PHOENIX, AZ – The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has launched new public service announcements, including Take Back the Game, a digital, TV, and radio advertisement that raises awareness of the state’s self-exclusion program. As part of the program, Arizonans can request to be banned from all Arizona gambling establishments, event wagering, and fantasy sports apps, or all of the above, for a 1-year ban, 5-year ban, or 10-year ban.
“Arizona first launched a voluntary self-exclusion program in the early 2000s as a tool for residents to opt out of visiting tribal casinos if they decided gambling was negatively impacting their well-being and becoming problematic,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “Later, the Department expanded the program to include event wagering and fantasy sports. Today, with the Take Back the Game campaign, our agency affirms the value of self-exclusion as an empowering, practical tool that has positive impacts for thousands of Arizonans.”
Through self-exclusion – signified in the PSA as Take Back the Game – residents can exclude themselves from all regulated tribal casinos, licensed event wagering and fantasy sports contest operators, or all of these categories. Arizonans can begin the required forms on their own or in-person at the Department’s Phoenix office. Once excluded, the person is banned from playing for the entirety of their exclusion period. The Department regularly updates tribal gaming stakeholders and event wagering and fantasy sports contest operators with the list of self-excluded individuals so that direct marketing to these individuals stops and they are prevented from accessing gambling winnings.
In the Take Back the Game PSA – a 30-second spot available both in English and Spanish editions – viewers watch a live self-exclusion take place at ADG’s Phoenix office with support and empathy on display. ADG manages the self-exclusion program in-house with dedicated administrators and notary publics. Arizona residents and visitors can make an appointment ahead of time by reaching out to: [email protected] or 602-771-4263. Alternatively, Arizonans can access the program forms at gaming.az.gov/exclude and email the required documents to [email protected], or by U.S. mail to: Arizona Department of Gaming 100 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix 85007.
Since its inception, the program has helped more than 11,900 Arizonans take back the game by choosing self-exclusion. Currently, active self-exclusions are at 2,500 and growing. Participants report reduced triggers and temptation for gambling – allowing them to focus on their well-being while spending more time on hobbies and with their family, as represented in Take Back the Game.
Developed in collaboration with the Arizona Media Association, Take Back the Game is one of three new public service announcement spots sponsored by the Department:
- Take Back the Game – Promotes the state’s self-exclusion program.
- No Online Casinos – Educates consumers that online casinos are not legal in the state and encouraging them to only bet with licensed operators.
- Too Young to Bet – Raises awareness of underage gambling and talking to kids about risk.
By leveraging a coordinated public service media model, the Department is achieving significant statewide reach, measurable engagement, and a strong return on investment of its public service announcements. Since launching its Public Education Program Campaign with the Arizona Media Association in April 2025, English-speaking and Spanish-speaking television and radio ads have numbered over 14,720 – exposing key audiences to safety and consumer protection messaging. In addition to TV and radio, the model incorporates digital media: streaming audio, streaming TV, video, Meta/social media, and display advertising, with digital impressions reaching 1,400,000+ in February 2026 alone.
