Michigan's Online Gambling Laws Are About to Open Up

For years, certain lawmakers in Michigan have been working to make sports gambling legal. This week, it appears these efforts are finally paying off. Michigan’s online gambling laws are set to change in a major way.

Several new forms of gambling are going to become legal here. It’s extremely exciting news for both casino and sports betting fans around the state. Today, we’re looking at exactly what’s coming here.

Let’s get into it!

Gambling Laws in Michigan, Explained

Michigan is thought of today as a very gambling-friendly state. This wasn’t always the case, though. For many years, lawmakers here only allowed Class II tribal casinos to operate. Eventually, a bill was approved to allow Class III gambling establishments.

This completely revamped the state’s gaming industry. Before long, 19 fully-operational tribal casinos began operating here. They’re hugely popular with both locals and residents of nearby states where casino gambling is banned.

Laws towards online gambling were much more ambiguous here. The legality of online casino gambling and internet sports betting seemed to lie in a grey area. Despite this fact, many individuals continued to make wagers online. Lawmakers realized the state was earning no revenue from these markets and decided it was time for a change.

In 2017, officials presented a bill to make sports gambling legal and regulated. It was nearly approved in 2018 before a veto from the Governor.

Fortunately, things are moving ahead as originally planned. The House Committee approved new measures in September. It appears that Michigan’s online gambling laws are now set to change.

Michigan’s Online Gambling Laws Are About Change

As we just mentioned, lawmakers in Michigan very nearly approved sports betting in 2018. Unfortunately, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the bill at the last minute. This week, a package of bills is once again being presented to the Governor and this time, it seems highly unlikely she’ll put up any resistance.

Michigan’s Senate Regulatory Reform Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill. State officials agree to the proposed tax bracket for both sports betting and online casino gambling. At the moment, sports betting operators will be taxed at 8.4%. Internet casino operators face a tax between 20% and 28%.

This package of bills also lays out plans to regulate and tax the daily fantasy sports industry.

The majority of revenue earned from this industry will go to help fund schools and other social programs. Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., a democrat that supports the changes to Michigan’s online gambling laws, commented on the timeline to the media this week.

“The intention is to get this to the governor’s desk and have votes today,” he said. “It makes us like a lot of other states.”

That’s certainly true. More than 20 states have already approved sports gambling legislation. Most of these states have their sports betting operations up and running. If all goes according to plan, Michigan will join these states by the end of the week.

More States Likely to Legalize Sports Betting in 2020

Michigan’s online gambling laws are changing in a major way. Soon, both online casino gambling sports betting will be available to residents. This is far from the only state making changes, though. It’s likely that many more states change their laws in 2020.

Lawmakers around the country are simply realizing how much money can be earned with gambling expansion. New Jersey, which was one of the first states to allow both online sports betting and casino gambling, is now earning millions of dollars every month by taxing this industry.

Even small states such as Rhode Island are earning an impressive amount of money thanks to the legalization of sports betting.

Several states are on-track to legalize sports betting next year. Many believe that Massachusetts is heading in this direction. This state is well-known for having one of the most passionate sporting fan bases in the country. The legalization of sports betting here would likely bring in major revenue earnings each year.

Some believe California has a chance to legalize this industry, as well. Unfortunately, lawmakers are in a legal quarrel with Native American tribes over the matter.

Michigan’s online gambling laws will completely change this week. Gambling fans are about to have a whole new list of options to make wagers.

Stay tuned for more US casino news over the next few months!