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The Michigan Gaming Control Board said 166 of the 259 illegal online gambling sites it has sent cease-and-desist letters to since mid-2024 have complied, a 64.1% compliance rate.
In its Nov. 13 enforcement update, the agency outlined a campaign spanning offshore sportsbooks, sweepstakes casinos, unlicensed sports prediction markets and illegal gaming machines.
“Illegal gambling operators target Michigan residents while offering none of the protections our laws require,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Online gambling enforcement began with Bovada
The MGCB traced its offshore sportsbook crackdown to a May 2024 order against Bovada. The agency said Bovada left Michigan within 14 days, and other states later followed Michigan’s lead.
The latest compliance rate compares with roughly 50% reported by the agency at the G2E industry conference in October 2025. In October 2026, the MGCB said it ordered more than 30 offshore operators out of Michigan.
The agency also cited a March 2026 Blask study that ranked Michigan first among fully regulated states for channelization, a measure of activity going through legal operators. According to the MGCB’s account of the study, about 75% of Michigan consumers’ activity went through legal operators, compared with roughly 62% across the fully regulated states studied.
Hundreds of illegal gaming machines removed
Between Oct. 1, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2026, the MGCB said 281 locations removed a combined 682 illegal gaming machines after receiving cease-and-desist letters.
Separately, joint investigations by the MGCB and Michigan Department of Attorney General have produced 146 convictions since 2015, according to the agency. Those investigations resulted in the seizure of 1,824 machines and $598,524.98 in cash.
Sports prediction market actions restricted access
The MGCB also detailed actions with the Michigan Department of Attorney General against unlicensed sports prediction markets, including a June 2026 temporary restraining order barring KalshiEX from offering sports contracts in Michigan.
According to the agency, Robinhood agreed in September 2026 to stop offering sports wagering contracts to Michigan customers. Coinbase and Polymarket each agreed to do so in October.
The MGCB said it publicly announces each cease-and-desist letter and maintains a public list of offending operators. It also expanded its “Play It Safe. Bet Legal.” campaign with radio public service announcements, encouraging residents to verify Michigan licensing before betting and report suspected illegal gambling.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER, which connects to Michigan’s Problem Gambling Helpline 24/7.
More from playmichigan.com
- MGM Grand Detroit Leads Casinos’ $108.1 Million October
- Michigan Online Gambling Revenue Reaches $355.7 Million in September
- Wisconsin Betting Disputes Put Michigan Tribal Wagering Rules in Focus
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Source: As reported by michigan.gov.
