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Conscious Gaming Appoints Three Members to Newly Created Advisory Board – Deepens Commitment to Responsible Gaming Effectiveness
Conscious Gaming today announced the creation of an Advisory Board to help the non-profit as it continues to build scale and deepen its commitment to utilizing advanced technology to strengthen responsible gaming and exclusion programs across the iGaming and sports betting industries in the U.S.
Conscious Gaming’s new Advisory Board will guide efforts to build technical solutions based on evidence-based research to better help people deal with gambling-related problems and provide the industry with preventative tools.
The esteemed members appointed to the Advisory Board are:
- Brett Abarbanel, PhD – Director of Research, International Gaming Institute, UNLV; Assistant Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality; Research Affiliate, University of Sydney
- Debi A. LaPlante, PhD – Director of the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS)
- Kahlil Philander, PhD – Assistant Professor of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University
“In order to shape our initiatives and achieve our goals, it is imperative we collaborate with leading academic organizations and stakeholders dedicated to responsible gaming policy and the prevention of problem gambling,” said Conscious Gaming Trustee Anna Sainsbury. “We are honored these incredibly accomplished individuals have agreed to come aboard and help us tackle the challenges in front of us. Individually, they are among the best in the world, and combining their talents and expertise on the Conscious Gaming board can open up tremendous opportunities for us to pursue in the future.”
Conscious Gaming endeavors to unite the industry in order to solve the challenges created by the patchwork of state-by-state requirements in the United States.
“Gambling in the U.S. is going through massive growth, in which platforms compete to create the most appealing digital gambling experiences,” said Dr. Abarbanel. “I value the opportunity to assist Conscious Gaming in applying their vast, advanced technological knowledge to a variety of important social responsibility initiatives in the gambling space, with the shared goal of developing a sustainable environment.”
The first effort from Conscious Gaming is a responsible gaming technology tool called PlayPause. PlayPause is an exclusion tool, blocking betting from taking place for those who self-exclude (voluntary) and those who are impermissible (involuntary) due to their company policies or state regulations prohibiting their participation. Examples of impermissible bettors include coaches, players and referees from sports leagues as well as gaming company and state regulator employees.
“I’m eager to help Conscious Gaming think about how to build new technology-based solutions for mitigating gambling-related problems,” said Dr. LaPlante. “At the Division on Addiction, I work to alleviate addiction-related burdens through my research and other activities. I look forward to applying evidence-based insights to Conscious Gaming’s development efforts.”
PlayPause has started rolling out, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board becoming the first state regulator to deploy the technology. When a consumer elects to self-exclude in Pennsylvania, they visit the PGCB website and register online. As part of the process, consumers have the option to opt-in to PlayPause, extending their exclusion outside their state borders. Ultimately the goal is to get all state regulators, gaming operators and sports leagues to adopt PlayPause, so for the first-time, a multi-state, information-sharing repository can be established nationwide, extending an individual’s protection wherever they are.
“I’m pleased to join Conscious Gaming in their mission to strengthen responsible gambling programs,” said Dr. Philander. “We know that self-exclusion programs have helped thousands of people regain control of their gambling problems, and PlayPause will transform the reach and effectiveness of these programs. As the gaming industry continues to grow and change, responsible gambling programs need to evolve too.”
Advisory Board Biographies:
Brett Abarbanel, PhD
Brett Abarbanel is director of research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute, with an affiliate position at the University of Sydney. She has expertise in global gambling and social science applications, and her research covers Internet gambling policy and behavior, esports and gambling, operations and technology, and responsible gambling and community relations. Dr. Abarbanel is the co-executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, editorial board member at International Gambling Studies and Harvard’s Division on Addiction’s Brief Addiction Science Information Source, and recently completed a term on the International Advisory Panel for Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling. She has been interviewed as a gambling expert for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Discovery Channel and served as a consultant for multiple industry and government entities. She is a founding director of the Nevada Esports Alliance, which promotes development of best practices at the intersection of the esports and regulated gambling industries. Dr. Abarbanel was honored by The Innovation Group with their 2015 Emerging Leader Award, and was named to the 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 list. She completed her B.S. in Statistics and B.A. in Architectural Studies at Brown University, where she received the Hartshorn Hypatia Award for excellence in mathematics. She completed her M.S. and Ph.D. at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she received the Best Thesis and Best Dissertation awards for her work on sportsbook patronage and online gambling user experiences, respectively.
