Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Recognize September as Responsible Gaming Education Month

PHOENIX (September 1, 2026) - The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) and the Arizona Lottery are launching a statewide effort to promote responsible play, increase awareness of responsible gaming practices, and connect Arizonans with resources designed to prevent and address gambling-related harm as Arizona recognizes September 2026 as Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM). Governor Katie Hobbs has issued a statewide proclamation recognizing the observance, reinforcing Arizona’s commitment to responsible gaming education and ensuring individuals and families across the state know where to turn for information, resources, and support.

Throughout September, the Department and the Lottery are expanding the reach of responsible gaming education across Arizona through a new statewide public awareness campaign, increased promotion of consumer resources and training, and encouraging state and local leaders to bring responsible gaming information directly into communities.

“Arizona has a long-standing commitment to promoting responsible gaming and empowering consumers aged 21 and older to make informed choices about their play, and we are proud to partner with the Arizona Lottery to advance this important work,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “By identifying and embracing new opportunities—from Responsible Gaming Training to public service announcement campaigns like Responsible Play for a Stronger Arizona—we are taking meaningful action to keep responsible gaming at the forefront and ensure that Arizonans have the awareness, resources, and support they need to make informed choices.” 

“Promoting responsible gaming is at the heart of our mission and our commitment to keeping players safe,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “This Responsible Gaming Education Month, we are proud to highlight our efforts to promote responsible play, including our partnership with the Arizona Department of Gaming and shared investments in education, awareness, and direct support for those who need it.”

Responsible Play for a Stronger Arizona

On September 1, the Department launched a new digital marketing campaign – Responsible Play for a Stronger Arizona – in collaboration with the Arizona Media Association. The campaign encourages Arizonans aged 21 and older to adopt smart ways to play responsibly, such as: making a plan before playing by setting limits for your time and budget, and sticking to those limits; knowing that gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money; and taking breaks. As part of the campaign, the Department also released a new public service announcement (PSA), available here, reinforcing practical ways Arizonans can keep gambling responsible and recreational. The campaign is reaching Arizonans on multiple digital, streaming and social media platforms, with complementary print, TV, and radio advertisements in English and Spanish. 

Bringing Responsible Gaming Education Into Communities

Cities and towns play an important role in sharing information and connecting residents with resources. In recognition of Responsible Gaming Education Month, the Department and the Lottery are encouraging local governments across Arizona to join the statewide effort by adopting their own proclamation and helping make responsible gaming and problem gambling resources more accessible within their communities.  If you are a local city or town leader, please consider this sample proclamation – Responsible Gaming Education Month –  to spread awareness of these resources. 

Local recognition can help raise awareness not only of responsible gaming practices, but also of resources available to Arizonans experiencing gambling-related harm, including Arizona’s confidential 24/7 problem gambling helpline 1-800-NEXT-STEP, problem gambling treatment counseling, financial counseling and voluntary self-exclusion.  Cities and towns are also encouraged to include links to statewide responsible gaming and problem gambling resources on appropriate community resource webpages, helping residents more easily find information about responsible play and available support (a quick reference guide is available here). 

Responsible Gaming Resources For Arizonans

Responsible gaming education helps individuals make informed decisions about gambling, understand the risks, set personal limits, recognize when gambling may be causing harm, and know where to access state and local problem gambling resources. For more information on responsible gaming, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or arizonalottery.com/about-the-arizona-lottery/responsible-gaming, and to access the online, on-demand Responsible Gaming Training resource, visit gaming.az.gov/RGtraining. 

Organizations and community partners across Arizona are encouraged to use the Responsible Gaming toolkit to share responsible gaming information and statewide resources with their audiences throughout September. The toolkit includes ready-to-use materials designed to make it easy for state and local government agencies, community organizations, service providers, and other stakeholders to participate in Responsible Gaming Education Month and help extend the reach of responsible gaming education across Arizona.