Michigan’s responsible gaming website, Don’t Regret the Bet, has received a Platinum Hermes Creative Award, a national honor presented by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The recognition comes after the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) expanded the platform from a single-page resource into a larger educational hub focused on gambling awareness and support services.
According to the MGCB, the updated website was developed in partnership with King Media and now provides a broader range of tools for Michigan residents. Resources include educational materials, support information, downloadable guides, and content designed for players, families, educators, and community organizations.
The Hermes Creative Awards recognize work in marketing and communications across a variety of industries. While the award highlights the site’s design and public outreach efforts, the expansion also reflects growing attention on responsible gambling education as online gaming and sports betting continue to become more accessible.
A central component of the website expansion is the launch of “Don’t Bet On Your Future,” a program aimed at addressing youth exposure to gambling-related content. The initiative focuses on informing young people, parents, and educators about potential risks associated with gambling activities and sports betting.
The campaign arrives as concerns about youth gambling have increased alongside the growth of legal online betting markets. The MGCB noted that sports betting has become more visible through digital advertising, social media platforms, and partnerships involving professional sports organizations.
Research cited by the agency indicates that teenagers who gamble are four times more likely to develop a serious gambling problem later in life. That finding helped shape the creation of educational materials intended to promote awareness before problematic behaviors emerge.
The expanded website includes dedicated responsible gaming education pages and direct access to problem gambling support resources. Users can also find information about helplines, downloadable educational materials, and prevention-focused toolkits.
In addition to resources for individuals, the initiative provides information specifically tailored to parents, teachers, and community leaders. The website also promotes funding opportunities for booster clubs, with grants of up to $4,000 available to support youth gambling prevention efforts.
State officials said the updated platform was launched ahead of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, commonly known as March Madness, one of the busiest betting periods of the year. Timing the release around a major wagering event was intended to make responsible gaming information more readily available when public interest in sports betting typically rises.
The launch illustrates how gambling regulators are increasingly combining enforcement responsibilities with public education initiatives. Rather than focusing solely on problem gambling intervention, many programs now emphasize prevention, awareness, and early education for younger audiences.
Michigan’s latest effort reflects that broader trend. While the Hermes Award brings national attention to the redesigned website, the more significant development may be the state’s new emphasis on youth-focused gambling education. As legal sports betting continues to evolve, regulators, educators, and families are likely to remain focused on how gambling exposure affects younger audiences and what measures can help reduce potential risks.
