Attorney General Mayes Warns Against Sports Betting Scams and Unregulated Prediction Markets Ahead of Super Bowl

PHOENIX –  Ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, Attorney General Kris Mayes urges all sports betting fans to be vigilant against sports betting scams and unregulated prediction markets if they choose to place bets around the big game. 

“For Arizonans who choose to participate in legal sports betting, it’s important to be on the lookout for fraudsters who may be trying to scam you out of your winnings—or worse, your personal information and data,” said Attorney General Mayes. “This Super Bowl Sunday, I urge Arizonans to educate themselves to avoid a sports betting scam and protect themselves from unregulated operations. And remember, in Arizona you must be 21 or older to gamble. Parents should speak to their teenagers about the law and the dangers of underage gambling.” 

Illegal sportsbooks may lack testing to ensure compliance with regulatory standards designed to guarantee fair play, oversight to ensure consumers are paid their winnings, security standards to protect personal and financial information, and/or compliance with anti-money laundering law. 

Prediction markets may appear similar to regulated gaming operations, but in reality they lack protections or guardrails like those available from the Arizona Self-Exclusion program, designed to protect those dealing with problem gambling.

 Warning signs:  

• Check where the sportsbook is based. Many illegal sportsbook companies are located outside of the United States, leaving consumers with no recourse in the event of a dispute. 
• Question big incentives or bonuses. Gambling sites and apps often offer incentives or bonuses to new users and around major games. But like any sales pitch, these can be deceptive. 
• Don’t fall for tempting ads. Instead of reacting to gambling related pop-up ads, email spam, or texts messages, look for an approved sportsbook or gambling service.
• Question offers of “risk-free” bets. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Tips:   

• In Arizona you must be 21 to gamble. Make sure you're choosing a licensed sportsbook or service. The Arizona Department of Gaming website contains a list of approved operators and a catalog of approved events and wagers.
• Recognize the money you put in might be inaccessible. Scammers may provide a gaming website or app that makes it appear like you have money in an account but instead rely on excuses like technical issues or payment processing delays to avoid allowing you to withdraw your money. 
• Don’t share sensitive personal information or data with an unapproved or unlicensed sportsbook or service.  
• Read the fine print.  

You can report suspicious sports betting activity on the Arizona Department of Gaming website or contact them at (602) 255-3886, or [email protected]. Read more at the Department of Gaming’s recent PSA regarding Tips for Safe and Responsible Online Gaming.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can get help now by calling 1-800- NEXT-STEP (1.800.639.8783), the Arizona Department of Gaming’s confidential helpline, texting “NEXTSTEP” to 53342, or utilizing a chat feature on the DPG website. DPG’s helpline provides confidentiality and connects callers with a master’s level counselor who can connect them with available resources, including statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling.

The helpline is available 24/7 to everyone facing a problem with gambling, whether that be individuals and affected family members, friends, or co-workers. Learn more and access additional resources about problem gambling here.  

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.