The 2023 NCAA Tournament continues to unfold, the Michigan Gaming Control Board is tightening its reign on responsible betting in the state. To support its mission of creating a safe yet entertaining gambling environment in Michigan, the Control Board recently launched a new responsible gaming ad Campaign titled “Don’t Regret the Bet”.
The “Don’t Regret the Bet” ad campaign was created to encourage punters in Michigan to wager responsibly during one of the busiest sports betting seasons in the year. Not only is March host to the NCAA Tournament, but it is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
To ensure that the Michigan Gaming Control Board reaches as many punters with its message as possible, the “Don’t Regret the Bet” ad campaign will include an aggressive push on all forms of media, both offline and offline, for the rest of the year. This will include messaging on local TV and radio stations, as well as various social media platforms to inspire punters in the state to bet responsibly.
In addition to the campaign, the Michigan Gaming Control Board will also debut a new education website dedicated to the campaign. The DontRegretTheBet.org website will also contain tips and helpful information designed to help gamblers control their betting activities.
The DontRegretTheBet.org website also has an array of helpful resources such as a collection of responsible gambling tools, problem gambling self-assessment tests, as well as custom resources for teens and seniors. The website also has a help button that allows sufferers of problem gambling to easily join iGaming and sports gambling self-exclusion lists.
What we cover
March is dedicated to spreading awareness of problem gambling
During this year’s March Madness, the American Gambling Association expects punters in the country to wager at least $3 billion on the highly anticipated basketball tournament. Now celebrating 20 years since the advent of problem gambling awareness month, the campaign period for responsible gambling was designed to overlap with March Madness as an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing gambling addiction that has been taking place over the last few decades.
Problem gambling behavior patterns can be extremely hard to detect let alone resolve. As such, Problem Gambling Awareness Month helps punters and those around them to identify any patterns that may compromise, upset, or harm personal, family, and work pursuits. During the entire month, resources are also typically distributed to assist those suffering or likely to suffer from issues associated with betting.
While most adult punters view betting as a great source of entertainment, a select few view gambling as a source of regular revenue and a potential path out of poverty. This reliance on gambling as a source of income and not entertainment is what threatens to push punters into lethal depths.
Sports punters, in particular, are at high risk of developing gambling problems. It is estimated that close to 2 million adults in the country, which is about 1% of the total population, meet the criteria for severe problem gambling. An additional 4 million are at risk of suffering from mild or moderate problem gambling according to research done by the Mayo Clinic.
Each year, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the gaming industry create a central theme for Problem Gambling Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 20 Years” in honor of the 20th anniversary of PGAM! Last year’s theme was “Awareness and Action.”
When it was first launched 20 years ago, Problem Gaming Awareness Month was only scheduled to last for a week. However, it did not take too long before the National Council on Problem Gambling expanded it to a weeklong focus on betting addiction. Over the years, the continued interest from state agencies, as well as gaming operators have grown thus helping the initiative take center stage each March.
During problem gambling awareness month, the medical community is also trained to recognize problem gambling as a disorder that’s on par with other more well-known betting behaviors such as alcohol and drugs. When the organization was launched 20 years, one of the biggest objectives was to get healthcare providers to detect gambling problems.
Aside from providing much-needed resources and education surrounding problem gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling and its partners have also been working hard to eradicate the stigma surrounding problem gambling. While addictions such as drugs and alcohol tend to be viewed as health-related, problem gambling is more likely to be met with humiliation and indignity.
This level of shaming can make it more difficult for those with problem gambling or those closest to them to speak up or seek assistance. For most of society, gambling addiction remains hidden, which naturally makes the situation much worse for those impacted. If left unchecked problem gambling can wreak havoc on one’s mental and physical health.
Those who suffer and live with this addiction are likely to experience anxiety and depression. As with other compulsions, the consequences of problem-related betting can lead to feelings of hopelessness and in severe cases, has led to suicide attempts.
Although problem gambling is now getting the attention it deserves in the media and public conversations, it is critical to know that responsible gaming campaigns aren’t necessarily new. As far back as the 1980s, operators were already initiating campaigns and conversations surrounding gambling addiction.
For instance, Harrah’s which is now Caesars Entertainment initiated the first conversations regarding underage betting and education while supplying resources to address problem gambling among its customers. Harrah’s was also among the first operators to create a hotline dedicated to problem gambling.
Final Thoughts
When we reflect on where problem betting awareness started and where it is today, it is evident that a lot of progress has been made over the years. There are still numerous issues that need to be addressed within problem gambling awareness work, but the industry support has been steady and consistent.
Today, the industry is working to keep driving problem gambling awareness initiatives. Operators have pooled their resources and are harnessing the available expertise and resources to quell problem gambling rates.
