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Both casinos and gamblers are being targeted by online gambling sites that claim to be affiliated with the state's established casinos. They are not. No specific online casinos are named.
The Arizona Department of Gaming warned gamblers to be aware of these scams in a news release March 31, which the agency learned of through consumer complaints as well as notifications from tribal casinos.
“They go after name-brand casinos, basically taking their name and putting it on their social media platforms," Dayne O'Brien, the agency's public information officer, said of the online gambling sites.
They then try to lure in gamblers to spend money on their websites or apps, he said.
Arizona does not license or regulate online casino games. Only a handful of states do.
The state made headlines a few months ago when long established offshore sportsbook BetCRIS announced it had obtained a license in Arizona.
On its website, the agency lists regulated casinos in Arizona, as well as licensed event wagering and fantasy sports operators that are legal in the state.
It's easy to get confused, O'Brien said, because online sports betting and fantasy sports betting are legal in Arizona.
People who have lost money to illegal operators are also encouraged to file a complaint with the consumer protection division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Violators risk felony charges, ranging from the promotion of illegal gambling to money laundering.
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