Michigan Launches Statewide Campaign to Prevent Underage Gambling

Michigan Regulator Intensifies Focus on Youth Gambling Prevention

The new initiative comes amid growing concerns over youth exposure to sports betting and gambling-related advertising in the United States. Through the campaign website, the MGCB aims to provide schools, parents, coaches, and students with tools to better understand the risks associated with gambling at an early age.

“According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, nearly two-thirds of American adults report having gambled before the age of 21 — and young people in Michigan are no exception,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

He added: “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.”

The regulator emphasized that gambling remains strictly restricted to adults and stated that the campaign seeks to ensure prevention messaging reaches younger audiences with the same intensity as commercial gambling promotions.

Booster Clubs to Receive Funding for Prevention Messaging

One of the central components of the initiative is the launch of the High School Boosters Program, described by the MGCB as the first statewide program of its kind in Michigan dedicated to youth gambling prevention.

Up to US$4,000 Available for Participating Schools

Under the program, school-affiliated booster organizations can receive up to US$4,000 in funding by distributing MGCB-approved responsible gambling content through channels already connected to local communities, including:

• Social media campaigns
• Digital advertising
• School newsletters
• Sports event programs
• Scoreboards and in-venue messaging

Participating organizations will also gain access to evidence-based educational materials tailored for parents, coaches, and students.

According to the MGCB, the strategy is designed around the idea that teenagers are more likely to respond to messages delivered by trusted figures within their school environment rather than through traditional public service campaigns.

New TV Advertising Campaign Targets Young Audiences

As part of the broader awareness effort, the regulator has also produced a new broadcast television commercial titled “Warning Signs.”

The advertisement portrays a teenager attempting to place a sports bet on his phone while the environment around him reacts negatively, reinforcing the campaign’s closing message: “Don’t Bet on Your Future.”

The campaign reflects a wider trend among North American regulators and responsible gambling organizations to address the increasing visibility of online betting products among younger demographics, particularly following the rapid expansion of regulated sports betting markets across the United States.

GAP Grant Program Scheduled for Fall 2026

The MGCB also confirmed plans to introduce the Gambling Education and Prevention (GAP) Grant Program later this year.

Schools and Community Groups Eligible

The program is expected to open applications during Summer 2026 and will provide grants to high schools, colleges, and community organizations seeking to establish local gambling education initiatives.

The planned curriculum would address topics including:

• Michigan’s regulated gambling environment
• Financial and mental health impacts of gambling
• Responsible gambling tools and support services
• Prevention strategies tailored to different age groups

The regulator noted that Michigan currently lacks a statewide mandate requiring gambling prevention education in schools, creating what officials describe as a significant gap in structured youth awareness programs.