Unlike legal operators, illegal operators also don’t pay a dime in taxes, robbing state and local governments of more than $13 billion in tax revenue each year.

On this page, you will find the latest figures on the size and scope of the illegal market, along with details on how consumers, industry members and allies, and media can combat illegal operators. Ready to learn more? Click on the group that applies to you to get involved today.

Consumers | AGA Members & Industry Allies | Media

For Consumers

Legal casino gaming and sports wagering—both online and in-person—are activities that millions of Americans enjoy each year. Illegal gambling operators, however, are also pervasive across the country, posing as legal operators to prey on consumers.

These illegal and unregulated operators exist online in the form of slick websites based outside of the U.S. or can be found in brick-and-mortar locations like convenience stores and strip malls as devices that mimic legal slot machines.

While legal gaming operators comply with strict regulatory and testing requirements and invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in responsible gaming, illegal operators offer no guarantee of fair odds or payouts nor provide consumer projections or responsible gaming measures. And because illegal operators work outside of the law, players have no legal recourse when these operators disappear with their money.

Did You Know:

As a consumer, it’s critical to be able to spot the difference between legal and illegal gambling operators and know the pitfalls of playing illegally. That’s why the American Gaming Association encourages players to Have A Game Plan and play legally and responsibly.

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For Members & Industry Allies

To spur action in our fight to shut down illegal actors, we’ve created a new communications toolkit to ensure our industry speaks with one voice, delivering consistent messaging about the harm illegal gambling creates and why it must be stopped.

We’ve designed these resources to help the industry consistently communicate and support your engagements on this important topic.

Our Stop Illegal Gambling Toolkit includes:

• Key Messages: Use these to guide all written communications and talking points with key stakeholders.
• Fact Sheets: Share these in your meetings with elected leaders and regulators and send them to local law enforcement partners, reporters and others.
• Social Media Content: Deploy these graphics and use our sample posts on your owned communications channels.
• Research: Share the report in your meetings with regulators, policymakers, law enforcement and other key stakeholders.

Download the Toolkit

For Media

When credible news outlets cite odds or publish advertising from illegal gambling websites, they misguide consumers by lending legitimacy to illegitimate operators. The Department of Justice has also warned that media outlets that accept advertising dollars from illegal operators could be liable for aiding and abetting criminal activity. Avoid promoting illegal gambling websites by only citing and partnering with legal U.S. sportsbooks.

Legal, Regulated Sportsbooks in the U.S.

For press inquiries, contact the AGA communications team.