s broader efforts to mitigate gambling-related harms.”
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Katie Hobbs for once again proclaiming March as Arizona Problem Gambling Awareness Month,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling. “We recognize that disparities in access to services and treatment outcomes continue to impact historically underrepresented communities, and we want every Arizonan to know—they are not alone. Through DPG’s free, 24/7 confidential helpline and online resources, individuals across the state can take the first step toward getting the support they need.”
“The Arizona Lottery is dedicated to supporting initiatives that alleviate problem gambling as an addition that can impact individuals from all walks of life,” said Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson. “That’s why we remain committed to promoting responsible gaming by increasing awareness of problem gambling, recognizing its warning signs, and ensuring that vital resources are available to those in need.” The Arizona Lottery has contributed $6 million to ADG to support statewide problem gambling prevention, treatment, and education programs.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, 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.
Canada
Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration

Partnership accelerates supplier’s continued expansion across North America
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has bolstered its presence in Canada after securing a new partnership with Casino Time, one of Ontario’s fastest growing regulated operators.
Casino Time will benefit from Playson’s comprehensive Hold and Win portfolio, which consistently features among the supplier’s top-performing titles released to market.
Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins: Hold and Win, and Diamonds Power: Hold and Win are among the releases now available to the Casino Time player base, courtesy of a seamless integration via Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform.
Renowned for its retail presence across Ontario, Casino Time has successfully bridged the gap between physical and digital gaming since entering the province’s regulated iGaming market in 2024. Its online offering is set to reach new heights with the addition of Playson’s titles, which offer immersive gameplay and captivating visuals that are proven to increase player retention and satisfaction.
The latest agreement coincides with a significant period of growth in North America for Playson, underlining its long-term vision of expanding its market share in regulated territories with key operators.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Ontario is a market of major significance for us in North America and so it is great to join ties with such a household name.
“Casino Time’s online expansion continues to soar and we are confident our Hold and Win collection will resonate with local players, offering them alternative ways of engaging in captivating slot experiences.”
Jeffrey Holmes, Chief Operating Officer at Casino Time, said: “Partnering with Playson is an exciting step in our mission to deliver the very best in online casino entertainment. Their Hold and Win titles are a proven hit in multiple markets, and we are certain these will add a unique dynamic to our slot library.
“This collaboration strengthens our ability to bridge the gap between retail and digital gaming, while giving our players fresh, immersive experiences.”
Latest News
BetMGM Unveils First Major Corporate Brand Repositioning with “Make it Legendary” Campaign

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, unveiled the next evolution of its brand in collaboration with leading independent ad agency Highdive. The refreshed brand identity highlights BetMGM’s dynamic entertainment ecosystem — one that unlocks a world of possibilities, elevated experiences and exceptional hospitality. Bringing the brand to life, the new “Make it Legendary” campaign is anchored by a series of multi-channel spots featuring BetMGM’s newest brand ambassador: EMMY® Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jon Hamm.
“This isn’t just a campaign — it’s a reimagining of what BetMGM stands for. We’re at the forefront of entertainment and gaming, with the spirit of Las Vegas woven into our DNA,” said Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer, BetMGM. “Our new positioning celebrates the thrill, spectacle and storytelling potential in every spin, play and reward. With Jon Hamm’s talent and universal appeal, he’s a natural fit to represent the refined essence of our brand.”
Highdive worked hand-in-hand with BetMGM’s creative team on the transformation, informed by extensive customer research. The first of six new spots is scheduled to premiere Saturday, Aug. 30 during college football games, with additional spots rolling out across TV, social, digital, out-of-home and BetMGM properties nationwide. Directed by two-time Directors Guild of America Director of the Year Noam Murro, the spots leverage Hamm’s charisma and storytelling charm to make every interaction feel like an elevated experience.
Hamm said, “BetMGM is all about style, and the ‘Make it Legendary’ campaign captures that energy. It’s witty, cinematic, and shows that betting with BetMGM is an unmatched experience.”
Mark Gross, co-founder and co-chief creative officer at Highdive, emphasized the strategic depth of the repositioning and said, “We didn’t just create ads — we built a creative platform that gives BetMGM a long-term advantage. This is about storytelling, connection and creating a brand that truly speaks to today’s players, not at them.”
As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Latest News
Spintec Strengthens its Partnership with Merkur in Colombia and Peru

At the Peru Gaming Show in June, strategic partners Merkur Gaming and Spintec entered a new chapter in their partnership in Latin America. The two companies signed a distribution agreement for Colombia and Peru, marking an important milestone in their collaboration. Their united presence at the show highlighted the strength of this alliance, which continues to deliver considerable advantages to their already winning cooperation across the region.
Spintec’s debut appearance this year was a highlight of Merkur Gaming stand at Jockey Plaza in Lima. The Slovenian specialist in Electronic Table Games (ETGs) featured an impressive range of products that combined innovation, reliability, and performance. Their Karma and Charisma product lines were the big showstoppers with their unbeatable combination of innovation and reliability. These products are gaining traction and popularity all over the world for a very good reason: they are fully engaging and attractive to look at, while also being extremely dependable.
And the quality of Spintec’s portfolio is already delivering measurable results in the region. The renowned research company Eilers & Krejcik recognized Spintec as the top-performing ETG supplier in South America in their April 2025 Latin America Game Performance Report. This achievement propels the partnership in Peru and Colombia even further. It not only underlines the seamless integration of Merkur’s powerful regional presence with Spintec’s technological leadership in ETGs but also serves as a testament to the importance of companies’ growing strategic alliance.
“ETGs are a valuable and strategic addition to Merkur’s already robust product portfolio,” said Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games. “Our partnership with Spintec is built on a shared vision of delivering excellence, innovation, and value to our customers. The joint market presence we are creating in Latin America is only the beginning.”
Goran Sovilj, Global Sales Director at Spintec, echoed the sentiment: “Our collaboration with Merkur Gaming continues to deepen, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together. With their strong local teams, infrastructure, and sales support, we are perfectly positioned to take the leading role in the ETG market in Latin America, and beyond.”
As the companies continue to strengthen and widen their strategic alliances in the region, their commitment to joint innovation, market leadership and next-level gaming experiences grows even further. The optimism is based on past achievements, but also on a very positive outlook towards future growth.
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