September marks Responsible Gaming Education Month, and FanDuel, the premier online gaming company in North America, announced the addition of Keith Whyte as a Responsible Gaming Strategic Advisor. In his role, Keith will offer insights on the company’s Responsible Gaming strategy and programs, including identifying new opportunities for advocacy and advancing partnerships, as well as leading and developing various events to further a culture of Responsible Gaming.

Whyte will also contribute to FanDuel’s ongoing Responsible Gaming initiatives, including consulting on and creating new content for the Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting program. This program, which was created last year in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions and FanDuel Responsible Gaming Ambassadors Randy Livingston and Anita Ondine Smith, is designed to equip trusted adults, including parents, guardians and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, associated risks, how to recognize warning signs and where to go for support.

Whyte is Founder and President of Safer Gambling Strategies LLC, and joins FanDuel with over 30 years of experience in the responsible gambling and problem gambling prevention space. Notably, he served as the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling for over 25 years, leading efforts to offer and promote awareness of treatment and support for individuals experiencing gambling harm. He is known for his advocacy, policy and program experiences and will bring significant knowledge of the industry, along with relationships across national and state gambling organizations to FanDuel.

“We are honored to have Keith Whyte join our team as a strategic advisor for our responsible gaming programming. At FanDuel, we are committed to elevating the industry standard for Responsible Gaming. We’re excited to welcome Keith to our Responsible Gaming team and are confident his experience and subject matter knowledge will further strengthen our leadership in this space,” said Cory Fox, FanDuel Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Sustainability.

“FanDuel has consistently demonstrated industry leading commitment to Responsible Gaming, and I’ve long admired their proactive approach. I’m thrilled to join the team and contribute my experience to further advancing FanDuel’s efforts in promoting safe and responsible play,” said Keith Whyte.

Merkur Group has confirmed its participation at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2025 in Las Vegas.

From October 7 to 9, 2025, the internationally successful gaming expert from Germany, together with its sister companies and strategic partners, will exhibit its extensive portfolio of premium jackpot systems, captivating games, and state-of-the-art cabinets at stands 3353 and 3650.

“The G2E has long been one of the most important industry events for the Merkur Group – especially because it provides us with an ideal opportunity to welcome our international customers, in particular from Latin America, into the Merkur World and to foster personal interaction. Since receiving our manufacturing and distribution license for the State of Nevada just a few months ago, the show has taken on even greater significance for us. I am confident that G2E will play a key role in strengthening existing relationships, establishing promising new contacts, and driving our business activities in the North- and South American market with a future-oriented approach,” said Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member of Merkur Games.

This will be achieved in part through an impressive product showcase, the centerpiece of which will undoubtedly be the company’s latest content portfolio. Among the highlights, the German gaming powerhouse will present the Link Overdrive jackpot system – first unveiled at ICE 2025 – which has been winning over players with its high-frequency Jackpot feature, free games with additional Diamond Reels, and its distinctive Big Reel feature. Another standout is the brand-new Link Palace Linked Progressive Jackpot System. Featuring a total of four different games, it invites guests into diverse gaming worlds where they can encounter Wild Reels, Free Spins, and Symbol Boosts as they play for substantial rewards.

Having become a true player favorite in its home market of Germany – thanks in large part to its thrilling Hold & Spin Mechanic – the Jackpot Feature Dragor is now set to make its international debut as Merkur Gaming brings this highly popular, adrenaline-charged System to the global stage. Another promising content highlight in the German company’s portfolio will be the successful M-Prime multigame package. Distinguished by its clear, user-friendly menu design and highly intuitive player interface, M-Prime also delivers an even more immersive gaming experience through the addition of new game titles, harmonized soundscapes, and cohesive win animations.

Merkur Gaming will highlight its content creations on its latest cabinet family, Mod Ex. This innovative line stands out for its unique modularity, enabling customers to configure the monitor, body, and base entirely according to their operational needs and the preferences of their players. At G2E, the Mod Ex 332 and Mod Ex J55 will be on display. In addition, Merkur Gaming will feature its content on the internationally acclaimed Zonic Trio, which continues to impress operators and players alike with its ergonomically arranged 31.5-inch Full HD screens.

