Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law bipartisan House Bills 4311-12, 4916-18, 4307 and 4308, legalising internet gaming and sports betting through casinos in the region.
Revenue generated from online gaming and sports betting throughout Michigan will support the School Aid Fund and First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund.
The Michigan Department of Treasury estimates that this legalisation will bring in $19m to Michigan, which is to bolster the School Aid Fund and FRPCF by $4.8m and $4m respectively.
FRPCF provides weekly workers’ compensation wage loss and medical benefits to qualified first responders that have developed certain cancers. This investment will be the first time FRPCF has a dedicated funding stream to treat illnesses many firefighters battle due to smoke inhalation and exposure to chemicals while protecting others.
Additionally, the bill package allows tribal casinos to participate in online gaming and sports betting at an equal level to the Detroit casinos, with the revenue to support community activities.
“My top priority in signing this legislation was protecting and investing in the School Aid Fund, because our students deserve leaders who put their education first,” stressed Whitmer.
“Thanks in part to the hard work and leadership of Senator Hertel and Representative Warren, these bills will put more dollars in Michigan classrooms and increase funding for firefighters battling cancer. This is a real bipartisan win for our state.”
HB 4311 creates the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which allows the Michigan Gaming Control Board to issue licences for online and mobile casinos games to be offered by licensed Detroit or tribal casinos if the applicants meet certain criteria. The bill allows for all current forms of casinos games to be offered online or on mobile devices.
HB 4916 creates the Lawful Sports Betting Act, which legalises sports betting in casinos, online and mobile. This bill specifies that an internet sports betting wager received by a sports betting operator or its internet sports betting platform provider would be considered gambling or gaming that was conducted in the sports betting operator’s casino located in Michigan.
HB 4308 creates the Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act, which establishes the legal framework to regulate fantasy sports contests within the state. It allows for both paid contest at a commercial level and private contest within certain criteria to be legal in the state of Michigan.
