Michigan Gaming Control Board Issues Cease-and-Desist Letter to Online Casino Company One Country

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued a cease-and-desist letter to OC Media Holdings LLC, operating as One Country Give.  The unlicenced online casino is based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

According to the Commission, One Country Give has been generating income through monthly membership sales, offering participants entries into various so-called “sweepstakes” advertised on their website and social media platforms. These so-called sweepstakes are unlicensed online lotteries and/or raffles under Michigan law.

As part of the MGCB’s commitment to safeguarding consumers and upholding the integrity of gaming regulations in Michigan, the agency has conducted a thorough investigation into One Country's activities after it received a tip about the company’s operations and business model being accessible to Michigan citizens.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board will not, and does not, tolerate activities that circumvent our laws and threaten the integrity of the highly regulated gaming industry in Michigan,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “We are committed to upholding state law to ensure a fair and honest gaming environment for all Michigan citizens, and we will keep issuing cease-and-desist letters and taking appropriate legal actions to halt illegal gaming in the state of Michigan.”

One Country, which operates multiple online lotteries and/or raffles concurrently, offers customers four different membership levels with varying monthly fees:

- 300 entries each month for $15 per month;
- 900 entries each month for $25 per month;
- 3,750 entries each month for $50 per month; and,
- 6,000 entries each month for $75 per month.

Participants may also make entries through a one-time payment or through the purchase of merchandise.

The Michigan Caming Control Board has previously issued cease and desist letters to various social media casinos, including the popular Chumba Casino as well as the long established offshore sports betting site Bovada.  Bovada has since exited the Michigan market entirely.