As in previous years, Merkur Gaming will be joined by additional subsidiaries and strategic partners of the Merkur Group at the booth with the iconic laughing sun. Building on last year’s success – Gaming Arts presented itself together with Merkur Gaming at a joint stand for the first time at G2E 2024 – the Las Vegas-based partner will once again be part of the expansive Merkur World. Among others, Gaming Arts will showcase its two brand-new products, “Glory of Giza” and “Eternal Riches”, at this year’s fair. Each title features two individual games, presented on the Mod Ex J55, delivering fresh and exciting content for operators’ gaming floors.

Moreover, the cash handling experts from GeWeTe will make an impression in Las Vegas with their machine-optimized solutions for banknote and coin validation, dispensing, and recycling, while the software supplier Bede Gaming will give guests exciting insights into its high-performance gaming platform. Also returning to the Merkur exhibition space is strategic partner and Slovenian ETG specialist Spintec, showcasing an extensive portfolio of electronic table games. Their latest Charisma line features a diverse range of automated, virtual/video, and live games, including Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, and Sic Bo. Recognized as the Best ETG in Asia and proven to be a top-performing ETG in Western Europe and LATAM, Charisma has set new benchmarks for excellence in electronic table gaming.

“The anticipation for G2E is immense. Engaging with industry colleagues, customers, and long-standing partners during the event, and presenting our latest product developments in such a distinguished setting, is a valuable opportunity for us every year. I am confident that G2E 2025 will once again be a resounding success – not only for us but for the entire industry,” says Dominik Raasch.

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has earned a 2025 Platinum dotCOMM Award—the competition’s highest honor—for its “Mini Me” commercial, part of the agency’s Don’t Regret the Bet responsible gaming campaign. The spot won top recognition in the Social Media Marketing – Use of Video category, honoring creativity and excellence in digital communication.

Developed to reach young adults ages 18-24—a demographic research shows is at heightened risk of gambling-related harm—“Mini Me” combines hand-drawn animation with live-action footage to deliver a lighthearted yet impactful reminder about making smart choices when it comes to gambling. The approachable tone was designed to engage without stigma or judgment, helping the message resonate with its intended audience.

In just six months, the video generated strong engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Gas Station TV (GSTV), and other digital platforms, including:

• 255,781 impressions

• 149,345 individuals reached

• 13,059 clicks—more than any other ad in the MGCB’s campaign

• On GSTV, 2.2 million+ impressions and a 100% completion rate, surpassing industry benchmarks by 10%

“Winning a Platinum dotCOMM Award underscores the effectiveness of our responsible gaming messaging. The ‘Mini Me’ spot was intentionally designed to speak to young adults in a way that is approachable, relatable, and memorable. This recognition affirms that our message is not only being heard, but also making an impact,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.

The MGCB previously earned a Platinum dotCOMM Award in 2023 alongside King Media for the launch of the Don’t Regret the Bet integrated marketing campaign, which continues to expand its reach across Michigan.

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Launched in March 2023, Don’t Regret the Bet aims to prevent gambling problems before they start and reduce the number of people in Michigan who develop a serious gambling addiction. The MGCB and King Media have collaborated on a wide range of responsible gaming messages reaching Michiganders across multiple platforms — including broadcast TV and radio, point-of-sale video ads at gas stations, digital billboards, social media, streaming services, and podcasts.

“We’re proud to see the ‘Mini Me’ spot recognized on an international stage. From the very beginning of our partnership with the MGCB, our focus has been on creating work that not only stands out creatively, but also makes a measurable difference in people’s lives. This award validates the power of that mission—and it inspires us to keep pushing forward in our shared commitment to prevent problem gambling before it starts,” said Coleen King, president and founder of King Media.