The Arizona Department of Gaming has introduced a new public awarenessinitiative designed to help residents manage problem gambling. The campaign, titled “Take Back the Game,” includes digital, television, and radio advertisements highlighting the state’s self-exclusion program, which allows individuals to voluntarily remove themselves from gambling activities.
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Options
Through the program, residents can opt out of all regulated gambling services, including tribal casinos, event wagering platforms, and fantasy sports apps. Participants can select exclusion periods of one, five, or ten years. Once enrolled, they are barred from accessing gambling services for the duration of their chosen term and cannot receive gambling winnings.
“Arizona first launched a voluntary self-exclusion program in the early 2000s as a tool for residents to opt out of visiting tribal casinos if they decided gambling was negatively impacting their well-being and becoming problematic,” said Jackie Johnson, director of the Arizona Department of Gaming. She added, “Later, the department expanded the program to include event wagering and fantasy sports. Today, with the Take Back the Game campaign, our agency affirms the value of self-exclusion as an empowering, practical tool that has positive impacts for thousands of Arizonans.”
Applications can be completed online, via email, U.S. mail, or in person at the Department’s Phoenix office. The Department maintains the program internally, with dedicated staff and notary services assisting applicants. Self-excluded individuals are added to a regularly updated list distributed to licensed operators, preventing them from receiving direct marketing or accessing gambling services.
Public Service Announcement Campaign
“Take Back the Game” is one of three public service announcement campaigns launched by the Department. The 30-second PSA, available in English and Spanish, shows the self-exclusion process at the Phoenix office, emphasizing support and accessibility. The other two campaigns include “No Online Casinos in AZ,” which educates the public that unlicensed online casinos are illegal, and “Too Young to Bet,” aimed at raising awareness of underage gambling risks.
Since the Department began its coordinated media campaigns in April 2025, the initiatives have produced more than 14,720 television and radio ads and over 1.4 million digital impressions in February 2026 alone. The programs are designed to reach both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences with measurable engagement.
Growing Impact And Participation
Since its inception, more than 11,900 Arizonans have used the self-exclusion program, with approximately 2,500 currently active. Participants report experiencing reduced triggers and temptation, allowing them to focus on personal well-being, hobbies, and family life.
Earlier this year, Arizona regulators also raised concerns about online prediction markets, noting that these platforms can carry gambling-like risks without offering the consumer protections required of licensed operators. Unlike sportsbooks, prediction markets may lack self-exclusion, deposit limits, and age verification measures, increasing the potential for irresponsible betting or manipulation.
By combining education, public service campaigns, and robust program management, the Arizona Department of Gaming aims to give residents practical toolsto control their gambling habits while promoting a safer gaming environment.
Source:
“Arizona Department of Gaming Introduces Take Back the Game Promoting Self-Exclusion Program“, gaming.az.gov, March 30, 2026
The post Arizona Expands Efforts to Encourage Gambling Self-Exclusion first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.