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Michigan Acts Against 33 Illegal Offshore Gambling Operators

October 10, 2026
Priya Patel

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore gambling operators found to be illegally offering online casino, sweepstakes-style games, and sports betting to Michigan residents. This enforcement action highlights ongoing risks for players using unlicensed sites and the limits of protections outside the regulated market.

The MGCB’s investigation identified operators including Azartzona Casino, Basepoker, BingoMania, BitofGold, Cryptoplay, and others that have been accepting bets without a state license. These offshore sites operate outside Michigan’s regulatory framework and do not participate in the state’s Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, which allows players to self-exclude from gambling activities.

For players, this means those who have voluntarily chosen to block themselves from gambling can still open accounts and place bets on these unlicensed platforms, often without realizing the sites operate outside Michigan law. The MGCB warns that deposits made on illegal sites are not recoverable through state protections, increasing the risk of financial loss.

“Choosing to self-exclude is one of the hardest and most courageous decisions a person can make, and in Michigan’s legal market, that choice is respected,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “Offshore sites don’t respect it. They will take a deposit from someone who has asked for help and the MGCB has no way to help that person get it back.”

Williams emphasized that the cease-and-desist letters put these operators “on notice that our residents are not an untapped market and that anyone who thinks they can ignore our protections will hear from us.” This signals a firm stance against illegal offshore gambling targeting Michigan players.

National data illustrates the scale of illegal gambling activity. According to a 2025 American Gaming Association (AGA) analysis, Americans wager nearly $674 billion annually with illegal and unregulated operators, including offshore sites. The illegal market has grown 22% since 2022, driven largely by increased online casino play. The study found that the share of online casino players using only legal sites dropped from 52% in 2022 to 24%, while nearly half now play on both legal and illegal sites.

Sports bettors are also affected by illegal operators. The AGA reported that $84 billion in bets were placed with illegal bookies and offshore sportsbooks during the study period. Many bettors may not realize they are using unlicensed operators; 70% of those who placed most wagers illegally believed they were betting only with legal sportsbooks or splitting bets evenly between legal and illegal ones.

For Michigan players, the MGCB’s action serves as a reminder to use licensed operators that comply with state regulations designed to protect consumers. Licensed sites provide safeguards such as verified player identity, secure transactions, and access to responsible gambling tools, including self-exclusion programs.

Players concerned about gambling harm can access Michigan’s self-exclusion program through licensed operators, ensuring their choice to step away is respected and supported. Using unlicensed offshore sites bypasses these protections and increases risks related to fairness, security, and financial loss.

More information is available on the Michigan Gaming Control Board website. Additional context on regulation and player protections can be found in GamblingNews.today’s coverage of player protection and illegal gambling.

Source: CDC Gaming.

Priya Patel
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