Michigan Online Gambling Bill Extends to Sports Betting

Online sports betting could soon be legalized in Michigan, as the state’s latest online gambling bill, ed on December 13th, has a sports betting provision included.

Rep. Brant Iden’s bill H4926, that makes online casinos and poker legal in the state, was approved by House Regulatory Reform Committee during last Wednesday’s hearing. But now, the new version of the bill is stepping up, with a new language that contains a provision that applies to online sports betting. The new rider that s for sports betting legalization says: “The division may permit an internet gaming licensee to conduct internet wagering under this act on any amateur or professional sporting event or contest, if that internet wagering is not prohibited by federal law.”

Whether online sports wagering will be legalized in the state, having a population of 10 million, depends on the outcome of New Jersey challenging the single-game wagering ban in the US Supreme Court. Rep. Iden is certainly of the opinion that, should New Jersey succeed, it would help facilitate the legalization of sports wagering in Michigan as well: “That language is in there to start the next round of conversations. I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves, but we know that is coming – the repeal of PASPA is likely coming in the spring – and we want to put Michigan in position to put our best foot forward as it related to sports gaming,” Iden told Legal Sports Report after the advancement of the online gambling bill.

While it is not likely that the bill will be ed before 2017 ends, it could prove to be profitable for the state, as it stipulates a 10% revenue tax on all online operators.

Source:

“Michigan bill now includes sports betting”, igamingbusiness.com, December 14, 2017.