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ESPN Bet Highlights the Intersection between Sports, Entertainment & Betting

In a move that has felt inevitable for some time, ESPN has joined forces with PENN Entertainment and entered the world of sports betting, rebranding the popular Barstool brand as ESPN Bet in the process.
The entertainment world has been flirting with sports betting for some time now, but as the recent failure of FOX Bet showed, it is not always plain sailing. ESPN, however, feels like a very different beast to FOX, and with the power of Disney behind it, failure does not feel likely.
ESPN is one of the biggest sports broadcasters and brands in the world. It has a huge influence over the 21-40 male demographic, which will be key to its success in the gambling world. Any company attempting to succeed needs to understand the kind of content and services this demographic is looking for, and ESPN feels perfectly placed to deliver on this.
The move also continues to move the sports betting world into the mainstream, with ESPN’s reach being significantly bigger than any other industry brand.
At SGG Media, we believe the way people interact with sports and the way they bet is evolving, and this move perfectly highlights this. Betting has become essential to the matchday experience, and for many it has just as much a part of the day as their pre-match beer and catch-up with their buddies or checking out the team news.
The way sport is consumed has changed. Attend any sports game, whether it is NBA, NFL, NHL, or even your local minor-league teams, and you will see people regularly checking their phones to keep up to date with the game’s statistics and, in many cases, placing in-game bets.
ESPN will now be bringing that to people’s homes. Betting, odds updates, and contests have become a regular part of sports broadcasts, and this deal could give to all sorts of new and innovative content. This continued intersection between sports, entertainment, and betting is only going to get closer, and ESPN has stepped into the game at the opportune moment.
Talking of opportune moments, the move comes just months after ESPN announce cost-cutting lay-offs. The injection of cash from this deal will be significant, and as the company deals with the ever changing viewing and TV landscape, the betting industry will provide a whole never revenue stream.
Of course, questions will be raised over ESPN’s impartiality with sports betting and how it will impact their product. A portion of their press-release was dedicated to their continued commitment to journalistic integrity, ensuring bettors and viewers that the merging of the two products will be seamless.
A quick glance across the Atlantic can give you an indication of how effective a sports broadcaster delivering its own sports-book product can be. Skybet in the UK is one of the most used sportsbooks in the country, and it has been able to blend effortlessly into Sky Sport’s broadcasts.
It has also been able to use clever promotions, such as its â€Super 6’ prediction competition which it ties in cleverly with its coverage This has also helped to build a community around the sportsbook, tapping into the potential of that target demographic by encouraging them to partake in free-to-play leagues and tournaments with friends. Access to communities is essential in the modern sports betting environment, and it is something we have personally placed at the front of our micro-influencer marketing model.
Disney’s presence in this deal is a huge talking point. The House of Mouse has sent mixed signals about wanting to be involved in betting over the years, but ESPN provides them with the perfect vehicle. The early optics for the move have also appeared steady, with no indication of public backlash over Disney’s involvement.
The other part of this puzzle is Barstool being returned to its owner, Dave Portnoy. Once again, this is a smart move for everybody, Barstool has always been a disruptor, and its business strategy and ethos was never suited to being part of a publicly traded company. Portnoy himself has been a controversy magnet and it seems unlikely Disney or ESPN would want to be too heavily associated with the Barstool brand.
ESPN and Disney entering the iGaming space could kick start a new era of sports betting in the United States. The perfect cocktail of sports, betting, and entertainment coming together to create new content and opportunities for the industry.
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Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month

State agencies join forces to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide tools for safe and responsible play.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and the Arizona Lottery are proud to announce a joint effort in support of a new Proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month in Arizona.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. While problem gambling initiatives focus on helping those already experiencing harm from gambling, responsible gaming emphasizes prevention by encouraging healthy play behaviors before they reach a critical point.
Throughout September, and continuing in the months ahead, the ADG and Arizona Lottery will work together to strengthen education and awareness initiatives. The goal is to equip players with strategies and resources that help them keep gaming fun and safe, while helping reduce the risks associated with problem gambling.
“For over 30 years, the Arizona Department of Gaming has safeguarded the integrity of gaming through strong consumer protections, enforcement against illegal operators, and support services for those impacted by problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Arizona Department of Gaming Agency Director. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, we remind everyone that part of playing responsibly is being informed—always double-check before you place your bet to ensure you are using a legal, regulated operator at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.”
The Arizona Lottery also remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible play and has a Level 2 certification with the World Lottery Association for responsible gaming. Lottery games benefit the people of Arizona by generating critical revenue that funds education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development. At the same time, the Lottery prioritizes the well-being of its players. Each ticket includes clear odds of winning, vending machines display game odds, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline is featured across Lottery products and advertising.
“We are proud to deliver entertainment that benefits communities across our state, while recognizing our responsibility to promote safe play,” said Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director. “Through transparency and awareness, we want every player to have the tools they need to make informed decisions and enjoy the Lottery responsibly.”
As Arizona observes Responsible Gaming Education Month, ADG and the Arizona Lottery encourage all players to stay informed, know their limits, and seek help if needed. Together, we can ensure that gaming remains a source of entertainment that strengthens, rather than harms, Arizona communities.
For more information and resources, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or ArizonaLottery.com/ResponsibleGaming. If you or someone you know may be struggling with problem gambling, call or text 1-800-NEXT-STEP for confidential support available 24/7.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
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Woodbine partners with 1/ST for Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Qualifier

Woodbine Entertainment has announced a partnership with 1/ST that will see the bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) become a qualifying race for the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2).
The winner of this year’s $200,000 bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack will receive an automatic invitation to the 2026 $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
The Dance Smartly, to be held on Saturday, October 4 at Woodbine, will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the bet365 Inner Turf Course and is part of a stacked card headlined by the returning $750,000 Canadian International (G1).
“We’re pleased to partner with the team at 1/ST Racing to add this unique bonus to the Dance Smartly,” said Tim Lawson, Vice-President of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine. “Pegasus World Cup Day has become an outstanding showcase of our sport and it’s exciting that the opportunity to be part of it will be connected to a prominent race on one of our biggest days of the season.”
The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of racing’s leading luxury, lifestyle and sporting event. The Pegasus World Cup debuted in 2017 as part of 1/ST’s mission to excite, energize and modernize the sport of racing for a new generation of fans and to provide lucrative opportunities for Thoroughbred owners and trainers. The event annually attracts the sport’s biggest names and is viewed globally.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Woodbine in linking the Dance Smartly to Pegasus World Cup Day,” said Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST. “This collaboration strengthens the global profile of both events, while providing horsemen and fans with a world-class pathway from Toronto to South Florida.”
The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will be held in January.
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