Connect with us
mgcb-cracks-down-on-13-illegal-offshore-gambling-websites-targeting-state-residents mgcb-cracks-down-on-13-illegal-offshore-gambling-websites-targeting-state-residents

Compliance Updates

MGCB cracks down on 13 illegal offshore gambling websites targeting state residents

Published

on

 

Action aims to safeguard Michigan players from unregulated, high-risk gambling practices

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken swift and decisive action against 13 illegal offshore gambling websites, which were found to be unlawfully targeting Michigan residents. The websites in question—Captain Jack CasinoCasino Brango, Ducky Luck Casino, El Royale Casino, Jazz CasinoJazz Sports Casino RacebookLooselinesPlanet 7 CasinoRed Dog CasinoRoyal Oak CasinoSilver Oak CasinoSkybook, and Slots of Vegas—were operating without proper state licenses, in clear violation of Michigan law.

The operators of these sites, based in jurisdictions including Curaçao, Costa Rica, and the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, have been issued cease-and-desist orders by the MGCB. The action comes as part of ongoing efforts to protect Michigan’s residents from unregulated gambling practices and ensure the integrity of the state’s gaming industry.

Protecting Michigan Residents from Illegal Gambling Risks “These illegal gambling websites put Michigan residents at significant personal and financial risk,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. “Our priority is to maintain a secure and regulated gaming environment. These websites not only violate Michigan’s laws but also engage in deceptive practices that endanger consumers, including withholding winnings and imposing unfair wagering requirements.”

The websites, which allowed Michigan players to gamble using a variety of payment methods—such as credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies—engaged in dishonest practices, such as restricting withdrawals and demanding players meet high, often unreasonable, wagering thresholds before accessing their funds. This leaves users vulnerable to financial exploitation and undermines the fairness of the gambling experience.

In addition to financial risks, these offshore operators do not meet Michigan’s standards for responsible gaming, consumer protection, or data security, putting users at further risk of fraud and identity theft.

A Strong Message to Offshore Operators

The MGCB’s action serves as a firm warning to illegal offshore operators attempting to skirt Michigan’s legal framework. The cease-and-desist letters instruct the operators to cease all unlawful activities within 14 days of receipt. If the operators fail to comply, the MGCB will work with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action against these entities.

How Michigan Residents Can Protect Themselves

The MGCB strongly encourages Michigan residents to be vigilant and only engage with online gambling sites that are authorized and licensed by the State of Michigan. To assist players in identifying legal operators, the MGCB provides a list of approved platforms on its official website at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

Residents who suspect illegal gambling activity or who encounter suspicious online platforms are urged to report it immediately. Tips can be submitted by calling the MGCB hotline at 1-888-314-2682 or by emailing [email protected].

Commitment to Ensuring a Safe Gaming Environment

The Michigan Gaming Control Board remains unwavering in its commitment to preserving the integrity of Michigan’s gaming market. The MGCB continues to monitor the online gaming landscape closely to ensure all operators comply with state regulations and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection, fairness, and security.

“These relentless actions are part of our ongoing effort to provide a transparent and trustworthy gaming environment for all Michigan residents,” Williams added. “We will continue to take necessary steps to protect players and maintain the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming industry.”

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential.

The post MGCB cracks down on 13 illegal offshore gambling websites targeting state residents appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Compliance Updates

Ukrainian Security Service, NCEC and AUGO Shut Down 133 Illegal Online Casinos

Published

on

ukrainian-security-service,-ncec-and-augo-shut-down-133-illegal-online-casinos
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Ukraine’s Security Service, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection, the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radiofrequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services (NCEC), and the Association of Ukrainian Gambling Operators (AUGO) have jointly blocked 133 illegal online casinos operating within Ukraine’s digital space.

According to AUGO’s press release on Tuesday, Derzhspetszviazok issued Directive No. 435/3236 on July 1, ordering the blocking of IP addresses and websites involved in illegal gambling. The directive was sent to internet providers and industry associations on July 3 and is mandatory for implementation within three working days—by July 8.

The association estimates that the joint operation disrupted a shadow business generating UAH 3 to 5 billion in illicit turnover every quarter.

Beyond blocking the sites with technical and software tools, the operation included broader organisational and technical efforts targeting the infrastructure that enabled these illegal platforms to function. Notably, unauthorised financial processing was halted, and associated P2P transactions were frozen.

“In chess terms – white has made the first move, and black is already losing pieces on the board… No, w’re not grandmasters yet. But this will be a decisive chess match, and we’re convinced the illegal players will eventually have no choice but to leave the game,” said AUGO President Oleksandr Kohut, as quoted in the press release.

He emphasised that illegal casinos – most of which now have ties to Russia – inflict direct harm on the Ukrainian state, legal businesses and its citizens. These sites, which are frequently cloned after being blocked, also pose a high risk of fraud and the leakage of players’ personal and financial data.

This marks the first time the Security Service, Derzhspetszviazok, and NCEC have actively partnered with AUGO on such an initiative. The association, which was launched three months ago, provided software, analytical and informational support for the operation to dismantle the illicit online gambling sector.

Kohut affirmed that AUGO remains committed to further collaboration with regulators – including the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the newly formed PlayCity agency – as well as with law enforcement to swiftly detect and shut down illegal casinos online. AUGO also plans to work with state regulators to inform media outlets of future blocking decisions as soon as they are made and communicated to telecom operators.

