Michigan Accepted Into Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement: MI Online Poker Players To Compete Across State Lines

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Michigan poker players have eagerly anticipated this day for several months.

On Wednesday, April 6, the state’s entry into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement was confirmed, signaling the possibility of an interstate poker compact. This announcement was made public through a press release by the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association.

Michigan poker players will have the opportunity to engage in head-to-head gameplay with players from other states within the MSIGA, thanks to the introduction of an interstate poker compact.

Now that this significant hurdle has been overcome, along with the recent launch of World Series of Poker MI a week ago, it provides an opportunity for local players to receive their Christmas gift ahead of time (or potentially way after, depending on your perspective).

What is an interstate poker compact?

In 2019, online poker play was legalized in Michigan, and it officially launched in January 2021. Nonetheless, the ability to participate in poker games has been restricted to within the borders of the state.

Currently, players from Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey can compete with in-state players. Pennsylvania is also eager to join, but is awaiting approval from local authorities.

Online poker was first legalized in Delaware in 2012, with Nevada quickly following suit.

The MSIGA, also known as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, was established in 2015 when two states agreed to collaborate and share online poker liquidity. Under this agreement, each state would retain the revenue generated by players from their own state.

The agreement welcomed New Jersey as its third participant in 2017.

What was holding up the deal?

Legislation permitting multi-state online poker compacts was signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in December 2020.

Although Whitmer signed the deal into law, Michigan’s acceptance into the agreement still required approval from the other three states already involved.

According to David Murley, the Deputy Director of Online Gaming & Legal Affairs at the Michigan Gaming Control Board, Michigan did have a few minor requests when seeking to join. Nonetheless, it was expected that the state would be granted acceptance by the conclusion of 2021.

However, it was not because the state lacked the desire for it to happen.

“In 2021, Murley informed Playinmichigan that we currently do not have a specific timeline. We have expressed our interest in joining the compact and have outlined certain changes we would like to propose. For instance, Michigan law designates the Executive Director to enter the compact on behalf of the state, whereas the multi-state compact mandates the Governor’s signature for joining and admitting future members. While I do not foresee any issues with our inclusion, it is Michigan that is making the request, and it is up to the other states to admit us, hence we must align our timeline with theirs.”

WSOP Michigan launch another key component

The launch of WSOP Michigan took place on March 28, making it the sole poker operator in MI to utilize the MSIGA. In the near future, it is anticipated to grant access to Michigan players for interstate play.

During the period of July 1 to August 1, 2021, WSOP hosted 33 Online Bracelet events in New Jersey and Nevada, awarding over $18.2 million in prizes.

This year, the WSOP Online Bracelet Series events are scheduled to commence on June 5 and will continue until July 17. It is anticipated that players from Michigan will have the opportunity to participate in these events.

The inclusion of the Wolverine State in an interstate poker compact allows for the merging of players from Michigan and New Jersey sites such as PokerStars MI and BetMGM Poker.