Waiver to Accelerate Launch of Online Betting Still Pending

With the targeted launch date of late November for Michigan’s online casinos gaming and mobile sports betting platforms nearing, the Michigan Gaming Control Board is still awaiting a decision on its latest waiver request.

The MGCB requested to waive the mandatory 15 session days required for the final draft of rules to be before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). MGCB communications specialist Mary Kay Bean said Thursday that no update had been given on the MGCB request.

Once the JCAR approves the rules, the MGCB will have two days to prepare the certificate of adoption before filing it with the Office of the Great Seal.

If the MGCB’s waiver request is granted, the process will be accelerated. MGCB Executive Direct Richard Kalm would file the Certificate of Adoption, highlighting the immediate enaction the rules would become effective.

The MGCB submitted the mobile casino gaming and online sports betting rules to the JCAR on Oct. 8. On Oct. 26, the MGCB submitted its waiver request.

According to the JCAR website, the next meeting date is still to be determined.

Michiganders Anxious For Online Gaming

When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially signed a package of gambling bills in December 2019 legalizing online casinos and online sports betting in Michigan, the anticipation for the launch began for the state’s citizens. Now, just under a year since Whitmer signed the legislation into law, people across the state are still looking forward to the state’s online gaming and sports betting debut.

Andrew Bernal, who took part in a virtual public hearing and inquired about the process and timeline of Michigan’s launch, has been discouraged with how long it’s taken the state to launch its mobile betting platforms.

“I still think it’s frustrating,” he said. “I think this is an example of being frustrated with bureaucracy because when it passed in December of last year, everyone was excited about it … And then it’s been almost a year later that it’s finally getting implemented online.”

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, online wagering provides people like Bernal the option to enjoy mobile betting from the comfort of their homes. Before the pandemic, Bernal enjoyed going to MGM Grand Detroit to play blackjack. Now, he looks forward to trying out the live dealer software that will be coming to the state.

“I wasn’t aware of this, but I was told they have a live dealer on video dealing cards as if you’re at a table,” he said. “To me, that’s kind of cool that they can do that on a mobile app and it’s regulated in general.”