With only a few weeks to the end of the year, Michigans wonder whether they will play interstate online poker. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) hoped interstate online poker would come to the state by December.
Unfortunately, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware have no sign approving the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) by December. Without this approval, Michigan cannot agree with the three states.
Interstate Online Poker in Michigan May Have to Wait Until Next Year
Earlier, Michigan Gaming Control Board said interstate online poker could happen before the end of 2021. But, it seems unlikely, which means residents have to wait a little longer.
The first interstate gaming agreement was between Delaware and Nevada in 2015, allowing the two to share online poker liquidity. Two years later, New Jersey joined the compact.
Interstate gaming compacts allow signed-up states to share player pools. This increases gaming revenue for individual states. Players get to benefit by competing for huge prizes with more players.
With the clarification of the Wire Act, more states are interested in making interstate deals. Michigan legalized poker in 2019, becoming the sixth state to legalize online gaming. But, it halted an interstate deal for fear of the repercussions of violating the Wire Act.
At the end of 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill allowing Michigan to enter a multi-state compact. This was followed by submitting a request to join MSIGA, hoping to go live before the end of 2021.
The director of Online Gaming & Legal Affairs with the MGCB reported that the decision for Michigan to join the MSIGA was in the three states’ hands. David Murley assured Michigans that the three states would eventually approve Michigan to join their compact despite the long wait.
Michigan Awaits Launch of WSOP.com
The hopes of WSOP.com entering Michigan are slowly fading. Earlier, the brand announced its plans to enter Pennsylvania and Michigan. In July, WSOP.com entered Penn but is yet to launch in Wolverine State.
While it is unlikely for WSOP.com to enter MI before the year-end, it might launch in 2022. Unfortunately, the companies (888 Holdings PLC and WSOP) are yet to provide the exact dates they will launch in MI.
For now, Michigans have to stick to two online poker operators, BetMGM Poker and PokerStars. The two are the best the state could get offering a series of quality online tournaments and games. But, the launch of WSOP.com could attract more players, especially those who want to get a shot at gold bracelets.
Moreover, WSOP.com will introduce the state into an interstate pool. Currently, the brand operates in Nevada and New Jersey and has another sister poker site in Delaware powered by 888poker.
In summer, WSOP.com hosted a joint online bracelet series for Nevada and New Jersey players. Participating players had a chance to enter 33 bracelet events and win a share of the $18.2 million guaranteed prizes. Notably, Pennsylvanians also had a chance to compete for eight bracelets during the state-specific bracelet event hosted in August.
For now, Michigan cannot play at any ongoing online bracelet events at WSOP.com, ending on November 21. Although it is uncertain whether or when WSOP will come to Michigan, there is still hope.
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