GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — We are just a few days away from the biggest games of the year. Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner.
It also happens to be one of the most popular gambling days of the year.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning and is providing tips to people to protect themselves against scammers and fraudulent websites ahead of the big game.
First, do your research on sports betting platforms. Read reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trust Pilot.
Always read the fine print. Be aware of the risks that comes with so-called "risk-free bets" of $1,000 or more. If you lose, you might not get your money back—it may be turned into an online credit instead.
And finally, familiarize yourself with restrictions on accessing your account. Some platforms reserve the right to limit your activity without warning.
And if you suspect fraud there are steps you can take to protect your personal information.
"Stay alert and monitor your financial accounts and credit reports. Secure your accounts, change all exposed passwords and if you use that password for other accounts, change those as well. Set up a two-step authentication for each account when offered to you. Freeze your credit if your information was included in the breach," Nessel said.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board website has a list of licensed gambling sites. It's also where you can report illegal or suspicious gambling activity.
Nessel says you should participate in sports betting as a form of entertainment.
If you have an addiction to online gambling or know someone who does, there is help available. This message comes as the state changes its gambling addiction hotline to the National Gambling helpline.
The Michigan Gambling Control Board says the goal is to make resources more accessible. 1-800-Gambler is the largest gambling helpline network in the world.
When called here in Michigan, people will be routed to the Health and Human Services department, which will provide local resources.
It will replace the state's current helpline, although that number will remain in operation.
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