US Regulators Expand Player Protection Efforts for Responsible Gaming Education Month

WASHINGTON – Responsible Gaming Education Month is underway as regulators in Arizona, Florida and New York expand player-protection efforts throughout September.

Players will see new awareness campaigns, training, helpline messaging and support resources designed to encourage informed gambling and improve access to help when gambling causes harm.

Responsible Gaming Education Month runs from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and is a national initiative established by the American Gaming Association. The 2026 initiative focuses on gaming literacy and consumer education, employee training and greater understanding of responsible gambling.

Arizona and Florida Expand Player Education

Arizona began September with a new statewide campaign called Responsible Play for a Stronger Arizona, launched by the Arizona Department of Gaming in collaboration with the Arizona Media Association. The campaign is running across digital, streaming and social platforms, supported by English- and Spanish-language television, radio and print advertising encouraging adults to set time and spending limits, understand gambling as entertainment rather than income and take breaks.

The state is also asking cities and towns to recognize the month and make gambling-harm resources more visible in their communities. The initiative follows Arizona’s recent expansion of free financial counseling for self-excluded residents, alongside its existing voluntary self-exclusion, treatment and problem gambling support programs.

Florida is taking a joint approach through the Florida Lottery and Florida Gaming Control Commission. The agencies are encouraging players to establish spending limits, understand game odds, avoid treating gambling as a source of income and stop or take a break when gambling is no longer recreational.

The Florida agencies are also directing residents affected by gambling-related problems to the state’s 1-833-PLAYWISE confidential support line. Their campaign distinguishes between age limits for different forms of gambling, reminding residents that Lottery products cannot be purchased for anyone under 18 and that online betting and casino gambling are restricted to those aged 21 and older.

New York Focuses on Gambling Harms and Self-Exclusion

New York’s Responsible Play Partnership is using the month to emphasize gambling-harm awareness and access to support. The partnership brings together the New York State Gaming Commission, Office of Addiction Services and Supports and New York Council on Problem Gambling, which work with licensed operators on responsible gambling practices and employee education.

On Sept. 3, the state will hold Gambling Harms Awareness Day at the Great New York State Fair, where representatives will provide information on warning signs and available services. The Gaming Commission said the state is also placing additional emphasis on OASAS’ Take a Pause campaign, which encourages residents to consider how gambling may be affecting their finances, relationships and daily lives.

New York is also promoting voluntary self-exclusion during the month. The state says its blanket program allows participants to exclude themselves from all legal gambling opportunities in New York, while those enrolling can opt to receive a follow-up call from a HOPEline specialist.

Regulators Pair Awareness with Support Services

The state initiatives share several themes, including setting budgets before gambling, understanding odds, treating gambling as entertainment and making support services easier to find. Arizona operates the 24-hour 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline, Florida directs residents to 1-833-PLAYWISE, and New York provides its 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY.

Campaigns and training will continue throughout September, with Arizona encouraging participation by local governments and New York planning education at gaming facilities across the state. The programs will give regulators and support organizations another opportunity to increase awareness of available tools while keeping gambling-harm prevention visible beyond the annual observance.

RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling