Less than a week after going after 11 offshore online gaming operators, regulators in the Wolverine State found that two Panama-based companies are conducting illegal gambling business in Michigan.
Key Takeaways
- The Michigan Gaming Control Board gave the two offshore gaming operators 14 days to vacate the state or face legal action.
- SportsBetting.ag and BetOnline.ag are unlicensed companies that offer sports betting and casino games in the Wolverine State.
- Michigan has been vigilant about illegal operators and has gone after more than 20 companies since March.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced on Monday that it sent cease-and-desist letters to SportsBetting.ag and BetOnline.ag after an anonymous tip led to an investigation that led the gaming agency to determine that those two operators violate the Michigan Unlawful Internet Gaming Act, Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and Michigan Penal Code.
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to enforcing Michigan’s gaming laws and protecting consumers from illegal gambling,” executive director Henry Williams said. “We encourage residents to only engage with licensed and regulated online platforms for a safe and fair gaming experience.”
No license
The MGCB said SportsBetting.ag has been accepting sports, horse racing, and political bets as well as offering online casino games in the Wolverine State without a license. The offshore operator has also been giving cash-back incentives for casino losses, another violation.
Regulators said BetOnline.ag has facilitated “a range of illegal betting options" to Michigan residents. The real-money wagers, funded by credit cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrencies, on sports, live events, horse racing, esports, casino games, and contest tournaments have been offered without a license.
The MGCB said it will take legal action if the two offshore operators don’t comply with the notice within the next 14 days.
Being vigilant
Michigan is one of 38 U.S. states currently offering legal sports betting and one of seven jurisdictions with legal online casinos. The Michigan sports betting and gaming agency has been busy eradicating the sweepstakes and offshore operators that don’t fall under the licensed commercial and tribal providers.
It’s been nearly a year since Michigan got a popular offshore site, Bovada, to stop operating there. BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag are similar companies.
Last week, the MGCB told 11 illegal online casino sites to stop doing business there, running the total cease-and-desist orders up to more than 20 companies since March and nearly 40 in 2025.
Regulators have also begun investigating prediction market platforms like Kalshi, which offers sports-outcome contracts that act like bets on the NBA, MLB, and golf, among others.
The MGCB offers a hotline and asks residents to send in information on potentially illegal gambling sites.
