Michigan to craft an online gambling bill

State lawmakers will try to push a bill to legalise the gambling activity.

US.- Michigan has been trying to come up with a fair online gambling legislation for more than a year, but has found hurdles along the way. Lawmakers are currently trying to adequate a bill that seeks the combination of state law with an independent federal regulatory scheme.

Three Detroit casinos along with other 20 tribe venues would be under the same law, and that’s why lawmakers are having a rough time trying to craft the new bill. State Senator Mike Kowall introduced the bill in April 2016, but has been heavily criticised because some people consider that it violates IGRA tax, along with a federal Indian policy, jurisdiction issues and regulatory provisions. The senator will reintroduce the bill later this year, but it is expected that both parties will revise it in order to seek a good tax and regulatory scheme. Kowell’s legislative director, Dave Biswas, said that they’re working on trying to so something different this year. “We’ve been able to work with the casinos, the tribes, Amaya and the different companies. Once we have everyone on the same page – and we’re pretty close to that – I’m sure the bill will make its way around again. At the end of the day they will all be supportive,” he said.

Stakeholders believe that if the tribes are not included in the bill, they will likely operate their own online gambling market without paying the same taxes as Detroit casinos. IGRA currently doesn’t allow taxation on gambling revenues in order to help indigenous tribes. “I believe the right answer is it can be done, if it is done correctly. That being said, there are some disturbing decisions out there regarding how IGRA would work with gaming off Indian lands. I think it will be difficult.”

Norm DesRosiers, former NIGC commissioner, said that if the bill passes, a tribe would be legally able to operate a Class II internet gaming without any compact requirement as long as bingo or poker are legal in Michigan. “If a tribe wished to offer other online Class III casino games then a compact amendment would be applicable under this bill,” he added. If the bill makes it through the Senate, it could still meet some difficulties, such as the disapproval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.