One of the main advantages of regulated sports betting is that players can count on reliable operators who are held accountable by the agencies that license them. That means players can count on relatively quick payouts and overall fair play. But despite the advantages offered by regulated play, many players still prefer using black market sites and that sector of the gaming business continues to thrive. Recently, the Colorado Division of Gambling launched a new campaign called Play Legit. Gamble Only Where Legal to help fight against black market gambling.
The campaign is aimed at boosting the Centennial State’s legal gambling options both at land-based and online casinos. Colorado has offered legal sports betting since 2020 and has land-based gambling in the mountain towns of Blackhawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.
Gambling regulators touted their new campaign in a recent press release saying, “In Colorado, gambling opportunities abound, but not all are legal. Illegal gambling operations not only fail to protect players but can also serve as a breeding ground for serious crimes, including fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and burglary, posing a threat to public safety and community well-being. Participants in illegal gambling activities also compromise personal and financial information, putting individuals at risk of identity theft, unreliable payouts, and potential legal consequences, such as fines and imprisonment.”
Fighting against black market gambling isn’t, of course, an entirely altruistic endeavor. This year has seen revenue skyrocket at Colorado sportsbooks with the state raking in $1.3 million in taxes from sports betting in February alone.