The Arizona Department of Gaming has launched a new public awareness campaign to promote its self-exclusion programme, aimed at helping residents manage problematic gambling behaviour. The initiative, titled “Take Back the Game”, includes digital, television, and radio advertisements designed to inform Arizonans about the option to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling activities.
Focus on responsible gambling tools
The campaign highlights the state’s self-exclusion programme, which allows individuals to request a ban from all regulated gambling services in Arizona. This includes tribal casinos, event wagering platforms, and fantasy sports applications.
Participants can choose exclusion periods of one year, five years, or ten years. Once enrolled, individuals are prohibited from accessing gambling services for the full duration of their selected term.
According to the Department, the programme aims to provide a practical tool for individuals who feel that gambling is affecting their well-being.
Programme evolution over time
Arizona first introduced its voluntary self-exclusion programme in the early 2000s. Initially, the system focused on allowing residents to opt out of visiting tribal casinos.
Over time, the Department expanded the scope to include event wagering and fantasy sports operators. This broadened coverage reflects changes in the gambling landscape and the growth of online betting options.
The current campaign builds on this evolution by increasing public awareness and encouraging more residents to consider self-exclusion if needed.
‘Take Back the Game’ campaign details
The “Take Back the Game” campaign features a 30-second public service announcement available in both English and Spanish. The advertisement presents a real-life self-exclusion process at the Department’s Phoenix office.
The PSA shows individuals receiving support during the enrolment process, with a focus on empathy and accessibility. The Department manages the programme internally, with dedicated staff and notary services available to assist applicants.
Residents can begin the application process online or complete it in person at the Phoenix office.
How the self-exclusion system works
Once an individual joins the programme, their details are shared with licensed operators across the state. This ensures that they cannot access gambling platforms or receive direct marketing from these operators.
The Department regularly updates the list of self-excluded individuals and distributes it to tribal gaming stakeholders, event wagering operators, and fantasy sports providers.
In addition to blocking access, the system prevents participants from collecting gambling winnings during the exclusion period.
Growing participation and impact
Since its launch, the self-exclusion programme has recorded more than 11,900 participants. At present, around 2,500 individuals are actively enrolled.
The Department reports that participants often experience fewer gambling triggers and reduced temptation after enrolling in the programme. This allows them to focus on other activities, including hobbies and family life.
Alarm over prediction market
Earlier in March, Arizona regulators raised concerns over online prediction markets, warning they might carry gambling-like risks without the safeguards required of licensed operators.
Prediction market platforms let users buy and sell contracts tied to future outcomes, ranging from election results and government actions to sporting events.
But unlike licenced sportsbooks, these platforms often lack consumer safeguards such as self‑exclusion programmes, deposit limits, and age verification. Regulators warn that this gap could expose users to addiction and irresponsible betting. Additionally, they caution that prediction markets may be more vulnerable to manipulation than sports betting because coordinated actions or insider knowledge could distort the results.
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