A well-funded gaming control agency is crucial for ensuring fair and honest gaming in the state of Michigan, preventing fraud and illegal activities, and addressing problem gambling.
Michigan lawmakers have allocated $3 million in ongoing, annual funding to support the continuation of a multi-media responsible gaming campaign launched four months earlier by state regulators.
Last March, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) partnered with Lansing-based King Media to launch 'Don’t Regret the Bet,’ a campaign that includes radio and television, point-of-sale video ads at gas stations, and digital billboards.
The $3 million allocated to 'Don’t Regret the Bet’ is just part of the $50.7 million earmarked for the MGCB during the 2024 fiscal year (FY), which begins on October 1 in Michigan.
Additional funding dedicated to the MGCB in FY2024 includes:
- $2.2 million to support the creation of 16 full-time equivalent jobs to support new gaming programs.
- $2 million in one-time funding to create an accounts receivable system that is integrated with an existing internal agency database and the state’s financial system, SIGMA.
- $63,000 to begin compensating MGCB board members, who currently serve as unpaid volunteers to attend board meetings.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer praised lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for passing what her office described as “a balanced, bipartisan state budget focused on growing the economy, lowering costs, delivering on kitchen-table issues, and helping anyone 'Make it in Michigan.’”
I sincerely appreciate the support from Governor Whitmer and the legislature of a budget that will help the MGCB continue its responsible gaming messaging campaign
As of 6 pm ET on July 13, the Democratic governor had not yet signed either of the bills lawmakers had passed by the end of June, comprising the annual state budget — HB4437 and SB173. It was unclear if there was an issue with either bill.
“A well-funded gaming control agency is crucial for ensuring fair and honest gaming in the state of Michigan, preventing fraud and illegal activities, and addressing problem gambling,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a statement.
“I sincerely appreciate the support from Governor Whitmer and the legislature of a budget that will help the MGCB continue its responsible gaming messaging campaign, support our state’s growing gaming economy, and allow us to grow our team and make investments into efficient systems that help strengthen our mission and integrity while supporting those we serve.”
The 'Don’t Regret the Bet’ website includes six tips for keeping gambling fun. The six tips developed by the MGCB call for players to consider gambling as entertainment, to know their limits and to stick to them, and to keep a good balance between gambling and other hobbies.
Players are also advised not to drink or use drugs while gambling, not to chase losses, and to reject the concept that several bad hands in a row don’t indicate that they are any closer to winning.
The regulator’s website also includes links to problem gambling resources, online responsible gaming tools, and a problem gambling self-assessment. There is also a list of signs of problem gambling for seniors and a list of signs of problem gambling for parents of teenagers.
Last November, MGCB advised parents of “tweens” — generally considered children between the ages of 9 and 13 — that those years were the most critical time to discuss responsible gaming.
