Michigan Gaming Control Board launches “Don’t Bet on Your Future” statewide campaign

New youth-focused initiative features high school booster funding, broadcast TV ad, and more

DETROIT, May 11, 2026 — The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) today announced the launch of Don't Bet on Your Future, a comprehensive statewide campaign aimed at protecting young Michiganders from the growing risks of underage and problem gambling. The campaign, accessible at DontBetOnYourFuture.org, expands the MGCB’s established Don’t Regret the Bet responsible gambling platform and introduces a suite of new resources for youth, schools, and families across Michigan.

The message is clear: gambling is strictly for adults only, and Michigan is committed to making sure young people hear that message as loudly as the gambling ads that surround them.

“According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, nearly two-thirds of American adults report having gambled before the age of 21 — and young people in Michigan are no exception,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. “Don’t Bet on Your Future is about building a statewide community of education and prevention — one that runs through our schools, our coaches, our parents, and our neighborhoods. We are committed to ensuring the next generation understands the real risks of gambling before they ever place a bet.”

Youth Boosters Program: Up to $4,000 Available for Michigan High School Booster Clubs
At the heart of the campaign is the new High School Boosters Program, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative that invites school-affiliated booster clubs across Michigan to become frontline advocates for youth gambling prevention.

Participating booster organizations can earn up to $4,000 in funding by sharing MGCB-approved messaging about underage gambling risks through channels they already use — digital and social media ads, scoreboards, event programs, and school newsletters. Eligible organizations will also receive evidence-based resources specifically designed to support parents, coaches, and students.

The Boosters Program is built around a simple insight: young people trust the adults in their school community. By delivering education and prevention messaging through coaches, athletic directors, and booster volunteers — rather than traditional public service announcements — the MGCB can reach teens with a message that is both credible and timely.

School-affiliated booster clubs statewide are encouraged to visit DontBetOnYourFuture.org to learn more and apply.

New Broadcast TV Commercial and Advertising Campaign
The MGCB has produced a new broadcast television commercial designed to remind youth that gambling underage is illegal and to encourage them not to bet. In “Warning Signs,” a teenager reaches for his phone to place a bet, and the world around him literally fights back — closing with the tagline Don’t Bet on Your Future.

Coming Fall 2026: Gambling Education and Prevention Grant Program
The MGCB also has an exciting initiative on the horizon: the Gambling Education and Prevention (GAP) Grant Program, which will begin accepting applications this summer, giving schools the opportunity to apply in time for the upcoming school year. Michigan currently has no statewide mandate for gambling-prevention instruction, leaving schools and community organizations without structured resources to address the issue.

The GAP Grant Program would offer grants to eligible high schools, colleges, and qualifying community organizations to establish local gambling awareness education programming, covering Michigan's gambling landscape, mental and financial health impacts, and support resources, tailored to each audience. Applications are expected to open on a rolling basis in Summer 2026; more details will be announced in the coming months.