Deputy Editor
Michigan has offshore gambling operators in its crosshairs. The state’s gaming control board issued 45 cease-and-desist letters on April 7, and the list of targeted sites includes some popular poker sites.
“The scope of this action sends a clear message: Michigan will not tolerate illegal operators targeting our residents or undermining the lawful businesses that have invested in complying with state law,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams in the letter. “Our investigators work with unwavering focus to identify, document, and act against every unlicensed site that puts Michigan players at risk. This is an ongoing effort, and we will continue to take action against illegal gambling operators.”
America’s Cardroom (ACR), BetOnline, and True Poker are all included in the list.
ACR and BetOnline Remain in Business Even as More States Legalize Online Poker
ACR and BetOnline remain popular offshore options among American online poker players even as more states continue to legalize online poker.
Maine recently became the ninth state to legalize online poker, part of a sweeping iGaming expansion. Other states with legal online poker are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, West Virginia, and Delaware. Connecticut and Rhode Island have legalized it as well, but no operators are currently running rooms there.
Since the legal online poker market remains quite small as a fraction of the U.S. population — about 40 million residents out of 341 million live in accessible states — the offshore market remains lucrative.
Michigan is the Biggest Online Poker Market — For Now
Michigan’s online poker market ranked first in the country in 2025, generating roughly $39 million in revenue, according to PokerScout’s tracking data. New Jersey and Pennsylvania both checked in around $30 million. That may soon change, however.
Pennsylvania pooled its players with the other legal states last year, greatly boosting liquidity since it’s the most populous state in the pool.
Liquidity begets liquidity in online poker, since more players mean more games and bigger prize pools. That makes the games more attractive, inviting yet more players to play.
Pennsylvania players just received a big boost in game quality with PokerStars on FanDuel relaunching as part of the shared player pool. The return of the one-time market leader may help Pennsylvania overtake Michigan.
Still, Michigan is protective enough of its online poker market to send C&Ds to popular offshore operators. If they leave the state, that may force any remaining holdouts to move all of their action to the regulated sites.
