Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a public service announcement warning of the risks associated with illegal gambling.
Law enforcement agency explain how the sports betting industry has spread across the United States, with 39 states and the District of Columbia legalizing some form.
Big Odds, High Risk: The FBI encourages American gamblers to know the risks of illegal gambling. Learn how to protect yourself by betting legally and responsibly. https://t.co/88UXiTuT2j pic.twitter.com/0jOlOHJxX6
-FBI (@FBI) December 19, 2025
They warn, however, that “illegal sports betting and illegal online gaming sites remain prevalent. These illegal sports betting and online gaming sites have significant consequences for the American public, the American economy, and the integrity of sports betting in the United States.”
The FBI says those who engage in illegal gambling risk funding organized crime activities and suggests this can make them vulnerable to violence, extortion and fraud. THE The FBI enforces criminal lawsincluding those involving organized crime and illegal gambling operations, but they say it is the individual responsibility of each punter to ensure they bet legally and responsibly.
FBI: One priority is to investigate organized crime groups that operate illegal sports betting to disrupt operations.
In August 2025, the American Gaming Association Americans are estimated to bet $673.6 billion per year with illegal and unregulated gambling operators. This situation is believed to be due to a sharp increase in illegal online gaming, including the use of unregulated skill machines and illegal sports betting.
Since 2022, the date of the last AGA report on the subject, the illegal market has increased by 22%. Today, illegal operators account for nearly a third (31.9%) of the total U.S. gaming market.
“Many offshore sportsbooks advertise to U.S. consumers, obscuring their presence abroad and providing U.S. consumers with a false sense of comfort. These offshore sportsbooks are not subject to the same legal standards as U.S.-licensed sportsbooks and may lack consumer protections, increasing risks for U.S.-based users,” the FBI wrote in its advisory.
In the guidance the agency provided to bettors, they ask people to stay informed about applicable federal, state and local laws and say people should check their state gaming agency’s website to make sure they are betting through a legal sportsbook operator.
Featured Image: FBI via X
The position FBI Issues Warning to Public About Illegal Gambling appeared first on ReadWrite.
