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.
Breaking New Ground in Brazil: Blitzcrown’s Crash Games Now GLI Certified
Blitzcrown, MVG’s pioneering games studio, has secured Brazilian Certification as well as GLI-19 Certification from GLI(Gaming Laboratories International) for its industry-changing three Crash titles. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into Brazil’s thriving online gaming market, positioning Blitzcrown at the forefront of the region’s rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
The license comes at an important time for Brazil’s gaming sector, following the launch of the new licensing regime that started on January 1, 2025. The regulatory framework, signed into law in December 2023, has transformed the industry’s prospects.
The certification encompasses 3 innovative crash games: Crash, Fast Crash, and Twin Crash. This strategic milestone establishes Blitzcrown as the premier provider of certified Crash games in the Brazilian market, demonstrating the company’s unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence and gaming integrity. With the GLI-19 and Brazil certification process successfully concluded in March, Blitzcrown has solidified its position as an industry pioneer in this dynamic and emerging market.
Crash games are a recent addition to the global iGaming market, featuring the dynamic evolution of real-time multipliers and immediate reward structures. Blitzcrown has stood out by establishing groundbreaking game mechanisms that offer different and exciting gameplay experiences. Standard Crash provides players with a standard multiplier-based gaming experience, and Fast Crash is optimized for users seeking quick, intense multiplier experiences. The Twin Crash is an original format allowing players to place simultaneous bets on two separate multipliers.
Building on this momentum, Blitzcrown has announced plans to expand its certified portfolio with two additional versions of its innovative Plinko games, demonstrating the company’s strategic commitment to market expansion. This forward-looking initiative underscores Blitzcrown’s dedication to continuous innovation and sustainable growth in the regulated gaming markets.
Blitzcrown is MVG’s edge-game studio focused on pushing game ideas beyond their norms through innovative and non-traditional gaming experiences. The studio has been particularly recognized for its groundbreaking approaches in various game categories, including its successful Crash and Plinko series.
George Cho from MVG said: “This GLI certification testifies to Blitzcrown’s unwavering commitment to offering top-quality, fair gaming systems. We are well placed to take advantage of Brazil’s exciting new regulatory environment and the vast growth potential of the online gaming industry.”
The post Blitzcrown Secures GLI Certification for Three Crash Games in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
EUROMAT Objects to Croatia’s Decision to Advance its Legislative Process Without Notifying the European Commission
The European Gambling and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) has submitted to the European Commission its objection to Croatia’s failure to notify the Croatian Gambling Act (PZ_42) under the TRIS procedure.
Several proposed amendments qualify the Croatian Gambling Act (PZ_42) as a technical regulation under Directive (EU) 2015/1535 warranting formal notification. EUROMAT is concerned that the Croatian Government is proceeding with its legislative process without any notification.
The law includes mandatory player identification for venue entry, a self-exclusion register, advertising restrictions, strict rules on the location of gambling venues, restrictions on days of operation, increased licensing fees and taxation.
Member States must notify any national provisions that restrict market access or the provision of services. Failure to comply with the notification procedure constitutes a breach of EU law, potentially leading to the suspension of the law’s application and the initiation of infringement proceedings. Croatia’s decision not to notify comes despite the country notifying its gambling law in 2014 which resulted in the legislation being withdrawn following scrutiny from the European Commission. Croatia also notified a law in 2023 with substantive impacts for the amusement sector and there are more than 500 examples in the European Commission’s TRIS database of similar notifications from across Europe.
EUROMAT President Jason Frost said: ”If the Commission is serious about strengthening the Internal Market then it has to ensure that Member States respect the law.
“The Commission intervened in 2014 and as a result Croatia had to withdraw its gambling law which underlines how important the notification procedure is. The Commission needs to intervene again but this time to ensure that Croatia actually notifies. Companies need legal certainty to invest and operate in Europe and if the Commission allows Member States to disregard their responsibilities then it sets a very concerning precedent.”
Filip Jelavic, General Sectary of the Croatian Gaming Association, said: “It is inconceivable that any European Member State could be allowed to introduce such far reaching and disruptive legal changes without following the correct procedure. We are calling on the Croatian Government to act responsibly in this case and follow the law.”
The post EUROMAT Objects to Croatia’s Decision to Advance its Legislative Process Without Notifying the European Commission appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bruce Cassidy
VIP Play Obtains Interim West Virginia iGaming and Sports Wagering Management Service Provider Licenses
VIP Play Inc. announced the approval of its interim License in West Virginia for both Sports Wagering and iGaming managed services. This follows the recently announced market access partnership between VIP Play and Delaware North’s Wheeling Island Casino.
This milestone marks the company’s initial expansion beyond Tennessee, where it currently operates as a mobile Sports Wagering Operator. The interim License in West Virginia also adds iGaming to the company’s book of business, and allows VIP Play to participate in the rapidly expanding i-Gaming industry. VIP Play expects to begin serving West Virginia customers in the coming months.
Bruce Cassidy, VIP Play CEO & Chairman of the Board, said: “The acquisition of our interim Sports Wagering and i-Gaming License in West Virginia marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand, underscoring our commitment to provide innovative experiences to a wider audience. As we grow our presence, our dedication to excellence stands firm, and we’re excited to play a role in enriching West Virginia’s dynamic gaming community.”
The post VIP Play Obtains Interim West Virginia iGaming and Sports Wagering Management Service Provider Licenses appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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