Michigan’s Legislature voted to legalize sports betting and internet gambling on Wednesday, 11th December 2019, that will see it becoming the 20th state to authorize sports wagers and the fifth state to allow casino-style games to be played online.
Gamblers will now have the opportunity to expand their options with three commercial casinos in Detroit as well as two-dozen tribal casinos elsewhere.
The bills reflect a compromise with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer following lawmakers agreeing to impose a higher tax on i-Gambling than was originally proposed.
It is not yet clear as to whether Casinos will be required to obtain a license from state regulators who will be writing the rules. A number of lawmakers were anticipating that sports wagering would commence in time for the Super Bowl in early February 2020 although East Lansing Democrat, Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., doubted it could begin by then.
The Senator commented that the NCCAA Basketball Tournament, which beings in mid-March, is a more realistic goal as it may take longer to set up mobile sports betting and online games.
A spokeswoman for the Michigan Gaming Control Board refused to comment until such time as the bills are on the governor’s desk.
According to supporters, gamblers are currently betting on sports and gambling online through illegal bookies or non-U.S. websites.
Sen, Hertel also said that legalizing sports and i-Gambling will protect consumers and generate new tax revenues for local and state governments. Up to $14 million would go to the state’s school aid fund, which covers public schools.