In an effort to crack down on operators taking advantage of gray areas in Michigan’s gambling statutes, state Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) recently issued new rulings.
Nessel recently ordered Golden Hearts Games to cease operations in the state, following a 2-year investigation. Then Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), operator of Chumba Casino, Global Poker and Luckland Slots, announced it would no longer accept players from Michigan as of November 1.
In a statement, VGW officials said, “VGW continually evaluates their business operations in the interests of all their stakeholders, and after careful consideration, they have decided to take this course of action.”
Michigan joins Idaho and Washington in not accepting VGW’s suite of social gambling brands, including sweepstakes casinos and poker sites.
Starting November 1, Michigan players may no longer purchase coins on VGW sites. However, they can access their existing balances until December 1. Players must claim any pending prizes by February 1, 2024, or they will be forfeited.
Observers said social casinos provide an alternative to unregulated offshore operators. But in a September 12 statement, said, “Unlicensed gaming robs our schools and our government of essential funding and leaves consumers unprotected. When companies like Golden Hearts attempt to circumvent Michigan’s gaming laws, they create the false impression that their games are legal and safe for consumers. My office is committed to ensuring that our gaming laws are strictly enforced, and those who violate those laws are held accountable.”
The MGCB also recently banned pick’em fantasy products, which it said allowed “proposition selection or fantasy contests that have the effect of mimicking proposition selection and any fantasy contests that involve, result in or have the effect of mimicking betting on sports.”
