SBC Americas

Texas lawmakers file measure to prevent lottery ticket collusion

A pair of Texas lawmakers are taking legislative action to prevent collusion regarding the sale of lottery tickets across the state.

Sens. Bryan Hughes and Paul Bettencourt have introduced Senate Bill 1346 as a measure that prohibits lottery ticket sales to “persons attempting to purchase all possible winning tickets in a lottery drawing”. The two lawmakers co-authored the bill amid allegations of fraud pertaining to a multimillion-dollar jackpot awarded in 2023.

SB 1346 mandates that a lottery ticket sales agent may not “knowingly sell or allow the sale” of tickets for a lottery game to one or more persons who are attempting to buy all possible winning tickets. The measure, pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee, also calls for a hearing if illicit sales are expected. The hearing will determine whether the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) shall revoke the licenses of sales agents.

Sales agents who violate SB 1346 and have their licenses revoked are prohibited from applying for..

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PrizePicks first DFS operator to receive NCPG’s iCAP certification

Daily fantasy sports giant PrizePicks is the first DFS operator to receive Internet Compliance Assessment Program (iCAP) accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).

iCAP certification is granted to operators that meet the NCPG’s standards for responsible gaming and consumer protection practices.

The process involves an independent, comprehensive review of an operator’s responsible gaming policies and practices, including considerations such as Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, staff training programs, work culture, consumer protection measures, RG tool offerings, customer service standards and regulatory compliance.

PrizePicks CEO Mike Ybarra called the certification “powerful recognition” of the company’s operations and “an incredible honor that underscores our unwavering commitment to putting player safety first.”

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the NCPG for their thorough evaluation, and to our exceptional team for setting the bar as an industr..

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Lawmakers reintroduce SAFE Bet Act ahead of March Madness

The SAFE Bet Act is being reintroduced ahead of one of the largest U.S. sports events. Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal held a press conference to reintroduce the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every (SAFE) Bet Act. The legislation would create federal oversight of sports betting, which is currentlyregulated by states that offer it. The two lawmakers have reintroduced the act ahead…

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YouTube announces content ban promoting ‘unapproved’ gambling sites

YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will no longer permit content that directs users to “unapproved” gambling websites.

In an update posted on March 4, the platform’s team said that as part of an ongoing effort to protect viewers from potentially harmful content, it is strengthening its existing policies related to online gambling content.

YouTube defines unapproved gambling sites as platforms that don’t meet local legal requirements and haven’t been reviewed by YouTube or its parent company Google.

Effective March 19, YouTube will no longer allow non-Google-certified URLs, embedded links, visual displays including logos or verbal references.

“We know this update may impact creators who focus on online gambling content like casino games and applications, but we believe these changes are a necessary step in protecting our community, especially younger viewers,” read the statement.

YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle added to CNN that it will also begin age-restricting content t..

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NCPG offers new theme for Problem Gambling Awareness Month

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is making a concerted effort to promote Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM).

March 1 marks the beginning of PGAM providing the NCPG with the opportunity to further reduce the stigma of problem gambling while providing access to a slew of resources.

“PGAM is intentionally aligned with the NCAA basketball tournament, a time when gambling is a frequent topic of conversation,” said the NCPG. “March is a prime opportunity for organizations to promote a better understanding of what is and isn’t true about problem gambling. As millions of people engage with the tournament, it offers a unique moment to raise awareness about the risks of gambling, educate the public, and challenge common misconceptions.”

This year, the NCPG is providing a new theme for its annual observance of PGAM. The theme, “Seeking Understanding,” aims to build a public understanding of problem gambling as a mental health condition by overcoming misconceptions to gain i..

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BetBlocker establishes US division to expand market presence

BetBlocker is bringing its free-to-use responsible gambling tool to new U.S. markets.

The European responsible gaming organization has announced the establishment of a U.S. division allowing it to offer its anonymous gambling blocking software to new players.

