It could be an early Christmas for online poker players in Michigan as industry experts predict that the Great Lakes State is likely to pass a comprehensive online gaming bill within the next week that will legalize regulated online poker, casino games, and sports wagering.
Michigan would become the sixth state to legalize online poker if the bill does indeed become law. Currently regulated online poker is allowed in Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with West Virginia having also passed a law earlier this year.
The PocketFives Michigan Poker Community is a resource for online poker players in Michigan. The community is home to rankings, site reviews, the latest news, and a dedicated forum for legal and regulated online poker in the Wolverine State. Live Poker In Michigan Michigan. As of today, the PokerStars Michigan poker client is available in the Wolverine State, making it the third state behind New Jersey and Pennsylvania in which the operator offers legal and regulated real money online poker. The latest on online gambling, sports betting, the iLottery, and more. Welcome to PlayMichigan, your one-stop shop for news, bonuses, and updates about Michigan online gambling! 22, 2021, online gambling opened for business. Whether you live in the Upper or Lower Peninsula, you now have access to multiple online gambling. Online gambling in Michigan was legalized in December 2019 when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bill HB 4311, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, into law, legalizing several forms of igaming in the state including online casinos, online poker.
One might think it's déjà vu all over again in Michigan as last year the state appeared on the cusp of passing a bill into law after a similar bill made it through both the state's House of Representative and Senate. However, former Governor Rick Snyderchose to veto the bill as one of his last acts to end his term to end last year before the current Governor Gretchen Whitmer took office.
The Michigan State House of Representatives had passed a bill in October, but action stalled in the Senate for more than a month in the Senate as key issues including tax rates were debated by key parties involved in the bill.
The Senate is now expected to pass a bill this week. According to Online Poker Report, both houses, Governor Whitmer, Michigan's 23 tribal casinos, and the state's three commercial casinos are all on board with the bill.
Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. who was involved in negotiations concerning the bill stated he had been pleased with the progress he and his fellow lawmakers were able to make.
'This was a very difficult process,' Hertel said according to Online Poker Report, 'so I'm really happy to be able to get it this far and excited for the voting the next two days.'
Once the bill is passed by both houses, it will be presented to Governor Whitmer for her signature. While it is possible the online gaming bill could meet the same fate as last year, interested parties appear to be much more optimistic that the bill will pass 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.'
Taxes and Licensing
The bill will call for each casino to foot a $50,000 payment up front when applying for a license. If approved the license will cost $100,000 for the first year and $50,000 for each additional year. Suppliers will be subject to a $5,000 initial licensing fee with a $2,500 bill every subsequent year.
This is just the beginning as the bill calls for a tiered tax structure with rates ranging from 20-28% of revenue for online poker and casino games.
- 20% on revenue less than $4 million
- 22% on revenue from $4-8 million
- 24% on revenue from $8-10 million
- 26% on revenue from $10-12 million
- 28% on revenue of $12 million+
While these rates are higher than what the bill introduced in October originally called for, they are about half of the 54% tax-rate Pennsylvania levies.
The tax rate is much lower at 8.4% for online sports wagering and daily fantasy sports. The three commercial casinos would also have an additional 1.25% municipal tax.
While online operators will not be able to deduct free-play and promotions in their entirety, they will be able to deduct some with a 10% deduction allowed during the first three years and a 6% deduction allowed in the fourth year. After this period, no further deductions will be permitted.
Time will tell whether Michigan will end the year as the sixth state to approved regulated online poker. Stay tuned to PokerNews for further updates.
Photo: 'Welcome to Michigan, Menominee, Michigan,' (adapted), Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Michigan Pokerstars Website
Tags
NevadaNew JerseyOnline CasinoOnline PokerPoker and the LawPoker promotionsPoker TaxesSportsMichigan
PokerStars went live in Michigan just 10 days ago. Already they are the top online poker site across all US regulated markets. It is larger than than the combined WSOP/888 network, bigger even than its PokerStars PA Pennsylvania counterpart.
Now, PokerStars MI has dropped details surrounding their first ever Michigan Championship of Online Poker, aka MICOOP.
🎉 Time for our first #MICOOP 🏆
📆 Feb 20th – Mar 8th
6️⃣ 0️⃣ tournaments with buy-ins from $10 to $500
💵 $125k GT… https://t.co/zD4Uzm0lSC— PokerStarsUSA (@PokerStarsUSA) February 09, 2021
Pokerfuse’s super sleuth Anuj Arora predicted this may well be the first ever online tournament series to run in the state of Michigan from the operator, and he was right.
This is what we know:
- What: MICOOP 2021
- When: February 20 to March 8
- Guarantees: $1 million
- Events: 60 events are on the schedule
- Buy-ins: Buy-ins ranging from $10 up to $500.
Ohio Online Poker News
And here are some of the top MICOOP 2021 tournaments to look out for:
- Feb 21: $200 MICOOP-06 Sunday Special—$40,000 guaranteed
- Feb 24: $500 MICOOP-17 High Roller—$35,000 guaranteed
- Feb 28: $250 MICOOP-31 Sunday Special—$50,000 guaranteed
- Mar 2: $250 MICOOP-36 Super Tuesday—$35,000 guaranteed
- Mar 4: $250 MICOOP-44 PKO Thursday Thrill—$35,000 guaranteed
- Mar 7: $300 MICOOP 55 Main Event—$125,000 guaranteed
Pokerstars Michigan
For more detailed info on MICOOPhead over to our sister site pokerfuse for all the deets.