If you’ve lived in Michigan for a while, you know the state doesn't play around when it comes to gambling. We have one of the most robust legal markets in the country. Yet, for years, plenty of people kept using offshore sites because they were "easy" or they’d been using them since before 2021. That changed in a big way recently. The MyBookie.ag Michigan cease and desist order sent shockwaves through the local betting community, basically signaling that the "Wild West" era of offshore betting in the Mitten is coming to a hard stop.
Honestly, it was bound to happen. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has been on a warpath lately. They aren't just sending polite "please stop" emails anymore; they are wielding the Lawful Internet Gaming Act like a sledgehammer.
The Day the Letter Dropped
It was late January 2025 when the news broke. The MGCB officially announced they had fired off a cease-and-desist letter to Duranbah Limited N.V., the parent company behind MyBookie.ag.
The investigators weren't exactly subtle about it. They’d been poking around and found that Michigan residents could still sign up, deposit money, and place bets on everything from live-dealer blackjack to Detroit Lions games. In the eyes of the state, every single one of those bets was a violation of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.
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Why does the MGCB care so much? It’s not just about the tax revenue—though let’s be real, that’s a huge part of it. Michigan funnels millions of dollars from legal gaming into the School Aid Fund. When you bet on an offshore site, that money stays in Curaçao instead of helping local schools.
Why MyBookie.ag Got Singled Out
MyBookie wasn't the first, and it definitely wasn't the last. You might remember when Bovada got the boot in 2024. Michigan was the first state to really go after them, and it started a domino effect where nearly 20 other states followed suit.
With MyBookie, the MGCB cited three specific legal "no-nos":
- The Lawful Internet Gaming Act: Basically says you can’t offer online games in Michigan unless you have a license from the board.
- The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: This is the scary one. It makes running an unlicensed gambling operation a felony. We’re talking up to 10 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.
- The Michigan Penal Code: A broad ban on any gambling that involves "consideration, prize, and chance" without state approval.
The regulator gave MyBookie a strict 14-day window to pack their bags. If they didn't block Michigan IP addresses and stop taking bets from 313, 616, or 248 area codes, the MGCB was ready to drag the Michigan Attorney General’s office into the fight.
The Risks Most Bettors Ignore
People often ask, "Why should I care if it's licensed?"
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Kinda simple: protection. If a licensed site like FanDuel or BetMGM refuses to pay you, you can call the MGCB and they will actually do something. If MyBookie or a similar offshore site decides your "winning streak" was suspicious and freezes your account, you have zero recourse. You’re essentially calling a customer service line in the Caribbean hoping they feel generous.
Then there’s the deposit/withdrawal headache. The MGCB pointed out that while MyBookie made it incredibly easy to deposit via Visa, PayPal, or even various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, getting your money out was a different story. Often, you’re stuck with bank wires that take forever or crypto transfers that can be intimidating for the average user.
The Bigger Picture in 2026
Looking back from where we are now in 2026, the MyBookie.ag Michigan cease and desist was just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Throughout 2025, the MGCB went on a literal tear.
- In February 2025, they hit nine more sites, including BetAnySports and Xbet.
- By March, five more were added to the "naughty list."
- In July 2025, they issued their largest enforcement action ever, targeting 19 illegal operations at once.
The strategy is clear: make it so difficult for offshore companies to operate in Michigan that they simply give up and block the state entirely. It’s working. Most major offshore books now show a "restricted jurisdiction" message the second you try to log in from a Michigan IP.
What This Means for You Right Now
If you’re still trying to find a workaround to use these sites, you're basically swimming against a very strong current. The state is actively monitoring "gaming agents" and third-party suppliers who help these sites stay reachable.
The move away from MyBookie isn't just about following the law; it's about the quality of the experience. Michigan's regulated market is huge. There are currently 15 licensed online sportsbooks and several mobile casinos that are fully legal, audited, and—most importantly—safe.
Actionable Steps for Michigan Players
- Check the List: Before you put a single dollar into a site, go to the official MGCB website. They keep a running list of every authorized internet gaming provider. If the site isn't on that list, your money is at risk.
- Withdraw Your Funds: If you still have a balance on an offshore site that hasn't fully blocked Michigan yet, get it out now. Don't wait for a total IP ban that makes accessing your account a nightmare.
- Report Illegal Ops: If you see a site specifically targeting Michiganders with ads or promos despite not being licensed, the MGCB has a tip line (1-888-314-2682).
- Support Local: Stick to the apps that actually contribute to the Michigan School Aid Fund. You get better apps, faster payouts, and the peace of mind that you aren't going to get a "felony" notification in your inbox.
The era of the offshore sportsbook in Michigan is effectively over. The state has proven it has the teeth to enforce its rules, and MyBookie was just one of the biggest names to learn that lesson the hard way. Stay safe, bet smart, and keep it within the Great Lakes State's legal boundaries.