Michigan is, once again, leading the charge against illegal gambling operators. In its latest crackdown, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued cease-and-desist letters to nine online casinos.
The letters were issued to BetAnySports (BAS), CoolCat Casino, Diamond Sportsbook International, Solar Game LTD and Busan Trad Office, My Dreams Casino, NonStop Casino, Palace of Chance, Xbet Casino, and WagerWeb.
An MGCB investigation determined the websites were operating without Michigan gaming licenses. They were also in breach of several state laws, including the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
“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,” said MGCB executive director Henry Williams. “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 illegal activities or face further legal action.”
If the companies fail to cease offering online casino services to Michigan residents in the next two weeks, MGCB will start exploring further legal action with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
Michigan’s notable enforcement track record
Unlike many other countries, the U.S. has few federal gambling regulations, leaving the states to tackle enforcement and protection on their own. Offshore companies prey on the U.S., counting on the resource limitations at the state level to keep them in business. But that hasn’t deterred Michigan.
Michigan was the first state to take on the unlicensed sports betting operator Bovada last May. After its cease-and-desist letter was successful in getting the operator to restrict Michigan residents from wagering on its site, other states followed suit. In August, the MGCB issued a cease-and-desist letter to the online “sweepstakes” operator OC Media Holdings LLC, also known as One Country. And last month, Michigan issued a cease-and-desist letter to Duranbah Limited N.V., the parent company of offshore gaming operator MyBookie.
At this point, Michigan’s enforcement efforts should surprise no one. Last year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer included $1.9 million in the state’s fiscal 2025 budget for “Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Regulation.”
Meanwhile, Williams outlined the state’s intentions at a gaming law conference last April.
“If people choose to ignore the law and don’t do what’s legal, we’re going to find them and hold them accountable for their actions,” he said. “In Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board has made it a priority to do everything we can to protect our state’s citizens from illegal gambling market operators and our legitimate gaming industry from being tarnished by its illegal counterparts. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal gaming activities.”
While other states may not have all the resources that Michigan has to crackdown on illegal gaming sites, they still have the resolve. For instance, Maryland issued 11 cease-and-desist letters to 11 illegal gaming companies in January. Meanwhile, Florida recently issued cease-and-desist letters to BetUS, Bovada, and MyBookie.
