Players Advised to Bet Responsibly on the Super Bowl at Michigan Sportsbooks

After a long and intense season of footballing action, the Super Bowl is set to hold on Sunday the 12th of February. Over the past decade, the Super Bowl has snatched the crown for the most watched broadcast in the country, attracting over 100 million people to their TVs.

Similarly, the American Gaming Association reported that over 50 million Americans will place a bet on the game. Furthermore, we could see a total betting volume of $16 billion. To ensure responsible gambling activities, the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued a communique advising residents on how to bet towards the event.

Arguably the largest sporting event in the US and a cultural festival for most Michigan residents, Super Bowl Sunday presents another avenue to witness the hallmark of American football. The final playoff match for the NFL will see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona.

With millions of Americans set to watch and potentially gamble on the event, there’s a call for caution by the gaming authority in Michigan. In a public release by the MGCB, players were advised to ensure they bet responsibly at licensed NFL betting sites and exercise restraint.

Henry Williams, the Executive Director of the MGCB stressed that “gambling should be entertainment, and it’s important to set limits before you place any wagers on the Super Bowl or any other sporting event” He further noted that players should “establish amount and time limits to help ensure [they] can have fun without gambling more than [they] can afford to lose.

In its public release via the Board’s Public Information Officer, the institution adopted tips from the International Center for Responsible Gaming. Among other things, players were advised not to be pressured into sports betting. Furthermore, the Board advised that bettors who make a decision to gamble on the event should not borrow money for bets nor wager in emotionally distressing conditions and under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The MGCB communique on responsible gambling at the Super Bowl is not without context. Gambling is considerably widespread in the US, with over 85% of adults claiming to have gambled at least once throughout their lifetime. According to the International Center for Responsible Gaming, at least 2-3% of adults in the US have a gambling problem and at least another 1% have a gambling disorder.

Within the Michigan context, statistics have hardly been favorable. In a report released by the National Council on Problem Gaming, Michigan ranks among four states that have failed to meet many minimum established standards for responsible gambling. These standards are adopted in seven states of the US where online gambling has since been legalized. Of those seven states, Michigan ranked fourth.

Michigan was deemed to have only covered 36 of 59 responsible gambling measures that states are advised to adopt. The Wolverine State has failed to conduct staff training as it relates to responsible gaming, nor has the state provided a comprehensive information-based policy. In addition, Michigan was ranked low for the absence of research programs and data-driven transparency reports.

As expected, the state further ranked low on gambling promotion due to its failure to establish a commitment to responsible advertising. In January 2023, Michigan sportsbooks were accused of promoting online sports betting on college campuses.

If you’ll be following the Super Bowl, it is very important to adhere to responsible gambling guidelines for your safety. Unsure about where to watch the game and Halftime Show? Below is a TV viewing guide that details how the evening event will be broadcast.

• Super Bowl LVII Pregame starts at 1:30 pm ET and you can watch it on FOX.
• Puppy Bowl XIX Kickoff will start at 2pm ET and will be broadcast on Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TBS.
• Super Bowl LVII Kickoff time is 6:30 pm ET on FOX. Chris Stapleton will perform the National Anthem fifteen minutes before kickoff.

Rihanna is billed to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. This will be her debut appearance at the NFL season finale. She joins the reputable company of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Katy Perry and the legendary Diana Ross as the only female artiste to perform solo at the Halftime Show.