LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Gaming Control Board’s responsible‑gaming website, Don’t Regret the Bet, has received a Platinum Hermes Creative Award, one of the top honors issued by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
The recognition follows a major expansion of the site, developed with King Media, that transformed the former single‑page resource into a multi‑page hub offering responsible‑gaming education, support tools and downloadable materials for players, families, educators and community organizations.
A central feature of the redesign is Don’t Bet On Your Future, a youth‑focused initiative aimed at addressing rising concerns about teen exposure to online gambling and sports betting. The MGCB cited research from University of Minnesota scholar Dr. Ken Winters, who found that teens who gamble are four times more likely to develop serious gambling problems later in life. As sports betting becomes increasingly visible through social media, advertising and professional sports partnerships, the campaign seeks to reach both young people and parents before harmful behaviors emerge.
“The expansion of this website was about more than adding pages — it was about creating a meaningful public resource at a time when online gambling has become more visible and accessible than ever before,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a statement. “We wanted to ensure Michiganders, especially parents and young people, could easily find trusted information, prevention tools and support.”
The updated site launched ahead of March Madness, one of the busiest sports‑betting periods of the year, to ensure resources were available during peak wagering activity.
The website now includes:
- Dedicated responsible‑gaming education pages
- Youth‑focused prevention materials through Don’t Bet On Your Future
- Information and access to the Problem Gambling Helpline
- Downloadable toolkits and educational content
- Resources for families, educators and community groups, including up to $4,000 in funding for booster clubs promoting youth gambling prevention
The Platinum Hermes Creative Award recognizes the site’s reach and effectiveness as a public resource for Michigan residents.
