www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov
o With respect to “risk-free” bets, for example, those funds may only be credited
back to the consumer to use again with the sportsbook, not as a refund of the
money the consumer initially invested.
o Sportsbooks sometimes require users to gamble their own money before accessing
any bonus they advertised.
o Some sportsbooks may restrict the games for which consumers can use
promotional money or have additional restrictions that are only listed in the fine
print.
• Read all the conditions placed by the sportsbooks that may limit how and when bettors
are able to cash out their winnings, or if the sportsbook will penalize bettors – such as
freezing accounts –for certain activities and strategies the bettor may use on their
platform to increase their chances of winning.
• Remember that there is no such thing as a completely risk-free bet, or free money, when
it comes to gambling, despite what may be implied by a sportsbooks ad.
To protect against fraudulent platforms and scammers looking to steal money and financial and
personal information, consumers should follow these tips:
• The internet is flooded with fraudulent sports betting websites. Make sure that you are
using the official websites of established sportsbooks that have been approved by
Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
• Ignore online gambling pop-up ads and unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media
messages. Even if these look like they are coming from a legitimate sportsbook, they
could be linking you to a fraudulent website instead.
• Report suspected scams to our Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or the
Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Online sports betting is prevalent and easier to access, now that it is legal in Maryland.
Consumers should not forget that they are gambling with real money and that they can suffer
devastating financial losses if their gambling becomes problematic. For assistance with problem
gambling, Marylanders can visit the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling at
https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/ or call 1-800-Gambler.
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https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2023/051923CA.pdf