Published on: December 19, 2025, 01:35h.
Updated on: December 19, 2025, 01:45h.
- The FBI advises the public to steer clear of unregulated online casinos and sportsbooks
- These illegal online gambling platforms may be linked to terrorism and organized crime
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to citizens, urging them to participate only with properly licensed and regulated online gaming sites.
In a notice dated December 17, the FBI stated, “great odds come with high risk.” The agency notes that while sports betting is gaining popularity—with sportsbooks regulated across 39 states and Washington, DC—illegal online betting sites continue to thrive in the US.
The FBI warns that utilizing unregulated gambling platforms offers no consumer protections, such as fair play, and raises concerns over the security of funds, including the risk of theft.
Additionally, the FBI highlights that some unregulated online gambling sites are linked to organized crime syndicates and terrorist groups.
“Those engaging in illegal gambling may be inadvertently supporting organized crime and exposing themselves to threats of violence, extortion, and fraud. As a federal law enforcement agency, the FBI enforces laws against organized crime and illegal gambling activities,” the announcement stated.
The FBI underscores the importance of verifying that individuals only gamble online with licensed and regulated platforms.
FBI Oversight
As gambling becomes increasingly commonplace in the US, the FBI has formed a dedicated unit to counteract the influence of organized crime and other individuals profiting from illegal betting.
The FBI’s Crime and Corruption in Sport and Gaming (CCSG) Program aims to penetrate organized crime factions that operate illegal gambling schemes, including online sportsbooks, to fund their criminal operations, including human, drug, and weapons trafficking. The CCSG was established to identify, combat, and dismantle illicit activities that compromise the integrity of sports and diminish public trust.
The CCSG collaborates with sports leagues, governing bodies, international law enforcement, and independent monitors to uncover illegal practices and take legal action against offenders.
In addition to potential funding of organized crime, individuals using illegal bookmakers expose themselves to threats of extortion and violence should they struggle to settle debts. Furthermore, unregulated sportsbooks and offshore gambling platforms put American consumers at risk of losing their financial assets,” continued the FBI.
The agency encourages individuals wanting to gamble online to stay updated on federal and state laws. The FBI advises checking state gaming regulatory websites, which typically provide a list of authorized online sportsbooks and gaming platforms.
Public Assistance Requested
The FBI’s alert also serves to inform the public that anyone with knowledge of an illegal gambling operation or online betting site can report it to federal law enforcement through their Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
The prevalence of illegal online gambling remains significant. In 2024, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reported over $3 billion in revenue from China due to fraudulent ads connected to scams, illegal betting, and adult content.