Michigan regulator orders BetUS to suspend gambling activities
As Michigan continues its fight against illegal online gambling, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist order to offshore operator BetUS for offering internet gaming and sports betting to state residents without a licence.
BetUS has been directed to stop all gambling operations involving residents of Michigan with immediate effect. The company has 14 days to comply to the order and if it fails to do so, the MGCB will work with the Michigan Department of Attorney General to take further legal action.
Violation of Michigan Law
The MGCB’s investigation found that BetUS had been accepting wagers from Michigan players on sports and casino-style games. These actions violate the state’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
Speaking, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said, “Unlicensed operators like BetUS undermine the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming market and expose consumers to potential risks. The MGCB is committed to protecting Michigan residents by ensuring that all gambling activities are conducted legally and responsibly.”
Founded in 1994 and based in Costa Rica, BetUS claims to serve over a million users globally. It offers a range of gambling services including sports betting, casino games, and esports. The operator is licensed in the Comoros Union (Mwali) but is not authorised to operate in Michigan. Despite its international reach, BetUS does not hold any U.S. state-issued licences.
The company’s platform supports live betting, mobile access, and cryptocurrency transactions, and has previously offered betting on non-sporting events such as entertainment and politics.
Recent actions by the MGCB
Recently, the MGCB issued cease-and-desist orders to the Panama-based operators of SportsBetting.ag and BetOnline.ag for illegally offering gambling services in Michigan. These platforms were found to be violating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code by accepting wagers on sports, casino games, politics, and more, without holding the required licences. The orders followed an investigation triggered by an anonymous tip, and the operators were given 14 days to stop all operations in the state or face further legal action.
In the weeks before, the MGCB also took action against several offshore and unlicensed gambling websites. It sent orders to 11 online platforms, like Club Player Casino and Bookmaker.eu, telling them to stop offering services in Michigan because they didn’t have state approval.
Earlier in April, the MGCB had already ordered 13 other websites to stop for the same reason. The agency said these sites did not follow Michigan’s rules for safe and fair gambling, protecting users, or keeping personal data secure.
