Colorado Launches Campaign Against Illegal Sports Betting

On Wednesday, Colorado launched a campaign against illegal gambling with the title “Play Legit. Gamble Only Where Legal.” According to the Colorado Division of Gaming, the state has many legal betting options, both online and in-betting. Hence, it encourages bettors in the Centennial State to pick the right one when gambling.

“In Colorado, gambling opportunities abound, but not all are legal,” an online statement from the commission read. “Illegal gambling operations not only fail to protect players but can also serve as a breeding ground for serious crimes, including fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and burglary, posing a threat to public safety and community well-being.

“Participants in illegal gambling activities also compromise personal and financial information, putting individuals at risk of identity theft, unreliable payouts, and potential legal consequences, such as fines and imprisonment.”

Colorado’s Legal Sports Betting Campaign Objectives

As previously mentioned, the campaign aims to prevent illegal Colorado sports betting. It plans to take steps to educate state residents on the risks associated with betting illegally or using illicit sites.

The campaign will also educate bettors about the benefits of using regulated venues and sites, emphasizing that these facilities generate revenue for the state, benefiting everyone. It will also elaborate on additional benefits, such as the safeguard measures that legal facilities implement to prevent gambling and other gambling-related issues.

Along with the expansion of online sports betting platforms and off-track betting services, the campaign intends to increase the number of licensed casinos that are located in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek.

In a press release, Chris Schroder, director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, shared safety tips, saying it may be challenging to differentiate between a legitimate betting app and an unauthorized one for those just starting in the betting world.

“With many certified and legal gambling sites available, it’s never worth it to put yourself in danger. Together, let’s play by the rules and ensure that Colorado remains a safe and responsible gaming destination. By recognizing and preventing illegal gambling, we all win,” Schroder said.

“Work with the well-known sites,” said Jon Clay, vice president of threat intelligence for the global cybersecurity firm Trend Micro, prior to March Madness. “If you get an unsolicited email or text message, I would ignore it totally. Don’t get scammed into, ‘Hey, you’re going to win your first bet.’ I would definitely stick with those known, legitimate sites, and I would bookmark them. They (the imposters) will make domains that look very similar to FanDuel or ESPN BET, but there’s a different character or something in there.”

Meanwhile, in revenue-related news, the Centennial State’s last published report, which was for February, showed that it garnered $537 million in sports betting revenue, a 10% decline from the preceding month of January. However, this represents a 26% year-on-year increase from last year’s February handle.

READ MORE:                                                   

• Colorado Collects Record Revenue From Sports Betting in January
• Colorado Achieves Record-Breaking Sports Betting Handle in December
• Colorado, Tennessee Eclipse Billion-Dollar Sports Betting Revenue Mark