With Super Bowl Sunday on the horizon, Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued a warning to sports betting enthusiasts in Arizona. In a statement, Mayes highlighted the risks of scams in sports betting, specifically flagging concerns about illegal sportsbooks and deceptive practices aimed at defrauding bettors both of their winnings and personal information. "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," Mayes said in an advisory detailed on the official website of the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Mayes cautioned Arizonans to be especially wary of sportsbooks based outside of the United States, noting that such entities leave consumers with little recourse in case of disputes. The Attorney General's advice includes skepticism toward outsized incentives or bonuses and to critically assess any offers of "risk-free" bets. These warning signs could easily mark a service as potentially illegitimate, and Arizonans are encouraged to always double-check where they place their money.
To help prevent falling prey to these scams, Mayes recommends using only licensed sportsbooks, a list of which can be found on the Arizona Department of Gaming website. There are also tips on what to look out for to safeguard one's funds. Potential bettors are advised to "recognize the money you put in might be inaccessible," with scammers often setting up a facade of a functional gaming site, only to make various excuses to prevent withdrawal of funds, according to the advisory.
Furthermore, there are words of caution against sharing sensitive information with unverified services. "Don’t share sensitive personal information or data with an unapproved or unlicensed sportsbook or service," the Attorney General's Office stated.
If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling addiction, the Arizona Department of Gaming offers the confidential helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1.800.639.8783), which is operational 24/7. For anyone who suspects they may have been victims of consumer fraud related to sports betting, the Attorney General's Office provides a means to file a consumer complaint through their website.
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