Michigan Gaming Control Board Sends 33 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Offshore Gambling Operators

14 October 2026

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore gambling operators, asserting they were illegally offering online casino games, sweepstakes-style games, and sports betting to the state's residents.

Players who deposit on offshore sites face risks that are largely absent from Michigan's regulated online gaming market. Offshore platforms do not provide self-exclusion protections, deposit limits, or other responsible gaming tools available to players who gamble with Michigan's licensed operators, the MGCB warned.

The regulator's Executive Director, Henry Williams, publicly assailed the offshore sites, noting that once someone places a bet with one of these entities, the MGCB has no jurisdiction or recourse to protect the player, especially for those who have voluntarily self-excluded to block access to gambling. "Offshore sites will gladly accept deposits from people who need help," Williams stated, "and we have no way to help those players recover those funds."

Under state law, all companies that offer internet gaming and sports wagering in Michigan must be properly licensed by the MGCB.

More on this is available via www.gambling-sites.biz.

This crackdown comes as the latest chapter in the MGCB's ongoing campaign against offshore gambling operators. In April, the Board sent cease-and-desist letters to 45 other overseas platforms. The regulator's efforts aim at protecting Michigan residents from the risks and harms of gambling on unlicensed sites. Operators that ignore the MGCB's directives may face additional enforcement actions, in coordination with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

The MGCB's recent move underscores the regulator's focus on consumer protection, especially for players who do not want to be served by any gambling operator at all. The Board has made it clear that its licensed and regulated market remains the only safe and responsible option for consumers.