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The journey of online gaming and mobile sports betting in Michigan has been quite a roller coaster ride. However, brace yourself as the ride is about to become even more turbulent.
In less than a month, the mid-term elections will take place, ensuring a substantial change in both the Senate and the House of Representatives due to term limits. However, what is particularly worrisome is the intense competition faced by Rep. Brandt Iden, a Republican and a strong advocate for online gambling in the Wolverine State, as he fights to retain his position in the House.
Michigan online gambling and sports betting legislation
Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that PASPA was unconstitutional, there seemed to be a growing momentum in Michigan towards enacting online gaming legislation.
Despite Iden’s confidence in having the necessary votes, H 4926, the legislation to legalize online gambling and sports betting, did not pass.
Despite this, Iden maintained his optimism about the successful passage of a bill before the House adjourned for the summer.
The Lawful Internet Gaming Act was approved by a vote of 68-40 right before the House commenced its summer vacation. Regrettably, the bill’s provisions regarding sports betting are ambiguous and would necessitate further legislation.
Iden made a comment regarding the passage of the bill at that moment.
In Michigan, individuals are currently engaging in online gambling; however, they are resorting to precarious and unlawful platforms. The upcoming Michigan websites, on the other hand, will be subjected to rigorous state supervision. This stands in stark contrast to the unregulated and illegal sites that residents presently utilize, posing significant risks to their financial well-being and personal data.
State Sen. Mike Kowall is a friend of the bill, which is currently in the hands of the Senate. However, it faces a more challenging path to approval.
The midterm elections stand to change things
The upcoming 2018 midterm elections in Michigan and across the nation are marked by intense controversy. A recent prediction by the Detroit Free Press indicates that November will witness an unprecedented voter turnout, a factor that experts believe will favor the Democrats.
Legislators are currently preoccupied with job security, making it improbable for them to prioritize implementing controversial online gaming laws. Initially, there was optimism that the Lawful Internet Gaming Act would be addressed by the Senate during the lame-duck session. However, at present, there seems to be no progress or discussion on this matter.
Contrarily, Iden made a firm commitment to propose dedicated legislation for sports betting during the upcoming autumn. However, he faces two major obstacles: the midterm elections and the casino industry.
Iden finds himself up against a strong adversary in his Democratic rival, Alberta Griffin, who has gained significant support after receiving the endorsement of former President Barack Obama.
If the anticipated “blue wave” impacts Michigan, the prospects of legal sports betting and online gambling in the state become uncertain, at best.
The tribal and commercial casinos are at odds
Legal sports betting still faces a challenge, despite online gaming potentially experiencing favorable conditions in November.
Iden has encountered difficulties in finding common ground between the commercial and Indian casinos regarding a specific aspect of the legislation. In order to address this issue, Iden proposed a clause that permits the commercial casinos to continue operating in the event that federal regulations hinder the operation of tribal casinos.
Indian tribes are recognized as independent nations and are not subject to state laws. In order to gain support from commercial casinos for the bill, he included provisions that catered to their interests. However, this move caused the tribal casinos to withdraw their support, as they insist on the complete cessation of online gaming if they are unable to offer it.
The term coined by Iden for this is the “poison pill.”
To be honest, there’s not much I can do to alleviate your concern in this situation. If you’re a sovereign nation that is accountable to the federal government, there isn’t a specific law or regulation that I can implement to directly address your problem.
“We have made significant progress with the tribes regarding this legislation, reaching about 90 percent of our goal. Although it remains uncertain if we can fully convince them, I am confident that online gaming will be established in Michigan. All parties involved will have the opportunity to participate, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome for both Michigan and our corporate as well as tribal casinos.”
Despite his efforts, Iden was unable to find a compromise before the summer break.
Currently, his focus is on campaigning to retain his position, prioritizing chicken dinners on the campaign trail over online gambling and sports betting, at least for the upcoming weeks.
Afterwards, the voters will express their opinions, leading to the formation of a fresh legislative agenda. Whether online sports betting and gambling will be included in it remains uncertain.
