Michigan Bans 45 Offshore Operators in Four-Month Enforcement Push
The MGCB confirmed each operator accepted wagers from Michigan residents without a state licence. Executive Director Henry Williams said the action targets operators that put consumers at risk and undercut licenced competitors. The crackdown covered the past four months and involved coordination with law enforcement.
Michigan law requires any operator that offers online gaming or sports betting to state residents to have an MGCB licence. Both the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Lawful Sports Betting Act ask for that requirement. Operators that do not comply with cease-and-desist orders face further civil and criminal action.
The 45 operators named ran without regulatory oversight, technical audits, or responsible gambling requirements. Players on those platforms had no access to dispute resolution tools. The MGCB flagged additional risks such as game manipulation and misuse of personal and financial data.
The MGCB has published a dedicated email address and phone number for residents to report suspicious platforms.
TGJ Take
The MGCB issued 45 orders in four months and backed each one with civil and criminal enforcement powers. Licensed operators in Michigan now compete against 45 fewer unlicensed platforms. For affiliates, Michigan traffic must go to licenced operators. The MGCB has shown it pursues non-compliance, and the pace of enforcement is not slowing down.
