Online poker hearing successful in Michigan

The hearing held with the Regulatory Reform Committee of Michigan to discuss online poker provided insight into the industry.

US.- The informational hearing held with the Regulatory Reform Committee of Michigan to discuss iPoker bills SB 889 and SB 890  was successful as witnesses provided insight into the industry. Now that the hearing was completed, online poker is expected to move forward within the state in the coming weeks and months.

Under SB 889, Michigan would provide legalisation and regulation of online poker as well as regulation whilst SB 890 would amend the penal code in the state to allow online gambling legalised by the first bill.

The witness list included John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance and three Amaya Gaming/PokerStars representatives. Pappas shared his insights of the poker industry with the committee members. The PPA Executive Director pointed out that S.B. 889 should be considered as a way to protect consumers rather than an expansion of gambling within the state. This activity should be considered a distribution channel for the existing and tightly regulated gaming industry in Michigan.

Jeanne David, head of responsible gaming efforts at PokerStars, discussed the protocols for responsible gaming of the company and demonstrated how players have the option to place limits on game play. Restrictions can be put in place based on stake or loss as well as on a day to day basis or per poker hand, David explained.

Steven Winter, Director of Operations for Amaya, revealed how the company takes on gaming fraud and is able to detect problem gambling behaviours. Players are recognised both by identity technologies and geo-location information, which allow them to take part in game play.

Matthew Robins, Director Compliance of PokerStars expressed that the website has money laundering protocols and how the company works alongside other jurisdictions on the subject. This discussion outlined the difficulties of laundering money over the internet due to the trail of data left behind.