The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued nine cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online casino operators in the Great Lakes State. The market has 15 legal online casinos and the regulator has been hard at work shutting down unlicensed competition.
The MGCB claims that these operators have violated state gaming laws by offering slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as sports betting and horse racing. Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director, said in a statement:
“These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options.
“Our role is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling activities are carried out legally and responsibly. These operators have 14 days to cease their illegal activities or face further legal action.”
The MGCB is attempting to shut down the following platforms:
- Solar Game LTD and Busan Trade Office (Go Go Gold)
- BetAnySports (BAS)
- CoolCat Casino
- Diamond Sportsbook International, d/b/a BetDSI.eu (BetDSI)
- My Dreams Casino
- NonStop casino
- Palace of Chance
- Xbet Casino
- WagerWeb
Unlicensed operators are violating Michigan law
The MGCB takes illegal gambling extremely serious, to protect the legal market and residents in the state. After investigation, the MGCB concluded that these operators broke several state laws, including:
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act: Internet gaming in Michigan is only permitted for licensed operators. Only casinos licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, as well as federally recognized tribal casinos, can legally apply for a gaming license.
- Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Operating a gambling business without a valid MGCB-issued license is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
- Michigan Penal Code: Gambling that involves consideration, prize, and chance is broadly prohibited. Accepting payments with the expectation that they will be based on the outcome of uncertain events is illegal.
New wave of illegal gambling in Michigan
The MGCB fighting unlawful gambling is nothing new. The press release referenced a 2022 American Gaming Association (AGA) study that found Americans wagered $510 billion annually with illegal and unregulated operators, including online casinos and sportsbooks.
Included in those unlicensed wagers are the increase of “skill games,” which resemble casino slots in the Great Lakes State. The Michigan Department of Attorney General, working with the MGCB, issued a warning last week regarding a new wave of those machines.
The MGCB has been at the forefront of all forms of illegal gaming, including online. The regulator banished Bovada, an offshore sportsbooks, over the summer after another cease-and-desist letter. It also uncovered illegal operations in Flint and Saginaw in the past, too.
It is clear the MGCB remains steadfast in keeping the integrity of gaming in the Great Lakes State, for legal operators and consumers.
