Latest News
‘Safe Bet Show’: Former NFL Star Amani Toomer to Speak on Responsible Gambling at SBC Summit North America
Amani Toomer, former NFL wide receiver and punt returner for the New York Giants and winner of Super Bowl XLII, is scheduled to appear on a special live episode of the ‘Safe Bet Show’, a player protection podcast hosted by Entain’s Senior Vice-President of American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Martin Lycka.
The ‘Safe Bet Show’ will be featured in the Player Protection Symposium, which will take place on May 9 at the Altman Building in Chelsea, New York City. This symposium is a pre-day conference that’s part of the SBC Summit North America, the premier iGaming and sports betting event in North America. The main conference and exhibition will be held from May 10 to 11 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Launched in collaboration with SBC in April 2021, the ‘Safe Bet Show’ is a podcast where Lycka examines how the industry is addressing player protection and social responsibility. Through interviews with leading figures, Lycka delves into various topics that are central to combating problem gambling.
Lycka and Toomer both serve as trustees of the Entain Foundation US, which is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance in the United States. The foundation has partnered with numerous organizations including the NCAA, NFLPA and NCPG, underscoring Entain’s commitment to comprehensively address and reduce problematic gambling behavior.
Entain, in collaboration with some of the most prominent online gaming operators in the United States, has also taken a proactive role in driving the implementation of industry-endorsed responsible gaming standards, known as the twelve-point pledge.
The company was previously recognized for its initiatives in this area at the 2022 SBC Awards North America, where the company was awarded the Socially Responsible Operator of the Year title. This year, the company is once again a nominee in the same category.
As a committed advocate for responsible gambling, Toomer is an excellent guest for the live ‘Safe Bet Show’. His background as a successful athlete gives him a unique perspective on the risks associated with problem gambling. During the show, Toomer will share insights about his sports career, his current role as a sports pundit and his work with the Entain Foundation US.
“I am thrilled to have Amani as a guest on the live ‘Safe Bet Show’ at the Player Protection Symposium,” Lycka said. “His commitment to promoting responsible gambling is inspiring and shows that it’s not only industry insiders who can make a difference in this cause. Amani’s appeal as a star athlete enables him to raise awareness among people about the risks of problem gambling.
“On a lighter note, I am eager to ask Amani whether he would have liked to play alongside Tom Brady, whose team suffered a defeat to the New York Giants in the 2007 Super Bowl XLII.”
“It’s wonderful to participate in an event that emphasizes the significance of player protection,” Toomer said. “I first heard about the risks of problem gambling back when I was a college player in Michigan and it was a real eye-opener. Now that I’ve retired, I’m trying to be a part of positive change and spread awareness about the dangers of gambling, particularly among athletes and children. Let’s work together to make a difference.”
The pre-day conference program also comprises ‘Compliance’ and ‘Leadership’ tracks, which will offer valuable insights to the industry on navigating regulatory complexities, leveraging technology for compliance-related issues and integrating diversity and inclusion initiatives within their organizations.
Compliance Updates
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Takes Action Against Illegal Sportsbook
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council through its executive director issued $50,000 in fines to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Tennessee.
Bovada failed to comply with cease and desist letters delivered to addresses in Curaçao, and Council investigators placed wagers through Bovada’s platform on three separate occasions, including as recently as October 16, 2024.
The Sports Gaming Act authorizes the Council to impose a $10,000 fine for the first offense of accepting wagers without a license, which rises to $15,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third offense. Subsequent offenses may lead to the imposition of a $25,000 fine for each occurrence, an occurrence being a single wager accepted in Tennessee.
In the cease and desist letters, the Council ordered Bovada to allow all Tennessee users to withdraw any funds currently held by the unlicensed sportsbook.
“The Sports Wagering Council recommends that Tennessee users of Bovada withdraw their funds immediately. Our primary role is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee sports bettors need to know that just because they can access a sports betting website or app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is licensed to do business here,” Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, said.
Legal sportsbook operators provide important bettor protections not found in the illegal market. If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.
The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks such as Bovada and others.
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the US, with more than $4.7 billion wagered in Tennessee last fiscal year through online sportsbooks licensed by the Council.
Gambling in the USA
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.
“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.
Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.
“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.
Latest News
Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market
On November 6, the iGaming industry in Mexico is preparing for a key event in which the benefits and challenges that regulation has brought to the Mexican market will be discussed. Under the title “Benefits of Regulation in the Mexican Market”, this panel will offer an in-depth look at the impact of regulation on transparency, competition and consumer protection, critical issues in the new digital era of iGaming.
The event, moderated by Geraldine Alexandra García Torres, Media Manager of Digital Gaming News, will feature the participation of recognized figures in the sector such as Daniel Magariños, representative of BMM Testlabs, and Hermilo Peregrina Cabrera of Prometeo IT Solutions. Both panelists will contribute their extensive knowledge and experience in regulation and certification in the Mexican market, and will analyze with the public the challenges and opportunities that companies face in an increasingly competitive and regulated context.
BMM Testlabs, who will participate as a Gold Sponsor, underlines with its sponsorship the importance of regulation to strengthen the iGaming sector in Mexico and demonstrates its commitment to progress and transparency in the Mexican market. For its part, Kushki joins as a Silver Sponsor, promoting the dialogue and analysis necessary for the industry.
Daniel Magariños, from BMM Testlabs, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in this digital webinar: “It has been a pleasure to be able to share our comments as a Laboratory on a market like the Mexican one and exchange opinions with a reference like Hermilo and the company Prometeo IT Solutions, with its excellent track record in this market. A relaxed talk with a lot of learning that I hope will be interesting for the attendees.”
For his part, Hermilo Peregrina, from Prometeo IT Solutions, highlighted the relevance of these spaces for dialogue: “Thank you to Conferencias iGaming for the invitation to participate in this panel. Thanks to Geraldine for coordinating us, and it was a pleasure to share ideas and opinions with my friend Daniel from BMM Testlabs, who has extensive experience in international regulations and certifications.”
Sponsor Support
The panel has the support of important sponsors who recognize the relevance of regulation in the development of the iGaming market in Mexico. Among them, BMM Testlabs as Gold Sponsor, and Kushki as Silver Sponsor.
Event Details:
Date: November 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Mexico)
Registration: Register here
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this essential conversation for the future of the industry. Secure your place and access a key analysis on the dynamic iGaming market in Mexico!
-
Latest News5 days ago
Leading Brazilian Lottery Operator Grupo da Sorte Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Accelerate Growth through Personalized Journey Orchestration
-
Latest News4 days ago
BetRivers Introduces PropPacks, an Innovative Feature for the NBA Season
-
Latest News4 days ago
ProntoPaga Transforms its Operating Model in Brazil to Ensure Risk-Free Transactions
-
Compliance Updates4 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News3 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and Sportradar Join Forces to Strengthen Integrity of Sports
-
Latest News2 days ago
Carnival Corporation & PLC Fleet Go “All-In” With Galaxy Gaming’s Galaxy Table Games Progressives
-
Gambling in the USA1 day ago
Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
-
Latest News2 days ago
Panel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market