Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Gaming Control Commission is joining international partners this week for the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, held Nov. 9-13.
The campaign marks the first globally coordinated effort to warn consumers about the dangers of using unlicensed online gambling sites.
Initiated by the International Association of Gaming Regulators, the initiative encourages bettors to verify that a website is properly licensed in their jurisdiction before wagering.
In Florida, Hard Rock Bet is the only legal online sportsbook operating in the state. Hardrock Sportsbook
As part of the awareness effort, state officials are directing consumers to CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free tool that provides licensing information on gambling operators.
Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer emphasized that public outreach is essential to keeping bettors safe.
“Educating Floridians is another way we can help protect them from unscrupulous operators,” Zimmer said. “FGCC’s participation in the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week gives our agency another opportunity to warn consumers about the dangers of unlicensed operators while also having a little fun with the messaging. We hope this approach will make a meaningful impact on those who see it.”
Regulators emphasized that professional web design does not guarantee legality. International Association of Gaming Regulators CEO Kevin Mullally cautioned against assuming high-profile sites are secure.
“People often mistake visibility for trust,” Mullally said. “A professional-looking website can give consumers confidence without knowing whether the site is properly licensed. We want consumers to routinely check the licensing status of a site before opening an account or making a deposit.”
Consumers who gamble on unlicensed platforms face risks such as unpaid winnings, limited legal recourse for disputes and the compromise of sensitive personal or financial data.
Additionally, unauthorized platforms lack mandatory consumer protections and uninformed users may unknowingly fund criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and terrorist financing.
Remember to Check Before You Play!
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