Summary
- Arizona's gambling authority has strongly advised players against signing up on offshore gambling sites.
- Sometimes players accidentally sign up on these sites, but the ADG is here to help, offering a clear guide on spotting unlicensed websites.
- The regulator argues that unlicensed websites fall short in offering the necessary support and protections consumers deserve.
The Arizona Department of Gaming has issued a timely warning as the NFL season kicks off. They are urging Arizona residents to be cautious of offshore and unregulated gambling sites that are targeting them. These sites are crafted to exploit players, offering little protection for their personal and financial information. Furthermore, they lack essential tools for responsible gambling, such as self-exclusion options.
Arizona cautions players to stick to licensed operators at all costs
According to the Arizona Department of Gaming (AGD), many websites are guilty of denying payments and withdrawals based on vague terms and conditions, often masking their true intentions with misleading bonus offers. These tactics frequently lead to account issues, suspensions, or even bans. As September arrives, signaling Responsible Gambling Education Month, the spotlight shifts to the ongoing regulatory efforts to combat the rise in gambling-related issues. The AGD has stated, Unregulated platforms do not have the essential safeguards for responsible gaming, lack proper age verification, and fail to offer consumer protections, endangering Arizonans. Therefore, the Department is committed to equipping every Arizonan with the resources needed to make informed decisions and gamble responsibly. Furthermore, the AGD has reminded residents that any company certified in Arizona by law provides comprehensive responsible gambling safeguards, which are often missing from unregulated sites with inadequate consumer protections. To assist, the AGD released a checklist for players to easily determine if a website is legitimately licensed by the regulator. They noted that unlicensed platforms usually complicate payment processes and lack a transparent way to resolve disputes, leaving users vulnerable.
Consumers need to understand how unlicensed operators look and act
By this stage, anyone trying to retrieve their money from an unregulated website has already stepped too far into risky territory, warns the regulator. The ADG emphasizes that these unlicensed platforms often use odd payment methods like cryptocurrencies or gift cards and typically have a noticeably lower website quality compared to those officially licensed by Arizona. Elise Mikkelson, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling, underscores the vital role of the state’s helpline, which has been a lifeline for many, with around 11,000 residents signing up for the self-exclusion program. Yet, this assistance does not solve the bigger issue: offshore websites frequently disregard self-exclusion orders from specific jurisdictions, leaving customers even more exposed to potential harms.
