The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued a cease-and-desist order against BetNow.eu Sportsbook, Casino, and Racebook. This comes after it was discovered that BetNow has been operating its online gambling operations without the necessary state license, targeting Michigan residents.
The MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stated, "Our job is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling is conducted legally and responsibly." This remark emerged amid other declarations as the Board detailed their concerns. Operating from offshore premises, BetNow has provided users with various payment options, from credit cards and e-wallets to various cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, the need to wager one's initial deposit before enabling withdrawals foreshadows a rigid practice. According to information reported by the State of Michigan, this deposit policy is only the tip of an illegal iceberg.
The MGCB struck three nails into BetNow's coffin: infringement of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act for unlicensed online gaming offerings, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act for running an unlicensed gambling business considered a felony in Michigan, and violation of the gambling definitions within the Michigan Penal Code. If BetNow fails to heed the 14-day warning to halt its services to Michigan's populace, the state's Attorney General's Office will likely enter the fray, armed with the full force of legal recourse.
Michigan's gaming watchdog remains vigilant. It beckons residents to report any shady gambling activities they encounter. The MGCB, standing guard, provides a hotline at 1-888-314-2682 and an email at [email protected] for these very tips.
