Michigan orders 33 offshore operators to stop taking bets

The illegal gambling market has grown 22% since 2022, according to the American Gaming Association.

The hit

Michigan’s gaming regulator has sent cease-&-desist letters to 33 offshore operators for offering unlicensed online casino, sweepstakes & sports betting to state residents. The Michigan Gaming Control Board said Thursday that self-excluded players have no protection on these unlicensed sites.

Why it matters

Self-exclusion only works if every site honours it. Offshore operators ignore Michigan’s Responsible Gaming Database, so someone who has banned themselves can still deposit & bet without knowing the site breaks state law. The MGCB says it has no way to help get that money back. MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams says operators who ignore the state’s protections “will hear from us”.

The record

Operators sent letters	33 (Michigan Gaming Control Board)
Annual illegal gambling wagers	$673.6bn across the US (American Gaming Association, Aug 2025)
Growth in illegal market since 2022	22% (American Gaming Association)
Illegal sports betting wagers	$84bn in the year covered by the study (American Gaming Association)
Legal-only online casino players	down from 52% in 2022 to 24% (American Gaming Association)

What happens next

Watch whether any of the named operators, including Sloto’Cash & mBit Casino, respond or continue operating in Michigan despite the letters.

Sources: Michigan gaming regulators target 33 illegal offshore operators

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