Online gaming bill introduced in Michigan
Senator Mike Kowall has introduced legislation seeking to legalize poker and casino
Michigan has thrown its hat in the ring to be the next state to legalize and regulate online casino and poker games after a bill was introduced to the legislature on Friday. [private]
The bill â SB 889 â has been introduced by Senator Mike Kowall and referred to the Committee of Regulatory Reform.
Dubbed the âLawful Internet Gaming Actâ, if passed into law the legislation would grant up to eight online poker and casino licenses to the stateâs casinos and tribal operators.
Licenses fees would be $5m with an upfront, non-refundable $100,000 deposit. The license fee would be offset against future tax payments, set at 10% of gross gaming revenue.
The bill would also appear to allow for national and international gaming compacts, stating a wager may be accepted from a player âwho is not physically present in the stateâ.
The bill said the internet had become an âintegral part of everyday lifeâ and that online gambling was a âcore form of entertainmentâ for millions of people around the world.
âIn multiple jurisdictions across the world, internet gaming is legal, regulated, and taxed, generating billions of dollars in revenue for governments,â the bill added.
The Michigan Lottery already offers players in the state some forms of online gambling, including instant win scratchcard games and lottery ticket sales.
Last year the lottery generated $147m in online revenues, more than the combined total of regulated egaming operators in New Jersey.Â