INDIANA – Attorney General Todd Rokita and the Indiana Gaming Commission are alerting Hoosiers to an illegal gambling website and social media ads posing as licensed Indiana casino companies to deceive consumers.
“Educating the public about this scheme is critical to preventing scammers who are taking their chances at hustling a profit off unsuspecting Hoosiers,” said Attorney General Rokita. “A little bit of awareness goes a long way toward enabling individuals to exercise good judgment and to steer clear of fraudsters.”
Not only does the website violate Indiana law, but it also lacks required consumer protections for authorized and state-regulated online gaming. These protections include ensuring that patrons can access their funds, that minors cannot participate, and that responsible gaming measures are in place.
Ads identified on the social media platform Facebook, owned by Meta, are using the names and branding of various Indiana casinos without authorization to trick Hoosiers into thinking it is a legitimate online gaming site and includes those protections.
The Office of the Attorney General and Indiana Gaming Commission are seeking action against the entities responsible for the deceptive ads identified on the social media platform Facebook, owned by Meta.
In Indiana, sports wagering is the only online gambling currently authorized and regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. Consumers should follow these simple steps before providing any personal or payment information.
- Confirm the company is licensed and authorized to conduct sports wagering activities online at the Indiana Gaming Commission’s public website: https://www.in.gov/igc/sports-wagering-and-paid-fantasy-sports/
- Before clicking on a social media ad, view “About the advertiser” and confirm the profile name matches the company name. Click here to view example
- Watch out for ads running under generic names like “Online Games.”
- Make sure online ads link to the company’s official website URL. If you are unsure, you can always go directly to the company’s website.
Individuals who suspect illegal gambling activity are encouraged to report it to the Indiana Gaming Commission via its confidential hotline at 1(866) 610-TIPS or online at https://www.in.gov/igc/tip-line/
Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General about any suspected scams or attempts. Consumers can file a complaint by visiting indianaconsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.
.png)
