Compliance Updates
MGCB Sends Cease-and-Desist Letters to Three Online Gaming Companies
As part of its continued, relentless efforts to halt illegal gaming operations in the state of Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has recently sent cease-and-desist letters to three online gaming companies — two in the US and one overseas — after investigations revealed the entities are offering online gaming in Michigan without licenses to do so legally.
PredictionStrike Inc., in Bay Shore, New York; Sweepstakes Limited (Stake.us), in Limassol, Cyprus; and VGW LuckyLand, Inc. (VGW) in San Francisco, California — whose parent company is VGW Holdings Ltd., a global technology online social gaming company headquartered in Australia — were each sent cease-and-desist letters on Oct. 19, Nov. 2, and Dec. 5, 2023, respectively.
“Gambling regulations are in place for a reason, and illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Michigan. We do not want businesses who skirt the law having access to Michigan citizens and leaving them vulnerable because they are playing on unregulated sites that leave them with no recourse, and that siphon funds away from communities because they are not paying taxes like a regulated, legal gambling establishment would,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
The companies’ violations include:
- Offering internet gaming and internet sports betting in Michigan without being licensed in the state as an internet gaming operator and a sports betting operator (PredictionStrike).
- Promoting an unlicensed online lottery and/or raffle for customers that buy its products through its internet website (Stake.us).
- Conducting illegal gambling by offering an internet game in which a player wagers something of monetary value for the opportunity to win something of monetary value (VGW).
Due to their unregulated and unlicensed online gaming offerings, PredictionStrike, Stake.us, and VGW are in violation of the following Michigan gaming laws, including:
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which states that internet gaming may only be offered by a licensed internet gaming operator, and the Lawful Sports Betting Act, which states that internet sports betting may only be offered by a licensed sports betting operator or its licensed sports betting platform provider. Only casinos that are currently licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and federally authorized tribal casinos within Michigan can apply for an internet gaming operator license or a sports betting operator license.
- Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, which prohibits a party from conducting a gambling operation without a license issued by the MGCB. A party who operates an unlicensed gambling operation is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
- Michigan Penal Code, which broadly prohibits any form of unauthorized gambling involving consideration, prize, and chance. For example, accepting money, or anything of value, with the understanding that money, or anything of value, will be paid to any person based on the outcome of an uncertain event is prohibited.
PredictionStrike Inc., Sweepstakes Limited (Stake.us), and VGW LuckyLand, Inc. (VGW) have each taken steps to prevent Michigan residents from gambling on their websites.
Industry-leading provider secures license to provide slots and live content in Denmark
Award-winning casino content provider Stakelogic has obtained a license from the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, to provide its gaming content in Denmark.
The license will allow Stakelogic to bring its premium portfolio of online casino slots and live dealer content to the Danish market, including recent releases like Fire and Gold Cluster Breaker, Super Wheel Game Show, Trident of Legends, and The Watcher.
Stakelogic is able to partner up with leading Danish operators, establishing itself as a must-have provider in the country. The move further highlights Stakelogic’s commitment to strengthening its position in the European market and exploring new and exciting regulated markets.
The license also further cements the company’s presence in the Scandinavian markets, having secured a license from the Swedish authority, Spelinspektionen, in 2023 and establishing itself as a popular provider among Swedish players.
Denmark is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets, with a strong focus on customer care and responsible gambling. Stakelogic is proud to have met all the requirements needed to obtain the license, highlighting its commitment to providing players with the best and safest gaming experiences.
Stephan van den Oetelaar, CEO at Stakelogic, said: “Denmark is one of the fastest growing markets in Europe, and we are proud to have achieved a license to the newly regulated market.
We are grateful to Spillemyndigheden for their support in us and we are excited to take our next steps into the market.”
The post Stakelogic Secures License to the newly regulated Danish market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Charles Counsell OBE has been appointed as Interim Chair of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a nine month term which will commence on 1 February 2025.
Charles was Chief Executive Officer of The Pensions Regulator from April 2019 to March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of the Money Advice Service, and Executive Director of Automatic Enrolment at The Pensions Regulator.
As CEO of The Pensions Regulator, Charles developed the new corporate strategy to put the pension saver at the heart of the Regulator. He delivered their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Climate Change strategies – both focused on driving change in the regulator and across the Pensions Sector.
Throughout his career, his roles have focused on setting up and delivering large change programmes requiring significant stakeholder relationship engagement: initially in the private sector and latterly in senior public sector appointments.
The post UKGC Appoints Charles Counsell OBE as Interim Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SYNOT Games has obtained a B2B online slot games supplier license in Denmark, authorising the company to supply its gaming content within Denmark’s regulated market. This B2B license, issued by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), becomes effective on January 1, 2025, aligning with new regulatory requirements mandating that all game suppliers hold such a license from that date forward.
This development enables SYNOT Games to offer its portfolio of slot games to Danish operators, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and responsible gaming practices.
“Obtaining the B2B license from the Danish Gambling Authority marks a significant milestone for us in the Danish market. This license not only aligns with new regulatory requirements but also reinforces our commitment to adhering to the highest industry standards. We are thrilled to continue offering Danish players the immersive gaming experience our portfolio provides,” said Martina Krajčí, CCO of SYNOT Games.
The post SYNOT Games Secures Danish License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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