The State of Michigan has fined a company that provides live wagering and micro-betting services to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board issued a $50,000 fine against sports data supplier IMG Arena for conducting sports gambling business in the state without a license.
Gambling Harm obtained the “acknowledgement of violation” (AOV) document through a FOIA request. The filing stated that IMG Arena “self-reported” the violation in May 2025.
IMG Arena provided “retail sports betting services without a supplier’s license” to MotorCity Casino in Detroit through BetFair Interactive US LLC (FanDuel).
Live betting, which includes so-called micro-bets, is a particularly controversial form of sports gambling. The federal SAFE Bet Act, which is pending in Congress, includes provisions to protect consumers from the potential addiction harm caused by these products.
IMG Arena self-reported to Michigan just weeks after announcing a deal in which rival data supplier Sportradar would acquire the company. The deal was valued at up to $225 million.
FanDuel’s Relationship with IMG Arena
FanDuel began retail sports gambling in Michigan in 2020, with its online betting commencing the following year. In 2023, FanDuel and IMG Arena announced a partnership for golf betting.
It’s unclear how long IMG Arena was working with FanDuel in Michigan without a license.
The 2023 FanDuel-IMG Arena deal involved a product called Golf Event Centre.
“Through the IMG Arena Golf Event Centre, FanDuel will bring an exciting library of new live betting markets to golf fans, including closest-to-the-pin, longest drive, number of birdies, and more exciting stroke-by-stroke bets that will allow fans to engage with golf at any point in the tournament,” a press release said.
IMG Arena also has a UFC Event Centre and a Tennis Event Centre to supply data to the sports betting industry. However, there’s been no announcement that FanDuel used either product.
What is a Michigan Sports Betting Supplier’s License?
The Lawful Sports Betting Act of 2019 requires licensure for companies like IMG Arena.
The fees are relatively low. A supplier’s license consists of a $2,500 application fee and a $5,000 initial licensing fee. There are also license renewal fees.
In Michigan, a supplier license is what lets the MGCB regulate the behind-the-scenes companies a sportsbook relies on, such as data/odds feeds, geolocation, payments, game software, and so on.
Regarding consumer protection, licensure matters because it brings third parties under MGCB oversight. Regulators can investigate, audit, sanction, or revoke a license if a vendor’s tech harms players.
A supplier’s license also requires that the technology powering sports gambling meet minimum technical standards so consumers get a fair shake.
Licensing the suppliers closes the gaps where failures can occur — software updates, feeds, and payments — so Michigan can do more than simply police the prominent betting brand on the app icon or sportsbook website.
In 2024 and 2025, Michigan has taken an aggressive posture against unlicensed sports betting originating in other countries. In September 2025, the MGCB made its 14th public announcement related to cracking down on offshore sports betting.
Also in September, the MGCB fined Caesars Sportsbook over a gambling addiction case.
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