Regulators in the United States are up in arms against the offshore gambling market, which continues to encroach on their home turf, undermining tax revenue and more. This week has brought new regulatory action against the sector as a result.
More Websites Blocked in Michigan Due to Lack of License
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued cease-and-desist letters against 15 such operators.
The watchdog said that the websites targeted in the latest enforcement action were in breach of several prominent gambling and criminal laws in the state, including but not limited to the Michigan Penal Code, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.
As a result, the following websites have been ordered to comply and leave the state:
7 Bit Casino, Avia Games Inc., Grande Vegas Casino, High Country Casino, i Net Bet, Liberty Slots Casino, Lincoln Casino, Lucky Hippo Casino, Miami Club Casino, PrimaPlay Casino, Slot Madness, Slots Plus Casino, Sun Palace Casino, Vegas Casino Online, and Vegas2Web Casino.
MGCB
They have 14 days from the issuance of the letter to comply with the measure. Failure to do so would force the regulator’s hand and involve the attorney general’s office.
Arizona Steps Up Enforcement Measures
In the meantime, the Arizona Department of Gaming has also gone after four websites and platforms, arguing that they, too, were in specific breach of gambling laws.
The four platforms are: Fliff and Thrillzz, as well as BettySweeps Casino and Pulsz Casino. The platforms were offering a range of services from sports betting to sweepstakes contests. Both jurisdictions have had a hands-on approach to minimizing gambling-related harm and focusing on uprooting platforms that they have deemed illegal.
This comes at a time when attorneys general all across the United States have called for tougher measures against the offshore market. Michigan leads the way in enforcement measures, too, with more than 130 websites blocked as of the time of writing this.