Information about some types of gambling, specifically:
     Internet and Sports.

Internet Gambling Information

Internet gambling has become a multi-million dollar business. Gamblers can use credit cards to wager unlimited amounts of money on hundreds of sites, 24-hours a day.

Another disturbing fact about Internet gambling is that it's usually impossible to tell who's collecting the money from online casinos. They are often run by illegal, offshore operations that do not pay off winners and are sometimes connected to organized crime.

More. .

Sports Gambling Information

Sports betting is one of the most prevalent and easily accessible forms of gambling. It includes forming and participating in pools for sporting events like basketball, football, baseball, hockey, boxing, or any other sport. It doesn't matter whether the pool is organized by: people at work, family, friends, or through the Internet – it's all gambling. Sports betting also includes regulated events like horse racing.

Since sports betting is so widespread and often organized by non-professional gamblers, it's sometimes looked at differently from other forms of gambling like casinos and lotteries. But the truth is, there's very little difference between putting your money on a deck of cards or a roulette wheel and going in on a basketball pool. Remember, the fact that there are no slot machines, cards, or dice doesn't make sports betting any less risky than other forms of gambling.

In many cases sports gambling is illegal (not legal). Participating in betting pools based on sports, or anything else, is illegal. It's also illegal to allow others to organize or participate in betting pools on your property. So if you allow others to gamble in your home or place of business, you're breaking the law, even if you're not participating in the gambling. Certain forms of sports gambling, such as horse racing, are legal in some places, but are no less risky.

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If you choose to gamble, follow these guidelines to help keep gambling from becoming a problem.

1. Always gamble with others and not alone. Having friends, family, or colleagues with you helps keep gambling from getting out of hand.
2. Set limits on how much time and money you spend on gambling.

Almost everyone who gambles loses money in the long run. If you bet more than you can afford to lose, you've got a problem.

If you think you may have a gambling problem, the Michigan Problem Gambling Help-line can help. It's strictly confidential, counselors can give you the help and support you need to break free of a gambling addiction.
Call 1-800-270-7117 [24-hours a day].

Links to Problem Gambling related websites. These sites include self-help groups, gambling brochures, and the Michigan Gaming Board Disassociated Persons List.