The Michigan Gaming Control Board has taken another step to curb illegal online gambling by ordering a group of offshore operators to stop offering casino-style games and sports betting to residents in the state. Through a series of cease-and-desist letters, the regulator signaled that it intends to continue active oversight of Michigan’s internet gaming and sports wagering market and limit access to unlicensed platforms.
According to the MGCB, investigators determined that multiple offshore websites were accepting wagers from Michigan players without holding the licenses required under state law. The agency said these activities violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Lawful Sports Betting Act, and related statutes that govern how online gambling may be offered within Michigan.
“Illegal online gambling sites operate without oversight, putting players at risk and undermining Michigan’s secure, regulated marketplace,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We will continue to take relentless, decisive action to prevent unlicensed operators from targeting Michigan residents and ensure that all gaming is conducted lawfully and responsibly.”
Sites named in enforcement actions
The MGCB identified a set of 12 offshore operators that received cease-and-desist letters. The sites named included 31 Bets Casino, Betnuvo, BetPhoenix, Booty.bet, Jackpotter, Kings Chance Casino, Mybitcoin Casino, Starbets, The Virtual Casino, This Is Vegas, Vegas Strip Casino, and xWin90. The regulator said these platforms were offering online casino-style games or sports betting to Michigan residents without authorization.
The agency said the sites were providing gambling services “without proper licensure.” The regulator stated that the operators have been directed to stop targeting Michigan customers within 14 days. Failure to comply could lead to additional enforcement measures, including referral of the matter to the Michigan Attorney General.
Consumer protection and market oversight
Alongside the enforcement notices, the MGCB warned that unauthorized gambling websites expose players to significant risks. The agency said offshore sites typically lack required player protections, offer no assurance that games are fair, and do not provide reliable avenues for resolving disputes or recovering withheld winnings. Michigan residents were again urged to verify that any online casino or sportsbook they use appears on the MGCB’s list of licensed and approved platforms.
The regulator framed its actions as part of a broader effort to maintain confidence in Michigan’s regulated market, which has grown into one of the largest iGaming jurisdictions in the United States. In its most recent monthly report, Michigan’s commercial and tribal operators recorded $335.7 million in combined gross receipts from internet gaming and online sports betting in November 2025. Of that total, $248.4 million came from iGaming and $87.3 million from online sports wagering. The state reported $53.0 million in taxes and payments from those activities during the same month.
MGCB officials said the size of the legal market increases the incentive for offshore operators to seek Michigan customers while avoiding licensing and compliance obligations. As a result, the agency has continued to issue cease-and-desist letters as both a warning to consumers and a deterrent to unlicensed operators.
Continued pattern of enforcement
The current action follows similar steps taken earlier in 2025. In July, the MGCB announced that it had sent cease-and-desist letters to 19 offshore gambling websites, calling illegal supply a serious threat to consumer safeguards and market integrity. Two months earlier, in May, the regulator disclosed that 14 offshore operators had received similar notices for violations of Michigan’s gambling laws.
While the MGCB has not announced whether it plans to expand enforcement to include marketing channels, payment processors, or other support services connected to offshore sites, the agency said it will continue monitoring compliance. For now, the message to unlicensed operators remains consistent: stop serving Michigan residents or face further regulatory action.
