A perfect storm of October events propelled online gambling in Michigan to nearly $500 million in wagers in a single month, falling just short of becoming the fifth state to reach that milestone. In addition, the state’s online casinos reached a new high, marking a historic month for the still-fledgling market, according to PlayMichigan, which tracks gaming developments in the state. Michigan’s online casinos and poker rooms reached a new high in October with $109.7 million in gross gaming revenue. That total is up 7.1% from $102.4 million in September, and marked the third consecutive month that online gaming has set…

In a major development for the poker community, a Michigan interstate online poker bill now sits on the Governor’s desk ready to be signed into law. If you don’t understand why this is so significant, then focus on the word “interstate”. Unlike many other states with legalized online poker, Michigan is set to allow play across state borders with other regulated jurisdictions. This is a game changer, as smaller states have been less likely to allow online poker due to the small pools of players. Unlike other forms on internet betting, online poker needs large pools of players to generate…

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…

Former State Senator Mike Kowall has predicted Michigan online gambling will be legalized in the state, despite outgoing governor Rick Snyder vetoing legislation for each vertical. Snyder refused to sign the gaming bills which were passed by the Michigan House and Senate during the final legislative session of 2018. However, Republican Kowall, who served as Michigan Senate Majority Leader until this earlier month, and sponsored the versions of Brandt Iden’s House Bills in the legislative chamber, says despite this opposition, he fully expects legislation to pass sooner rather than later. In an opinion piece for The Detroit News, Kowall said…

Michigan online gambling seemed close in as the final few hours ticked off the 2018 legislative clock. Lawmakers in the state passed a bill that would legalize Internet gambling within the state, and now only a signature stands in the way of the 5th state with regulated online gambling. The proposal from Rep. Brandt Iden was among the dozens and dozens of bills considered during the final scheduled session on Thursday. Facing a seemingly endless to-do list, the process spilled over into a bonus Friday of lawmaking. The “lawful internet gaming act” cleared one Senate committee and both chambers over…

Michigan online gambling may finally be close to the finish line, according to the author of a set of bills calling for an Internet-focused overhaul of the state’s gambling industry. Rep. Brandt Iden’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act was approved in the House in June. The piece now awaits vote in the Senate and if it gains the necessary traction in the upper chamber of the Michigan Legislature, it will allow the state’s three commercial and 20-plus tribal casinos to offer online casino games. The bill needs to be voted by the Senate by December 20 when the legislative session is…