Will MGCB Departure From NCPG Impact Michigan Operators?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) made some big news last Friday when it announced it was withdrawing from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).

The move was motivated by the recent addition of Kalshi as a member to the NCPG.

Now that Michigan is removing itself from the NCPG, what will that mean for Michigan online casino and Michigan online sportsbook operators?

MGCB Upset by Kalshi’s Platinum Membership

In a posted letter, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said the state could no longer continue being part of the NCPG now that a prediction market operator was a standing member.

Kalshi is listed as a “Platinum Member” of the NCPG. That level of membership carries an $8,000-$15,000 annual fee and is the highest level of membership in the organization. Other top operators like DraftKings and FanDuel art also Platinum Members.

Michigan has obtained a temporary restraining order against Kalshi, accusing the prediction market company of providing illegal sports betting in the state since the MGCB has no regulatory control over prediction markets.

Williams noted in his letter to the NCPG that Michigan isn’t alone in their legal fight against Kalshi, either.

“Kalshi is involved in countless lawsuits against numerous states across the country. These efforts are part of Kalshi’s broader strategy to remake the gambling industry – by bulldozing countless regulations and the consumer-protection safeguards which Michigan and other states have enacted to protect their residents and uphold the integrity of sports betting,” Williams said in the letter.

Williams also noted that including Kalshi as a member suggests to the public that the prediction market is subject to the same consumer protections and regulatory oversight as licensed operators around the US, which it is not.

The MGCB has now been removed from the NCPG website. Along with that, any MGCB employees will no longer serve on any board or committee of the NCPG.

What MGCB’s Departure Means for State Operators

The next question over this decision is, what does it mean for the in-state operators?

According to the MGCB, not much will change.

In a statement to Sports Betting Dime the MGCB detailed that licensed operators will still be held to Responsible Gaming standards.

“MGCB’s withdrawal from NCPG doesn’t change any requirements for in-state operators. Responsible gaming standards — including self-exclusion programs, deposit and wagering limits, and links to addiction resources — are set and enforced directly by MGCB through Michigan’s own gaming laws and regulations, not through NCPG membership. Authorized operators licensed by the MGCB are still required to meet the same RG obligations they always have; nothing changes for them as a result of this decision.”

The current requirements that Michigan online gambling operators are held to include:

• Deposit Limits
• Wagering Limits
• Loss Limits
• Time Limits
• Check-Ins
• Access to Self-Exclusion Resources (Short and Long Term)
• Display of the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER)
• Listing of available Problem Gambling Resource Options

While operators will not be required to include the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline (1-800-MY-RESET) or NCPG resources, there’s no indication that they are no longer allowed to, either.

The MGCB still lists the NCPG on their website as a resource for problem gambling help, as of this writing.