Michigan Gaming Control Board issues 12 cease-and-desist orders to illegal online gambling operators

State regulators in Michigan have issued another wave of cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online gambling operators in their continued crackdown of unregulated gaming in the Great Lakes State. According to an announcement, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) sent out 12 cease-and-desists to offshore entities that regulators say have operated illegal online casinos and sportsbooks in the state.

As the MGCB emphasized in a press release, the most recent batch of cease-and-desist letters represent the organization's unwavering commitment to protecting Michigan players while also upholding the integrity of the state's regulated gaming industry.

According to the announcement, the MGCB performed investigations and determined that the following operators offered illegal online casino-style games and sportsbooks:

Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB, noted that the aforementioned platforms – as well as previous operators who received similar cease-and-desist orders – offer online gaming without regulatory oversight, thus putting players at risk and "undermining Michigan's secure, regulated marketplace."

This wave of cease-and-desist letters came on the heels of the MGCB sending out six other similar orders, which Williams said reflects the board's "relentless" and "decisive" action to prevent unlicensed operators from offering online gambling titles to Michigan residents.

As the MGCB stated, unauthorized platforms like these post significant risks to Michigan users, including a lack of player protections, no guarantee of fair games and no recourse for disputes or withheld winnings. 

Regulators emphasized that eligible state residents should only play licensed and legal Michigan online casinos and sportsbooks that are listed on the MGCB website.

The MGCB has been continuously targeting offshore gambling websites in recent months. On top of the six cease-and-desist letters announced in September, regulators also issued 19 more in July, bringing the overall total to 37 orders sent out since the summer – a number that increases to over 50 if you include the 14 cease-and-desists issued in May.

All of these actions prove that Michigan is protecting its landscape of legal casino apps by treating offshore operators as a threat to the state and its regulated industry.

With these actions, the through-line is clear for everyone: Michigan is treating offshore-facing enforcement as a core regulatory activity, and a focus at the state level.

Grant Lucas