Michigan Gaming Control Board Issues 45 Cease & Desist Letters
On April 7, 2026, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced that it had issued a cease-and-desist orders to 45 online gaming site operators over the last four months. This is not the first time that Michigan has targeted online gaming operators.
Michigan has been especially stringent in recent years when it comes to offshore gambling providers. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has sent numerous cease-and-desist letters to many operators in an effort to snuff out supposedly illegal online gambling activity.
What Is In The Letters?
According to the MGCB, these companies are violating Michigan law, which demands that they obtain proper licensure from the state if they wish to host internet gaming and/or sports betting. Laws cited in the letters include the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Lawful Sports Betting Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
All of the operators listed in the April 7 publication have been directed to stop any and all operations involving Michigan residents immediately. The MGCB is clearly attempting to send clear messaging to the entire offshore online gaming industry now that the state is regulating (and profiting from) US-based gambling operators.
About the Sites Targeted
This time around, the MGCB seems to be reporting on letters sent over the last four months. In this recent timeframe, the MGCB claims to have sent cease-and-desist letters to 45 online gambling providers.
Among the sites included are BetOnline, Americas Cardroom (ACR Poker), Sportsbetting.ag, WinPort Casino, True Poker, and Comic Play Casino. The majority of the sites focus on providing casino gaming; however, many of the sites offer sports betting and poker in addition to casino gaming, like BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag.
Sites like ACR Poker and True Poker focus on poker while most of the sites on this list exclusively offer casino games, like WinPort Casino.
The homepage of the WinPortCasino.com websiteWhy Is Michigan Doing This?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board contends that players may be left without “fundamental protections” when playing at an offshore unregulated site. Furthermore, the publication clarifies that consumers risk playing rigged games and may have winnings unfairly withheld.
Henry Williams is the Executive Director of the MGCB. Mr. Williams said:
Our investigators work with unwavering focus to identify, document, and act against every unlicensed site that puts Michigan players at risk. This is an ongoing effort, and we will continue to take action against illegal gambling operators.
What's Really Going On
By looking at the “How to Protect Yourself” section of its recent news statement, we can get a better idea of the potential motive. The section says the following: “Players should verify that a gaming site is licensed by visiting Michigan.gov/MGCB and reviewing the list of authorized operators.” It sure seems as though the purpose is to drive consumers toward Michigan-licensed organizations, which generate substantial tax revenue for the state.
After all, the MGCB has been in existence since 1997; yet, for the vast majority of that time, it did not concern itself with online gaming operations or supposedly protecting consumers. It has only been the past couple of years, now that Michigan has its own regulated online gaming economy, that it has decided to make a determined effort to snuff out offshore operators.
In 2024, we reported on the MGCB issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada. In April of 2025, the MGCB ordered 24 operators to stop operating in Michigan entirely.
In July of 2025, the MGCB issued another 6 letters. It seems as though the MGCB is determined to pursue offshore gaming operators.
Michigan's Efforts Backfiring?
Despite Michigan sending out piles of cease-and-desist letters to operators, compliance is not guaranteed. Some of the more reputable gaming operators may decide to obey the governance of the MGCB, out of an abundance of caution, while others might ignore them entirely. Frustratingly, this may push Michigan players away from more responsible and reputable platforms and toward the remaining, perhaps more daring, companies.
Safe Michigan Gaming Still Exists
There are still a number of trustworthy choices if you wish to play online poker or casino games. Ignition Casino is our top recommendation, and it gladly accepts Michigan residents. When you make your first cryptocurrency deposit, you'll get a 150% up to $1,500 poker bonus and another 150% up to $1,500 for casino games.
For more detailed information about Ignition, take a look at this extensive Ignition Casino Poker review.
You can also peruse a list of other MI-friendly online poker sites with this Michigan online poker guide. If you reside elsewhere, then you can instead head over to this USA offshore poker page.
April 10, 2026 – by Allen Woods, Author