AGCO and IAGR launch checkbeforeyouplay.org to identify unregulated gambling sites
The International Association of Gaming Regulators introduced a URL-checking tool during the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week running November 9–13.
Key takeaways
- 01IAGR launched checkbeforeyouplay.org to help consumers verify if a gambling site is licensed in their jurisdiction.
- 02The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is participating in the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week from November 9–13.
- 03The online tool uses regulatory records to confirm a site's licensing status based on the user's location.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is participating in a global campaign running November 9–13 to help players identify unlicensed betting platforms, headlined by the launch of a new URL-verification tool. As part of the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) introduced checkbeforeyouplay.org.
Consumers can now enter a gambling site’s URL into checkbeforeyouplay.org to verify whether the operator is licensed in their specific jurisdiction.
How the verification tool works
The newly launched website allows users to input the web address of an online casino or sportsbook directly into a search tool. The system then cross-references the provided URL against regulatory records and other verified, publicly available sources to determine if the platform holds authorization where the consumer is currently located.
The IAGR noted this geographic distinction is necessary because licensing status varies significantly by border. A gambling site might hold authorization in one jurisdiction but lack the required approvals to operate legally in another.
Risks of unlicensed platforms
According to the AGCO, unregulated sites operate outside established regulatory frameworks designed to support responsible gaming, safeguard personal information, maintain game integrity, and address money-laundering risks.
The IAGR warned that using unlicensed platforms may leave players without dispute resolution mechanisms or regulatory recourse. Furthermore, playing on unregulated sites may place consumers’ financial data directly in the hands of fraudsters. IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally stated that illegal operators purposefully build sites to appear familiar and credible in order to deceive gamblers, noting that “unlicensed is unprotected.”
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Regulatory response
IAGR President Brian Krolicki stated that illegal websites are increasing in number, becoming more visible, and complicating consumers’ ability to distinguish them from legitimate operations.
Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized that Ontario’s regulated internet gaming market relies on clear, enforceable standards to protect players.
“Sites operating outside that framework may offer none of that protection, and they can look just as legitimate,” Dr. Schnarr said according to the release. “The AGCO is proud to support Illegal Gambling Awareness Week because Ontarians deserve to know who they’re dealing with before they place a bet.”
BackgroundAre Offshore Gambling Sites Legal in Canada?Which Gambling Sites Are Legal in Ontario?
