Michigan State has signed a multijurisdictional poker agreement which allows online players in the jurisdiction to compete across state lines. Poker enthusiast in the Great Lake State can now compete against those based in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey.
The agreement was put into effect by Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams and gives the state membership in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.
While the news that Michigan would be joining was already announced last month, it was still pending the full execution of the agreement by the state, which has now been finalized.
Williams said:
“I am happy to announce Michigan has joined the multistate poker compact, and much of the increased tax revenue from multistate poker will go to support K-12 education in Michigan. By joining, Michigan will almost double the potential pool of participants in multistate poker games.”
The groundwork was done when in December 2020 State Legislature 2020 passed a bill to allow the MGCB to join a multijurisdictional poker compact, offering stateside residents the ability to compete with poker players in other states. Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) sponsored bill PA 327, which was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Dec. 29, 2020.
Sen. Hertel said:
“Michigan poker players will enjoy more options and will likely play for bigger money when they can compete against players from other states. I am glad we were able to make this possible for Michigan poker players.”
Operators and associated platform providers that wish to obtain MGCB authorization to launch multistate poker, will first have to complete a number of steps, the MGCB said. This April guidance on participation requirements for these parties were issued.
PRESS RELEASE: The Multi-State Internet Gaming Association announces the entrance of the State of Michigan as a party to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. More here: pic.twitter.com/Gw1o70g8rU
— Nevada Gaming Control Board (@NevadaGCB) April 6, 2022
Williams commented on the procedure, saying:
“The operators still have work to do before Michigan residents may join multistate poker games. The MGCB must make sure Michigan residents are protected when they play multistate poker, and we will apply the same rigor to review the new offering as we have other internet games.”
Three licensed operators and providers are currently offering online poker in Michigan: MGM Grand Detroit with BetMGM; the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians with World Series of Poker; and PokerStars via the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
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