Last week, a pair of bills to regulate online gambling in Michigan were put forth. Last year, the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act was vetoed at the last minute by departing Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican. Leadership has changed with the election of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.

The measure in the Senate, SB 186, is sponsored by Sen. Curtis Hertel, a Democrat. In the House, Rep. Brandt Iden, a Republican, is behind the proposal HB 4311. Iden spearheaded the legislation for the last two years. The continued bipartisan nature of the efforts is good news. In 2018, the Lawful Internet Gaming act was approved in the House by a 71-35 margin, and it passed the Senate by a 33-5 count.

Both bills seek to legalize online gambling in Michigan, as well as Internet poker, and the legislation could lead to state gaming regulators approving online sports bets as well. Michigan doesn’t currently have any brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, and the legislation wouldn’t authorize those. A separate piece of legislation would be needed for retail books and possibly to set up more parameters for online sports betting.

More on online gambling in Michigan at MI Bets.