Michigan State regulators are taking needful steps for online poker operators to join an interstate gaming compact. The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) includes Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.

Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB) sent out a five-page document on March 16 that describes potential tasks and considerations for operators and platform providers willing to offer multistate online poker.

This is big news for poker players, fans, enthusiasts, and the overall poker industry. Michigan is the 10th largest state in terms of population (around 10.1 million). The player pool will almost double and it will also benefit from increasing shared liquidity from a total population of around 23.5 million if Michigan joins the other three states in MSIGA.

 

The Three-Step Process

The MCGB document mentions a three-step process that must be followed by the operators and platforms in Michigan, to start multistate online poker.

  1. First, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB) must have entered into a multi-jurisdictional agreement and this agreement must be in effect before the platform or an operator launches multistate poker.
  2. Proper licensing, approval by the MCGB, and meeting all other requirements are also mandatory for the platform providers, Operators, and any other third-party suppliers.
  3. All parties must receive express permission from the board.

 

Guidelines for Existing Poker Operators

The BetMGM and PokerStars already provide services in Michigan. MGCB has provided an option to introduce a new platform in the state to support poker or they can shift their poker operation to a platform that is located in another state.

The document also outlines that both the providers may require platform modifications that include:

  • New systems integrations
  • The establishment of new test accounts
  • Configuration changes
  • Updating of reporting capabilities
  • Enhancing technical security controls etc.

 

Other Guidelines

MCGB’s guidance also highlights many other topics like supplier and occupational licensing, geofencing, and platform modifications. There are also instructions on server locations, data centers, and branding. It is also being said that some changes may be tested by an Independent Test Laboratory (ITL) while other changes might need sending notifications to the regulator.

This document also provides many options for the operators who want to provide services in the state. MCGB has mentioned that operators who do not offer online poker in Michigan but are willing to launch interstate poker can do so by:

  • Partnering with a new platform provider
  • Through a new platform provided by an operator’s existing platform
  • As a new or remote gaming system (RGS) added to an already existing platform.

 

Michigan’s Interest to join an online gaming compact

In 2021MCGB Executive Director, Henry Williams confirmed that Michigan has always wanted to join the MSIGS; for at least a year. There were rumors that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the MCGB had differences; over who would formally sign a gaming compact like the MSIGA. This difference at least showed that the State was OK to join an interstate compact; and it would not violate any federal laws, especially the Wire act.

 

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