Michigan issues cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore gambling operators

The Michigan Gaming Control Board said it sent cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore gambling operators that allegedly offered online casino games, sweepstakes-style games and sports betting to Michigan residents without a state license. Recipients included operators of Azartzona Casino, Basepoker, BingoMania, BitofGold, Cryptoplay and others.

The MGCB warned that Michigan residents enrolled in self-exclusion programs receive no protection on unlicensed sites. Licensed operators must honor the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, but offshore operators are not bound by it. Executive Director Henry Williams said self-exclusion is respected in Michigan's legal market, while offshore sites do not respect it and can accept deposits from people seeking help.

The agency cited an August 2025 American Gaming Association analysis estimating Americans wager $673.6 billion annually with illegal and unregulated gambling operators, including offshore sites. The illegal market has grown 22% since the AGA's previous report in 2022. The share of online casino players using only legal sites fell from 52% in 2022 to 24%, while nearly half now use both legal and illegal sites. The AGA also estimated $84 billion in bets with illegal bookies and offshore sportsbooks in the year covered, with one in 10 sports bettors wagering only through illegal sources.

The MGCB said it sent cease-and-desist letters to 45 offshore operators over four months through April 2026. Operators that ignore the directives may face further enforcement with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.