The post Ukrainian Security Service, NCEC and AUGO Shut Down 133 Illegal Online Casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

AGRESE

Representatives from AGRESE and LOTESE Visits Lottopar

Published

on

representatives-from-agrese-and-lotese-visits-lottopar

 

On July 3rd and 4th, the Paraná State Lottery (Lottopar) received at its headquarters representatives from the Sergipe State Public Services Regulatory Agency (AGRESE) and the Sergipe State Lottery (LOTESE), on an institutional visit aimed at exchanging experiences and technical in-depth study on the regulation, operation and control model of state lottery activity.

During the two-day event, visitors learned in detail about the regulatory framework built by Lottopar, the systems adopted to ensure the traceability and security of operations, the criteria for accrediting operators and laboratories, and the responsible gaming and anti-money laundering policies implemented since the organization’s founding.

“We are delighted to welcome AGRESE and LOTESE. We believe that the development of state lotteries necessarily involves this type of technical cooperation, where successful experiences can be shared and adapted to the needs of each federative entity. The Lottopar model is constantly evolving, and it is a pleasure to be able to contribute to other states that, like Sergipe, demonstrate a commitment to serious, safe, and responsible regulation,” Lottopar CEO Daniel Romanowski said.

The exchange of information between states is essential for consolidating a safer, more efficient national lottery environment aligned with international best practices. The visit also reinforces the importance of joint action between regulatory agencies and state lotteries in formulating effective public policies.

AGRESE CEO Mr. Luiz Hamilton Santana de Oliveira said: “The institution is very honored and pleased to have hosted this technical visit, as it was a very productive two days, where we were able to further enhance our knowledge. We will implement what we learned and saw here into our regulations back in Sergipe.”

Adriana França Coserva Hide, CEO of LOTESE, said: “On behalf of Loterias de Sergipe, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Lottopar team for the warm welcome and, most importantly, congratulate them on the exemplary work they have been doing. We were impressed by the level of excellence, professionalism, and commitment to social well-being that permeates Lottopar’s entire structure and operations. This exchange of experiences was extremely enriching and reinforces our conviction that cooperation between state public lotteries is a fundamental path to strengthening the sector in Brazil. We leave here inspired and even more committed to the mission that unites us.”

The agenda concluded with technical visits to Lottopar’s strategic departments and the headquarters of accredited partners, focusing on practical observation of operations. New joint initiatives are expected to be established soon, solidifying a virtuous cycle of cooperation between Brazilian public lotteries.

The post Representatives from AGRESE and LOTESE Visits Lottopar appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

New ESRI Research Commissioned by the GRAI Suggests Gambling Offers Lure People to Bet More, Particularly People at Risk of Problem Gambling

Published

on

new-esri-research-commissioned-by-the-grai-suggests-gambling-offers-lure-people-to-bet-more,-particularly-people-at-risk-of-problem-gambling
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

A new study commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) /Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that betting and gambling companies offering special offers or inducements encourages people to gamble more than they would otherwise, even when the odds offered are “bad”.

Special offers or inducements, such as free bets and moneyback guarantees are regularly used by gambling companies in their marketing campaigns. The study found that vulnerable people such as those at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers, were most at risk of gambling more, and losing more, as a result of being offered inducements.

In a controlled experiment run with a sample of 622 men under 40, participants, were given money to place up to six realistic bets on the Euro 2024 football tournament.

Half of the participants were randomly selected and shown offers of free bets and moneyback guarantees on some bets. which caused these participants to spend over 10% more than those who were not given inducements. The inducements also reduced the number of participants opting not to bet by nearly half. Even inducement bets that were designed as “bad”, showing odds far below market rates, were undertaken by participants in this group, who were three times more likely to spend money on “bad” bets.

These findings illustrate the harm inducements cause, particularly to those who are susceptible to gambling harm.

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the legislation which underpins the work of the GRAI, inducements or encouragement to gamble further will soon be an offence and licensed operators will no longer be allowed to offer free bets which are targeted at individuals and specific groups. Multiple European countries have also begun to regulate inducements.

Participants were surveyed after the study on their knowledge and understanding of inducements. Even amongst regular betters, most did not know that there were restrictions on free bets and that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet.

Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “I very much welcome this research from the ESRI examining the impact of inducements to gamble on gambling behaviours. Having a clear evidence base is critically important to the GRAI as we commence our work in regulating the gambling industry. This latest research will help inform that work and in educating the public on this matter.

“This study clearly indicates the damaging effect of certain practices around inducements. It underlines the importance of the provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act in limiting a person’s exposure to inducements to gamble. We look forward to working with Minister O’Callaghan in addressing the issue as we implement the new regulations.”

Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “The ESRI’s findings confirm that not only is the general public not aware of the dangers associated with inducements to bet, but also that the impact of these inducements go beyond simple marketing by betting companies.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that gambling operators do not encourage excessive or compulsive gambling behaviour, and that we protect vulnerable people in our society, such as children and young people and those more likely to experience gambling harm.

“The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures.”

Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Behavioural Research Unit, ESRI, said: “Our findings imply that gambling offers aren’t merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups.

“The results support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value.”

The post New ESRI Research Commissioned by the GRAI Suggests Gambling Offers Lure People to Bet More, Particularly People at Risk of Problem Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending