Michigan Launches Program to Educate Teens on the Risks of Gambling

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced the launch of Don’t Bet on Your Future, a statewide campaign designed to protect young people in Michigan from the increasing risks associated with underage and problem gambling.

Michigan Gaming Control Board Launches Don’t Bet on Your Future

With a straightforward message, the campaign aims to state that gambling is intended exclusively for adults. The initiative expands on the MGCB’s Don’t Regret the Bet campaign, which encourages both youth and adults to make informed and responsible financial choices when engaging in regulated gambling activities.

At the center of the campaign is the new High School Boosters Program. This is a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative that empowers school-affiliated booster clubs across Michigan to serve as leading advocates for youth gambling prevention.

Participating booster organizations can receive up to $4,000 in funding by distributing MGCB-approved messages about the risks of underage gambling through existing communication channels. This includes digital and social media advertising, scoreboards, event programs, and school newsletters. Eligible groups will also gain access to evidence-based resources created to support parents, coaches, and students.

The Boosters Program is founded on the simple principle that young people are more likely to listen to trusted adults within their school community. The MGCB aims to connect with teens by sharing education and prevention messages through coaches, athletic directors, and booster club volunteers.

The new campaign could be viewed as yet another piece in the MGCB’s wider strategy to further educate the public on the risks of gambling. Recently, for example, the MGCB teamed up with Gamban, an anonymous self-exclusion program designed to help protect at-risk and vulnerable individuals who have voluntarily chosen to restrict themselves from gambling.

What Else Is the MGCB Planning?

As part of its new campaign, the MGCB has launched a new television commercial aimed at reminding young people that underage gambling is illegal and encouraging them to avoid betting altogether. Called Warning Signs, the story follows a teenager who reaches for his phone to place a wager, only for the world around him to visibly push back.

The MGCB is also preparing to launch another major initiative: the Gambling Education and Prevention (GAP) Grant Program, which is expected to begin accepting applications this summer. The program will provide funding opportunities for eligible high schools, colleges, and qualified community organizations to develop and implement local gambling awareness and education programs.

In other gambling news from Michigan, the state recently his a pause on its plans for a betting tax raise as lawmakers are hesitant to make changes that could hurt Michigan’s growing gaming industry in the long run.