The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has been on the offense in attempting to eliminate unregulated gaming in the state. The MGCB did so again on Tuesday after issuing a cease-and-desist letter to OC Media Holdings LLC, operating as One Country.
It has 14 days from when it receives the letter to halt Michigan residents from accessing online accounts.
One Country, which is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, have been running unlicensed online lotteries and/or raffles in the Great Lakes State. The MGCB got Bovada, an offshore sportsbook, to shut down illegal sports wagering in the state after sending a cease-and-desist letter in May.
As a player, it can be difficult to tell the difference between illegal and legal regulated gambling sites, but at PlayMichigan, we only support legal and regulated operators. You can always find an updated list of our recommended Michigan online casinos.
One Country violates numerous state laws
One Country is a lottery and raffle company that offers multiple concurrently with four different membership levels for customers:
- 300 entries each month for $15 per month
- 900 entries each month for $25 per month
- 3,750 entries each month for $50 per month
- 6,000 entries each month for $75 per month
According to the MGCB, One Country is violating the following state laws without a proper gambling license:
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act: States that internet gaming may only be offered by a licensed internet gaming operator. Only casinos that are currently licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and federally authorized tribal casinos within Michigan can apply for an internet gaming operator license.
- Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Prohibits a party from conducting a gambling operation without a license issued by the MGCB. A party who operates an unlicensed gambling operation is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
- Michigan Penal Code: Broadly prohibits any form of gambling, which generally involves the elements of consideration, prize, and chance. For example, accepting money, or anything of value, with the understanding that money, or anything of value, will be paid to any person based on the outcome of an uncertain event is prohibited.
MGCB Executive Director, Henry Williams, said in a press release:
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board will not, and does not, tolerate activities that circumvent our laws and threaten the integrity of the highly regulated gaming industry in Michigan.
“We are committed to upholding state law to ensure a fair and honest gaming environment for all Michigan citizens, and we will keep issuing cease-and-desist letters and taking appropriate legal actions to halt illegal gaming in the state of Michigan.”
MGCB’s cease-and-desist to Bovada worked
The MGCB has been a stickler when it’s come to unlicensed, and illegal gambling. It successfully got Bovada to prevent Michigan residents from illegally betting on sports.
The MGCB sent the cease-and-desist letter on May 29. Bovada had 14 days to close up shop in Michigan, appeared to have done so on June 25.
“The MGCB remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding Michigan’s laws and regulations and will continue to actively monitor and enforce compliance within the state to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment for all,” Williams said on May 29.
While the MGCB has faced illegal online gambling, it has also uncovered multiple illicit gambling machines since 2023. It sent letters to 64 businesses and removed 167 illegal games last year.
The MGCB carried the momentum into 2024 with the following cases:
- Shuts down Flint facilities with illegal gambling
- Arrested owners of Red Horse Bar for operating illegal machines
The MGCB has stood by its methods in shutting down wagering that is not licensed in the state. Nothing should change as time moves on.
