The Michigan Gaming Control Board has taken rapid action against nine internet casinos, issuing cease and desist letters for violating state gaming rules.
The impacted websites include a variety of casino-style games, including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as betting services on sporting events and horse races.
BetAnySports (BAS), Cool Cat Casino, BetDSI – Diamond Sportsbook International, d/b/a BetDSI.eu (BetDSI), Solar Game LTD and Busan Trade Office (Go Go Gold), My Dreams Casino, NonStop Casino, Palace of Chance, Xbet Casino, and WagerWeb have all received cease-and-desist orders.
“These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options,” Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB, told reporters. “Our role is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling activities are conducted legally and responsibly.” These operators have 14 days to stop their illicit operations or risk additional legal consequences.”
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The proliferation of unauthorized internet casinos has become a significant national problem. According to a 2022 study from the American Gaming Association (AGA), Americans bet more than $510 billion per year with illegal and unregulated companies such as online casinos and sportsbooks.
This uncontrolled sector not only weakens consumer safeguards, but also causes significant tax revenue losses for state and municipal governments. According to the AGA’s research, illicit gaming companies generate an estimated $13.3 billion in lost tax revenue each year.
These platforms avoid regulatory attention by operating under the pretext of sweepstakes, allowing them to skirt traditional gaming restrictions.
However, many of these sites lack adequate consumer safeguards, monitoring, and responsible gambling procedures, making them a dangerous choice for players and emphasizing the need of state-regulated gaming in ensuring consumer safety.
The examination into these unlawful gambling websites discovered that they are operating without the required Michigan gaming license, which violates multiple state laws.
Internet gambling in Michigan is only allowed for licensed operators. Only casinos regulated under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, as well as federally recognized tribal casinos, may apply for a gaming license.
Running a gambling operation without a valid MGCB license is a crime punishable by up to ten years in jail, a $100,000 fine, or both. Gambling that includes consideration, prize, or chance is generally forbidden.
Accepting payments with the assumption that they would be contingent on the result of unknown events is unlawful.
Although these sites accept a variety of deposit methods, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, they frequently require players to play through the entirety of their initial deposit at least once and earn a certain minimum dollar amount before they can withdraw their winnings.
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