Michigan targets 33 offshore gambling operators over illegal iGaming
Michigan’s gambling regulator has issued cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore gambling operators accused of offering online casino games, sweepstakes-style games and sports betting to residents without the required state licences, placing consumer protection and responsible gambling compliance at the centre of its latest enforcement action.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced the action on October 8, warning that players who have enrolled in state self-exclusion programmes can still access gambling services through unlicensed websites. Such platforms are not required to participate in Michigan’s responsible gambling database, potentially undermining protections designed to help people stop betting.
The regulator said its investigations found that all 33 operators were offering casino-style games, sweepstakes-style games or sports wagering to Michigan residents without a state licence. The announcement did not indicate that the letters represented criminal convictions or final judicial findings against the operators.
The enforcement action reinforces Michigan’s position that online gambling businesses must comply with state licensing requirements to legally serve its residents.
Michigan offshore gambling operators face enforcement action
The MGCB’s October 8 announcement identified 33 operators that it said were providing gambling services to Michigan residents without authorisation.
The named entities include Azartzona Casino, Basepoker, BingoMania, BitofGold, Cryptoplay, Del Oro Casino, Detective Slots, Donbet, Exclusive Casino, Genie Jackpot, Guangzhou Snail Interactive Technology Co., Ltd., Immersion Casino Online, iWild Casino, JacksPay, Jurassic Slots, L0tt0, Lucky Charm Sweep, Lucky Rebel, Magicianbet, mBit Casino, Odds Maker, Raging Bull Slots, Regal Casino and Sportsbook, Ronin Slots, Runewager, Slot Paradise, Sloto Tribe, Sloto’Cash Online Casino, Spin Dinero, SpinsTopia, Stardust, SunnySpins Casino and The Online Casino.
Regal Casino and Sportsbook was also identified as Wager Street.
The MGCB said operators that disregard its cease-and-desist directives could face further enforcement action in coordination with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The action follows an earlier enforcement initiative announced in April 2026, when the regulator reported sending cease-and-desist letters to 45 offshore gambling operators over a four-month period. The latest announcement signals continued efforts to restrict unlicensed online gambling activity in the state.
Self-exclusion protections do not extend to offshore sites
A central concern in the MGCB announcement is the gap between Michigan’s responsible gambling safeguards and the services offered by unlicensed platforms.
Licensed online gambling operators in Michigan must comply with the state’s Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database. The system allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from online gambling.
Offshore operators that are not licensed in Michigan have no equivalent obligation under the state’s regulatory framework. As a result, a person who has chosen to stop gambling may still be able to create an account, deposit funds and place wagers through an unlicensed website.
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said the enforcement action was intended to reinforce the protections available through the regulated market.
The regulator also warned that players using unlicensed sites may lack access to required deposit limits and other responsible gambling tools. They may also have fewer avenues for resolving disputes involving withheld winnings or closed accounts.
These limitations create a broader regulatory challenge: restricting access to illegal operators is not only a matter of market oversight but also a question of whether consumer safeguards remain effective when players move outside the licensed system.
Illegal gambling market raises wider industry concerns
Michigan’s enforcement action comes amid broader concerns about the scale of illegal and unregulated gambling in the United States.
An August 2025 analysis by the American Gaming Association (AGA) estimated that Americans wager approximately US$673.6 billion annually with illegal and unregulated gambling operators. The association said the market had grown 22% since its previous analysis in 2022.
The AGA also estimated that illegal online slots and table games generated US$18.6 billion in annual revenue. Its research found that the proportion of online casino players using only legal websites had fallen from 52% in 2022 to 24% in 2025, while 49% reported using both legal and illegal sites.
These figures describe the broader US market rather than Michigan alone. However, they provide context for the enforcement challenge facing state regulators as online gambling services operate across jurisdictional boundaries.
For licensed operators, compliance obligations include responsible gambling controls and adherence to state regulatory standards. Unlicensed competitors can operate outside those requirements, creating potential risks for consumers and raising questions about fair competition.
Michigan reinforces online gambling licensing requirements
Under Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Lawful Sports Betting Act and related state laws, businesses must obtain the required state authorisation to offer internet gaming or sports wagering legally in Michigan.
The MGCB advised residents to check its official list of authorised online gaming and sports betting platforms before placing wagers.
People who encounter suspected illegal gambling websites can report them to the regulator by emailing MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov or calling its anonymous tip line at 1-888-314-2682.
The October enforcement action highlights the importance of verifying an operator’s licensing status rather than relying solely on a website’s branding, marketing or claims about its services.
For the wider iGaming industry, the case illustrates how regulatory enforcement and responsible gambling protections intersect. Michigan’s next steps will depend on operator compliance and any further action taken by the state against businesses that continue to target residents without the required authorisation.
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Sources
Michigan Gaming Control Board
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