Michigan authorities shut down illegal out-of-state gambling operator

Golden Hearts Games Inc, has seen operations in Michigan shut down by the Michigan Attorney General’s office after it was found the firm had been illegally operating in the Great Lakes State without a license.

The closure order, known as an Assurance of Discontinuance, was secured by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, working with the Michigan Attorney General’s offices Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED) on September 1.

Massachusetts-based Golden Hearts Games was later informed by the Attorney General’s office and the Michigan Gaming Control Board that it was violating Michigan law by operating online games illegally without a license.

State gaming regulators began investigating Golden Hearts Games in August 2021 and discovered the illegal activity, later issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Golden Hearts in 2022.

This letter went unheeded, and Golden Hearts continued to operate in the Great Lakes State without a license.

The Attorney General’s office later sent notice to the firm citing the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, filing legal proceedings in state court against Golden Hearts.

The complaint also alleged that Golden Hearts’ conduct violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by deceiving Michiganders into thinking they were participating in legal gaming.

The threat of a lawsuit by the state led to Golden Hearts agreeing to halt all Michigan-based gambling offerings, with the Assurance of Discontinuance formalizing the withdrawal.

“Unlicensed gaming robs our schools and our government of essential funding and leaves consumers unprotected,” Michigan Attorney General Nessel said.

“When companies like Golden Hearts attempt to circumvent Michigan’s gaming laws, they create the false impression that their games are legal and safe for consumers.

“My office is committed to ensuring that our gaming laws are strictly enforced and those who violate those laws are held accountable,” she added.