“Don’t Bet On Your Future” Youth Initiative Launches as Teen Exposure to Online Betting Grows
DETROIT — The Michigan Gaming Control Board’s responsible gaming campaign website, Don’t Regret the Bet, has received a Platinum Hermes Creative Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), one of the largest and most respected evaluators of creative work in the marketing and communications industry. The award follows a major expansion of the site designed to connect Michiganders with responsible gaming education and support resources, including a new youth-focused initiative addressing the growing risks of teen gambling exposure.
The expanded site — developed in partnership with King Media — transforms what was previously a single-page resource into a comprehensive multi-page hub featuring educational tools, support resources, downloadable materials, and guidance for players, families, educators, and community organizations.
A central focus of the expansion was the launch of Don’t Bet On Your Future, a youth-focused initiative created to help address concerns about early exposure to online gambling and sports betting among teens.
According to a University of Minnesota study by researcher Dr. Ken Winters, teens who gamble are four times more likely to develop a serious gambling problem later in life. As sports betting becomes increasingly normalized through social media, online advertising, and professional sports partnerships, the campaign seeks to educate both young people and parents about the risks before harmful behaviors begin.
“The expansion of this website was about more than adding pages — it was about creating a meaningful public resource at a time when online gambling has become more visible and accessible than ever before,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We wanted to ensure Michiganders, especially parents and young people, could easily find trusted information, prevention tools, and support.”
The updated website launched strategically ahead of March Madness, one of the busiest sports betting periods of the year, ensuring responsible gaming resources were available during a peak moment of betting activity.
The website now includes:
- Dedicated responsible gaming education pages
- Youth-focused prevention resources through the Don’t Bet On Your Future initiative
- Information and access to the Problem Gambling Helpline
- Downloadable educational materials and toolkits
- Resources tailored for players, families, educators, and community organizations — including up to $4,000 in funding for booster clubs to help prevent youth gambling
The Platinum Hermes Creative Award reflects the site’s reach and impact as a trusted public resource for Michigan gamblers, families, and communities.
For more information about the campaign and resources available, visit DontRegretTheBet.org.
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For more information, please contact King Media at 517.333.2048.
