Michigan gaming regulators announced a new agreement on Thursday that offers residents in the state free software to block gambling sites. This appears to be the first time a state has made this kind of software available.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has entered into a partnership with Gamban, a firm specializing in gambling blocking software. The plan entitles Michigan residents to a free license, with licensing options of up to five years.
“Michigan is committed to ensuring that the expansion of legal gaming comes with the strongest possible safeguards for our residents,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “Our partnership with Gamban gives anyone who wants help a free, proven tool to block access to online gambling – instantly and across all their devices.”
Gamban Has A Proven Record, Company Says
The Wolverine State officially legalized online gaming in 2019. The software initiative represents a significant expansion of the MGCB’s responsible gaming efforts. It provides residents with a tool to limit or eliminate access to iGaming.
Gamban restricts access to gambling websites and apps across all major devices and platforms. Once installed, the software is difficult to remove or turn off, according to the MGCB.
The regulator said was supposed to be a barrier “between themselves and online gambling content even when willpower alone may not be enough.”
Gamban restricts not just operators, but also blocks all online gambling content regardless of regulatory status. It includes sports betting, poker, slots, social casinos, crypto gambling, and NFT-based wagering. Beyond simply blocking gaming sites, the software also directs users to some of the state’s other responsible gaming programs.
“When someone takes the first step toward quitting gambling, they will be made aware of all the services available in the state via the Gamban app, while it works to block gambling sites and apps in the background,” Gamban Director of External Affairs Matt Zarb-Cousin said. “This approach has improved overall rates of abstinence and recovery in other jurisdictions.”
Software Deal Comes After Crackdown On Offshore Gaming
Michigan has been one of the more fervent states pushing to eliminate offshore gaming and sweepstakes platforms. The MGCB has issued cease-and-desist orders to 45 offshore operators over the past four months
In 2024, the state sent cease-and-desist letters to VGW Holdings, the parent company of Global Poker and Chumba Casino, and two other operators. The MGCB has also demanded dozens of other operators stop operating in Michigan over the last few years.
The addition of the Gambam program continues to solidify Michigan as one of the toughest states for illegal gambling.
