Illegal US betting market hits $673.6bn, up 22% since 2022

Americans placed an estimated $84bn with illegal bookies & offshore sportsbooks, the American Gaming Association says.

The hit

Michigan’s gaming regulator has sent cease-&-desist letters to 32 offshore gambling operators, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The sites were found offering unlicensed online-casino, sweepstakes-style & sports betting to state residents. The board warned players on its self-exclusion list have no protection if they use these sites.

Why it matters

Licensed Michigan operators must honour the state’s self-exclusion database, letting people lock themselves out of betting. Offshore sites carry no such obligation, so a self-excluded bettor can still open an account & deposit money there, often without realising the site sits outside Michigan law, the board said. The MGCB said it has no way to recover deposits taken by these sites.

The record

Cease-&-desist letters issued	32 offshore operators (Michigan Gaming Control Board)
Illegal gambling market, US	$673.6bn wagered yearly (American Gaming Association, August 2025)
Growth in illegal market	up 22% since the AGA’s 2022 report
Legal-only online-casino players	down from 52% in 2022 to 24% (AGA)
Illegal bookie & offshore sportsbook bets	$84bn estimated (AGA)

What happens next

Watch for whether the named operators comply with Michigan’s cease-&-desist letters, & whether the MGCB pursues further enforcement against offshore sites still reachable by state residents.

Sources: Michigan gaming regulators target 32 illegal offshore operators

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