Michigan Gaming Control Board to Bovada: Cut It Out!
On May 29, 2024, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada, a popular online gambling website. According to the letter, unless Bovada stops accepting customers from Michigan, the MGCB will take unspecified “legal action.”
What is the Michigan Gaming Control Board?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is the primary governmental regulatory body that is in charge of licensing, enforcing, and regulating all gambling activities in the state of Michigan.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has been very active over the past few years. The agency has issued licenses to online operators, like PokerStars and BetMGM. After they began licensing operators, the agency started to seriously crack down on supposedly illegal gambling operations.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is responsible for enforcing the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
Michigan is Tough on Online Gambling Operators
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that an online gambling website has had trouble operating in Michigan. Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and Luckyland are all owned and operated by an Australian-based company called VGW.
Back in October 2023, VGW decided to stop serving players in Michigan. This decision was made after the MGCB had begun cracking down on multiple supposedly illegal live and online gambling operations.
The MGCB executed raids on live betting parlors in Flint, Michigan, and seized gambling equipment, like poker tables, and slots. In addition, the MGCB ordered another online casino site called Golden Hearts Games to stop operating in Michigan.
The MGCB also enacted a ban on Daily Fantasy Sports operators around the same time. It seems as though all of these moves are aimed at stopping supposedly illegal and unlicensed gambling sites from competing directly with licensed Michigan gambling providers, like PokerStars and BetMGM.
What is Bovada?
Many of our readers are likely familiar with Bovada. Bovada.lv is a longstanding online poker, sports betting, and casino gambling provider that primarily serves players in the United States.
Website of Bovada.lvBovada specifically caters to players in the United States. The site has been in operation for many years and has amassed a solid reputation by offering fair games of chance, sports betting, and a popular poker room.
More About the Cease-And-Desist Letter
The MGCB has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada or more specifically, Harp Media B.V., the company responsible for Bovada operating in the United States and Michigan.
Violations alleged by the MGCBIn the letter, the MGCB has ordered Bovada to stop offering online gambling to players residing in Michigan. The MGCB has given Bovada 14 days from the day the letter was issued to comply.
MGCB Comments on Bovada and the Letter
The Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board had a few things to say regarding Bovada and this most recent action.
The proliferation of online gaming platforms has led to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide, and this action serves as a stern warning to overseas companies that flouting local regulations will not be tolerated...the MGCB remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding Michigan’s laws and regulations and will continue to actively monitor and enforce compliance within the state to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment for all.
The MGCB is quite serious and will not be taken lightly. Although Curacao eGaming licenses Bovada, the MGCB clearly does not want Bovada to continue operating in Michigan because it is not licensed in Michigan.
Whether Bovada willingly complies with this directive remains to be seen. At the time of publishing this article, Michigan residents are still allowed to register and play at Bovada. Michigan is not included in the list of prohibited states in the Terms of Service on the Bovada.lv website.
Reputable Offshore Gambling Still Available in Michigan and Most States
Although the MGCB is targeting online gambling operators, Michigan residents still have a few reliable options for offshore gambling. Michigan residents may want to check out our Michigan online poker page to learn more.
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For more information about Bovada, check out this detailed Bovada review.