Why Haven’t Interstate Poker And WSOP Launched In Michigan?

As Michigan progresses in the realm of online gaming, it encounters a recurring pattern of waiting games. Presently, the wait revolves around Michigan online poker’s inclusion in interstate compacting, which would enable residents of Michigan to engage in head-to-head gameplay with individuals from other states.

Even though the finish line appears to be nearing, the precise moment when the state will cross it remains uncertain.

While the target year was frequently mentioned as 2021, it seems that 2024 is becoming more likely to be realized.

What is interstate play?

Online poker play was legalized in Michigan in 2019 and officially launched in January of the current year.

Only players residing in Michigan can compete against each other.

The interstate poker compact enables players from Michigan to participate in online poker games and compete with players from other states that are part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.

Delaware was the pioneer in legalizing online poker in 2012, followed closely by Nevada. In 2015, these two states forged an agreement to combine their online poker player pools, ensuring that each state would receive the revenue generated by their own players. Joining the ranks in 2017, New Jersey became the third state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

Hopes for Michigan poker compacting fading for 2021

Joining Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Michigan has become the sixth state to legalize online poker.

In December of last year, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan enacted a legislation that permits multistate online poker compacts. This law paves the way for Michigan to become a member of the MSIGA, alongside New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. However, the approval from all three aforementioned states is still necessary.

By the end of the year, Richard Kalm, the former Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, along with his successor Henry Williams, expressed their optimism about the launch of interstate play earlier this year.

According to David Murley, the Deputy Director of Online Gaming & Legal Affairs at the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the approval for Michigan is currently uncertain as they are waiting for the other three states.

“At this stage, we do not have a specific timeline. We have expressed our interest in joining the compact and have outlined certain modifications we would seek,” stated Murley in an interview with Playinmichigan. “To illustrate, according to Michigan law, the Executive Director is responsible for entering the compact on behalf of the state, whereas the multi-state compact necessitates the Governor’s signature to join and admit future members. While I do not foresee any challenges in our admission, it is Michigan that is making the request, and we must adhere to the timetable set by the other states for their approval.”

World Series of Poker still awaiting Michigan launch

The World Series of Poker’s launch in Michigan marks another significant stride towards enabling interstate play.

Despite the presence of PokerStars and BetMGM Poker in Michigan, WSOP is currently the sole poker operator utilizing the MSIGA.

Initially, it was anticipated that WSOP would commence operations in the state during the summer. However, despite the passage of time, the operator remains uncertain about the specific date for launching, and currently, we find ourselves in the middle of November.

WSOP has achieved a strong start in the states it recently expanded to. In New Jersey and Nevada, WSOP successfully organized 33 Online Bracelet Series events from July 1 to August 1, awarding over $18.2 million in prizes.

The WSOP Online Bracelet Series events are planned to continue until November 21, making it highly improbable for Michigan to participate in any of these events.

The launch date for WSOP, powered by 888 Holdings PLC, is yet to be confirmed.