A bill just passed in the Michigan House to legalize online betting could also take the state down the path towards legalized sports book.
The Michigan Senate will take up the bill next. Although the legislation doesn’t include any mention of sports wagering, supporters of that have promised to try to get it tacked on the bill; which would require reconciliation between the two versions if both are passed.
Detroit’s three casinos, the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Greektown Casino Hotel, are watching this process with interest since they would most likely be among the venues allowed to offer sportsbook as well as online gaming.
The possibility that patrons could play casino games from their homes is attractive to them. So is the possibility of sports betting. Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware already offer various casinos games online. Ohio has introduced legislation for consideration next year. Illinois, Indiana and Iowa lawmakers are discussing similar bills.
There is a connection between Ohio and Michigan gaming. Jack Entertainment, which owns Greektown, also owns several casinos in Ohio.
The state would need to adopt a regulatory framework before such activity would become a reality. So far, the three commercial casinos have not asked the Michigan Gaming Control Board for sports betting licenses for that reason.
The 26 Indian casinos would also have to be included in any such resolution, which complicates the matter.
