.
On December 20, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan approved the expansion of gambling laws. However, as a year has passed, the hopes for a 2020 introduction of online sports betting, online casino, and online poker have significantly diminished. Consequently, we are left with the same unresolved question as we enter a new year.
Nonetheless, bettors may ultimately gain an advantage by patiently awaiting the launch for a few additional months.
MGCB executive director estimates six weeks until launch
On Friday, Playinmichigan announced that there was a new delay in the launch timetable reported by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The official launch is now anticipated to be four to six weeks from last week.
Even in the most optimistic scenario, the launch could potentially take place on December 30, with only two days remaining in 2020. However, considering the upcoming holidays, this outcome seems highly unlikely. For the latest updates, stay tuned to our live Michigan coverage.
Over the weekend, various media outlets caught up with the news, and on Sunday, MLive managed to interview Richard Kalm, the executive director of MGCB, for a story.
“We initially believed that we had a four-week timeframe due to the rule waiver. However, we recently sent out an inquiry to the platform providers’ operators earlier this week, coinciding with the JCAR meeting. This was done to assess their readiness and progress. As a result, we might need to extend the timeline to approximately six weeks.”
The outcome will heavily rely on the paperwork they are submitting.
Although the ’21 launch may not coincide with the entire Detroit Lions season, online sports bettors could potentially bet on certain stages of the NFL’s postseason.
Online casino players have the potential to enjoy enhanced benefits.
How online casino operators could benefit
Operators of Michigan online casinos and online poker can find at least one positive aspect in a delayed launch.
The Lawful Internet Gaming Act suggests that additional bonus deductions should be made accessible, resulting in an increase in perks and giveaways for players.
Michigan residents will notice a surge in advertising where operators entice new customers with the offer of free bonus play.
The operators have the ability to subtract a portion of their adjusted gross receipts as free play in order to reduce their tax obligations.
During the first three years, deductions are limited to a maximum of 10% of gross receipts. In the subsequent two years, the maximum deductions decrease to 6% and 4% respectively, before gradually phasing out by year 6.
Nevertheless, during the initial partial year after its launch, an online casino operator is permitted to make maximum deductions of up to 10% without affecting the five-year countdown. For instance, if the operator were to launch on December 30th, the first complete year of 10% deductions would commence after just two days.
Operators and players alike will have almost an entire additional year before the countdown begins if they launch after January 1st.
Michigan residents are well acquainted with the concept of enduring a lengthy year.
