The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is urging Michigan residents to “Play it Safe. Bet Legal.” The messaging was introduced as part of Illegal Gambling Awareness Week that runs through November 13.
This internationally coordinated effort organized by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is focused on raising consumer awareness about the risks associated with unlicensed online gambling.
The main message behind the MGCB campaign is reminding residents to make sure the online casino or sports betting site they’re using is licensed in the Wolverine State. The responsible gaming messaging will continue to be shared via radio public service announcements throughout November.
Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB said “illegal gambling operators want you to believe they’re just another option.”
Besides it being illegal for them to conduct business within Michigan state lines, these sites are not following state regulations and expose players to serious risk.
“When you play with an unlicensed operator, there’s no one verifying your age or identity, no one making sure your winnings get paid, and no regulator you can turn to when something goes wrong,” Williams said. “Michigan built a legal market with real consumer protections, and we want every resident to know how to find it.”
All licensed Michigan online casinos and sports are required to follow strict regulations set by the MGCB. Verifying that players are 21 or older, protecting player personal information, and secure payment methods are a few of the big ones.
Licensed Michigan online gambling apps offer responsible gaming tools, including giving players the option to set deposit and time limits. The state also has a responsible gaming database that can be used to file complaints with the MGCB.
Offshore websites, unlicensed sweepstakes casinos, and prediction markets offering sports contracts without a Michigan license are not subject to these rules.
The MGCB continues to be extremely active in preventing unlicensed operators from conducting business within state lines. This has included sending hundreds of cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online gambling operators.
The IAGR has launched the free online tool, CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, that regulatory technology company Sharp Vision helped create. It allows online gamblers across the United States, including Michigan, to verify if the site is licensed or blocked. There is a search bar near the bottom of the page to check a specific web address. The tool also displays the number of licensed and blocked sites.
The MGCB has been sharing the IAGR campaign videos and social media content this week.
“Illegal gambling doesn’t stop at state or national borders, and neither can our response,” Williams said. “Working with IAGR and our fellow regulators lets us share information and act faster to protect players here in Michigan and around the world.”
