Fourteen Michigan businesses were issued cease-and-desist orders to stop offering illegal gambling games during 2019 through a joint enforcement effort by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office and the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

The 14 businesses claimed to operate redemption games, which are legal in Michigan. Investigators determined the locations instead were offering casino-style video slot machines based on chance and rather than skill.

Each location chose to close rather than face potential criminal charges, according to a press release from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. An unlicensed gambling business operator can face a 10-year felony charge.

At least two of the businesses have since reopened.

Illegal gambling can lead to money laundering and other crimes that impact the safety and security of Michigan communities, Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director, said in the press release. Legal gambling is taxed and regulated, and taxes go back into the community as funding for K-12 education. An illegal gambling operation doesnt support the community but instead siphons funds away from it.

The locations ordered in 2019 to cease offering illegal gambling games by county are:

Kent County

Lapeer County

Genesee County

Macomb County

Oakland County

Washtenaw County

The MGCB offers a guide on internet cafes and cyber cafes on its website, http://www.michigan.gov/mgcb.

Michigan residents can report illegal or suspicious gambling activity anonymously by calling 888-314-2682.

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State halts 14 illegal gambling operations in 6 Michigan counties - MLive.com