PokerStars Approved for Michigan Launch
Good news for Michigan online gamers: PokerStars and its land-based retail partner Odawa Online have been approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to become the first operator in the Midwestern state to launch online multistate poker. Back in May 2022, Michigan became the fourth US state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.
PokerStars and its land-based retail partner Odawa Online have been given the green light to become the first operator in the Midwestern state to begin providing online multistate poker. ©albertoadan/Pixabay
Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement Also Includes New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada
Beloved online gaming operator PokerStars has announced that it has been given the green light by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to become the first operator in the major Midwestern state to launch online multistate poker services.
After it first approved the agreement in May 2022, Michigan became the fourth state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. The piece of legislation is significant because it gives PokerStars fans the ability to pool their players with other PokerStars players from licensed and approved jurisdictions.
Land-based interstate poker was permitted in Michigan through a bill that was signed into law in January 2021. Shortly after this, a separate bill paved the way for legal online casino, including poker without shared liquidity.
As for interstate gambling’s next moves: starting from January 1st, 2023, the state of New Jersey will permit players from the Garden State to play with players located in Michigan. Aside from Michigan and New Jersey, the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement also includes Delaware and Nevada.
PokerStars Currently Only Operator Allowed to Pool Liquidity with Other States
On the occasion of PokerStars and its land-based licensing partner Odawa Online’s approval to launch online multistate poker services in Michigan, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) executive director Henry Williams congratulated PokerStars for the launch, noting how more players will likely mean greater game offerings and more enticing tournament prizes:
“A larger volume of players likely will result in more game options, more frequent games and larger tournament prizes.”– Henry Williams, Job Executive Director, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Press Release
Worth noting is how PokerStars is currently the only operator active in Michigan approved to pool poker liquidity with other states. However, any licensed operator in the state can choose to join forces with a platform provider to provide online multistate poker, though this is of course subject to Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) approval.
In terms of the rest of Michigan’s betting market, BetMGM and World Series of Poker are also currently operating in the state, though they boast only Michigan-exclusive player pools. Henry Williams also made sure to note that the increased tax revenue from multistate poker will be directed towards funding K-12 education in the state of Michigan.
Michigan Police Seized Illegal Gambling Machines in August 2022
In other recent, more salacious Michigan gambling news – state authorities revealed in August 2022 that they had confiscated 67 gambling machines and over $10,000 in cash after carrying out a number of raids on two alleged illegal gambling operations located in the city of Flint.
The two illegal gambling locations, The Cellular Vault and Cellular Bank, brought the authorities a bounty that included the following contraband goods: 11 video slot machines, 56 computers and $10,141 in alleged gambling proceeds and gift cards.
The major bust came as a result of a fruitful collaboration between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The board’s director, Henry Williams, explained that the authorities were tipped off about the operations, before reminding Michigan gamblers that they are not protected by consumer protection laws if they turn to illegal gambling:
“The MGCB received several anonymous tips regarding both Flint locations, and we thank the public for their help in rooting out possible illegal gambling activities. Patrons at alleged storefront casinos do not have access to the consumer protections required for legal, regulated gambling. The operations also can draw other types of crime to the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Evolution Launched iGaming in Michigan Back in June 2022
Meanwhile, back in June 2022, another major iGaming provider finally entered the Michigan market: Evolution and its NetEnt and Red Tiger brands, which signed an exclusive agreement with Soaring Eagle Gaming – thereby enabling it to launch in the state.
The operator’s broad portfolio of online casino games, which feature online Live Casino products and First Person RNG titles, are now on offer from Evolution’s live studio, which they also chose to situate in the Midwestern state of Michigan.
Michigan players can supposedly expect a deeply unique gaming experience when betting with Evolution, at least according to Jeff Millar, Commercial Director for North America at Evolution:
“We are absolutely delighted that Soaring Eagle Casino is now live with such a wide selection of games from brands within the group in Michigan. Players will be able to immerse themselves in a uniquely entertaining Soaring Eagle online gaming experience from anywhere in the state.”
