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Michigan Gaming Control Board Cracks Down on Unregulated Prediction Platforms in New Investigation

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: April 14, 2025 2:15 PM EDT • 1 min 52 sec read.

Michigan Gaming Control Board Cracks Down on Unregulated Prediction Platforms in New Investigation
Pictured: Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson fields the ball for the out. Photo by Jordan Johnson via Imagn Images.

The state's gaming regulator, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), has announced that it will investigate unlicensed prediction markets operating within the Great Lakes State to protect its residents from unregulated gaming. 

Moving away from its regular cease-and-desist letters targeting offshore operators, the gambling regulator announced it had banned 13 more operators from operating in the state. The MGCB explains that unregulated prediction platforms warrant a significant consumer risk for Michigan residents while threatening the Michigan sports betting system. 

“We take consumer protection very seriously and are committed to ensuring that Michigan residents are engaging with safe and legal sports betting options,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB. “Unlicensed entities not only pose a risk to consumers but also undercut the integrity and revenue-generating potential of the state’s regulated sports betting industry. We are actively investigating these practices and will pursue appropriate measures to protect Michigan bettors.”

Prediction markets a major concern

Prediction platforms are a type of exchange-traded market that allows users to buy or sell shares based on the outcome of a future sporting event. The MGCB warns that these platforms bypass Michigan laws and protections, becoming a serious risk for their users. 

The MGCB expressed that users are not guaranteed the same protections as regular regulated sports betting sites, such as you'd find with the best Michigan sports betting apps, listing the various risks consumers may face when using these platforms. 

The regulator warns that users may experience fraud, identity theft, and a breach in data security. These platforms are also lax on strict regulations that other operators must adhere to, including Know Your Customer protocols, anti-money laundering measures, self-exclusion policies, integrity monitoring, and other consumer safeguards. They also don't offer top Michigan sportsbook promos.

“Sports betting is meant to be a form of entertainment, not a financial investment,” Williams added. “By framing sports contracts as investment vehicles, these platforms risk confusing consumers and undermining the state’s commitment to responsible gaming. Moreover, many of these unlicensed platforms are often accessible to individuals as young as 18, in stark contrast to Michigan’s 21+ age requirement for legal sports betting.”

As the investigation is ongoing, the MGCB has said that it will continue investigating prediction platforms and impose the necessary sanctions on those platforms deemed breaking Michigan law. 

Targeting offshore operators

In recent news, the Michigan Gaming Control Board has also been intensifying its crackdown on unregulated offshore platforms in recent months. 

In addition to the 13 operators being told to cease operations in Wolverine State, the offshore operator MyBookie.ag was sent a cease-and-desist order in January for operating without a license. It offered casino-style games to Michigan residents, including slot-style games, table games, live dealer games, and sports betting services. There is already a legal Michigan online casino market for residents.

According to the MGCB, the Curacao-based operator violated Michigan’s Lawful Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.

Written By:
Ziv Chen
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.