Michigan Gaming Control Board Withdraws Membership from NCPG over Kalshi Involvement

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is no longer a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).

Last Friday, Executive Director of the MGCB Henry Williams issued a letter to the NCPG informing of their decision after prediction market operator Kalshi was allowed to become a “Platinum Member.” Michigan currently has a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to keep Kalshi from offering sport event contracts in the state.

Williams detailed that the MGCB doesn’t want to be affiliated with prediction markets like Kalshi, as they are not subject to regulation in the state like Michigan online casinos and Michigan online sportsbooks.

MGCB Issues Strong Response

The MGCB acted relatively quick, removing itself from the MGCB last Friday with the letter posted below.

“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.

Another point of contention from the MGCB is 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. Williams believes this is the wrong message for the NCPG to be sending.

“Any affiliation which blurs this distinction undermines the MGCB’s statutory responsibilities and jeopardizes the clarity of the regulatory framework which it enforces.”

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

Michigan Operators Still Have RG Requirements

While no longer a NCPG member, the Michigan Gaming Control Board will still require its online operators to meet Responsible Gaming standards to maintain its licensing with the state.

The MGCB told Sports Betting Dime:

“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.”

Those requirements that operators will have to meet include options for consumers like deposit limits, wagering limits, time limits, and more.

Operators are also required to list the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) while also including resources for players to get help in their area and options to self-exclude from their gambling app entirely.

Michigan operators typically include information about the National Council on Problem Gambling and their helpline (1-800-MY-RESET), but that will not be required by the MGCB.

The MGCB website still lists the NCPG and its helpline as an available resource for those seeking gambling addiction help. That could change in the near future with its departure from the organization.

The NCPG lists 33 states as members of its organization now that Michigan has left.