September is Responsible Gaming Education Month, and the Department is reminding fans to play it safe with tools like Check Your Bet, self-exclusion, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline.

With the football season underway, the Arizona Department of Gaming (“the Department”) is warning Arizonans about the growing risks of unlicensed online casinos and sportsbooks. September also marks Responsible Gaming Education Month, making this an important time to remind fans that if you choose to play, play it safe by choosing a regulated operator.

Regulated gaming offers important consumer protections, helping ensure fair play, data security, accountability, and a safer overall experience. The Department has seen an increase in consumer complaints about unlicensed gambling operations in recent months, a trend expected to intensify as football season kicks off and the busiest event wagering period of the year begins. Common issues include unfair or misleading terms, difficulty withdrawing winnings, and accounts being frozen without explanation, often after a withdrawal request.

“Responsible Gaming Education Month is the perfect time to remind Arizonans that while legal, regulated gaming options are available to all Arizonans ages 21+, there are also deceptive operators eager to take advantage of fans during football season,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming. “Unregulated platforms lack responsible gaming safeguards, age verification, and offer no consumer protections, which puts Arizonans at risk. That’s why the Department is promoting resources to give every Arizonan the tools they need to make informed choices and play responsibly.”

To help protect Arizonans, the Department has launched a new Responsible Gaming website and is spotlighting three key resources this month:

• Check Your Bet– If you choose to participate in gaming, opting for legal, regulated operators is the best way to protect yourself. Playing responsibly means knowing your operator is licensed and that you meet Arizona’s legal gaming age of 21+. This online resource helps Arizonans confirm they’re using a legal site, which helps protect against fraud, identity theft, and other risks.
• Self-Exclusion Program– A free, confidential program that allows people to voluntarily limit their access to Arizona’s regulated gaming. The statewide self-exclusion program was established in 2004 for casinos and expanded in 2021 to include retail sportsbooks, event wagering platforms, and fantasy sports platforms. More than 550 Arizonans enrolled in the last fiscal year, and over 11,000 have chosen this option since the program began.
• 1-800-NEXT-STEP – A confidential, 24/7 helpline for anyone seeking support right now, whether for themselves or someone they care about. The helpline connects Arizonans with caring professionals who can provide immediate assistance, low and no-cost treatment referrals, and financial counseling.

These resources, along with more tips and tools, are available at the Department’s new webpage: gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming.

Top 5 Signs of an Unlicensed Gambling Site

The Department urges Arizonans to be cautious and watch for these warning signs that a site or app may be fraudulent or unlicensed:

1. No Responsible Gaming Protections – Licensed operators are required to provide responsible gaming tools, including age verification to ensure no one under the age of 21 can play, deposit limits, time limits, self-exclusion options, and access to the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline. If you don’t see these tools, it’s a red flag.
2. Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers – Promises of “guaranteed wins,” oversized bonuses, or “risk-free” bets are common scam tactics.
3. Trouble Getting Paid and No Dispute Resolution – Unregulated sites often delay or deny withdrawals, with little to no process for resolving disputes.
4. Unusual Payment Methods – Sites that only accept cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards instead of secure, standard payment options are a major warning sign.
5. Copycat Branding or Poor Site Quality – Some fraudulent sites impersonate legitimate Arizona casinos or sportsbooks, using misspellings, broken links, or look-alike names to trick players into downloading their app or visiting their site.

“Licensed operators in Arizona are required to provide responsible gaming safeguards. When people play on unregulated sites, those protections are missing and people are more vulnerable,” said Elise Mikkelson, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling. “That’s why Arizona’s helpline exists: to ensure every Arizonan has access to the support they need. With more than 11,000 Arizonans choosing to enroll in the state’s self-exclusion program since it began, it’s clear that no one is alone in taking steps to protect themselves. And if you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available.”

How to Report Suspicious Gambling Activity, Fraud, or Identity Theft:

Arizonans who believe they may have encountered an unlicensed or suspicious gambling site are encouraged to report it directly to the Arizona Department of Gaming. Reports help the Department investigate and take action to protect consumers statewide. If you find a website, app, or business that claims to offer legal gaming in Arizona but does not appear to be licensed or authorized by the Department, follow these steps:

1. Document the website URL, app, business name, and any promotional materialsassociated with the platform or operator.
2. Report itto ADG at [email protected] and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Consumer Information and Complaints Unit at (602) 542-5763 or by visiting azag.gov/consumer.
3. Cease activity on the platform and monitor financial accounts for unauthorized transactions.
4. If you suspect identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”): for help in English, go to IdentityTheft.gov, and for help in Spanish, go to RobodeIdentidad.gov.

The Department takes complaints about all illegal gambling seriously. Reports can be made anonymously.

BMM Innovation Group (“BIG”, the “BIG Group”, or “the Company”), a technology conglomerate focused on product compliance testing, training, and cybersecurity solutions for the global gaming industry, today announced its participation in the Global Gaming Expo (“G2E”), October 6-9 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.

Marking the first stop on BIG’s 2025–2026 World Tour, all the BIG Group brands — BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training — will be represented at the show, highlighting the Company’s trusted global expertise.

BMM Innovation Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “G2E is an important gaming event and the place to begin our 2025–2026 World Tour. BIG represents the full spectrum of gaming support, from compliance and cybersecurity to training. Our message is simple: select the BMM Innovation Group to be your partner in every gaming market.”

BMM Testlabs, the world’s original and longest-established gaming independent testing and certification lab, will highlight its 44 years of leadership in product compliance, helping land-based and digital suppliers and operators reduce risk and fast-track market access.

BIG Cyber, the BIG Group’s cybersecurity arm, will highlight its full suite of managed and professional services, including SOC monitoring, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and PCI:DSS evaluations. These solutions are designed to protect gaming companies, strengthen defenses, and help improve cyber-resilience.

RG24seven Virtual Training offers expert-led compliance-grade virtual training to gaming employees worldwide through a host of courses focused on responsible gaming, compliance, sports betting, anti-money laundering, human trafficking awareness, and much more. G2E attendees can find RG24seven Virtual Training in their dedicated G2E Booth No. 1600, where training experts will offer demonstrations of its industry-leading virtual training solutions.

Together, the BIG companies reinforce the BIG Group’s mission and vision to transform gambling industry compliance and protect all who gamble.

The BMM Innovation Group invites G2E attendees to schedule meetings at the show with its global business development leaders and experts in compliance, cybersecurity, and virtual training at worldtour.bmm.com.