Michigan Targets Five Illegal Online Casinos with Cease-and-Desist Orders
Michigan’s Gaming Control Board ordered five unlicensed online gambling sites: BoVegas, BUSR, Cherry Gold, Lucky Legends, and Wager Attack, to halt operations, citing risks to players and violations of state law.
Michigan Cracks Down on Rogue Operators
Michigan’s Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued cease-and-desist orders to five unlicensed operators: BoVegas Casino, BUSR, Cherry Gold Casino, Lucky Legends, and Wager Attack Casino, for targeting state residents without proper licenses.
The move, announced by MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams, aims to protect players and uphold Michigan’s regulated gaming market.
“These illegal sites undermine the integrity of Michigan’s gaming industry and put players at serious risk,” Williams said. The operators have 14 days to shut down or face legal action from the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The Offending Sites and Their Violations
The MGCB’s orders target a quintet of rogue platforms flouting Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and Penal Code.
BoVegas Casino offers slots and table games but skips licensing, leaving players open to fraud, per the MGCB. BUSR, posing as a sportsbook and casino, lacks mandated consumer protections.
Cherry Gold Casino pushes slots without state oversight, risking unfair play. Lucky Legends lures users with “VIP” bonuses but ignores fairness rules.
Wager Attack Casino blends sports betting and casino games, exposing bettors to unregulated practices. These sites, some offshore, have been accepting Michigan wagers on sports, blackjack, and slots.
Why Unlicensed Sites Are a Problem
Unregulated gambling platforms pose steep risks. Without MGCB oversight, players face unreliable payouts, rigged games, and zero recourse in disputes, per the press release.
Michigan’s licensed operators, like BetMGM and FanDuel, comply with strict rules, including age verification and problem gambling tools, generating $1.4 billion in 2024 revenue, per the American Gaming Association.
Illegal sites, handling an estimated $150 billion nationally, per H2 Gambling Capital, dodge these safeguards. “These operations exploit players and put them at risk,” Williams said, noting their threat to Michigan’s $2 billion regulated market.
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