Compliance Updates
Michigan Gaming Control Board joins gaming states coalition urging USDOJ to prioritize combating illegal, offshore sportsbooks and online casinos

The Michigan Gaming Control Board joined a coalition of seven gaming states’ regulators urging the U.S. Department of Justice to make combating illegal, offshore sportsbooks and online casinos a priority. In an April 28 letter, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams and fellow state regulators asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to address the significant threats offshore illegal gambling poses that state regulators cannot tackle alone.
“In Michigan, strict laws and rules govern internet gaming and sports betting and provide consumer protections, promote confidence and ensure fair and honest gaming,” Williams said. “We are willing to help the U.S. Department of Justice in any way we can as it pursues enforcement of U.S. laws against offshore illegal gaming enterprises that take advantage of our citizens.”
Other state regulators signing the letter represent Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Nevada, and Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk D. Hendrick sent the letter to Attorney General Garland. In the letter, the seven statesâ gaming regulators note the dangers posed by illegal offshore wagering sites, including:
- Lack of investment in responsible gaming programs
- No age verification requirements to protect minors
- No controls to prevent money laundering
- No guarantees of fair payouts for customers
- Loss of state tax revenue that funds important initiatives like education
Offshore operators do not undergo nor comply with strict licensing requirements imposed on legal, regulated operators. They also are not subject to the scrutiny of state regulators who conduct thorough suitability and background investigations of regulated operators as required by state laws.
“State regulators like the MGCB ensure operators offer products that pass technical standards and testing, and we also require operators to comply with reporting requirements,” Williams said. “Offshore operators flaunt state regulations and offer products that do not protect the public, which greatly concerns me and my fellow state regulators.”
In the letter, the state regulators noted they are proud of the work they do to protect the public, including enforcing payout requirements and dispute resolution procedures. Unlike their regulated counterparts, illegal operators simply may disappear with their customers’ funds and provide no resources to assist those who may need help. Regulated operators recognize licensing is a privilege that can be taken away, but illegal operators do not face similar consequences for failure to follow laws and maintain integrity.
The gaming states’ regulators provide supervision and enforcement, but the regulators point out in their letter that illegal operators do not answer to any authority. The state regulators hope the U.S. Department of Justice can address these critical issues through leadership in enforcement action against offshore operators.
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan.”
Canada
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casinoâs gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCOâs Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrarâs decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
âCasino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Torontoâs lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,â Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
Compliance Updates
Esportes da Sorte holds forum on âIntegrity in Sportsâ with CearĂĄ and NĂĄutico

Esportes da Sorte hosted its Match-Fixing Prevention Forum last week at CearĂĄ and NĂĄutico as main sponsor of both clubs. Held in partnership with Sportradar, the initiative is part of a series of in-person workshops, with upcoming sessions planned for Corinthians and FerroviĂĄria.
The project aims to combat illegal practices and reinforce a strong commitment to integrity in sport. Activities were tailored for athletes and members of the technical staff from the men’s and womenâs professional teams, as well as the under-20 squads. During the sessions, topics such as the definition of match-fixing, types of fraud, fraudstersâ modus operandi, legal risks, and reputational impacts were covered. Participants were offered practical guidance on how to respond to suspicious approaches.
âThis training programme reinforces our commitment to sports integrity and responsible gaming, pillars that guide our actions. We believe education is the best form of prevention, and we want to stand alongside clubs in this joint effort for transparency and the protection of sport,â said Ana Carolina Luna Maçães, Compliance Manager at Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the Esportes da Sorte brand.
âCearĂĄ takes this topic very seriously. The club is an important player in the fight against match-fixing. We act preventively with regular meetings and have a handbook that addresses the topic with our squad. It is our duty to provide these moments of learning for athletes and technical staff. We live in a time when the integrity of sport is being questioned. In this scenario, actions like this are extremely important,â commented Lucas Drubscky, Football Executive at CearĂĄ.
The sessions were led by Felippe Marchetti, Integrity Partnerships Manager at Sportradar, a global sports technology company and recognized authority in sports integrity. In Brazil, Sportradar partners with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and 17 state federations, monitoring more than 10,000 matches per season. The company recently signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Sports.
âRaising awareness among athletes and teams is one of the most effective ways to protect competitions from manipulation. These workshops are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to recognize threats and act responsibly. We are proud to support initiatives like this that strengthen the integrity of Brazilian sports,â said Felippe Marchetti.
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a âdual currencyâ model to mimic casino-style wagering.
âSweepstakesâ platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting âNo Purchase Necessaryâ disclaimers, they sidestep Californiaâs regulatory framework and evade the stateâs voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these âsweepstakesâ operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
âWe cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governmentsâ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,â said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
âFor over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundationâcompromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
âWe support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of Californiaâs gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
âTribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to Californiaâs economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,â said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
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