Michigan Orders 33 Offshore Gambling Sites to Stop Targeting Players

Michigan regulators have ordered 33 offshore gambling operators to stop targeting residents, warning that unlicensed sites do not have to respect the state's self-exclusion protections.

Player Alert

Player Safety

High

Published

October 9, 2026

Last verified

October 9, 2026

Effective

October 8, 2026

Action

Michigan players should verify that a casino is licensed by the MGCB before depositing. Players using self-exclusion should not rely on offshore sites to enforce Michigan's exclusion protections.

Deposits affected

What happened

Michigan targets 33 offshore gambling operators

The Michigan Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist letters to 33 offshore operators on 8 October 2026 after investigations found they were offering online casino games, sweepstakes-style games or sports betting to Michigan residents without a state licence.

The list includes operators behind brands such as iWild Casino, mBit Casino, Raging Bull Slots, Sloto'Cash Online Casino and SpinsTopia. The regulator said companies that ignore the orders may face further enforcement in coordination with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

The MGCB highlighted a particularly important player-protection issue: unlicensed offshore sites are not required to honour Michigan's Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database.

Why it matters

Why this matters for casino players

Michigan's legal online casino market requires licensed operators to follow state rules on self-exclusion, responsible-gambling controls, game oversight and consumer protection. Offshore sites sit outside that framework.

That creates a practical risk for players who have deliberately excluded themselves from gambling. A person blocked from licensed Michigan casino sites may still be able to create an account, deposit and play on an offshore site because that operator is not connected to the state's exclusion system.

The enforcement action also reinforces a broader point: a website being accessible from Michigan does not mean it is authorised to accept Michigan players.

What players should know

What Michigan players should know

Check the operator against the Michigan Gaming Control Board's authorised list before depositing. A familiar brand, large bonus or professional-looking website is not proof of a Michigan licence.

If you use self-exclusion, do not assume the protection extends to offshore sites. The MGCB specifically warns that unlicensed operators may still accept deposits from excluded players.

If you encounter an illegal gambling site targeting Michigan, the regulator provides reporting channels through the MGCB website and anonymous tip line.

Sources

Michigan Gaming Control Board — 33 cease-and-desist letters to offshore gambling operators