Latest News
NFL Kicks Off $6.2M Responsible Betting Campaign
The NFL is spending $6.2 million to help expand programs to prevent or treat problem gambling across the country.
The league is launching a responsible betting initiative aimed at getting fans to set limits on their wagers, understand the risks of betting, and know where to get help if things get out of hand. It is partnering with the National Council on Problem Gambling to improve the group’s nationwide helpline, create new treatment programs and expand existing ones, and educate football fans who gamble on how to do so responsibly.
A three-year effort will include in-game messaging, social media outreach, broadcast, print, and in-stadium messaging. Some of it will target people who are too young to legally gamble but may feel tempted to do so.
More than 45 million Americans say they plan to bet on NFL games this year, according to the American Gaming Association, the casino industry’s national trade group. That is an increase of 36% from last year.
“Sports betting is supposed to be fun. We feel it is critical that the NFL uses the power of our voice to educate and encourage fans who choose to gamble to do so in a safe and responsible way. We also recognize that responsible betting programs across the country are under-resourced, especially as legalization spreads nationwide,” Christopher Halpin, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at NFL, said.
Keith Whyte, executive director of the council, said the NFL’s funding will enable it to “exponentially” expand its advocacy, awareness, and assistance efforts regarding problem gambling.
“We will be able to help so many more people as a result of this. The NFL has set an example for the other professional sports leagues who also need to realize their obligation to address the downside of sports betting as much as they embrace the upside,” he said.
Whyte said about 2% of the U.S. population has a gambling problem, but among those who have gambled within the last 12 months, the rate is 5%.
He said the need for compulsive gambling treatment and prevention has grown since New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court case in 2018 clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting. Half the states currently do.
“We think the risk has doubled since then,” Whyte said.
He said the council is seeing more respondents to its surveys say they believe gambling is a good way to make money; that they frequently rely on it as a way to pay for daily living expenses; and that they lie about their gambling to family members – all indicators of a potential gambling problem.
Whyte said the council plans to offer grants to local groups to develop programs aimed at young people, including those under the legal gambling age of 21.
“By the time kids come to college, the majority of student-athletes has already bet on sports,” he said.
Whyte said talks are under way that could lead to similar agreements with the NBA, Major League Baseball, and the Women’s Tennis Association.
The NFL says it will work with its official sports betting partners – Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, and FanDuel – to share information and support the effort. Each of those sports betting operators has developed its own responsible gambling program.
“Anyone with a role in legal gaming shares a mutual interest and critical role in reducing the incidence of and harm caused by problem gambling,” Chris Holdren, co-president of Caesars Digital, said.
A central message of the campaign will be the slogan “Stick to Your Game Plan. Always Bet Responsibly.”
It will encourage gamblers to decide in advance what and how much they will bet on, to know their own limitations and tendencies, and to understand how betting and sportsbooks work. It also will direct them to the website responsibleplay.org for additional resources.
Halpin said about 17% of NFL fans aged 21 and over describe themselves as frequent sports bettors, although the term has not been defined. An additional 30% describe themselves as casual bettors (who may enter office Super Bowl pools) or aspirational bettors, who say they want to bet once it becomes legal in their state.
“As legalization expands, problem gambling grows. For the casual bettor, now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach them what responsible betting looks like: mindfulness, setting betting budgets, knowing your operator, knowing how parlays and other kinds of bets work. We intend to get this right,” Halpin said.
Internet Vikings, a licensed in-state hosting provider for the U.S. iGaming and online sports betting industry, is announcing that it’s supporting Plannatech, a large B2B Provider, now stepping into the B2C space, in its expansion within the United States through an agreement to provide VMware cloud hosting solutions in Arizona.
Plannatech, leveraging the well-established Betcris brand from the America’s sports betting industry, has selected Internet Vikings for its structured setup processes, stable hosting environment, and technical expertise. This agreement ensures that the B2C iGaming and sportsbook operator benefits from a highly secure and reliable infrastructure, with Internet Vikings’ responsive support playing a crucial role in maintaining smooth operations.
“This is our 2nd state with Internet Vikings, who has been an absolute pleasure working with in providing the solid hosting infrastructure we need as we now expand into Arizona this time as the Operator,” said Adam Bjorn, CEO at Plannatech.
“We value our partnership with Plannatech and extending our VMware cloud hosting solutions to Arizona was the perfect next step as they bring new strategic offerings to the U.S. market,” said Rickard Vikström, CEO and Founder of Internet Vikings.
The Arizona sports betting market has seen impressive growth rates, with total handle reaching $791.2M in October 2024. While several operators have struggled to gain traction, Plannatech, utilizing the Betcris brand, is taking a strategic approach and leveraging its extensive experience in competitive markets. By choosing Internet Vikings as their hosting partner, Plannatech ensures a strong, compliant, and resilient digital presence as they expand their U.S. operations.
Looking Back: Growth & Achievements
FBMDS is celebrating five years of expansion and innovation. How would you describe the brand’s journey during this time?
Our journey over the past five years has been one of bold moves, strategic growth, and relentless innovation. As part of the FBM® Group, we began as pioneers in Video Bingo, but our vision extended far beyond that. We have focused on delivering profitable products to our clients and engaging gaming experiences to players. By expanding into multiple gaming categories and strengthening our global presence in key markets like Mexico and Brazil, we have redefined what a localized, player-centric gaming experience should be.
What were the key milestones that shaped FBMDS’ success over the past five years?
Several milestones have defined our success. First, our solidification as a market leader in Video Bingo and Lotto Games, setting the gold standard with best-seller products like Multi Mega, Power Pick Lotto, and Champion IV. Our leadership in Video Bingo is reinforced by unique features like the jackpot system, Magic Ball, and attractive paytables, all of which drive engagement and retention.
