Arizona sports betting regulators are cracking down on scammers posing as online extensions of real casinos.
The Arizona Department of Gaming issued a Consumer Protection Alert Monday, informing the public about a nationwide trend of fraudulent online operators. According to the release, the operators present themselves as legitimate platforms connected to licensed Arizona casinos.
The only licensed online gambling in the state is Arizona sports betting. Arizona sportsbooks launched in 2021.
Arizona residents spot illegitimate gambling brands
Residents have filed multiple reports of the illegal online casinos, according to the ADG. The department said the sites present a financial risk to consumers, but also undermine the state’s regulated gambling industry.
Red flags of the sites, per ADG:
- Mimicking branding of legitimate Arizona casinos, including logos and names
- Enticing promotions
- Incorrect website URLs and mobile apps, like using .net rather than .com, or containing misspellings
The ADG encourages residents to report suspicious activity, fraud and identity theft. It also directs users to its website that lists all regulated operators in the state.
Scammer casinos operating in other states, too
An ADG spokesperson pointed LSR to multiple news reports from across the country about fraudulent online casino operators.
KWCH in Kansas found an illegal operator running an illegitimate Kansas Star Casino website. KWCH said the links could expose devices to malware.
Tribal gaming entities in Washington and casinos in Canada are also combating the rise of the scams, according to the ADG.
Arizona PSA: Watch where you're playing
Earlier this year, the ADG released a PSA on responsible online gambling focused on the rise of online sweepstakes operators.
It published a “Sweepstakes in Arizona” page highlighting that “only certain games styled as ‘free-to-play’ are legal in Arizona. Some, instead, promote illegal gambling.” The state has also started cracking down on offshore operators like Bovada.
Since the PSA, multiple state legislators have begun discussing bills that would prohibit sweepstakes operators or include them in online gambling regulatory language.
This story was first published in Legal Sports Report, a Catena Media-owned website.
Catena Media provides exclusive sports betting and online gambling content in partnership with FrontPageBets.com and Lee Enterprises, including picks, analysis, tools, and offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.
Pat Evans is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based reporter covering sports business for Catena Media. Evans previously worked at Front Office Sports and the Grand Rapids Business Journal. He has authored two books: Grand Rapids Beer and Nevada Beer.