Home News IAGR Launches Global Illegal Gambling Awareness Week and Licence-Checking Tool

IAGR Launches Global Illegal Gambling Awareness Week and Licence-Checking Tool

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Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 09/11/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has launched its first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (IGAW), bringing regulators together to help consumers identify unlicensed gambling websites and understand the risks of using them.

Running from 9 to 13 November 2026, the international campaign introduces a licensing information tool designed to help players check whether online gambling platforms are authorised in their jurisdiction.

First announced on 26 October during IAGR’s Annual Conference in Lima, Peru, the initiative focuses on consumer education, regulatory cooperation and the importance of local licensing.

IAGR promotes Illegal Gambling Awareness Week from 9–13 November 2026.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From IAGR's Illegal Gambling Awareness Week

IAGR’s first internationally coordinated Illegal Gambling Awareness Week runs from 9 to 13 November 2026.
The campaign encourages consumers to verify a gambling website’s licensing status before registering or depositing.
CheckBeforeYouPlay.org provides available licensing information for covered IAGR member jurisdictions.
Regulators can distribute campaign videos, social media materials and educational resources.
The initiative highlights risks involving unpaid winnings, personal data and missing consumer protections.

IAGR Introduces New Gambling Licence-Checking Tool

A central feature of the campaign is CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free licensing information tool contributed by Paris-based regulatory technology company Sharp Vision.

According to IAGR’s official campaign information, the platform helps consumers check available licensing information before opening an account or depositing funds.

The tool allows users to enter a gambling website’s URL and access information drawn from regulatory records and verified public sources.

However, its coverage is limited to participating IAGR member jurisdictions. The service should not be interpreted as a universal licensing database or a guarantee that an operator is safe.

Regulators Coordinate Action Against Illegal Gambling

IAGR is encouraging member regulators to share educational materials throughout the awareness week, including videos, social media content and consumer guidance.

The campaign highlights how unlicensed gambling websites can appear legitimate through professional branding and familiar marketing techniques, despite operating outside local regulatory requirements.

IAGR President Ben Haden said: “The reach of online gambling makes this a shared challenge for regulators.”

The initiative follows growing international attention to illegal gambling. Ace Alliance recently reported on the GGL and UKGC’s cross-border cooperation agreement, which aims to strengthen information sharing between regulators.

What Does the Campaign Mean for iGaming Operators?

For licensed operators, the campaign reinforces the commercial importance of transparent licensing information and compliance with local regulations.

Affiliates and technology suppliers also face increased scrutiny over their relationships with unlicensed platforms.

Recent UKGC research into illegal gambling participation found that approximately 4% of online gamblers showed indicators of using illegal websites over 12 months.

Meanwhile, the regulator’s latest illegal gambling enforcement figures demonstrated the scale of action against unlawful gambling websites and their online visibility.

Unlike enforcement initiatives, IAGR’s campaign focuses primarily on prevention through public awareness.

Its longer-term impact will depend on regulator participation, coverage of its licensing information tool, and whether consumers begin checking operators’ authorisation before gambling online.