Will Michigan be the next US State with Legal Internet Gambling?

For the last three years, ever since a handful of states passed internet casino and poker legislation, experts and analysts have tried to predict who would become the big ‘#4‘. California was a strong front runner for awhile, as well as Pennsylvania and maybe New York, but an underdog is coming up from behind now as Michigan surprised everyone this week.

The news was first leaked by the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), who reported the following via Twitter on Wednesday:

“BREAKING: Michigan Senate Committee passes internet #poker and iGaming bill 8-1!! #Greatday”

Upon further investigation, the long-time online poker advocacy group’s information was confirmed, although the bill’s official ‘History’ has yet to be updated with the news. Here’s what we know now…

Internet Casino, Poker Bill SB-889

The piece of legislation in question is SB-889, introduced by Senator Mike Kowall on April 14, 2016. It was then referred to the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. That panel reviewed the measure, recommending immediate enactment following a very favorable vote of 8 to 1.

In an official summary of the internet casino poker legislation, the Committee wrote:

Internet wagering would be authorized to the extent that it was carried out in accordance with the proposed Act. A wager under the Act initiated by an individual in Michigan and received in a casino in Michigan, whether a casino in a city and operated under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act or a casino operated by an Indian tribe, would be considered gambling or gaming in the casino.

“Internet wagering” would mean the acceptance of a wager by an internet gaming licensee from an individual who is either physically present in Michigan when placing the wager or otherwise permitted to place the wager by law. The intermediate routing of electronic data in connection with internet wagering, including across state lines, would not determine the location or locations in which the wager was initiated, received, or otherwise made.

SB-889 is now in the hands of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Odds of Passage Not Favorable in 2016

Unfortunately, the odds that SB-889 will make it into the Michigan State law books before this year’s session is out are not favorable. The idea of a legal internet gambling structure came about very suddenly, and there’s not much time left to get the measure to the finish line.

The overwhelming approval of the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee is a good sign, but it’s also worth noting that many of the bill’s sponsors are on that committee. Now, the legislation must make it through the House, which has held no meaningful discussions on the issue up to this point.

Even if the House approves SB-889, it would then have to pass through the State Senate, and onto the desk of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder before the summer break. If the House and Senate manage to push the iGaming bill that far along before the session ends, Gov. Snyder would have 14 days to react, either with a veto or by signing it into law.

Should all that happen, and Gov. Snyder fail to react in that amount of time, the bill would be automatically enacted and internet gambling would become legal in Michigan.