[NEWS RELEASE] Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams urges responsible wagering during sporting events

Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams urges responsible wagering during sporting events

DETROIT, Oct. 2, 2024 — As the Detroit Lions continue to find success on the gridiron and the Detroit Tigers are playing postseason for the first time in a decade, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Executive Director Henry Williams issues a reminder to all residents regarding responsible gaming practices while participating in sports betting activities.

With the growing popularity of online gaming, it is essential to prioritize responsible gaming practices to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all participants.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to promoting responsible gaming initiatives and ensuring the well-being of residents through its Emmy Award-winning and prominent ‘Don’t Regret the Bet’ campaign, which is aimed at educating and protecting individuals from the potential harms of excessive wagering,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “In line with this commitment, the agency provides resources and support for individuals who may be struggling with self-regulation.”

Follow the law

Per Michigan law, bettors must be age 21 or older to place a wager on authorized internet gaming or internet sports betting sites and in the Detroit casinos. The operators must meet ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements to establish legal age and identity before a gaming patron is allowed to open an online account or be allowed on the gaming floor of a casino.

Wagers can be placed on professional and college sports in Michigan but, by law, cannot be placed on high school sporting events. College students, in particular, are reminded that the gambling age in Michigan is 21 and they should prioritize their studies over gambling activities.

Recognize the signs of problem gambling

In adolescents
According to an April 2023 sports betting activities survey conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), sports wagering was found to be pervasive among 18- to 22-year-olds, with 58% having engaged in at least one sports betting activity. Sports wagering activity was found to be widespread on college campuses. Survey results showed that 67% of students living on campus are bettors and tend to bet at a higher frequency, 41% of college students who bet on sports have placed a bet on their school's teams, and 35% have used a student bookmaker.

Signs of problem gambling in teens and young adults include:

Carrying gambling materials such as dice, cards, or poker chips.
Gambling with money that is supposed to be used for lunch, the bus, or gas.
Skipping class or other school activities to gamble.
Lying to friends or parents about gambling.
Gambling has caused problems in relationships with close friends or family.
Borrowing, stealing, and selling items to get money to gamble.
Gambling because of loneliness, depression, boredom, or trying to forget problems.

Use only authorized, licensed operators and providers
A list of licensed internet sports betting providers and a sports wagering catalog are available on the agency’s website at Michigan.gov/MGCB to ensure that individuals have access to reputable and safe online gaming platforms. It is essential that bettors use legal and authorized sportsbook operators for a secure and fair betting experience. Unlicensed sites can leave patrons at risk for identify theft, deposit losses, or unpaid winnings.

Tips for Responsible Wagering

For College Students:

1. Set a budget for your wagers and stick to it.
2. Avoid wagering when under the influence of alcohol or peer pressure.
3. Engage in other social activities and hobbies outside of gaming.

For Adults:

1. Monitor your gaming behavior and take breaks when needed.
2. Avoid chasing losses by wagering more than you can afford.
3. Seek help if you feel that gaming is impacting your daily life or mental well-being

Seek help, if needed
The gaming platforms and the MGCB each offer gambling self-exclusion options. Patrons may visit the responsible gaming or help section of an authorized individual operator’s or provider’s website for self-exclusion information. The MGCB provides self-exclusion options from all legal, regulated sites through the Responsible Gaming Database for online gaming or the Disassociated Persons List (DPL) for the three commercial Detroit casinos — MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Michigan residents can learn more about how the DPL works by watching an educational video on the agency’s YouTube channel.

The agency encourages Michiganders to visit DontRegretTheBet.org, which has tips and information that can help keep gambling from getting out of hand. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential.

Additionally, organizations, schools, and community groups can request a visit from the MGCB’s Responsible Gaming Section staff to receive informative presentations about available resources that can aid in responsible gaming practices. For more information on responsible gaming practices, visit the MGCB’s official website at Michigan.gov/MGCB or call 888-223-3044 to speak with a Responsible Gaming Representative.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Michigan citizens can also visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.