MGCB Marks Responsible Gaming Education Month with $150,000 Boost for School Booster Clubs

Board tops $150,000 in booster membership funding after committing full $50,000 increase with $100,000 extra confirmed beginning October 1

DETROIT, Sept. 2, 2026 — September is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), a nationwide consciousness initiative led by the American Gaming Association to coach customers, improve consciousness of downside playing, and promote gaming literacy. In recognition of RGEM, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) immediately introduced it has surpassed $100,000 in funding awarded to school-affiliated booster golf equipment by its High School Boosters Program, a part of its Don’t Bet on Your Future campaign — a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative that enlists booster organizations as frontline advocates for youth playing prevention.

About the High School Boosters Program
At the center of the initiative is the High School Boosters Program, which invitations school-affiliated booster golf equipment throughout Michigan to turn into frontline advocates for youth playing prevention. Participating organizations can earn as much as $4,000 by sharing MGCB-approved messaging about underage playing dangers by channels they already use — digital and social media adverts, scoreboards, occasion applications, and faculty newsletters. Eligible organizations additionally obtain evidence-based sources designed to assist mother and father, coaches, and college students.

The program is constructed on a easy perception: younger individuals belief the adults of their college group. By delivering training and prevention messaging by coaches, athletic administrators, and booster volunteers — somewhat than conventional public service bulletins — the MGCB is reaching teenagers with a message that’s each credible and well timed.

To construct on this momentum, the MGCB dedicated an extra $50,000 to this system for the rest of Fiscal Year 2026 — funding that has already been absolutely awarded to eligible booster golf equipment, bringing whole funding distributed by this system to $150,000. The Board has additionally confirmed {that a} new pool of $100,000 in funding can be accessible to booster golf equipment starting October 1, when the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 begins.

“Responsible Gaming Education Month is the perfect moment to celebrate this exciting milestone,” mentioned Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. “Together, we have successfully distributed $150,000 in funding to booster clubs across the state, and the additional $50,000 we committed to close out this fiscal year is already spoken for. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this remarkable achievement — it reflects the hard work, commitment, and teamwork that have made this program such a success. The demand we’ve seen tells us this program is working, and we’re not stopping here: another $100,000 becomes available October 1, so there will be more opportunities for booster clubs to get involved soon.”

$50,000 Boost Already Committed — More Coming October 1
The extra $50,000 dedicated for the rest of Fiscal Year 2026 has already been absolutely awarded to eligible booster golf equipment, reflecting the robust demand this system has seen from faculties statewide. A separate pool of $100,000 in new funding will turn into accessible October 1, at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2027, giving school-affiliated booster golf equipment statewide one other alternative to take part.

Why Now: Responsible Gaming Education Month
Each September, the American Gaming Association leads Responsible Gaming Education Month, a nationwide effort joined by on line casino operators, sportsbooks, lotteries, and state regulators to lift consciousness of downside playing and promote more healthy gaming habits. The MGCB is marking this yr’s observance by highlighting the High School Boosters Program and increasing its attain, reinforcing the Board’s year-round dedication to stopping underage and downside playing in Michigan communities.

Booster Clubs Already Making an Impact
More than 30 booster golf equipment representing college districts throughout Michigan — from Menominee and Hancock within the Upper Peninsula to Alen Park and Troy in southeast Michigan — have already acquired funding by this system. Participating organizations embrace: Allen Park HS (Allen Park HS Booster Club); Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (3C Sports Programming); Busy Learning Active Children Keystone (Jr Big Reds); Chippewa Valley Schools (Dakota Boosters); Columbia Central Jr. Sr. HS (Columbia Athletic Boosters); Corunna HS (Corunna Athletic Club); Dansville Community Schools (Men’s Basketball Team); Eaton Rapids HS (Eaton Rapids Athletic Boosters); Hancock Public Schools (Hancock All-Sports Boosters); Hanover-Horton (Hanover-Horton Athletic Boosters); Hanover-Horton HS (Boys Basketball Program): Harper Creek Community Schools (Harper Creek Beaver Boosters); Hartland HS (Hartland Unified); Hillsdale HS (Hillsdale Track and Field); Lawton HS (Lawton Athletic Boosters); Leslie HS (Leslie HS Athletics); Manistique HS (Manistique Athletic Booster Club); Mason Public Schools (Mason Basketball); Menominee Area Public Schools (Menominee Maroons Athletic Booster Club); Olivet High School (Olivet Boys Basketball); Our Lady of the Lake, St. Joseph (Laker Athletic Club); Pinckney Community HS (Pinckney Community HS Athletic Dept.); Plymouth HS (Plymouth Wildcats Cheer Booster Club); Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (Plymouth-Canton Music Boosters); Port Huron Northern HS (Port Huron Northern Athletic Boosters); Quincy Schools (Quincy Athletic Boosters); Troy Athens HS (Troy Athens Athletic Boosters Foundation); Troy HS (Troy High Athletic Boosters); Troy High School (Troy High Band Boosters); Vandercook Lake MS/HS (Vandercook Lake Athletics); Vassar HS (Vassar Athletic Association); and Walled Lake Central HS (WLCGVB Boosters).

How Booster Clubs Can Apply
School-affiliated booster golf equipment statewide are inspired to go to DontBetOnYourFuture.org to be taught extra and apply. A brand new spherical of $100,000 in funding opens October 1 for Fiscal Year 2027. Booster golf equipment and faculties with questions on this system can attain the MGCB at MGCB-Youth@michigan.gov.

Gambling in any kind is for leisure functions solely. If you or somebody you already know could have a playing downside, name 1-800-GAMBLER, chat online, or go to 800gambler.org. Help is accessible 24/7, free and confidential. Michigan residents may also go to the MGCB’s Responsible Gaming web page for info on self-exclusion applications, together with the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database. Through a partnership with Gamban, Michigan residents can declare a free license for Gamban’s playing blocking software program — go to Michigan.gov/MGCB to be taught extra. Additional accountable gaming instruments can be found at DontRegretTheBet.org. The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall make sure the conduct of honest and sincere gaming to guard the pursuits of Michigan residents. Learn extra at Michigan.gov/MGCB.