Michigan Governor vetoes online gambling bill

The bill was vetoed despite gaining approval from the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities.

US.- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is experiencing his last days in office, and while the state is getting ready for major changes, the politician has vetoed approximately 40 passed bills, three of them regarding online gambling measures.

HB 4926 had been passed by both House and Senate with veto-proof majorities, and it was expected to be signed by the Governor and come into force later this year. However, he refused to sign it and said that he had concerns in regards to the cannibalisation of business at the state-run lottery and land-based casinos, despite the large amount of evidence that points to something completely different.

“A significant amount of work went into these bills and getting them to a place where several stakeholders either expressed support or neutrality, and I appreciate that many pro-gaming stakeholders coalesced around these bills. However, due to largely unknown budgetary concerns, I believe this legislation merits more careful study and comparison with how other states have, or will, authorise online gaming. To be blunt, we simply don’t have the data to support this change at this time,” Snyder said.

The Governor will be succeeded by Democratic Gretchen Whitmer but it is unknown if she is in favor of the bills. Snyder cited concerns that the bills will encourage gambling as one of the reasons for his refusal.

Representative Iden, who sponsored the bill, expressed his disappointment after the news and said that he remains hopeful that changes will be introduced for the same legislation this year.