Casinos in Michigan against online parimutuel

The lower chamber of Michigan is expected to vote on the online parimutuel betting bill this week.

US.- A vote on the House Bill 4611 is expected to be held this week after the lower chamber decided to postpone the measure last week. The bill wants to amend the Michigan Horse Racing Law of 1995.

Lawmakers are trying to pass the bill because they consider it necessary since there are bettors who don’t visit the race tracks. As reported by casino.org, the amendment would encourage people to migrate to the online world. If passed, people would be able to place bets on horse races from anywhere in Michigan via third party licensed apps on mobile phones or tablets.

The bill that was presented by Dan Lauwers, member of the Michigan House of Representatives, is not supposed to change the local parimutuel rules, but expand the business in the state and boost the economy by increasing the revenue. The casinos and tribes against the measure state that online parimutuel would expand gambling in the state, therefore it would violate the Michigan law that establishes that it needs people’s votes.

Michigan has been trying to legalise the online industry for quite some time: just last month, the state introduced an innovative project that aims at legalising the market only inside land-based casinos. Under the new amendment, the State would allow online gaming industry operations and participations with the original condition of developing the services in authorised casinos. The online gaming platforms would be integrated at three commercial casinos in Detroit –MGM Resorts, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Greektown casino– and at American Indian tribes’ betting venues. Regional native tribes expressed their opposition to the bill as they would have to respond to Michigan Gaming Control Board and pay further taxes, if they apply for iGaming licenses.