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The International Association of Gaming Regulators organized the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, which ran Nov. 9-13, 2026. Gambling regulators in at least six states publicly supported or endorsed the campaign, according to GamblingHarm.org.
The campaign focused attention on gambling businesses operating outside the law. In a Nov. 13 article, GamblingHarm.org’s Brian Pempus examined its consumer-protection benefits while arguing that awareness messaging can overlook harm associated with legal online gambling.
Arizona highlights risks of unlicensed platforms
Arizona’s messaging emphasized state oversight and the risks of using unlicensed gambling platforms, according to GamblingHarm.org.
“A sleek website and a familiar logo can easily fool bettors into believing a platform is legitimate,” Jackie Johnson said in an Arizona Department of Gaming statement cited by the outlet.
Johnson warned that people depositing money with unlicensed, unregulated platforms lose consumer protections, may not receive their winnings and may expose personal and financial information to fraud.
GamblingHarm.org described scrutiny of unscrupulous businesses operating outside state or federal law as a positive aspect of the campaign. Its discussion included offshore gambling and illicit video gambling machines, alongside other forms of illegal or allegedly illegal gambling.
Legal betting safety messaging faces criticism
Michigan promoted the slogan “Play it safe. Bet legal.” Pempus challenged the implication that legality is synonymous with safety, arguing that legal online gambling also needs stronger guardrails.
The article cited a congressional subcommittee discussion about sports gambling harms on college campuses involving state-sanctioned apps, prediction markets, daily fantasy sports and offshore betting sites.
“We don’t tolerate over-serving of alcohol in bars. We shouldn’t tolerate over-serving of young people on sports betting, and that’s exactly what’s happening right now,” Dr. Lindsey Mortenson testified, according to GamblingHarm.org.
Pempus also questioned industry involvement in gambling-awareness campaigns. The International Association of Gaming Regulators has backing from sponsors including the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers and Gaming Laboratories International, according to the outlet.
21+. Must be physically located in Pennsylvania to play. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Source: As reported by GamblingHarm.org.
This article was created with the assistance of AI and is monitored by our editorial team.
