IAGR Launches First Illegal Gambling Awareness Week to Promote Site Licensing Checks

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced the first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, scheduled for 9–13 November 2026. This marks the initial internationally coordinated push to alert consumers to the hazards of unlicensed online gambling.

The initiative was detailed at the IAGR Annual Conference in Lima. Its central directive is clear: before placing a bet, confirm the site holds a license in the player’s jurisdiction.

“The reach of online gambling makes this a shared challenge for regulators,” said Ben Haden, President of IAGR. “By coordinating our consumer communications, we can help more people understand why local licensing matters and where to find reliable information before they engage with an operator.”

According to reporting by G3 Newswire, users of unlicensed platforms face unpaid winnings, few avenues for dispute resolution, potential misuse of personal and financial data, and no mandated responsible gambling safeguards. Such sites may also channel funds to criminal networks tied to drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorist financing and related illicit activity.

R&R Partners crafted the campaign concept and supporting materials, drawing on its background in public education and behavior change. Assets release on November 6 for IAGR members and include 30-second and 15-second videos, social media posts, a draft press release, and talking points supplied in English and Spanish.

Member regulators may add local branding, distribute content daily during the designated week, issue statements and schedule interviews. The campaign spotlights CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free tool provided by Sharp Vision, the Paris-based regulatory technology company. The platform launches November 9 and permits users to submit a gambling site URL to retrieve licensing details drawn from regulatory records across covered IAGR jurisdictions.

“People often mistake visibility for trust,” said Kevin Mullally, CEO of IAGR. “A professional-looking website or a recognisable name can give consumers confidence without knowing whether the site is properly licensed in that location. We want consumers to routinely check the licensing status of a site before opening an account or making a deposit.”

Campaign Scope and Materials

The week supports unified messaging from regulators while inviting participation from consumer protection bodies and responsible gambling groups. Materials emphasize how unlicensed operators exploit consumer assumptions and offer concrete steps to avoid them.

Verification Tool and Next Steps

Sharp Vision’s URL checker translates regulatory data into accessible consumer information. Availability begins with initial jurisdictions and languages, with members able to adapt and amplify the resources locally.

Reporting: G3 Newswire

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