Press Releases

The Arizona Department of Gaming, Arizona Lottery, and the National Council of Problem Gambling Recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Published

4 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”), Division of Problem Gambling (“DPG”), in collaboration with the National Council of Problem Gambling (“NCPG”), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. 2025 marks the 22nd anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The theme of this year’s campaign, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition. The campaign seeks to foster greater awareness and empathy, break down barriers to treatment, and provide support for individuals and families impacted by gambling-related harm.

“Problem gambling is a serious issue that impacts thousands of Arizonans, including families and young people,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “As Governor, I am committed to raising awareness and ensuring that those struggling with problem gambling have access to the resources and support they need.”

Problem gambling, defined as gambling behaviors that disrupt or damage personal, family, or professional lives, affects millions of Americans. Nationally, approximately 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, with an additional 5 to 8 million individuals experiencing mild to moderate gambling problems.

In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), Arizona’s Division of Problem Gambling provided 3 trainings for clinical providers and connected 992 people across the state to treatment. In the same period, DPG provided $1.3 million to support treatment of individuals affected by problem gambling. This past fiscal year, DPG continued to work with Arizona stakeholders to implement its self-exclusion program for event wagering & fantasy sports (“EWFS”), which allows those who may struggle with gambling to exclude themselves from these games statewide. DPG self-exclusion staff work with tribal gaming facilities and EWFS operators on a daily basis to update the patron self-exclusion list. In FY2024, this resulted in a total of 519 self-exclusions enrolled, bringing the total in Arizona to 2,230.

Today, DPG hosted the 17th Annual Symposium on Problem Gambling in Phoenix, Arizona, with the theme: “Envisioning the Future: A Comprehensive Approach from History to Innovation.”

“Bringing together innovators, leaders, and decision-makers face-to-face is vital to fostering meaningful dialogue and driving impactful change,” said Jackie Johnson, ADG Director. “Our annual DPG Symposium is designed to facilitate discussions, share best practices, and cultivate strategic collaborations. These are key elements in advancing DPG’s mission to provide effective problem gambling prevention, treatment, and education programs as part of the Department’s broader efforts to mitigate gambling-related harms.”

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Katie Hobbs for once again proclaiming March as Arizona Problem Gambling Awareness Month,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling. “We recognize that disparities in access to services and treatment outcomes continue to impact historically underrepresented communities, and we want every Arizonan to know—they are not alone. Through DPG’s free, 24/7 confidential helpline and online resources, individuals across the state can take the first step toward getting the support they need.”

“The Arizona Lottery is dedicated to supporting initiatives that alleviate problem gambling as an addition that can impact individuals from all walks of life,” said Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson. “That’s why we remain committed to promoting responsible gaming by increasing awareness of problem gambling, recognizing its warning signs, and ensuring that vital resources are available to those in need.” The Arizona Lottery has contributed $6 million to ADG to support statewide problem gambling prevention, treatment, and education programs.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, DPG urges you to get help now by calling 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1.800.639.8783), DPG’s confidential helpline, texting “NEXTSTEP” to 53342, or utilizing a chat feature on the DPG website. DPG’s helpline provides confidentiality and connects callers with a master’s level counselor who can connect them with available resources, including statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling. The helpline is available 24/7 to everyone facing a problem with gambling – individuals and affected family members, friends, or co-workers.

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SCCG Announces Sponsorship Partnership with Approvely for Seamless Payments Processing in the Gaming Industry

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2025

George Miller

SCCG Announces Sponsorship Partnership with Approvely for Seamless Payments Processing in the Gaming Industry

SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gambling industry, is excited to announce a sponsorship partnership with Approvely, a premier provider of seamless and rapid payment processing solutions for high-risk industries. This collaboration enhances SCCG’s mission to connect gaming operators with cutting-edge financial solutions that drive efficiency, security, and reliability.

Approvely specializes in fast-track payments, rapid approvals, and expert guidance, ensuring that gaming operators experience approval times of 30 days or less. Their real-time transaction verification and chargeback protection provide an added layer of security, minimizing fraud and administrative burdens while streamlining payment acceptance. Through instant payouts, credit and debit processing, and seamless integration, Approvely helps businesses increase sales, improve player experience, and maintain financial stability.

Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, stated: “The gaming industry demands fast, secure, and reliable payment processing. Approvely delivers exactly that—offering seamless solutions for operators navigating the complexities of high-risk transactions. At SCCG, we align with partners who bring real, tangible value to gaming businesses, and Approvely’s expertise in rapid approvals and fraud protection makes them an essential asset for our clients.”

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Andrew Cardno, Dr. Ralph Thomas and Dr. A.K. Singh Release Their 12th Book: “The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium”

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2025

George Miller

$Andrew Cardno, Dr. Ralph Thomas and Dr. A.K. Singh Release Their 12th Book: “The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium”$

Well-known and accredited gaming and analytics experts Andrew Cardno and Dr. Ralph Thomas of QCI have proudly released their 12th book, “The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium,” a definitive exploration of the mathematical frameworks and strategies that have shaped the modern gaming industry. This latest volume includes brand-new articles, expanded content, and a greatly enhanced gaming glossary, offering readers an even deeper dive into the world of gaming mathematics.

A Comprehensive Exploration of Mathematics and Gaming

“The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium” serves as an essential guide to the intersection of mathematics and gaming. It delves into how advanced analytics, mathematical modeling, and data science have revolutionized the gaming landscape, compiling decades of research and insights. This newly updated edition features fresh discussions, more real-world applications, and a wealth of cutting-edge material that will benefit industry professionals, data enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by gaming mathematics.

A Legacy of Expertise

Authors Andrew Cardno and Dr. Ralph Thomas bring together years of experience and groundbreaking research, offering readers unparalleled insight into the role of math in optimizing player experiences and casino operations.

“This book is a culmination of over 20 years of innovation in the gaming industry,” said Andrew Cardno. “In addition to highlighting how data and analytics have evolved, we’ve packed this edition with new articles, expanded content, and an extensive gaming glossary, providing readers with tools and knowledge for real-world gaming environments.”

A Must-Read for Industry Professionals

Industry expert Buddy Frank shared his praise for the new volume: “One of the things I love about software is when updates are released you gain new features and helpful add-ons. In publishing, once a book is released, that’s about it. Occasionally, there will be a second or maybe even a third edition. So, it is somewhat surprising, but very welcomed, that the authors of “The Math That Gaming Made” will debut Book 12 at the annual Indian Gaming Association’s Conference and Tradeshow held in San Diego. I loved the skinny little Book 1. This new volume seems to be more than an inch thick and has plenty of new content. If you work in Slots, Casino Marketing, Hosting, Operations, Leadership or Analytics, don’t miss this latest version.”

“The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium” is available now through Amazon.

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SOFTSWISS Brings Engineering for Success to SiGMA Americas

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2025

George Miller

SOFTSWISS Brings Engineering for Success to SiGMA Americas

SOFTSWISS, an international technology company providing software solutions for iGaming, announces its participation in SiGMA Americas – one of the largest and most influential industry events in the Western Hemisphere. The event will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, from 7 to 10 April.

Participation in the expo highlights SOFTSWISS’ expansion in the Latin American iGaming market. The company recently secured certification in both Brazil and Peru for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator and obtained Brazilian certification for its Jackpot Aggregator. The company has also strengthened its ties in the region through a partnership with rising motorsport talent Eduardo Barrichello for the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, will join the team working at the company’s Stand M85. He will also make a special appearance as a keynote speaker at the SiGMA Conference, sharing unique industry insights and perspectives from his legendary racing experience.

Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, comments: “Latin America is a continent of unlimited energy, passion, and creativity. The rapid growth of the iGaming industry reflects this perfectly. I’m eager to share my perspective at SiGMA Americas and excited to talk about how SOFTSWISS’ drive for technology and excellence will contribute to shaping the future of this market.”

SOFTSWISS heads to SiGMA Americas with its new ‘Engineered for Success’ campaign, inspired by Formula 1. The creative concept reveals the company as a technology partner that creates high-performing software solutions, where every detail is as precisely engineered as in an F1 car.

Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “We are excited to bring our ‘Engineered for Success’ campaign and our best software solutions to SiGMA Americas, a key gathering place for our industry leaders on this continent. Our team is looking forward to meeting partners and prospective clients and building a thriving business in Latin America together. We can’t wait to reveal more of our technologies and our vision for the future of this market.”

SOFTSWISS invites all attendees to book a meeting at Stand M85 to explore how its technology-driven solutions can help operators engineer successful iGaming projects.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.