Snyder’s Veto Forces Michigan Online Gaming Legislation To Start Over

In the closing minutes of the 2018 session, Michigan legislators cast their votes in favor of approving the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, H 4926.

Although it was not guaranteed, it was widely expected that Gov. Rick Snyder would sign the bill before his term ended. However, he ultimately chose not to do so.

Instead, Snyder exercised his veto power on the bill, which achieved what many believed was an impossible task – bridging the gap between tribal and commercial casinos.

MI online gaming back to square one

The governor’s unexpected veto of the online gambling industry came as a surprise. Snyder justified his decision by expressing concerns about the potential negative impact of online gambling on the revenue generated by the online lottery and traditional casinos. His primary motive in rejecting the bill was to safeguard the interests of the Michigan Lottery.

According to Michigan Rep. Brandt Iden, the sponsor of the bill, he does not find the reasons provided to be valid. He considers them mere suppositions since there are currently no states that have implemented online gaming or an online lottery that can be used as a reference.

Pennsylvania, on the other hand, has existing laws in place. The state’s online lottery has grown in scope this year, and they are set to introduce online gaming. Moreover, one need only observe the success and financial opportunities of online gaming in New Jersey to recognize its popularity.

Iden expressed his disappointment over the setback in a conversation with Online Poker Report following the veto.

“It is extremely disheartening that my complete gaming package was vetoed unexpectedly. We were completely unaware of this decision. All the stakeholders were in favor of the package, and we had successfully addressed any concerns raised. Hence, this outcome is truly unexpected and surprising.”

The future of MI online gaming

Iden intends to present a fresh bill in 2019, anticipating positive outcomes for Michigan through online gaming legislation. Considering the necessary efforts, he holds a strong belief in the bill’s potential to be successfully passed once more.

Furthermore, he has a strong dedication to formulating sports betting language that was not present in the original legislation.

“We have developed exceptional legislation, crafting and carefully evaluating impactful bills over a span of two years. One particular bill has gained consensus among various stakeholders, with each individual feeling a personal investment in its success. This serves as an excellent foundation to build upon. My only aspiration is that all the partners involved remain committed to the positive advancements we have made and work together to bring our efforts to a successful outcome.”

Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has assumed the position of governor, and alongside her, many new lawmakers have taken office. The implications of this for online gambling in Michigan remain uncertain. Iden is committed to taking all necessary measures to garner more backing for the bill.

Iden stated that he observed the duration it takes to enlighten individuals about these matters and bring them up to date on our current situation over the past two years. He acknowledges the need to repeat this process, but assures that he is fully ready and optimistic about achieving success in 2019. Although it has taken a significant amount of time to reach this point, he views this as a minor setback and remains confident that it will be accomplished.