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Despite initial expectations, Michigan, one of the Midwest states, is yet to fully embrace sports betting, as stated by the highest-ranking gaming official in the state. More progress is required before its adoption can occur.
During an interview with Legal Sports Report on Monday, Rep. Brandt Iden revealed that the final adjustments are being made, and all relevant parties are actively collaborating to prioritize sports betting.
This is Iden’s statement:
I think there’s still a possibility for it to happen, but there are some issues that need to be resolved. The casino industry, leagues, and other parties involved didn’t think it was ready to be implemented widely, so I decided not to introduce it. However, my colleagues from both sides of the aisle are eager to see it become a reality. We just need to collaborate with all the stakeholders to make it happen.
Could iGaming be the key to Michigan sports betting?
Former Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed Iden’s highly anticipated Lawful Internet Gaming Act (H 4311) at the last moment late last year. This bill aimed to permit online gambling in the state’s commercial and tribal casinos, requiring an initial fee of $200,000 for acquiring licenses.
Iden reintroduced the bill, discreetly including a sentence that holds the potential to unlock the legalization of sports betting.
The power to is granted to the Division of Internet Gaming by this sentence.
Under this act, the division is authorized to grant licenses to internet gaming operators, allowing them to accept internet wagers on any amateur or professional sporting event or contest.
The recent inauguration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with the introduction of a companion bill (S 186) by Sen. Curtis Hertel, may pave the way for the legalization of sports betting in MI.
Everything takes time
Iden, who possesses a deep understanding of the Michigan Legislature, has dedicated the past two years to a relentless pursuit of legalizing iGaming.
Iden explained to LSR that just like iGaming, it requires time, discussions, and meetings. He doesn’t rush ahead of anyone and ensures that everyone is aligned. This approach has been instrumental in achieving our previous successes.
Nevertheless, his attempts to push through a comprehensive bill are losing steam. Iden’s tenure as a representative for MI will conclude in 2020 as a result of stringent term limits.
Additionally, there are reports of a distinct sports betting bill that would impose an identical 8 percent tax rate on overall revenue, mirroring Iden’s iGaming bill.
He stated that consumer protection remains the primary focus, emphasizing the importance of bringing sports betting into open visibility, acknowledging its existence in the market.
At present, there are more than 120 sports betting bills spread across 31 states. Michigan, along with Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, aims to be the pioneering state in legalizing sports betting. Unfortunately, discussions have hit a roadblock in Iowa, where a few sports betting bills failed to meet the deadline for reporting out of committees in their respective chamber of origin.
