【willbet sportsbook login NJ】Michigan Takes Action Against Two Offshore Casinos

Michigan is taking a stand against illegal gambling activities within its borders. Just this week, the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced the issuance of cease-and-desist letters to offshore gaming brands Lucky Tiger Casino and Rich Palms Casino over unregulated gambling in the state.

Investigation Into Illegal Gambling Operations

In its press release, the gambling watchdog explained that it received a tip regarding the operations of the two websites. This initiated an investigation by the MGCB, which found that the casino sites offered several games of chance in Michigan.

The two sites are operated by Alistair Solutions NV, which is located in Curaçao. They offer Michigan players games like slots, table games, and video poker, but not in accordance with state laws.
Official Statement from the MGCB

In the statement, MGCB’s Executive Director Henry Williams said that operators who operate outside of the law will face consequences:

“MGCB will continue to make it clear that any operator found to be operating unlawfully will face appropriate consequences. This agency has zero tolerance for illegal gambling. We will continue to exercise our regulatory oversight and authority to protect the interests of Michigan citizens and licensed operators and ensure that all online gambling activities available here are compliant with the law.”

Violations of State Gambling Laws

With their unlawful iGaming products in Michigan, both Lucky Tiger Casino and Rich Palms Casino broke the rules for internet gambling in the Great Lakes State. Here are their infractions:

Lawful Internet Gaming Act: It regulates that iGaming can only be offered by licensed entities. However, none of them are licensed. Additionally, online brands with permits from the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and federally licensed tribal casinos can apply for such licenses. Lastly, only licensed iGaming platform providers can supply gambling-related software for an iGaming operator.

Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: This act bans an entity from offering a gambling product without approval from MGCB. An entity that operates such unlawful gambling activity is considered guilty of a felony and can face up to 10 years of prison time or a fine of US$100,000, sometimes both.

Michigan Penal Code: This code prohibits any form of unlicensed gambling that involves consideration, a prize, and chance. An example is accepting money or another item of value with the promise that it will be paid to anyone based on the outcome of an event.

Deadline for Compliance

Both Lucky Tiger Casino and Rich Palms Casino have 14 days from the date of the letter's issuance to suspend all offshore betting operations currently offered to the Michigan public. If they do not comply by the deadline, they may face additional legal action or penalties.

In its press release, MGCB has once again advised its players to exercise caution when participating in iGaming and always to verify whether a site is licensed before playing.

The regulator has also provided the complete list of the currently licensed brands on its official website. Some of those operators are DraftKings Casino & Sportsbook, Four Winds Casino & Sportsbook, Hollywood Casino & ESPN BET Sportsbook, BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino & Sportsbooks, and others.

MGCB also reminds residents that they can report suspicious or unlawful gambling operations to the agency by phoning 1-888-314-2682 or sending a message to [email protected].

Ongoing Efforts Against Illegal Gambling

This is not the first time that the MGCB has taken action against unlawful gambling operators. Over the last few years, the regulator has been determined to crack down on offshore betting sites, as they operate outside the law and can harm locals.

In March 2025 alone, the iGaming watchdog issued cease-and-desist letters to 10 illegal offshore operators for unregulated activities within the state’s virtual borders.

These letters were sent to the following websites: Aladdin’s Gold Casino, All Star Slots, Buzz Luck, Club World Casinos, CryptoReels, High Noon, Lucky Red Casino, Manhattan Slots Casino, ReelSpin Casino, and Slotter Casino. These are owned by Apex Dynamics Ltd., a company based in Belize, and are not permitted to operate legally in Michigan.

Warning Ahead of the Final

With the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game around the corner (April 7, 2025), the MGCB took the opportunity to remind players to bet responsibly and to only wager on state-licensed sites.

This is because as iGaming grows more popular, so does the number of unregulated sites where player protections are often not in place. Here’s what Williams said on the topic:

“As millions of fans gear up to watch the NCAA Championship, we want to remind Michigan residents to enjoy March Madness safely and legally by placing their bets on licensed platforms. Betting on illegal, offshore websites exposes you to risks such as fraud, unfair play, and a lack of responsible gaming support.”

The regulator also reminded that the state’s sports betting rules have been developed to strike a balance between consumer protection, responsible play, and regulatory compliance. That’s why, to ensure that bettors are safe, MGCB advises always using licensed iGaming platforms when placing bets online.