Arizona's Bold Move to Curb Problem Gambling with Take Back the Game

A lifeline for at-risk gamblers or just another warning? Arizona's new campaign puts self-exclusion front and center—but will it stop unregulated sites?

, and Administrator

2026 March 31 . 8:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white drawing of a group of people sitting around a table, playing a... — The image shows a black and white drawing of a group of people sitting around a table, playing a game of gambling. On the table there are various objects, and at the bottom of the image there is some text.

Arizona's Bold Move to Curb Problem Gambling with Take Back the Game

Arizona has launched a new initiative to tackle problem gambling across the state. The Arizona Department of Gaming introduced Take Back the Game, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of its self-exclusion program. Officials hope the effort will help vulnerable players limit their gambling activities before harm occurs. The state's self-exclusion program first appeared in the early 2000s. Since then, it has expanded to cover event wagering and fantasy sports alongside traditional gambling. Players at risk can now choose to ban themselves from licensed platforms for one, five, or ten years.

The *Take Back the Game* campaign will roll out across digital, TV, and radio channels. A thirty-second public service announcement, available in both English and Spanish, explains how to sign up for self-exclusion. Once enrolled, individuals are blocked from accessing regulated gambling sites for their chosen exclusion period. However, unregulated gambling websites may still target excluded players. These platforms often ignore state restrictions, leaving vulnerable individuals exposed to continued risk.

The campaign aims to reduce gambling-related harm by promoting responsible play. Officials encourage residents to use the self-exclusion tool if needed. For the latest details, the Arizona Department of Gaming website provides up-to-date information on the program.