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BALTIMORE, MD - Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest days of the year for sports. But with all the excitement comes increased risk of scams and illegal gambling sites looking to take advantage of fans. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown wants Maryland consumers to know how to avoid fraud if they plan on wagering on the big game.
Watch Out for Super Bowl Scam
Scammers use the Super Bowl hype to deceive people. Here are the most common schemes:
Illegal Betting Sites — These sites may promise big payouts but often refuse to pay winnings or steal your personal or financial data. Stick to licensed operators only.
Fake Prize Alerts — Watch out for emails or texts claiming you’ve won free tickets or prizes. They’re usually phishing scams designed to steal your information.
Counterfeit Gear — If that jersey price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Buy merchandise from official retailers.
Sketchy Streaming Links — “Free Super Bowl stream” links can infect your device with malware. Use only legitimate streaming services.
Protect Yourself
- Verify sellers and websites before making purchases.
- Look for “https” and a padlock symbol in the website address bar, which mean the site is secure.
- Use a credit card for transactions — it offers better fraud protection than debit cards.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Stick to Legal Sportsbooks if Gambling
If you plan to wager on the Super Bowl, make sure you're using a licensed operator. Maryland has 12 licensed online sportsbooks, and 14 registered online fantasy competition operators that are regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Using illegal betting websites puts you and your money at risk.
Here’s why it matters that you use legal operators:
- They are subject to character and financial background investigations prior to being licensed — illegal operators haven’t been vetted.
- They protect your personal and financial information with strict security requirements.
- They verify your age and identity to prevent fraud.
- They actually pay out when you win — illegal sites may not.
- They provide tools to help with problem gambling.
For a full list of Maryland’s legal sportsbook operators and more information about legal wagering, visit the Maryland Lottery and Gaming website.
Remember: You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Maryland; and you must be at least 18 years old to participate in online fantasy competition.
Need Help?
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact the Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or visit oag.maryland.gov.
Remember that gambling causes financial losses and should only be done in moderation. Maryland residents seeking help with a gambling problem are encouraged to call 1-800- GAMBLER, a free and confidential helpline that is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by peer counselors and professionals from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, a division of the State of Maryland’s Behavioral Health Administration. Additional information on problem gambling resources is available by visiting www.mdgamblinghelp.org
Stay safe and enjoy the game!
This alert was issued to all consumers who have subscribed to receive consumer information from our office. Consumers can subscribe to this list here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDAG/subscriber/new.
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