The Michigan Gaming Control Board are set to take action against the offshore sportsbook, Bovada, with a decision expected in the next 14 days.
Michigan Gaming Control Board Set To Take Action Against Bovada
The MGCB has made the first step after sending a cease and desist warning to Bovada, in relation to the operator accepting bets from sports betting in Michigan and gambling in general.
Based in Costa Rica, Bovada has been a popular offshore sportsbook across the globe and has 14 days to respond before MGCB begin their legal action.
MGCB Executive Director, Henry Williams, spoke about the standards in which the Gaming Control Board have and what will be tolerated.
He said (Via MGCB): “The proliferation of online gaming platforms has led to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide, and this action serves as a stern warning to overseas companies that flouting local regulations will not be tolerated.
“The MGCB remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding Michigan’s laws and regulations and will continue to actively monitor and enforce compliance within the state to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment for all.”
On May 29th, a letter was sent to the parent company of Bovada, Hapr Media B.V., where the MGCB stated that the offshore operator had violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Penal Code, and The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.
In previous years, Bovada has opted to exit states across North America, including New York and Nevada, however it still operates in the majority of US states – acting as an unregulated, offshore operator.
Michigan has taken action against a list of gambling factions in recent times, as Golden Heart casino settled with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to exit the state last September.
Just a few months later, VGW, one of the most popular sweepstake casinos in North America opted to leave Michigan with immediate effect.
Michigan also adjusted its relationship with Fantasy Sports operators, implementing new fantasy regulations in October 2023 – which caused popular sports betting sites like PrizePicks to depart.