Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by obtaining its provisional license for Michigan, marking the beginning of the company’s highly anticipated entry into the United States.

The Michigan provisional license is a key first step in Octoplay’s introduction of its innovative slot games to the American market, starting with operators in the Great Lakes State. This move into the US follows Octoplay’s recent successes in Europe, where the company has rapidly expanded its presence in Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, and Ontario over the past few months.

Gavin Hamilton, Chairman at Octoplay said: “Obtaining the Michigan provisional license marks the beginning of our entry into the United States, a key market for our future growth. We look forward to bringing our premium products and games to American players, starting in Michigan.”

“While we’ve seen great success in European markets recently, our entry into the US represents a new chapter for Octoplay,” Hamilton added. “We’re committed to establishing a strong presence in the American iGaming landscape, leveraging our experience in regulated markets to deliver exceptional gaming experiences to US players and operators.”

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Octoplay’s expansion into new markets, including the US, allows more operators to access its popular slot games. This provisional license will not only extend Octoplay’s reach but also enable Michigan operators to offer the high-quality content their players seek.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken illegal gambling operations seriously and recently issued cease-and-desist letters to Ace23 and Ace Per Head, located in Costa Rica. Ace23 operates the website, Ace23.ag, which functions as a sportsbook and casino service provider catering to agents/bookies. Ace Per Head manages Ace23.

Ace23 purports it is part of the Ace Gaming Network, which claims on their website to be licensed in Canada and Costa Rica but is not licensed to operate in Michigan.

An extensive investigation has revealed the website enables account holders, who are considered “agents” to establish bookmaking operations using different “skins” (designs) and webpages, whereby the agents/bookies can accept wagers and make payouts to players on those webpages. Ace23 handles all the organizing, setup, and administration for the agent’s/bookie’s operation and charges them $10 per active player per week for doing so. Additionally, the website offers casino-style games but does not take any wagers or make any payouts, as those are handled between the agent/bookie and participating gamblers.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to safeguarding the integrity of legal gaming in the state and protecting consumers from illicit offshore operations like Ace23. Our regulatory efforts are focused on promoting responsible gaming practices and upholding the laws that govern the industry. To that end, we ask all Michigan residents to stay informed and stay safe by reporting any suspected illegal gambling activities to the agency because we take every tip very seriously,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.

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Ace23 facilitates transactions from agents for the “per head” charges through cryptocurrencies or approved retailer gift cards. To pay with a gift card, agents are required to scratch off the hidden code on the back of the card and input it into an area on their account page to release the dollar amount to Ace23.

The MGCB has determined that Ace23 is operating in direct violation of Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Penal Code, and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Such activities pose a significant risk to consumers and the integrity of legal gaming operations within the state of Michigan.

These cease-and-desist letters serve as a formal notice to Ace23 and Ace Per Head to immediately halt all gambling activities within Michigan and refrain from further violations of the law within 14 days from receipt of the letter.

Aposta Ganha, the fastest-growing Brazilian sports betting and casino site, has successfully completed its GLI 19, GLI 33 and Brazilian certifications from BMM Testlabs for its Player Account Management (PAM) system and Sportsbook

These three important certifications mark a significant milestone in Grupo Aposta Ganha’s complete commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence in Brazil’s iGaming market. Meeting BMM Testlabs’ rigorous testing processes highlights the company’s dedication to best practices and upholding the highest levels of security, transparency, and user experience.

BMM Testlabs implemented a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation of vital operational elements, including user account management, platform interaction, and security. Grupo Aposta Ganha’s systems officially meet the standards for operating within a regulated market, reflecting both international best practices and the specific requirements of Brazil’s regulatory environment.

Grupo Aposta Ganha CTO, Rony Silva, added: “Securing these three certifications showcases our relentless commitment to meeting all the requirements stipulated by the regulator. As a company, we’re passionate about offering our customers the highest levels of compliance and safety. Our certification is part of our greater mission of embracing the evolution of good practices that have been built collaboratively to meet the Brazilian market’s unique position.”

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