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While we knew Bovada had stopped accepting new players from the state of Michigan in early June, those who already held accounts there were still able to place bets....until this week.
"I am in Michigan but my account is closed at Bovada effective today," a Michigan-based customers tells Gambling911.com on Wednesday. "I was able to bet up until a few days ago."
Other players say they did receive an email advising that their sports betting accounts would be closed as of July 29. Withdrawals can only be made via cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin at this time.
The Michigan Gaming Board sent a cease and desist letter to the company in late May, giving them 14 days to comply. They did, by preventing new Michigan customers from opening accounts.
The state said Bovada was in violation of Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and the Michigan Penal Code. Sources close to Gambling911.com report that an affiliate, or affiliates, of Bovada were advertising directly to state residents through local search features to make it appear as if their online casino was based in the state. This technique was employed in other regions across the U.S. as well.
“The proliferation of online gaming platforms has led to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide, and this action serves as a stern warning to overseas companies that flouting local regulations will not be tolerated,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “The MGCB remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding Michigan’s laws and regulations and will continue to actively monitor and enforce compliance within the state to ensure a fair and secure gaming environment for all.”
It's not immediately clear whether Bovada's sister site Ignition Casino has closed accounts in Michigan as of yet. We are not getting reports as of yet. Michigan is one of the few states that also regulates online casinos.
Prior to the cease and desist letter sent out to Bovada, Michigan regulators aggressively went after social media casinos operating in the state late last year, including the popular Chumba Casino.
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