Doug Bonjour is a veteran sportswriter with more than a decade of experience, including in the realm of sports betting. He’s written for the New York Times, Associated Press, CBS Sports and Hearst Connecticut Media...
Read Full BioMichigan’s Gaming Control Board continued its crackdown on illegal offshore operators last week, issuing another 11 cease-and-desist letters to online casinos found to be “unlawfully targeting” state residents.
The following websites have been ordered to immediately stop offering online slots, table games, and video poker: Shazam Casino, Highway Casino, SlotsRoom, Ruby Slots Casino, Las Atlantis Casino, Big Bet Dollar Casino, Blood Moon Casino, Spinfinity, Jumba Bet Casino, Grand Eagle Online Casino, and DogsFortune.
Operators have been given 14 days from receiving the letter to cease operations. If they fail to comply, the MGCB will pursue legal action through the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
Michigan Relentless in Enforcement
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board remains fully committed to ensuring a fair, safe, and lawful gaming environment for all Michigan residents,” MGCB executive director Henry Williams said. “This agency has zero tolerance for illegal gambling. We will continue to exercise our regulatory oversight and authority to protect the interests of Michigan citizens and licensed operators and ensure that all online gambling activities available here are compliant with the law.”
This comes one day after the MGCB sent cease-and-desist letters to Lucky Tiger Casino and Rich Palms Casino, in which it accused both of violating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
Michigan has 12 licensed online casino operators, including nine partnered with tribes. In addition to sports betting, Michigan is one of seven states with legal iGaming, joining Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Legal iGaming generated a record $2.4 billion in Michigan in 2024, an increase of 26.3% from the previous year.
Consumer Complaints and Unethical Practices
The MGCB said in a press release that the sites in question offer payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies, to lure players into “risky gambling environments” through deceptive practices ranging from withholding winnings to excessive wagering requirements.
The organization also noted that “players have reported that they are required to wager their deposits multiple times before being allowed to access their winnings, a practice that is not only unethical but also in violation of Michigan’s legal protections for gamblers.”
“In addition to financial risks, these illegal platforms also fail to adhere to state standards for responsible gaming, consumer protection, and data security, leaving users vulnerable to fraud, identity theft, and other financial dangers.”
As such, residents are asked to exercise caution when participating in online gaming and to verify each site’s legitimacy.
