Last Updated on 2025-07-03 by igamingdirect
Michigan Regulators Crack Down on 19 Unlicensed Online Gambling Operations
In its most significant enforcement move to date, Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed Gambling Sites by sending cease-and-desist letters to 19 offshore gambling operators illegally canvassing Michigan residents. These actions mark a decisive escalation by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to secure its regulated online gaming ecosystem.
“Illegal gambling operators threaten the safety of our citizens and the integrity of our gaming industry,” stated MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams, underlining the agency’s zero-tolerance approach. “When companies offer games without proper licensing, Michigan players are left without the critical protections they deserve.”
This news comes a few weeks after Michigan announced they had record online gambling revenue last May. Considering that online gambling is a large source of tax revenue, the state is serious about protecting it.
Which Unlicensed Casinos Operating in Michigan have Been Told to Stop
Here are the 19 Online Casinos ordered to halt operations in Michigan within 14 days, for flouting the state’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Sports Betting Act, and Michigan Penal Code:
- Bingo Village
- BITBET
- Café Casino
- Cocoa Casino
- Cyber Bingo
- Davinci’s Gold
- Desert Nights Casino
- Diamond Reels Online Casino
- Eclipse Casino
- Eternal Slots
- EuroBets Casino
- Fair Go Casino
- GoldWin Casino
- Ignition Casino
- Jackbit
- Jackpot Capital
- Paradise8
- Red Stag Casino
- Two Up Casino
These operators have two weeks to cease all activity aimed at Michigan residents or face prosecution, civil fines, and other measures pursued by the MGCB in coordination with Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
Michigan Investigating More Gambling Websites and Platforms
The MGCB also named additional sites currently under investigation that are potentially operating illegally in Michigan. They include:
- BoVegas Casino
- BUSR
- Cherry Gold Casino
- Lucky Legends
- Wager Attack Casino
These platforms are suspected of marketing, accepting wagers, and taking deposits within Michigan without fulfilling regulatory requirements.
Consumer Safeguards at Stake
According to the MGCB, players using unlicensed sites face significant vulnerabilities:
- No assurance of payout
- Potentially rigged or unfair gameplay
- Lack of recourse in fraud or dispute cases:
Williams emphasized that these shadow operators “are exposing players to serious harm,” with no consumer protections or oversight in place.
Part of a Broader Regulatory Offensive Against Unlicensed Gambling Sites
This action builds on a broader MGCB campaign launched earlier this year. In mid‑June, the board had issued similar letters to five unlicensed operators: BoVegas, BUSR, Cherry Gold, Lucky Legends, and Wager Attack. Highlighting a proactive strategy to curb offshore sites targeting Michigan’s market.
By tallying these 19 new letters with prior enforcement efforts, including about 59 C&D notices in the past 12 months the MGCB is sending a clear message: legal online gambling thrives, but rogue offshore sites will not.
The Offshore Gambling Enforcement Dilemma
While the MGCB’s cease-and-desist letters carry weight within Michigan, enforcing action against offshore gambling operators is notoriously complex.
Part of the Offshore Gambling Enforcement Dilemma is that many of these sites are incorporated in loose or permissive jurisdictions places like Curaçao, Panama, or Costa Rica. These are countries where regulatory standards vary wildly, and cooperation with U.S. authorities is limited or nonexistent. Even when authorities identify illegal behavior, they often have:
- No legal jurisdiction to physically shut down websites hosted overseas
- Limited leverage to collect fines or prosecute foreign executives
- Difficulty blocking access, as sites can simply rebrand or redirect under a new domain
“Shutting down an offshore site is like playing whack-a-mole,” one compliance expert told me years ago during a similar crackdown in New Jersey. “You close one door, and three more open up with a VPN and a new URL.”
As long as there is a profit to be made, offshore gambling websites will continue to operate. Especially since online gaming now captures nearly one-third of all commercia gaming revenue.
To make matters worse, many U.S. consumers are unaware they’re gambling illegally, as these platforms use familiar branding, polished interfaces, and even mimic U.S. customer service operations.
Still, experts agree that cease-and-desist orders help isolate these operators, make payment processing more difficult, and inform consumers. They’re not silver bullets but they’re a start.
What to Watch Next
Compliance deadline: Operators have until mid‑July to fully withdraw from the Michigan market or risk escalated actions.
Consumer reporting: Residents are urged to report suspicious gambling sites via MGCB’s hotline (1‑888‑314‑2682) or by email.
Healthy iGaming ecosystem: Regulated platforms in Michigan benefit from oversight that enforces fairness, timely payouts, and responsible gaming features—advantages absent in unlicensed alternatives.
Bottom Line on Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed Gambling Sites
As Michigan approaches two years of regulated iGaming and sports betting under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, its regulator is rapidly plugging loopholes exploited by offshore operators. This aggressive posture underscores a firm commitment: safeguarding consumers, preserving industry integrity, and ensuring only licensed, monitored platforms serve Michigan players.