Illinois Gaming Board launches IAGR license verification website to combat illegal gambling
The regulator is participating in Illegal Gambling Awareness Week from November 9-13 by promoting a global database that checks if betting sites are authorized.
Key takeaways
- 01The IGB joined the International Association of Gaming Regulators to launch checkbeforeyouplay.org.
- 02Consumers can input a gambling website's URL to instantly check if the operator holds a valid license.
- 03The initiative coincides with Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, scheduled for November 9-13.
The Illinois Gaming Board has partnered with the International Association of Gaming Regulators to launch a global awareness campaign and website tool designed to help consumers avoid illegal gambling sites, according to a press release from the state regulator.
Under the new initiative, players can use a global website tool to verify whether an online gambling site is authorized and licensed in their jurisdiction before placing a wager.
The initiative centers on a newly launched verification website, checkbeforeyouplay.org, and coincides with Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, which runs from November 9-13. The tool allows consumers to instantly check a website’s URL to confirm its regulatory status.
Verifying licensed operators
IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally stated that illegal operators increasingly build websites to appear credible and deceive gamblers.
“People frequently mistake familiarity for trust. Gamblers may be familiar with the website name, but the operator may not be licensed in their jurisdiction, and in other instances, illegal operators purposefully build sites to appear familiar and credible with the intention of purposefully deceiving gamblers,” Mullally said.
The international regulatory body noted that unregulated websites leave consumers without recourse or dispute resolution. Furthermore, utilizing unlicensed platforms places financial information directly in the hands of fraudsters and removes access to responsible gaming protections that are mandated for licensed operators.
IAGR President Brian Krolicki stated that illegal websites are increasing in number, becoming more sophisticated, and making it harder for players to distinguish them from legitimate options. The borderless nature of the internet requires coordinated tools for consumers to make informed choices, he said.
Regulatory enforcement and reporting
In Illinois, the IGB stated it will continue to act within its regulatory authority to combat illegal gambling alongside law enforcement agencies worldwide. IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter noted the campaign aims to arm consumers with information about deceptive apps that lack critical consumer protections.
Players in Illinois can report suspected violations of the state’s Gambling Act, Video Gaming Act, or Sports Wagering Act confidentially through the IGB’s Prohibited Conduct Reporting Portal or by calling the regulator’s hotline at (855) 494-0237. The IGB also maintains independent lists of approved sportsbooks, casinos, and video gaming operators on its own website for local verification.
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