Michigan Begins Work On Legalizing Online Sports Betting
- House Committee will discuss MI HB 4311
- Sports betting was passed last year but was vetoed by former governor
- Sports betting stands a better chance this year than it did last year
LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan State House committee will meet this week to discuss a sports betting bill.
Michigan lawmakers are restarting talks about legalizing sports betting that was left unfinished last year. A House committee will begin by discussing MI HB 4311 which is similar to a sports betting bill that was considered last year.
Money On The Internet
Unlike many sports gambling bills you will see across the states, Michigan’s bill is more focused on online sports betting. This likely due to the fact that out of the three sports betting legislation that was introduced in 2018, the internet bill made it to the governor’s desk. Former Governor Rick Snyder vetoed MI HB 4926 which is very similar in content to MI HB 4311.
Current Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is sending signals that she is in favor of the expansion. Lawmakers are hoping that they can successfully pass the online sports betting bill to bring legal sportsbooks to the state.
Online Sports Betting Already Happening
"In a lot of regards, it's already happening but it's illegal," said representative Mike Webber. "The state should get into this and get a little revenue out of it."
This is one of the key reasons why lawmakers are more focused on legalizing and regulating state-licensed online sportsbooks. Residents from the Great Lakes States are already placing their bets using online offshore sportsbooks. State legislators say that the transition would be easier for these bettors if they focus on legalizing online sports betting.
Going Against The Trump Administration
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has repeatedly said that the states are not allowed to expand on gaming on the internet. This goes entirely against what the Obama administration and the Supreme Court has said.
"This federal opinion is so far off the mainstream," said former Michigan attorney general Mike Cox. "One of the most conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that this a state policy."
Cox is not the only one in Michigan that disagrees with the Trump administration. Current Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel has filed papers that says that the state of Michigan is allowed to expand to online sports gaming.
It seems that Michigan lawmakers are not deterred by what the Trump administration because a House committee will meet this week to vote on the MI HB 4311. As a similar bill was already passed last year, sports betting in Michigan is likely to receive the same reception and make it to the governor's desk.
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