Michigan Gaming Control Board Seizes More Cash and Machines + MGCB Statement on WWE

According to a press release published on the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s official website, an illegal gaming operation was raided and shut down on February 16th. 

The business was located at 3280 S. Waverly Rd., Suite C-2, in Delta Township, just outside Lansing. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) was able to conduct the search warrant with assistance from the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department and Lansing Police Department. 

Henry Williams, the MGCB’s executive director, addressed the incident, stating, “Illegal gaming locations prey on vulnerable people and don’t offer the patron protections required for legal, regulated gaming. The MGCB will continue to work hard to protect Michigan communities from crime by eliminating illegal gambling. We appreciate the public’s help in identifying possible illegal gambling locations.”

The search warrant was pursued after an investigation was completed by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the MGCB. Usually, with these investigations, the state will send undercover officers to determine if the business is breaking the law. According to the MGCB, there were numerous anonymous tips about the alleged illegal gambling location that lead to the board’s suspicion. 

“We have received several complaints from residents in the area about this place,” said Eaton County Office of the Sheriff, Captain Rob Block. “These establishments breed other types of crimes such as robberies, assaults, and drug activity.”

The press release published by the MGCB states that investigators seized 36 machines that were allegedly used to play slot-style games, some freestanding slot-style gaming machines, and table-mounted gaming machines. State officials also confiscated a coin pusher machine and more than $23,000 in related cash. 

“Illegal gambling diverts taxes and revenue from our communities which is otherwise used to support our state and schools,” said Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel. “I am grateful for the work of the Michigan Gaming Control Board in putting a stop to these unlawful actions.”

The last raids reported by the MGCB occurred back in September last year. State officials seized 56 gaming machines and more than $12,700 in alleged illegal gambling profits between four different raids conducted between September 28th and 29th.

The MGCB encourages anyone suspicious of an illegal gambling operation should call the anonymous tip line at 888-314-2682. “The MGCB works closely with local law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged illegal gambling locations, which do not provide the protections associated with legal, regulated gaming and can bring unwanted crime to neighborhoods.” 

MGCB Gives Statement on WWE

The MGCB also released an official statement concerning the WWE’s involvement with sports betting. Oddly enough, Henry Williams, the MGCB’s executive director, didn’t specifically say no to the WWE’s recent interest in sports wagering. 

“Any request for inclusion in Michigan’s Sports Wagering Catalog must be submitted to the MGCB by a Michigan-licensed operator or platform provider, and the agency has not received a formal request regarding WWE events wagering. The WWE should work with the gaming industry if it wishes to bring a proposal before the MGCB,” said Williams. 

Many sports fans are not taking the WWE seriously on the matter since the outcomes of their events are chosen beforehand. Including a scripted sport, or show, or whatever you call it, weakens the legitimacy of real sports betting. Although the overwhelming majority of the sports betting public would agree that there is no place for the WWE in sports betting, the WWE is pursuing the endeavor. According to an article posted by CNBC, the WWE is taking several actions to try to make sports betting possible for WWE fans. It seems like the WWE is finally making their money grab and trying to find its cut of the sports betting market. 

Mac Daniel is a writer for PlayOnlineCasino and PlayOnlineSportsBetting. He has experience writing about a wide variety of topics, including healthcare, tourism, non-profit organizations, and most recently casino and sportsbetting news. To check out more of his work, visit: playonlinemichigan.com