BetBlocker, a UK-registered charity, will allow U.S bettors to manage their gambling habits responsibly at no charge with services offered both in English and Spanish. It is currently working to provide its services in Chinese adding to its total of 17 available languages.

“BetBlocker’s pioneering free support has been minimizing harm for tens of thousands of people all over the world for close to a decade now,” said founder Duncan Garvie. “By establishing the U.S. arm of the charity, it is our hope that we can raise the profile of the service in North America and support tens of thousands more people in the coming years.”

BetBlocker has solidified a footprint its America as a registered non-profit in Delaware. It also secure..

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Fresno State athletes reportedly entered own DFS contests

Two men’s college basketball players who are under investigation by the NCAA for alleged gambling violations reportedly played in daily fantasy contests involving the team.

According to an ESPN report, former Fresno State basketball player Mykell Robinson allegedly played in DFS contests based on his own performance for several games. Robinson, who was dismissed from the basketball program amid the probe, reportedly entered DFS contests that included his “under” markets for points and rebounds.

Fresno State’s Jalen Weaver is also being investigated for playing in DFS contests.

Weaver admitted to ESPN that he participated in a DFS contest in December 2024 for total points scored in a game against New Mexico. The Colorado native wagered $50 for him to score over 11 points on fantasy app Sleeper. Weaver scored 13 points in the contest.

“I just made a bad decision, and I shouldn’t even have gotten involved with that. Now, I’m obviously paying for it,” Weaver told ESPN. “I bet on a game..

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BetMGM expands responsible gambling referrals nationwide

MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have expanded their responsible gambling initiatives with an emphasis on providing critical resources, advancing research efforts, and strengthening supports for problem gamblers.

BetMGM is expanding its Kindbridge Behavioural Health referral program across the U.S. with the aim of ensuring players in all of the brand’s markets have direct access to mental health services. It already offered that resource in states including Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

To coincide with Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), MGM Resorts is donating $180,000 to the Kindbridge Research Institute to support studies on the impacts of sports betting on consumers, as well as to help develop responsible gaming strategies.

“Responsible gaming is a focal point of our operations, and we will continue to invest in programs that promote player protection and well-being,” said BetMGM’s Chief Compliance Officer Rhea Loney..

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Florida bills would toughen up illegal gambling definitions

Ahead of the start of Florida’s legislative session, a pair of bills are looking to enforce stricter punishments for illegal gambling in the Sunshine State and, in doing so, reiterate the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive position.

Rep. Webster Barnaby’s House Bill 953 and Sen. Corey Simon’s Senate Bill 1404 would make it a third-degree felony for anyone other than the Seminole Tribe to operate an online casino or online sportsbook in Florida. In Florida, that level of crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Anyone found guilty of using an online casino or online sportsbook not owned by the tribe would be charged with a first or second-degree misdemeanor.

The Seminole Tribe holds online gambling exclusivity in the state and has operated online sports betting via Hard Rock Bet since December 2023. It has successfully defended in court its right to offer the sole online sports betting platforms via a compact with the state.

Ostensibly, the new pair of bills would seem to reiterat..

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Caesars to keep close eye on betting with IC360’s ProhiBet

Caesars has become the latest online sportsbook to turn to Integrity Compliance 360’s (IC360) tools to monitor betting activity on its platform.

Caesars Sportsbook will integrate IC360’s ProhiBet solution, which will provide the company with enhanced real-time alerts to help ensure the platform maintains integrity and detects unusual or suspicious wagering behavior.

IC360’s encrypted and decentralized platform will assist Caesars in staying fully compliant with changing industry standards while also ensuring a safe and fair marketplace for all users. ProhiBet allows sportsbooks and sports properties to monitor for prohibited bettors and suspected fraud in real time.

“Our partnership with Caesars Sportsbook represents a significant milestone in enhancing the integrity and transparency of the regulated sports betting industry,” said Matt Heap, managing director of ProhiBet. “With our advanced technology, we’re ensuring that Caesars stays ahead of regulatory requirements and provides a..

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