The Michigan Gaming Control Board is trying to stop offshore gambling originating from an obscure island nation off Africa’s coast.
Regulators announced in early September 2025 that they issued cease-and-desist letters to four unlicensed online casinos operated by Tech Zone, Inc., a company registered offshore in the Union of Comoros.
The casinos were Betty Wins, Orbit Spins, Pacific Spins Casino, and Yabby Casino.
Pressure Mounting
The MGCB’s announcement was the 14th of its kind against offshore gambling since 2024. The Wolverine State, which is one of just a handful of U.S. jurisdictions with licensed online casino gambling, appears to be a leader in attempting to thwart offshore online gambling.
Comoros, located off the coast of Africa near Madagascar, has provided “licenses” for online gambling since 2005, according to Offshore Pro Group, a website that provides information on offshore gambling regulators.
“Situated in the Indian Ocean, the Comoros Islands have provided gambling licenses since 2005, yet they remain an undiscovered gem in the industry,” said a positive description of the country.
Anjouan, an island that is part of the Union of Comoros, licenses gambling sites under the Computer Gaming Licensing Act of 2005. Such a license doesn’t allow a gambling site to offer services in Michigan.
First Crackdown on Comoros Offshore Gambling
In May, the MGCB issued a cease-and-desist letter to BetUS, which also operates under registration in Comoros.
Michigan’s moves appear to be the first time any U.S. jurisdiction has sought to stop offshore online gambling originating from Comoros. More states could follow Michigan.
Authorities in Japan and Australia have sought to prevent their citizens from accessing Comoros-registered casinos.
According to the MGCB, the gambling platforms in Comoros offering services to Michiganders:
- lack independent testing or fair play assurances
- provide no recourse for consumers in disputes
- expose players to risks such as fraud, identity theft, and loss of funds
Offshore gambling sites also cause immense harm through gambling addiction. However, the same could be said about Michigan-licensed online casinos. The online gambling industry generates most of its revenue from people experiencing gambling problems.
Michigan said a failure to comply with its cease-and-desist orders “could result in additional enforcement measures in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.”
Michigan’s aggressive posture is logical considering it has the nation’s largest online casino market.
Comoros Part of Larger Offshore Problem
Other countries where offshore gambling websites assert licensure from include Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, and Curaçao.
There is growing political pressure in the U.S. to crack down on offshore gambling jurisdictions and platforms.
In August 2025, a coalition of 50 attorneys general urged the U.S. Department of Justice to go after offshore gambling sites. Such a move could involve seizing the website domains.
According to the states, offshore sportsbooks take bets in violation of U.S. laws like the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Offshore gambling platforms also allegedly violate state gambling laws.
The walls around offshore gambling appear to be closing in. Also in September 2025, the IRS warned Americans about using offshore sportsbooks for NFL betting. The agency has also gone after offshore sportsbooks.
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