HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — As this year’s football season starts ramping up, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is warning bettors against playing on illegal offshore sports wagering sites.

According to the PA Gaming Control Board, the start of the NFL season always brings an increased amount of sports wagering by Pennsylvanians, 90% of which is made through online platforms.

Now, the Board is reminding the public to be cautious of placing bets on sites that are not licensed or regulated in Pennsylvania.

“For a gambler to protect themselves, they should be very hesitant to use Illegal offshore sites,” Board Executive Director Kevin O’Toole says. “Only on the Pennsylvania regulated sites can a bettor choose to utilize self-imposed limits to better control their wagering activities.”

To assist the public, the Board is providing a link on its website that provides a list of the sports wagering sites that are regulated by the Gaming Control Board and available to Pennsylvania bettors.

According to the PA Gaming Control Board, Pennsylvania currently offers 12 regulated sites, all of which have been vetted, licensed, and regulated for play in Pennsylvania.

“Legal, Board-regulated online sportsbooks must offer options for a player to control their gambling activity such as limiting the amount of time they can spend on a site, limiting the amount of money they can deposit, or provide a limit on the amount they wager.” O’Toole added. “In addition, the Board’s approved operators offer ‘Cool-Off Periods’ that establish a short-term ban of days, weeks or months for the bettor who can limit their sports wagering activity.”

Another reason to stay away from illegal offshore platforms is that the Board is unable to investigate complaints and disputes on these platforms, whereas they are able to do so with a licensed gaming operator.