The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is joining with its partners around the world in the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (IGAW), that continues through Friday. This is the first internationally coordinated effort to raise consumer awareness of the risks of unlicensed iGaming.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) initiated this recognition with the central message: before you bet, check whether the site is licensed in your location.
“Educating Floridians is another way we can help protect them from unscrupulous operators,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer. “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.”
In Florida, the only legal online sportsbook is Hard Rock Bet. The November campaign features CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free licensing information tool. Floridians are asked to visit the site before risking their money to ensure they are interacting with a legitimate gambling operator.
“People often mistake visibility for trust,” said IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally. “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 using unlicensed sites may face unpaid winnings, limited options for resolving disputes, and misuse of their personal or financial information. They also lack access to gambling protections required of licensed operators. Uninformed consumers may unknowingly fund criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorist financing, or other illicit activities.
