Share 
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has ordered eight unlicensed online casinos to halt operations in the state. Cease-and-desist orders were issued to FortuneJack, Aussie Play, Play at Harry’s Casino, CryptoGames, MyStake Casino, Hugewin Casino, RuneChat and Slots Garden.
The MGCB said the sites violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The letters require the operators to stop accepting wagers from anyone located in Michigan, effective immediately. The action mirrors a similar enforcement sweep taken earlier this year, when the agency shut down eight illegal platforms at once.
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said the platforms often appear legitimate but operate in violation of state law. The board said it will coordinate with the attorney general’s office on enforcement efforts.
Michigan targets illegal online gambling to protect players and market
Williams said the board’s primary goal is to protect the public and maintain integrity in Michigan’s regulated online casinos. He noted that many illegal sites look sophisticated but expose players to significant risks, including loss of funds and the misuse of personal information because they do not follow state data-protection standards.
According to the board, unregulated operators do not undergo independent testing or technical audits, fail to meet responsible gaming requirements, and provide no reliable complaint or dispute resolution processes. In some cases, offshore platforms may accept deposits without any obligation to return funds or process withdrawals. Consumers who lose money or experience identity theft on such sites have no recourse through Michigan authorities.
Williams said every illegal operator undermines the state’s regulated market, pulls players away from licensed platforms and erodes public trust. He added that the regulated system depends on consistent rules, financial audits and consumer safeguards. When illegal operators gain access to the market, it distorts fair competition and puts players at risk.
“Our job is to protect players and preserve a fair and lawful marketplace,” Williams said. “If a company wants access to Michigan’s gaming market, it must follow the rules and obtain a license.”
Michigan law requires licensing for all online gambling operators
Michigan law reserves internet gambling for operators holding a state license issued by the MGCB. Licensed real-money online casinos must obtain regulatory approval before offering games and must continue complying with all state rules.
The eight offshore casinos cited in the letters violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, the agency said. The board also pointed to provisions of the Michigan Penal Code that prohibit illegal gambling. The laws apply whenever a site accepts wagers from people physically located in Michigan, regardless of where the company is based.
Currently, 16 online casinos are licensed in the state, including BetMGM, Caesars Palace, BetRivers, DraftKings, and Fanatics.
Michigan has taken similar action in recent months, issuing orders to other platforms operating without licenses. The board said it is working with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to investigate operators who ignore directives, adding that failure to leave the state could result in further enforcement steps.
How Michigan residents can avoid illegal gambling websites
The MGCB urged residents to verify that a gambling operator is approved by checking its website before placing a wager. The board also directed players to the Play It Smart Michigan initiative, which guides on identifying legitimate platforms and avoiding those that are not.
Anyone who encounters a suspicious gambling site can report it by calling 888-314-2682, emailing MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov or filing a tip through Michigan.gov/MGCB.
“The rule is simple,” Williams said. “If it’s not licensed in Michigan, it’s not legal in Michigan.”
