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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is one of the most committed US regulators fighting unlicensed gambling sites. The regulatory body has issued another cease-and-desist letter to an unlicensed operator.
The MGCB news release from Aug. 27 noted it sent a warning letter to OC Media Holdings LLC, operating as One Country Give, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Key takeaways
- The MGCB conducted a thorough investigation into One Country’s activities after it received a tip about the company’s operations being available to Michigan residents.
- The agency stated that One Country’s practice of offering online lotteries violated numerous state laws.
- One Country is the second unregulated online casino and social media platform targeting US players against which the MGCB recently took action.
The MGCB is taking appropriate legal action against another site
According to the press release, One Country generates revenue from monthly membership sales, offering player entries into various “sweepstakes” advertised on their website and social media platforms.
The regulator emphasized that sweepstakes are online lotteries and raffles that are unlicensed under Michigan law and operate illegally.
The MGCB constantly aims to safeguard consumers and uphold the integrity of Michigan’s gaming regulations. Therefore, it has thoroughly investigated One Country’s activities after being tipped off about the company’s operations and business model being accessible to Michigan players.
Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB said in the news release:
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board will not, and does not, tolerate activities that circumvent our laws and threaten the integrity of the highly regulated gaming industry in Michigan.
We are committed to upholding state law to ensure a fair and honest gaming environment for all Michigan citizens, and we will keep issuing cease-and-desist letters and taking appropriate legal actions to halt illegal gaming in the state of Michigan.”
One Country Give violates three laws in Michigan
One Country Give operates multiple online lotteries and raffles concurrently. It also offers four membership levels with different monthly fees:
- 300 entries each month for $15 per month
- 900 entries each month for $25 per month
- 3,750 entries each month for $50 per month
- 6,000 entries each month for $75 per month
Illegal under Michigan law, One Country violated three state laws:
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which states that only a licensed internet gaming operator can offer internet gaming.
- Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, which prohibits a party from conducting a gambling operation without a license issued by the MGCB
- Michigan Penal Code, which broadly prohibits any form of gambling
Only casinos licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and federally authorized tribal casinos within the state can apply for an internet gaming operator license.
One Country has 14 days from receipt of the letter to stop offering gambling services to Michigan residents through its websites and social media platforms.
If One Country disregards the letter, the MGCB says it is ready to work with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to take appropriate legal action to address the violations identified.
Michigan regulators went after Bovada earlier this year
The MGCB recently targeted another offshore online casino operator. At the end of May, the MGCB sent a warning letter to Bovada.
The operator did not meet the regulator’s 14-day deadline, but it did stop taking bets from Michigan players in June. After the MGCB took action, ten other states joined the initiative with Ohio becoming the latest to block Bovada.
Unlicensed operators do not pay the taxes that legal Michigan online casinos do. So, if illegal operators target and attract Michigan players, the revenue they generate in taxes misses the state.
The MGCB reminds players to be cautious when engaging in online gaming activities and to verify the legality of sites before participating.
Citizens should report any suspicious gambling operations to the MGCB by calling 1-888-314-2682 or sending a message to [email protected].
