The Wolverine State's sweeping crackdown of illegal gambling sites continues.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced Wednesday it sent cease-and-desist orders to 11 nefarious online casinos targeting state residents.
Key insights
- The state added 11 operators to a growing list of banned gambling sites.
- Operators withheld winnings, didn't protect consumer data, and accepted a variety of deposit methods.
- Michigan’s lucrative gambling market is one of the United States' most influential.
Michigan is at the forefront of the fight against illegal and offshore operators, including sportsbooks and online casinos. It sent at least 35 cease-and-desist orders this year alone.
The Wednesday announcement said operators who received cease-and-desist orders pose “serious risks to consumers” by circumventing proper authorization and regulatory oversight.
“These sites are operating illegally and without proper oversight, putting Michigan players at risk,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. “We’re committed to shutting down unlicensed gambling operations and protecting the public from deceptive practices, unfair play, and financial harm.”
The platforms who received letters have two weeks to shut down operations in the state, or else they'll be subject to legal ramifications.
Those platforms include:
- Club Player Casino
- 7 Bets Casino
- NinBet Casino
- Cherry Jackpot Casino
- PitBet
- SlotsNBets
- Bookmaker.eu
- Wild Vegas Casino
- VIP Slots Casino
- Prism Casino
- ABC Islands Casino
Unsafe, unfair practices
On top of failing to procure the necessary authorization from the Michigan regulator, the 11 platforms engaged in a variety of unsafe and unethical practices.
The MGCB didn't specifically mention which operator was guilty of which action. However, it said the collective accepted a variety of deposit methods including credit cards, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency.
They also withheld winnings, established lofty wagering minimums, and denied withdrawals.
They also didn't protect consumer data the way licensed operators are required to. That opens the door to a variety of issues, including identity theft and fraud.
“This should serve as a strong warning to illegal operators: Michigan does not tolerate unauthorized gambling activity,” Williams said. “We will continue our relentless pursuit of actively identifying and disrupting these operations.”
Responsible gambling
The MGCB said in its announcement that Michigan gamers are encouraged to play at authorized sports betting sites, online casinos, iGaming platforms, and retail casinos.
Michigan approved the launch of online casinos in Jan. 2021. Those platforms played a major role in the state amassing one of the most lucrative gaming markets in the country, alongside powerhouses like Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.
A list of licensed operators is available at Michigan.gov/MGCB. Anyone who suspects illicit activity may contact the MGCB at 1-888-314-2682 or MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov.
