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Join the Virtual Gaming Americas Q2 Meetup!

The 2nd Virtual Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetup is coming up on 27 April 2023 and you can register now for free!
Looking for the inside scoop on the latest trends and developments in the North and Latin American gambling industry? Look no further than the Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups!
The virtual Gaming Americas Meetups by the #hipthers feature insightful panel discussions led by key industry experts, CEOs, C-Level Executives, Business Development Managers, and government officials/regulators.
At the upcoming Q2 Meetup, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from gaming experts and dive deep into the most pressing issues facing the industry today. From the impact of social media on gamification to the latest US legislation round-up, you’ll come away with a wealth of knowledge and insights that will level up your gaming game.
The first panel discussion will explore the fascinating intersection between gamification and social media. How can these two powerful tools be leveraged to create a more immersive and engaging gaming experience? Our expert panelists will share their insights and experiences on this exciting topic.
Next up, we’ll hear from Negin Alavi, a lawyer at Segev LLP, and guest Akhil Mittal, VP of Product Management at Paramount Commerce, in a discussion of gaming insights. Discover what it takes to create a seamless user experience that’s compatible with the latest accessibility tools and trends like live micro-betting.
Last but not least, we’ll get a quarterly update on the latest US legislative updates in the gambling industry. Keep up with the latest news and trends in the States and learn what changes might be coming down the pipeline in the near future.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn, and level up your gaming game! Register now for the Virtual Gaming Americas Q2 Meetup and get ready to join the conversation.
Register for Free!
Confirmed Speakers:
Alexis Wicén – CEO and Founder of Unibo and Scatters:
Alexis Wicén is a veteran of 15 years in the igaming industry. In 2018/2019, he founded Unibo (www unibo.com), a software company building the next generation of Gamification tools for igaming and Scatters Ltd, a company running several online casinos. In the past he has been Managing Director of Betsson Group’s Casino brands, Evoke Gaming and Redbet Gaming. Read Full Bio
Zoltán Tűndik – Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER Agency:
Zoltán Tűndik is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and Head of Business at Hipther Agency, parent brand of WireUp, European Gaming, PICANTE, and Gaming Americas.He is a self-taught publisher and events organizer who has developed highly respected online news portals, virtual and in-person conferences that cater to multiple industries on 5 continents. Read Full Bio
Troy Paul – Co-Founder and CEO of SGG Media:
Troy Paul is an entrepreneur with a passion for the legal Sports Gaming industry. He founded SGG Media, a social media based sports influencer marketing / media company. Read Full Bio
Negin Alavi – Lawyer at Segev LLP:
Negin Alavi is a lawyer at Segev LLP. Her legal practice focuses primarily on general commercial and technology matters. Negin has extensive experience with writing legal opinions and editorial pieces on areas of the law such as online gambling, charitable gambling licensing, video games, and cryptocurrency. Read Full Bio
Akhil Mittal – VP of Product Management at Paramount Commerce:
As the VP of Product Management, Akhil Mittal is responsible for understanding the needs of merchants and consumers to define the vision and bring to market Paramount Commerce’s payment solutions and features. With more than a decade of experience in product management, go-to-market strategies, and business development, Akhil has a proven track record of driving both growth and success. Akhil is very well versed in industry trends and topics linked with the online gaming and fintech industries. Read Full Bio
Martin Lycka – SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain:
Martin Lycka is SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain. He has advised global listed gambling businesses in a variety of legal and regulatory roles for over 11 years. Martin also serves on a number of boards, including the EGBA and the German Online Casino Association. He is the 2019 Global Awards Head of Regulatory Awards of the Year Award winner and has been recently named one of the 40 under 40 Emerging Gaming Leaders, Class 2020-21. Read Full Bio
William J. Pascrell, III, Esq – Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.:
With a prominent career in state and federal public affairs, William J. Pascrell, III ESQ is more commonly known as BPIII, is a partner with the Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc. BPIII has worked as Counsel to the Governor of New Jersey, Chief of Staff for a member of Congress, and was Passaic County Counsel from January 1998-2019 with support from both sides of the political aisle. In the area of gaming and casino, BPIII has various gaming interests throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Canada, and Israel. His clients include Trump, Pinnacle, The AC Chamber of Commerce, The NJ Casino Association, Sportech, Playtech, Camelot Lottery, Hard Rock Casinos and more. Read Full Bio
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRAL’s extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoft’s platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph Härtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the world’s most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoft’s talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a “dual currency” model to mimic casino-style wagering.
“Sweepstakes” platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting “No Purchase Necessary” disclaimers, they sidestep California’s regulatory framework and evade the state’s voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these “sweepstakes” operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
“We cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governments’ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,” said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
“For over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundation—compromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
“We support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of California’s gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
“Tribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to California’s economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff — including our new sports betting integrity unit — has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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