Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) A lot of anticipation was built for the launch of online gambling in Michigan. The debut of Michigan online casino, sports betting and poker was planned for November 2020. It was now delayed due to the state’s legislative activities being interrupted.
In December 2019 Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the bill that makes Michigan online casinos, poker and sports betting legal in the state. Several partnerships got state licences in preparation for a launch. All systems were geared to have the first Michigan online casinos launched in November 2020. But further delays seem to push back the launch to 2021.
The timing for the Michigan online gambling launch depends on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The JCAR is a group of House Representatives. They received the final draft of Michigan online gambling rules from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) on October 6. The JCAR then required 15 full-day sessions to study the rules. They would either approve them or send them back to MGCB by December 7.
Testing and certifications for Michigan online casinos and sportsbook operators and suppliers are underway. But for now this is the only progress made and apart from that, the MGCB is stuck and waiting for legislator progress. So the regulator tried to press the JCAR for more concrete advancement. So the launch of Michigan online gambling can be brought closer to date. But the House cancelled the latest session that was scheduled for Thursday. And there are no more sessions booked until December 1.
The official reason for the cancellation was that there is nothing requiring an in-person vote. But unofficial sources say it’s because many House Representatives are in quarantine. Some lawmakers, like Western Michigan’s Rep. Scott VanSingel, R-Grant are confirmed positive for COVID-19. But even if the House isn’t shut because of the Coronavirus pandemic, there is no launch in site. Most likely that the debut of Michigan online casinos and Michigan sports betting and poker apps won’t happen this year.
Legalizing Michigan Online Gambling – A Two-Lane Freeway
There is a lot of red tape around launching Michigan online casinos and other gambling websites. Most of it sits between the law making of online gambling and the implementation at operator and customer level. Both processes must happen in parallel. Finalizing the rules and laws is one. And second is licencing the operators and making sure they comply with the rules. Licencing is the full responsibility of the MGCB. But formalizing the rules involves Michigan lawmakers as well. So until the rules aren’t approved by JCAR, the MGCB cannot complete the final licencing.
The MGCB is really looking to start generating important revenues from Michigan online casino, sportsbook and poker. Especially during the harsh economic climate and closure of land-based casinos due to COVID-19. But for now the attempts to rush things up don’t seem to be successful. Many want to see the launch of Michigan online gambling happening this year. But beyond the health of its lawmakers, the Michigan House has many other priorities. So the for now the Thanksgiving weekend remains the launch date. But we are very sceptical of this happening. It is more likely that the launch of online Michigan casinos will occur sometime in 2021.
Michigan Interstate Poker – Collateral Damage
The Michigan House not assembling didn’t push back only the launch of Michigan online casinos. It also has an impact on Michigan’s Interstate Poker bill. Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA) saw a last-minute change last year. This was due to the Michigan State Lottery’s concerns about large interstate slot jackpots. So the law prevents MGCB from entering agreements with regulatory bodies from other states.
Although initially done to protect Michigan lottery interests, poker was collateral damage. This due to the game of poker benefiting greatly from shared player pools. Senate Bill 991 creates an exception for Michigan online poker. It allows to share liquidity with other states. It passed a Senate vote in October and is now waiting for the House vote. Although it’s expected to pass, it is seen as low priority because it won’t have an impact on the actual launch of Michigan online gambling.
The House is supposed to reconvene on December 1 as planned. If this happens there is still time for SB 991 to pass. However, if there are more cancellations due to COVID-19 or other reasons, Michigan Interstate Poker could be shelved until next year. For now, it seems that Michigan poker players will be able to play next year. But they are not likely to join tables with poker players from other states before 2022. The good news is, that Michigan online gambling has a lot of support from many directions. So it will happen soon for sure.
