online gambling

All those commercials promoting new online gambling websites apparently worked.

Online sports gambling got off to a strong start in Michigan in January. Between January 22 and 31, Michiganders wagered more than $115 million on sports online.  

The number does not include bets cast over Super Bowl weekend.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will decide if Michigan should legalize online gambling and sports betting. The Legislature has been working on these bills for years. Then Governor Rick Snyder vetoed similar bills during his final month in office last year.

Whitmer and supporters in the Legislature have been working on the bills for months. Whitmer has been concerned that the new methods of gambling would draw money away from the state Lottery. The Lottery puts money toward the School Aid Fund.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is pushing back against legislation to allow online casino gambling in Michigan.

Whitmer is worried that if people are playing online casino games, they won’t play state lottery games. Money from the state lottery goes toward the School Aid Fund for K-12 schools.

“I’ve said very clearly, over and over again, that protecting the School Aid Fund, ensuring that we get every dollar back into the education of our kids is my top priority,” says Whitmer.” So I’m going to have a hard time supporting anything that doesn’t protect that goal.”

Local gamblers and national gaming companies are waiting to see if Michigan will take a step toward joining the growing number of states that allow sports betting.

State lawmakers are harnessing some money from online gambling to help Michigan’s struggling horse racing industry.

Legislation to allow Detroit and tribal casinos to apply for online gaming licenses passed in the waning hours of the Lame Duck session.

Michigan would legalize online gambling under a bill passed by the state House.

Lawmakers voted 68-40 Tuesday night for two main bills to create a Lawful Internet Gaming Act that would regulate online versions of licensed casino games.

The state House of Representatives is set to vote today on a bill that would allow people to bet on horse races via smartphones and the internet.

The current horse race gambling law mandates that in order to bet on a race, a person must be physically present. The new bill changes this by allowing third-parties to receive licenses to facilitate wagering on horse races.

On Wednesday, a state Senate committee takes up a package of bills to legalize online gambling in Michigan.

Online gambling is currently only legal in two states, Nevada and New Jersey. But several states are considering legalizing it. Supporters say legalizing online gambling could generate more tax revenue, though the difference seen in Nevada and New Jersey has been slight.