Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and the Indiana Gaming Commission are issuing warnings to Indiana residents about an illegal gambling website aiming to deceive users by posing as legitimate, licensed casino companies. This sham site along with its accompanying social media advertisements is a source of concern as it tries to mislead Hoosiers with false affiliations to local casinos.
"Educating the public about this scheme is a critical step to preventing scammers who are taking their chances at hustling a profit off unsuspecting Hoosiers," Rokita is quoted as saying in the State of Indiana's recent statement. The illicit website not only breaks the law but also lacks essential consumer protections mandated for state-regulated online gaming, such as ensuring patrons can access their funds, barring minors from participating, and providing responsible gaming measures.
Ads for the illegal gaming operation were identified on Facebook, misleading potential players with unauthorised use of names and branding from various Indiana casinos. The Office of the Attorney General and Indiana Gaming Commission are already pushing for legal action against those responsible for these deceptive ads on the social media platform, which is owned by the company Meta.
Lawful online gambling in Indiana is currently limited to sports wagering as regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. To protect themselves, consumers should perform a few simple checks, such as confirming the company's license and authorization status on the Commission’s public website and being cautious of ads with generic names like "Online Games" or those that do not link directly to the official company URL. An additional layer of scrutiny could involve inspecting the "About the advertiser" section on social media to verify the profile name matches the legitimate company, as per the State of Indiana.
State officials encourage individuals to report any suspected illegal gambling activities to the Indiana Gaming Commission through their confidential hotline or online tip line. Furthermore, Hoosiers faced with potential scams can reach out to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. They offer an online platform and a phone line for filing complaints or seeking assistance against fraudulent operations.
