IAGR launches global illegal gambling awareness campaign

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced its first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (IGAW), scheduled to run from November 9 to 13. Announced at an annual conference in Lima, Peru, the initiative aims to educate consumers on the risks associated with unlicensed online gambling operators.

IAGR warns that players using unregulated sites face significant financial and cybersecurity threats, including difficulty withdrawing funds, theft of banking data, and a lack of legal recourse for disputes. Furthermore, these sites often lack the responsible gambling protections required of licensed operators.

The organization also highlighted the broader societal impact, noting that unregulated gambling can provide funding for criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, human exploitation, and terrorism. To assist consumers, a new tool called CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, developed by Sharp Vision, will launch on November 9 to help players verify the licensing status of gambling operators.