The Michigan Gaming Control Board has sent 10 cease and desist letters to unregulated offshore casino operators. The 10 casino operators are all owned by a Belize-based company, Apex Dynamics Ltd. These casinos include Aladdin's Gold Casino, Club World Casinos, and Manhattan Slots Casino, among others, and investigations into these operators' operations revealed numerous violations in the state, including violations against the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has taken decisive action against unlicensed offshore operators by issuing cease-and-desist letters to 10 illegal online casinos owned and operated by Apex Dynamics Ltd., a Belize-based company. This bold move clearly demonstrates the agency's commitment to upholding Michigan's gaming laws and protecting consumers from unregulated entities.

Illegal operators targeted

The MGCB's enforcement action aims to curb illegal gambling activities that threaten the integrity of Michigan's regulated gaming market. The following online casinos were found to be offering unauthorized casino-style games to Michigan residents and were subsequently ordered to cease operations: Aladdin's Gold Casino, All Star Slots, Buzz Luck, Club World Casinos, CryptoReels, High Noon, Lucky Red Casino, Manhattan Slots Casino, ReelSpin Casino, and Slotter Casino.

Henry Williams, the MGCB Executive Director, stated, "The Gaming Control Board's relentless dedication to maintaining the integrity of Michigan's gaming industry drives our efforts. We will continue to take strong action to shut down illegal operations that undermine trust in Michigan's legal gaming system."

A strong warning to illegal operators

The letters serve as a firm warning to the company Apex Dynamics Ltd. along with other offshore entities that operate outside the law. The MGCB has made it clear that violations of Michigan's gaming regulations will not be tolerated, and enforcement actions will continue to protect legal operators and consumers alike.

Investigations into these illegal operators have shown several distinct violations of state gaming laws, including the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, and the Michigan Penal Code. Many of these illegal platforms also accept various payment methods, including MasterCard, Visa, cryptocurrencies, and PayPal. However, they often impose restrictive conditions for withdrawal, requiring casino players to bet their initial deposits multiple times before gaining access to their gaming winnings.

The MGCB's commitment to consumer protection

The MGCB has vowed to remain vigilant in scrutinizing as well as shutting down any unauthorized gaming activities. The targeted offshore operators have just 14 days from the receipt of their cease-and-desist letters to comply. Failure to do so will result in further legal action, with the MGCB working closely with the Michigan Attorney General's Office to enforce state gaming laws.

Meanwhile, residents of the state are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with their online gambling activities. To verify whether an online casino is legally licensed in the state, players can visit the official MGCB site at Michigan.gov/MGCB. The website provides a comprehensive list of authorized online gaming providers, ensuring players can make informed decisions.

Residents who suspect illegal gambling activities can also report them confidentially by calling the MGCB hotline at 1-888-314-2682 or emailing MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov.

Responsible Gambling resources

The MGCB emphasizes that gambling should be for entertainment purposes only. For individuals experiencing gambling-related issues, assistance is available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, by texting 800GAM, or visiting www.1800gamblerchat.org. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Michigan residents can also access responsible gaming tools and self-exclusion programs through the MGCB's Responsible Gaming page. Additional resources, including the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database and the Disassociated Persons List, are also available to promote safer gaming habits.