SWC joins International Regulators to mark Illegal Gambling Awareness Week

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is joining gaming regulators around the world in recognizing Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, Nov. 9-13, the first internationally coordinated effort to raise consumer awareness of the risks of unlicensed online gambling, organized by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). The campaign asks sports bettors to take one simple step: before you bet, check whether the site is licensed where you are playing. To help, IAGR is launching a free online tool, CheckBeforeYouPlay.org.

In Tennessee, the SWC's message is just as simple: Play it safe. Bet legal. Bettors in Tennessee should make sure an online sportsbook is licensed in Tennessee before they place a bet.

"Illegal sports wagering sites often look legitimate and similar to licensed sportsbook sites," said Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of the SWC. "When you bet with an unlicensed operator, there's no one verifying your age or identity, no one making sure your winnings get paid, and no regulator you can turn to when something goes wrong. In contrast, Tennessee's legal market offers numerous consumer protections, and we want every bettor in Tennessee to know where to bet safely."

Tennessee's licensed online sportsbooks must meet strict requirements, including verifying players are 21 or older, protecting player funds and personal information, preventing the use of credit cards, and offering self-exclusion and deposit and time limits. Unlicensed, Illegal sportsbooks are not subject to any of these rules. The SWC actively pursues illegal operators and has sent dozens of cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online sportsbooks.

The new CheckBeforeYouPlay.org site lets bettors enter a gambling site's web address and check available licensing information for participating IAGR member jurisdictions, drawing on regulatory records and other verified public sources.

How to protect yourself:

• Check the SWC's list of licensed sportsbooks or enter the site's address at CheckBeforeYouPlay.org before creating an account, depositing money, or sharing personal information.
• Be wary of sites that accept cryptocurrency only, promise guaranteed winnings, or don't ask you to verify your age and identity.
• Don't judge a site by how it looks. Some illegal sites look legitimate, using flashy promotions, promises of easy winnings, and familiar-looking brands to earn your trust.
• Gambling ads are everywhere: on social media, in search results, and even in your inbox. Whether a site is promoted by an ad or an influencer, confirm it is licensed in Tennessee before you click.
• Report suspected illegal sportsbooks to the SWC at [email protected].

About the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council's primary role is to protect the public interest of Tennessee through a safe, regulated sports gambling environment. The SWC oversees the licensing and registration process for online sports wagering operators, sports wagering vendors, and fantasy sports operators, and monitors and enforces compliance with the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act and the Tennessee Fantasy Sports Act and related rules, including the assessment of the State's privilege tax on sportsbooks.