IAGR to run first Illegitimate Gambling Awareness Week from Nov. 9 to 13 with licence-check tool

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced its first Illegitimate Gambling Awareness Week (IGAW), which will take place from November 9 to 13. The initiative aims to inform consumers about the risks of playing on unlicensed gambling websites and asks people to confirm that an operator is legal in their jurisdiction before they wager, register or fund an account.

The association said players on unlicensed platforms may face financial and cybersecurity problems, including difficulty withdrawing funds, loss of sensitive banking data and a lack of effective legal routes to resolve disputes. They may also lose the protections that come with responsible gambling tools. The campaign's rationale adds that unregulated gambling can help finance criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, human exploitation and terrorist financing.

The programme was unveiled at an event in Lima, Peru. IAGR president Ben Haden said the reach of online gambling makes this a shared challenge for regulators. By coordinating consumer communications, he said, more people can understand why local licensing matters and where to find reliable information before signing up with an operator.

A central element is CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free digital tool built by Paris-based regulatory technology company Sharp Vision. It is expected to go live on November 9. Users will be able to enter an operator's website address and see whether the site is authorised in the jurisdictions overseen by participating regulators. Results will vary depending on which jurisdictions are covered by the relevant authorities.

The agency R&R Partners has produced additional materials, including short videos, social media guides and communications in English and Spanish. IAGR members will be able to customise and share these from November 6, and consumer protection organisations around the world are also expected to take part.

IAGR chief executive Kevin Mullally said a website's appearance should not be the only measure of its legitimacy. In his words, people often confuse visibility with trust, since a professional design or familiar name can reassure consumers even when they do not know whether the site is licensed where they live. He said the aim is for consumers to routinely check licensing status before opening an account or making a deposit.

The IAGR said the campaign's success will depend on how widely the tool is used, how many regulators take part and whether consumers are willing to look up an operator's status before using it.