Debi A. LaPlante, PhD
Dr. Debi LaPlante is director of the Division on Addiction at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She joined the Division in 2001 and is involved with its diverse research, education, training, and outreach activities. With her colleagues, she developed the Syndrome Model of Addiction, and co-edited the two volume APA Addiction Syndrome Handbook. She has authored dozens of book chapters, journal articles, and reports. Dr. LaPlante authored the Harvard Health Publishing ebook Responsible Drinking for Women. Dr. LaPlante’s current research involves assessments of public health treatment and intervention systems, studies of actual gambling and daily fantasy sports behavior, and tribal participatory research to develop a culturally grounded, mental health first-response training program, xaʔtu̓s (Salish for First Face) for Mental Health. In addition to these activities, Dr. LaPlante is a member of the editorial team for the Division’s The Brief Addiction Science Information Source. She also has been a course director for online and live continuing education courses for addiction, and for gambling-related problems specifically. She is a regular reviewer for research grants and academic journal submissions. Dr. LaPlante spearheaded the Division’s Cambridge Health Alliance Readiness for Gambling Expansion initiative, which features Gambling Disorder Screening Day on the second Tuesday of March annually. Dr. LaPlante has a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University.
Kahlil Philander, PhD
Dr. Kahlil Philander is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management. He also holds an appointment as an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. His research interests are in the socio-economics of gambling. Previously, he was the Director of Social Responsibility at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation where he oversaw the GameSense program. Dr. Philander also spent time as an Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an MA in economics from the University of Toronto, and a BCom with Honors in finance from the University of British Columbia.
DraftKings Inc. announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. The Company also posted a second quarter 2025 business update and a slide presentation on the Investor Relations section of its website at investors.draftkings.com.
Second Quarter 2025 Highlights
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, DraftKings reported revenue of $1513 million, an increase of $408 million, or 37%, compared to $1104 million during the same period in 2024. The increase in the Company’s second quarter 2025 revenue was driven primarily by continued healthy customer engagement, efficient acquisition of new customers, higher structural Sportsbook hold percentage, and sportsbook-friendly outcomes. Revenue of $1513 million, net income of $158 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $301 million in the second quarter set new records for the company.
“We set records for revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter, driven by an acceleration in revenue growth to 37% year-over-year. We are pleased to be maintaining our fiscal year 2025 guidance, with revenue expected to be closer to the high end of our range, highlighting the strength of our platform as we prepare for an exciting new state launch,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder.
“We remain focused on investing in key growth initiatives across the organization to maximize shareholder returns over the long-term. In addition to our investments, we repurchased 6.5 million shares through our stock repurchase program in the first two quarters of this year,” said Alan Ellingson, DraftKings’ Chief Financial Officer.
Monthly Unique Payers (MUPs) increased to 3.3 million average monthly unique paying customers in the second quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 6% compared to the second quarter of 2024. This increase reflects strong unique payer retention and acquisition across DraftKings’ Sportsbook and iGaming product offerings and the impact of the acquisition of Jackpocket. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Jackpocket, MUPs increased by 5% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Average Revenue per MUP (ARPMUP) increased to $151 in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 29% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to improvement in the Sportsbook hold percentage and improved promotional reinvestment for Sportsbook. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Jackpocket, ARPMUP increased 30% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance
DraftKings is maintaining its fiscal year 2025 revenue guidance of $6.2 billion to $6.4 billion, which the Company previously announced on May 8, 2025. The Company is on track to deliver revenue closer to the high end of this range due to sportsbook-friendly outcomes in the second quarter as well as continuing strength across our core value drivers. Fiscal year 2025 revenue guidance equates to 32% year-over-year growth based on the Company’s fiscal year 2024 revenue and the midpoint of the Company’s fiscal year 2025 revenue guidance range.
DraftKings is maintaining its fiscal year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $800 million to $900 million, which the Company previously announced on May 8, 2025. The Company is on track to deliver Adjusted EBITDA near the midpoint of this range.
The Company’s guidance now includes anticipated financial impacts from DraftKings launching mobile sports betting in Missouri later this year.
In addition, the Company’s guidance now includes anticipated financial impacts from higher tax rates in New Jersey, Louisiana, and Illinois.
