Even though bills have had widespread support in the Legislature in the past, they were all vetoed by former Governor Rick Snyder who opposed expansion of gambling and feared a loss of revenue for the state lottery. State Representative Brandt Iden is hoping for a different outcome with a new governor in office.

“My goal is to have this up and running by the Super Bowl. Casinos are moving forward because they know it’s going to come to fruition at some point,” he said. “If we don’t do this, we will continue to lose consumers to other states, just like you lost me to Indiana last weekend.”

The Michigan sports betting bill calls for an 8% tax on sports betting, which would generate between $8.7 million to $11.2 million in tax revenues. That’s based on a sport betting market in Michigan, both in the casinos and online, of up to $225 million.

The online gambling and fantasy sports betting bills are also currently in committee, but stalled because Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said the 8% tax rate is too low. The administration opposes the sports betting bill for the same reason, noting that 15% is a better place to land.

Read more at the Detroit Free Press.