Online Poker is Now Legal in Michigan
Yes, Michigan has finally legalized Online Poker!
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the long-awaited legislation which legalizes internet sports betting and online gambling, including online poker in the state.
It has been estimated that the new legislation would bring nearly $20 million to the state. A part of the new revenue has been designated to support the state’s School Aid Fund and the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund.
Gov. Whitmer commented that the revenue that will follow the legalization of internet poker, casino, and sports betting is going to be used for the betterment of the community.
“My top priority in signing this legislation was protecting and investing in the School Aid Fund, because our students deserve leaders who put their education first,”
“These bills will put more dollars in Michigan classrooms and increase funding for firefighters battling cancer. This is a real bipartisan win for our state,” Whitmer stated.
As included in the bill, the gambling revenue will be also used to fund “road repairs and improvements, anti-gang and youth development projects, public safety programs,” and more.
All 26 casinos in Michigan will be allowed to apply for licenses. The application fee is $50,000 and the initial license costs $100,000. After that, the licenses will be $50,000 per year.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) will be the body responsible for issuing state-specific licenses to operators interested in offering online games for real money within the state borders.
It is yet to be known when the first legal games of online poker will take place.
Michigan has become the sixth state in the United States to legalize online poker after those of Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Just three of those – New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania – have launched online poker rooms.
As we have reported previously, this has been a long time coming. For now everything looks good on paper, but only time will tell how it will all work when the law starts getting implemented.
