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The Michigan Gaming Control Board recently joined other regulators and industry leaders in recognizing Responsible Gaming Education Month. The announcement came just as the 2025 NFL season kicked off, underscoring the board’s commitment to promoting safe gaming and player protection.
“Responsible Gaming Education Month reminds us that gaming should always be safe, legal and fun. We want Michigan residents to enjoy gaming responsibly, understand the risks and know how to recognize and avoid illegal operators that put consumers at risk,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
Public support for regulated betting has grown steadily since the US Supreme Court’s landmark 2018 decision. About 90% of Americans consider sports betting an acceptable form of entertainment, and 75% support legal sports betting in their states.
Participation has also increased. The American Gaming Association projects that Americans will wager more than $30 billion this NFL season at legal US sportsbooks, up from $27.6 billion last season. That’s an 8.5% rise, highlighting the need for greater awareness and player protection — hence Responsible Gaming Education Month.
How the gaming industry is teaching safer play habits nationwide
Campaign messages include:
- Gaming is entertainment, not a money-making scheme.
- Set limits and stick to them.
- Balance gambling with other activities.
- Walk away instead of chasing losses.
- Acknowledge early signs of problem gambling.
September is the designated month for the responsible gambling initiative. It began as a weeklong observance in 1998 and was expanded to a month in 2015.
From tv to social media, Michigan promotes responsible gambling
Michigan has one of the nation’s largest and most competitive gambling markets. Sports betting, online casino gaming, lotteries and horse racing are all legal. The MGCB runs two major awareness campaigns to promote responsible play:
Play It Smart, Michigan
This campaign raises awareness about the risks of illegal gambling and teaches residents how to spot unauthorized operators and misleading ads.
“Fake ads can look convincing—sometimes even using familiar logos or names—but they can be nothing more than a gateway to offshore sites that put players at risk,” Williams said.
“Through our Play It Smart, Michigan campaign, we’re giving Michiganders the tools they need to tell the difference between safe, legal play and dangerous, illegal operations.”
Don’t Regret the Bet
This statewide campaign runs on TV, radio and digital platforms. It encourages players to treat gaming as entertainment, understand the odds and set limits before playing.
MGCB website offers tools to help players gamble safely
The MGCB offers a range of responsible gambling tools and resources. Its website lists all authorized gambling operators in Michigan and explains the difference between regulated and illegal sites. The agency urges players to review these resources before choosing where to bet.
