Michigan Is At the Brink of Online Poker Regulation Once Again

The state of Michigan is at the threshold of legalizing and regulating online poker.

Online poker, in addition to mobile sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and online casino games, is waiting on Governor’s approval. It is expected that iGaming bill regarding these will be signed into law very soon, perhaps even before the year ends.

This is not the first time that Michigan has been this close to online gaming legalization.

Last year, an iGaming bill made it both through the House of Representative and Senate. It only needed the signature of then Governor Rick Snyder.

However, former Governor Snyder, unexpectedly decided to veto the bill and soon ended his term, leaving the office to the current Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Throughout 2019, there has been a renewed effort to bring back an online gaming bill which had already been started previously.  Representative Brandt Iden has been the most active in trying to legalize online gaming. He revised the rejected online gaming bill and The Michigan State House of Representatives passed it in October.

The bill will soon be presented to Governor Whitmer to sign it and though the history can repeat itself and the proposed bill can be vetoed like the last year, the parties involved all seem more optimistic that won’t happen this time around.

“The governor is pleased with the progress made on gaming over the course of this year, particularly once Sen. Hertel and Rep. Warren were able to engage and resolve key issues to get this package across the finish line,” said Governor Whitmer’s spokesperson Tiffany Brown.

“This is a good, bipartisan solution made possible by working together on a complex issue, and the governor looks forward to closely reviewing this package once it hits her desk.”

If the bill does indeed become law, Michigan would join other six states in the USA that have legalized online poker.

Currently, these states include Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, that passed a law earlier this year.