The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) recently sent three companies cease-and-desist letters at the conclusion of investigations into possible illegal gambling practices. The regulator’s findings revealed that three companies – two in the US and one international – were providing iGaming in the state without licenses.
The letters were sent to PredictionStrike, in Bay Shore, New York; Sweepstakes Limited, in Limassol, Cyprus; and VGW LuckyLand, Inc. in San Francisco, California.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the control board found that PredictionStrike had “offered internet gaming and internet sports betting in Michigan without being licensed in the state as an internet gaming operator and a sports betting operator.”
Sweepstakes Limited was found to have promoted unlicensed raffle and online lottery play for customers purchasing products on its Stake.us website.
The board learned that VGW was “conducting illegal gambling by offering an internet game in which a player wagers something of monetary value for the opportunity to win something of monetary value.”
The MGCB conducted the investigation and sent the cease-and-desist letter as part of a “relentless effort to halt illegal gaming operations in the state of Michigan.”
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams shared his thoughts on the importance of having regulations that protect local businesses.
He commented, “Gambling regulations are in place for a reason, and illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Michigan.
“We do not want businesses who skirt the law having access to Michigan citizens and leaving them vulnerable because they are playing on unregulated sites that leave them with no recourse, and that siphon funds away from communities because they are not paying taxes like a regulated, legal gambling establishment would.”
