[NEWS RELEASE] Michigan Gaming Control Board issues cease-and-desist letters to Ace23 and Ace Per Head, both in Costa Rica, for illegal gambling activities

Michigan Gaming Control Board issues cease-and-desist letters to Ace23 and Ace Per Head, both in Costa Rica, for illegal gambling activities

DETROIT, Oct. 4, 2024 — The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) takes illegal gambling operations seriously and recently issued cease-and-desist letters to Ace23 and Ace Per Head, located in Costa Rica. Ace23 operates the website, Ace23.ag, which functions as a sportsbook and casino service provider catering to agents/bookies. Ace Per Head manages Ace23.

Ace23 purports it is part of the Ace Gaming Network, which claims on their website to be licensed in Canada and Costa Rica but is not licensed to operate in Michigan.

An extensive investigation has revealed the website enables account holders, who are considered “agents” to establish bookmaking operations using different “skins” (designs) and webpages, whereby the agents/bookies can accept wagers and make payouts to players on those webpages. Ace23 handles all the organizing, setup, and administration for the agent’s/bookie’s operation and charges them $10 per active player per week for doing so. Additionally, the website offers casino-style games but does not take any wagers or make any payouts, as those are handled between the agent/bookie and participating gamblers.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to safeguarding the integrity of legal gaming in the state and protecting consumers from illicit offshore operations like Ace23,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “Our regulatory efforts are focused on promoting responsible gaming practices and upholding the laws that govern the industry. To that end, we ask all Michigan residents to stay informed and stay safe by reporting any suspected illegal gambling activities to the agency because we take every tip very seriously.”

Ace23 facilitates transactions from agents for the “per head” charges through cryptocurrencies or approved retailer gift cards. To pay with a gift card, agents are required to scratch off the hidden code on the back of the card and input it into an area on their account page to release the dollar amount to Ace23.

The MGCB has determined that Ace23 is operating in direct violation of Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Penal Code, and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Such activities pose a significant risk to consumers and the integrity of legal gaming operations within the state of Michigan.

These cease-and-desist letters serve as a formal notice to Ace23 and Ace Per Head to immediately halt all gambling activities within Michigan and refrain from further violations of the law within 14 days from receipt of the letter.

The MGCB urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected illegal gambling activities. Tips can be reported by calling 1-888-314-2682 or sending a message to [email protected].

Michigan citizens are also reminded to exercise caution when engaging in online gaming activities and to ensure they verify the legality of gaming sites before participating. A list of licensed internet gaming providers can be found on the agency’s website at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Michigan citizens can also visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.