The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has launched a new statewide responsible gambling campaign focused on underage gambling prevention, as US regulators and public health groups continue to raise concerns over growing youth exposure to online betting and gambling advertising.
The “Don’t Bet on Your Future” initiative expands the MGCB’s existing “Don’t Regret the Bet” responsible gambling platform and introduces new educational resources aimed at students, parents, coaches and schools across Michigan.
The campaign arrives amid broader national discussions around the normalization of sports betting following the rapid expansion of regulated wagering markets in the United States since the repeal of PASPA in 2018.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, a significant proportion of adults report gambling before reaching the legal age threshold, while increased sportsbook advertising and mobile betting access have prompted regulators in several states to strengthen youth-focused prevention measures.
As part of the initiative, the MGCB has introduced a High School Boosters Program, allowing school-affiliated booster organizations to receive up to $4,000 in funding for distributing gambling prevention messaging through newsletters, scoreboards, event programs and social media channels.
The regulator said the program is intended to place gambling awareness messaging within school communities rather than relying solely on traditional public service campaigns.
Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams said: “Don’t Bet on Your Future is about building a statewide community of education and prevention — one that runs through our schools, our coaches, our parents and our neighborhoods.”
Williams added: “We are committed to ensuring the next generation understands the real risks of gambling before they ever place a bet.”
The campaign also includes a new television advertisement titled “Warning Signs”, which depicts a teenager attempting to place a sports bet before being interrupted by his surroundings. The commercial closes with the message that gambling is intended only for adults.
The MGCB further confirmed plans to launch a Gambling Education and Prevention Grant Program later this year. The initiative is expected to provide funding for high schools, colleges and community organizations developing local gambling awareness programs.
Michigan does not currently mandate statewide gambling-prevention education in schools, a gap that several responsible gambling advocates have identified as sports betting participation grows among younger demographics.
The campaign forms part of a wider regulatory approach by the MGCB, which has combined responsible gambling initiatives with enforcement activity targeting offshore and unlicensed operators active in the state’s online market.
In April 2026, the MGCB partnered with Gamban to provide free gambling-blocking software licenses to Michigan residents as part of a broader responsible gambling strategy targeting both regulated and offshore gambling activity.
The MGCB said applications for its Gambling Education and Prevention Grant Program are expected to open on a rolling basis during Summer 2026