The Company’s guidance for fiscal year 2025 does not include the potential launch of a Prediction Markets offering.
Mobile Sports Betting and iGaming Footprint
DraftKings is live with mobile sports betting in 25 states and Washington, D.C., which collectively represent approximately 49% of the U.S. population. DraftKings expects to launch its Sportsbook product in Missouri pending market access, licensure, regulatory approvals, and contractual approvals where applicable.
DraftKings is also live with iGaming in 5 states, which represents approximately 11% of the U.S. population.
DraftKings is live with its Sportsbook and iGaming products in Ontario, Canada, which represents approximately 40% of Canada’s population.
bet365 has announced its official launch in Kansas, bringing its award-winning sportsbook to the Sunflower State.
Customers across Kansas will have access to bet365’s comprehensive suite of sports betting markets, competitive odds, and innovative features.
This milestone in bet365’s US expansion sees Kansas join Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia as the fourteenth live state.
A bet365 spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to bring the bet365 experience to sports fans in Kansas.
“With our industry-leading product, user-friendly interface, and a reputation built over two decades, we’re excited to provide Kansans with a trusted and dynamic platform for their sports betting entertainment.
“We’re focused on proving to customers that with our Bet Boosts, the fastest In-Game product, and Same Game Parlays, it’s Never Ordinary with bet365.”
Gaming
Global Gaming League Launches New Era of Competitive Video Gaming with T-Pain vs. NE-YO Showdown and More
The Global Gaming League (GGL) announced its first season of year-around competitions titled SZN Zero. Backed by entertainment visionary Clinton Sparks and Grammy-winning artist and streaming icon T-Pain, the GGL is the first-of-its-kind, multi-title, live-action gaming entertainment league, where professional gamers, influencers, and casual players compete side-by-side in front of live audiences in Las Vegas and available globally on major platforms. Teams compete in popular game titles ranging from Call of Duty and Rocket League to Tetris and Street-Fighter.
Each event will feature two celebrity owned teams made up of four players each – high profile influencers, actors, athletes, artists, and both professional and casual gamers – facing off in four round matches covering four different genres. Superstar hosts and half time shows from major artists will turn up the entertainment factor. SZN Zero events will take place in Las Vegas, building up to a championship match in November live from the iconic Palms resort and casino, and the Global Gaming League will continue with SZN One in 2026.
SZN Zero’s first competition on August 23rd will feature T-Pain’s team Nappy Boy Grizzlies against three-time, Grammy award-winning hitmaker NE-YO and his Gentleman’s Gaming Team – finally facing off after months of social media trash talk and rivalry about who’s better at Tekken. The event will stream live on the GGL’s YouTube channel and other major platforms.
T-Pain, who is GGL’s Director of Strategy, was the league’s first team owner. NE-YO joins previously announced owners Flavor Flav and Bryce Hall along with Gillie Da Kid & Wallo.
“We wanted to build something that brought gamers from different backgrounds and cultures together in a unique way that was equally fun and competitive. With SZN Zero, we will introduce an authentic and relatable form of entertaining competition that will converge music, fashion, celebrity, and culture bringing the biggest form of entertainment in the world – video gaming – to the masses,” said Clinton Sparks, Founder and CEO of the Global Gaming League.
“Gaming is just as important as music or any other sport, to me. NE-YO had some words for me on socials, I heard enough of what he had to say and felt it was time to show him that I actually do this. But honestly I’m just ready to have some fun with my friend, because bottom line, that’s what gaming is all about. Now folks will just have to see what happens on August 23rd when we face off in Las Vegas at the GGL SZN Zero launch,” said T-Pain.
NE-YO responded: “Honestly, I was trying to connect with T-Pain to maybe be part of his team but when he kept blowing me off and then I saw that video of him talking about my lips, I decided the only way to get his attention would be to call him out. Now, we’ll see just how good he really is – or isn’t – when we go head to head.”
World-class Publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Capcom, EA, Tetris, and Ubisoft have all agreed to allow GGL to use some of the most popular and challenging games during SZN Zero, attracting a new audience and offering viewers a unique and compelling gaming experience. In addition to YouTube, the Global Gaming League SZN Zero will be available on other major streaming platforms in partnership with Dooya Media Group.
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