Michigan Escalates Crackdown on Unlicensed Operators
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has initiated its largest enforcement action to date against unlicensed online gambling operators. According to an official MGCB announcement on April 7, 2026, which warned of a "significant threat to Michigan citizens," the regulator dispatched 45 cease-and-desist letters to entities it alleges are providing illegal online gaming and sports wagering to Michigan residents. These letters demand the operators immediately stop accepting wagers from within the state.
This move signals a new phase of Michigan gambling enforcement. And it's not just a warning. The MGCB has threatened to pursue civil or criminal proceedings if the offshore companies fail to comply. The regulator's action aims to wall off the state from operators who haven't undergone Michigan's licensing process, paid state taxes, or adhered to its player protection standards.
A Pattern of Increased Enforcement
This wave of letters is not an isolated event but the culmination of a year-long trend. In September 2025, the MGCB ordered a combined 14 unlicensed online casinos to exit Michigan in two separate actions. The move against 45 operators in a single day represents a more than threefold increase in scale, demonstrating the board's growing focus on purging the market of non-compliant sites.
"The scope of this action sends a clear message: Michigan will not tolerate illegal operators targeting our residents or undermining the lawful businesses that have invested in complying with state law," stated MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
The statement's focus on protecting
