BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is warning of the risks involved in sports betting, especially during March Madness. Officials are urging people to be wary of scams and aggressive marketing that targets getting customers to make bigger and riskier bets.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office listed several precautions people can take to protect themselves. They are recommending checking consumer reviews and ratings with the Better Business Bureau, reading the fine print on all promotions, and reading all the conditions and penalties placed by the sportsbooks.

The Attorney General’s Office also warned people to ignore online gambling pop-up ads, unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media messages. They say that these could link to fraudulent websites. Officials are encouraging residents report any suspected scams to the Consumer Protection Division or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is also reminding people that there is no such thing as a completely risk-free bet, or free money, when it comes to gambling. The lottery and gaming control agency also reminded people to be aware of the possibility of problem gambling and to seek help if they are experiencing it. The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling has more information about problem gambling and treatment options.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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