Hard Rock International announced that Hard Rock Bet is now fully integrated into Unity by Hard Rock, a one-of-a-kind loyalty program that rewards members for doing the things they love across Hard Rock’s portfolio of more than 200 locations including hotels, casinos, cafes, and Rock Shops around the world.

Hard Rock Bet, Hard Rock International, and Seminole Gaming’s top-rated sports betting and online casino platform, will maintain its free online Loyalty Rewards program, which gives players the opportunity to earn points and one-of-a-kind rewards for their play. With the Unity integration, players will earn Tier Credits for both programs with their online play at Hard Rock Bet and can seamlessly transfer points between the two programs for online and on-property rewards. Upon signing up for Hard Rock Bet, players will automatically be registered for a Unity by Hard Rock account if they aren’t already a member.

The complimentary Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty program offers an array of benefits and services at participating Hard Rock locations where members can earn and redeem Unity Points toward free nights, dining experiences, great merch, and free play. Hard Rock also embarked on a partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises to reward travelers on land, sea and at ports of call with reciprocal benefits through Unity by Hard Rock, Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale and Celebrity Cruises’ Blue Chip Club. Now inclusive of Hard Rock Bet players, members gain exclusive access to offers, promotions, and rewards, as well as discounts to participating Hard Rock properties.

“Integrating Hard Rock Bet into Unity will be a game-changer for guest engagement. This enhancement not only offers a fun, interactive way for guests to earn points when placing bets, but also significantly boosts loyalty. By rewarding guests for their playtime, we create a win-win scenario where guests enjoy an enriched experience, and we foster an introduction to all the amazing verticals in our brand through point redemption opportunities at Hotels, Casinos, Cafes, Rock Shops and entertainment venues,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment & Brand Management at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.

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ESPN is reinforcing its commitment to educating and protecting its audience as sports betting becomes more mainstream with the launch of “The Talk,” a new campaign aimed at promoting responsible gaming practices.

The campaign features two creative spots — one starring SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan labeled “Wedding Day,” and the other, starring SportsCenter anchor Gary Striewski. Using humor and inspired by the classic “heart-to-heart” conversations families often have, “The Talk” engages viewers to deliver its message about what it means to play smart.

“At ESPN, we believe it’s our responsibility to help sports fans understand the risks of sports betting and learn what smart betting looks like. When ESPN decided to license its name to a sportsbook, responsible gaming was at the forefront of the discussion. The ESPN BET sportsbook, operated by PENN Entertainment, offers comprehensive responsible gaming resources that encompasses a wide range of protections and tools. However, ESPN’s commitment to responsible gaming extends even further. Because we feature content and advertising on betting, we believe we have a responsibility to help sports fans understand how to bet responsibly. We’re proud to work with industry leaders to find new and different ways to reach these audiences,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship.

The campaign will include the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline and direct viewers to a dedicated landing page, ESPN.com/smartplay, offering additional tools and resources to help fans understand what smart betting looks like and to help them have meaningful conversations about responsible betting.

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“‘The Talk’ blends education, humor and actionable resources to capture attention and emphasize the importance of responsible gaming. This campaign encourages fans to reflect on their betting habits and discuss smart practices with family and friends. We want to normalize these conversations and ensure fans understand why responsible betting matters,” Martinez said.

“ESPN is taking an important approach to responsible gambling messaging, supported by behavioral science research. Rather than just focusing on the negative, these spots accentuate the positive by encouraging healthy habits: being a better bettor is not just about knowing when to take risks, it’s also about knowing when not to,” said Brett Abarbanel, Ph.D., Executive Director of International Gaming Institute at UNLV.