- Michigan online poker bill has and will be trying to make progress in being launched in the state by the end of 2020.
- There are two hearing happening this week to advance the bill to the House then eventually to the Governor’s desk.
- There are top brands that will be partnering with Michigan casinos to bring the best online poker platforms to the state.
DETRIOT - Michigan online poker is making progress in the Senate in hopes to be able to go live in the state by the end of the year with two important hearings happening Tuesday and Wednesday.
Since the start of 2020, there have been preparations for the launch of online poker in that state after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer legalized online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms in Michigan.
On Tuesday the committee meeting in the Senate was to vote on the bill that was introduced on June 25 to amend the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and advance it to the Senate floor.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is holding a public hearing on Wednesday to get feedback and questions on the proposed sports betting and iGaming rules which is a mandatory part of the regulatory process.
License applications and rule-making have been in the process during the simultaneous movement of the bill in the Senate to get from the legalization to the full launch of USA online gambling in the state.
The MGCB will submit the final draft of the rules and wait for the Legislative Service Bureau to formally certify them ideally around the same time the bill is to reach the Governor’s desk.
Sen. Curtis Hertel, the sponsor of the bill has stated that he is hoping the bill will be moved to the House by the end of September and expects a quick sign off from the Governor soon after.
Originally online gambling was set to begin at the start of 2021 but now the state is trying for a launch date before the end of the year. The earliest dates were for October but a late November launch seems most realistic.
The 15 casino operators in Michigan will have the opportunity to partner with a poker brand to provide a platform for residents. Top brands such as PokerStars and partypoker are among the sites that will be coming to the state along with WSOP.com as a possibility.
A delay on either the rules and regulations of the votes in the state government could hold things up and jeopardize online gambling in Michigan for 2020 so officials are hoping a fast and smooth process going forth.