Second, our presence at international trade shows has played a crucial role in strengthening relationships with key partners and clients while reinforcing our brand positioning, as seen in events like G2E Las Vegas 2024. Lastly, our rapid expansion in the LATAM region, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, has solidified FBMDS as a trusted and respected brand in a highly competitive landscape.
What has been the most significant challenge, and how did FBMDS overcome it?
The online gaming industry is highly competitive, and differentiation is key. Our challenge was to deliver games that not only stood out but also ensured profitability for operators and engaging experiences for players. We tackled this by investing in customization, localization, and innovation—ensuring that every product aligns with the preferences of specific markets. Our ability to adapt game mechanics, themes, and retention strategies has positioned us ahead of the competition, creating unique gaming experiences that drive business success.
Product Evolution & Market Leadership
FBMDS has built a strong reputation in Video Bingo. How has this segment evolved, and what makes FBMDS a leader in this category?
Video Bingo is our DNA, and we have continuously pushed its evolution by refining gameplay mechanics, introducing engaging themes, and incorporating advanced technology to enhance user experience. Our commitment to differentiation sets us apart: our jackpot feature, the Magic Ball, and attractive paytables are tailored to maximize player engagement and operator profitability. Customization is at the heart of our strategy, ensuring our games resonate with local markets and drive long-term success.
Among FBMDS’ product portfolio, do you have a personal favorite? Why?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d highlight our Video Bingo games because they represent our legacy and continued leadership in the industry. We believe Video Bingo is an essential asset for any online casino, as it offers a nostalgic yet modern experience, combining interactive features with high retention rates. Our jackpot system enhances player excitement, while innovative game mechanics keep engagement levels high. In addition, our crash games showcase our adaptability and innovation, delivering high-quality visuals and dynamic gameplay. These two categories reflect our strategic pillars: player engagement and profitable gaming solutions for operators.
Future Outlook & Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, what’s the vision for FBMDS’ next five years?
We are just getting started. Our vision is to expand our influence by continuously delivering innovative and engaging gaming experiences that drive profitability for operators. While we maintain our leadership in Video Bingo, we are also focused on strengthening our position in other gaming verticals. We will continue investing in localized, player-driven innovation, ensuring that every product we launch enhances both player experience and operator success.
Brazil is a key market with huge potential. How does FBMDS plan to strengthen its presence in this region?
Brazil is a strategic priority for us. With regulatory developments and increasing demand for online gaming, we see tremendous opportunities to expand. Our approach is centered on offering tailored gaming experiences that resonate with Brazilian players, ensuring our products align with their cultural and gaming preferences. Additionally, we are forging strategic partnerships with operators to facilitate seamless and impactful expansion in the region, ensuring that our games drive engagement and profitability for our partners.
Innovation & What’s Next
Can you share any insights about upcoming products or features that FBMDS is working on?
Absolutely. We are developing a new generation of Video Bingo games featuring advanced jackpot systems, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and even more engaging features tailored to player preferences. Our goal is to create experiences that keep players entertained while maximizing operator revenue. In addition, we are working on new slots and bonus structures designed to drive engagement and profitability, ensuring that FBMDS remains at the forefront of gaming innovation.
What can operators and players expect from FBMDS in the near future?
A: More expansion, more innovation, and an even stronger, more diverse gaming portfolio. Players can expect cutting-edge experiences featuring interactive and rewarding mechanics, while operators will benefit from flexible, high-performance gaming solutions designed to optimize engagement and profitability. We are committed to maintaining our leadership in Video Bingo while continuously evolving to meet market demands.
Final Thoughts
After five years of continuous growth, what message would you like to share with FBMDS’ partners and players?
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to our players, partners, and the entire FBMDS team. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our journey. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences, driving profitability for our partners, and continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. The best is yet to come!
If you had to describe FBMDS’ journey in one word, what would it be?
Transformational.
Paysecure is strengthening its presence across Latin America, addressing the region’s complex payment landscape with advanced payment orchestration solutions. As part of this strategic plan, Paysecure will showcase its cutting-edge platform at SIGMA Americas, taking place April 7-10, at booth N115.
Expanding into new LATAM markets presents businesses with significant challenges, including navigating diverse local payment methods, multi-currency processing, managing multiple Payment Service Providers (PSPs), or ensuring compliance with varying regulations and reducing fraud (Brazil experiences a chargeback rate of approximately 3.48%, while Mexico’s rate stands at about 2.81%).
Already operational in key LATAM markets such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica and more, Paysecure is poised to address these payment barriers by offering a single, streamlined API integration and a fully customizable dashboard that allow merchants to gain access to advanced capabilities including:
- Smart transaction routing – The company optimizes payment flows, managing to achieve up to a 15% decrease in payment processing costs by finding the lowest-cost routing options through dynamic selection.
- Comprehensive merchant controls: Paysecure’s intelligent engine allows transaction limits settings, applies cascading logic, and enables 10+ types of real-time reports that analyze trends and customer behavior.
- Dynamic fraud prevention: Its User Trust Score system and adaptive fraud detection tailored to each market ensure an over 10% decrease in fraud-related losses.
- Global payment network: With access to 500+ PSPs and acquirers, Paysecure enables businesses to offer customers their preferred payment methods in any country or currency.
In addition, the company has been shortlisted for ‘Best Online Payments Service 2025’ at the SIGMA Americas Awards Ceremony. The company will also exhibit at the event and attendees can visit Paysecure’s booth (N115) to explore how its solutions can enhance payment security and efficiency in the LATAM market.
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