When Will Michigan Online Sports Betting Launch?
The Associated Press reported this morning that Michigan lawmakers are pushing forward with plans to launch mobile sports betting and online gambling by the end of 2020.
A page on the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) website originally listed “early 2021” as the targeted start date for online sports betting and gambling. That page now lists “late 2020 – early 2021” as the goal start date, reflecting the possibility of an earlier than anticipated launch.
Recent statements from lawmakers and MGCB officials indicate they are pushing for a 2020 launch, but is that timeline realistic as the end of the year draws near? Here’s what needs to happen and what industry insiders say about an early launch of mobile betting in Michigan.
Coronavirus Prompted Michigan to Accelerate Online Betting Launch
Michigan legalized online sports betting and gambling in 2019. The MGCB estimated it would take a little over a year to get everything in place to clear the way for the first operators to take wagers online.
The first retail sportsbooks in Michigan opened in March 2020 but were almost immediately forced to cease operations when the state closed all casinos in response to COVID-19. Michigan casinos generated zero revenue during the four-month closure, but casinos in some other states mitigated the damage with online sports betting and gambling.
The experience prompted MGCB officials to move up the proposed launch date from early 2021 to November 2020. Michigan missed the November target, but officials are still aiming to authorize the first operators by the end of this year.
What Michigan Needs to Launch Mobile Betting and Online Gambling
Going from passing a law to launching online gambling is a process in every state.
After Michigan passed its online betting and gambling laws, lawmakers were tasked with approving additional regulations to fill in the details on what is expected of operators. The MGCB must also conduct background checks on prospective operators, investigate operators’ business operations, issue online betting licenses, and give the final go-ahead to launch.
In October, Michigan achieved a significant milestone by submitting the proposed sports betting regulations to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for final approval.
After that, the MGCB will need to review licensing petitions, issue licenses, and approve operators for launch within the next month to meet its accelerated timeline goal.
How Realistic is a 2020 Launch?
According to the Associated Press, JCAR will approve the final draft regulations on Tuesday, December 1st.
Lawmakers will also ask JCAR to waive the remaining time they have to review licensing requests. If JCAR grants the waiver, the MGCB will have a path to giving the first go-live approvals to operators by the end of 2020.
JCAR Chairman Sen. Pete Lucido favors the accelerated timeline:
Everybody wants to get this thing going. This is something that’s long overdue at this point. It’s being done in other states. We’re losing opportunity costs.
And here’s MGCB Spokeswoman Mary Kay Bean on an early launch:
If we hear the waiver request was approved by JCAR, we are hopeful that online gaming and sports betting can start this year.
The MGCB sounds optimistic, but there are too many “ifs” and “hopefuls” in that statement to consider a December launch a sure thing.
There is no question lawmakers are keen on moving forward with online betting and gambling in the wake of coronavirus-related shutdowns that crushed the state’s casino industry in 2020. However, time is running short, and the legislature has a lot on its plate heading into the holiday season.
In any case, mobile sports betting and online gambling are coming soon to Michigan, whether it’s the end of this year or early next year.
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.
