Florida Regulator Joins Illegal Gambling Awareness Campaign

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The Florida Gaming Control Commission is participating in the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, running Nov. 9-13.
Florida officials are directing consumers to CheckBeforeYouPlay.org to check operator licensing, with Hard Rock Bet the state’s only legal online sportsbook.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission is joining international regulators for the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, running Nov. 9-13, according to WFTV.

The campaign warns consumers about unlicensed online gambling platforms, where officials say players risk unpaid winnings, limited legal recourse, and compromised personal or financial information.

Florida Officials Urge Licensing Checks

Florida officials point consumers to CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free tool that provides licensing information on online casinos. WFTV reports that Hard Rock Bet is the only legal online sportsbook operating in Florida.

Alana Zimmer, executive director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, said the campaign provides another opportunity to protect consumers.

“Educating Floridians is another way we can help protect them from unscrupulous operators,” Zimmer said, according to WFTV.

Officials warn that unauthorized platforms lack mandatory consumer protections. The campaign encourages consumers to verify licensing before wagering rather than assume an accessible gambling website is authorized.

International Campaign Targets Misplaced Trust

The International Association of Gaming Regulators initiated the awareness week. WFTV describes it as the first globally coordinated effort to warn consumers about the dangers of unlicensed online gambling sites.

Kevin Mullally, CEO of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, cautioned that a site’s appearance does not establish its licensing status.

“People often mistake visibility for trust. 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,” Mullally said, according to WFTV.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Source: As reported by WFTV.