The Michigan Gaming Control Board is one step away from receiving another prestigious honor. The MCGB announced earlier this week it has become a finalist for the 2024 Global Regulatory Awards in the Regulatory Initiative of the Year category.
The recognition is bestowed upon regulatory bodies that uphold the integrity of the industry as well as responsible gambling. One of the MCGB’s greatest strengths is its efforts to combat illegal gambling within the state.
MGCB recognized for upholding integrity of Michigan gambling
The MGCB has cracked down hard on illegal gambling, and explained its direction to PlayMichigan in June. For its efforts, the MGCB is a finalist of a category that takes the regulated gambling industry seriously.
Regulatory Initiative of the Year celebrates those that emphasize areas such as compliance, corporate social responsibility, and safer gambling. MGCB Executive Director, Henry Williams, has made it a priority to make the Great Lakes State a safe gambling state.
“In one of the fastest-growing U.S. gaming markets, the MGCB continues to identify and remove casino-style gaming machines from businesses, dismantle illicit gambling operations, and uphold Michigan’s gaming laws,” he said in a statement.
“Through strategic initiatives and close collaboration with stakeholders, the agency’s Criminal Investigations Section within the Licensing and Investigations Division conducts regulatory and criminal investigations in coordination with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, ensuring a safe and responsible gaming environment.”
The CIS has been a huge component in the MCGB’s success of eliminating illegal gambling.
MCGB’s efforts to combat illegal gambling
The CIS partners with the MCGB to successfully shut down illegal gambling operations.
In 2023, the CIS issued 26 warning letters to Michigan residents who were facilitating illegal gambling via social media. Cease-and-desist letters were also sent to five unlicensed online gaming websites for conducting illegal gambling in Michigan.
Also last year, the MCGB sent letters to 64 businesses demanding they shut down illegal gambling sites immediately. In total, it resulted in the removal of 167 illicit wagering devices.
The effort has remained strong in 2024, as the MCGB recently settled on an illegal sting in Flint last month.
It also shut down illegitimate gambling at the Red Horse Bar in Saginaw, after sending the business multiple cease-and-desist letters.
Most recently, the MGCB successfully kicked Bovada, an offshore online sportsbook, out of the state.
There’s a reason for the MCGB’s strong efforts, as Williams explained:
“The MGCB’s efforts to combat illegal gambling provides an opportunity to educate Michigan citizens and raise awareness about the risks involved in illegal gambling, as well as an opportunity to promote responsible gaming practices.
“Ultimately, these actions all collectively contribute to safer communities, deter criminal elements, and uphold public trust in the gaming sector, benefiting both the agency and state citizens alike by contributing to the social welfare and economic prosperity of the Great Lakes State.
