Michigan regulators have ramped up efforts to block illegal online gambling platforms, stepping in to protect local players and the state’s regulated market.
Good to know
- Michigan classifies unlicensed gambling as a felony offense.
- Offshore platforms often lack proper consumer safeguards.
- The state’s gaming board has power to block and prosecute illegal operators.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) recently ordered four offshore gambling websites to stop operating in the state. The targeted platforms — You Wager, Bet Pop Casino, Wager 7, and Discount Wager — had been accepting bets from Michigan users without a state license.
After investigating their activities, the MGCB concluded that these websites were violating several local laws, including the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Officials pointed out that such platforms also ignore the state’s consumer protection rules, offering little to no security for users who might face issues with payments or disputes.
“These operations violate Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code. Additionally, they pose risks to consumers, including the lack of player protections, responsible gaming safeguards and legal recourse in the event of disputes,” the MGCB stated.
Under Michigan law, running or profiting from an unlicensed gambling business is considered a felony. The penal code makes it clear that taking bets based on games of chance or uncertain outcomes without authorization is illegal. Offshore operators often try to bypass these rules by targeting U.S. customers while operating from jurisdictions that do not enforce the same standards.
The regulator noted that such platforms not only ignore licensing laws but also threaten the trust and fairness built into Michigan’s legal gambling market. Consumers using unlicensed sites risk losing funds and have no legal path to recover their losses.
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams added, “Illegal gambling operations prey on vulnerable consumers and undermine the integrity of the regulated gaming industry. Michigan residents deserve the protections that come with licensed, legal gaming. We will continue to take strong action against those who skirt the law.”
The MGCB has taken similar action before, a last time targeting 11 casinos, and continues to monitor the online gambling space. As more states expand regulated iGaming and sports betting, Michigan remains firm on maintaining clear boundaries between licensed and illegal platforms.
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