Michigan’s decision to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) will have no impact on online casino gaming.
That’s because the Lawful Internet Gaming Act — which state lawmakers passed and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law in December 2019 — specifically prohibits the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) from authorizing operators in the state to offer “internet games other than poker” through multi-jurisdictional gaming compacts like MSIGA.
Which is to say that Michigan online poker apps — BetMGM Poker MI, PokerStars MI, and WSOP MI — can focus on meeting certain conditions outlined by the MGCB before they can launch multi-state poker. They could also work toward completing several online series running in the Great Lakes State through mid-October.
Michigan officially became a member of the compact in May.
Other Games Can Benefit From Shared Liquidity
To be clear, gaming compacts like MSIGA are meant to provide shared liquidity, which is usually associated with online poker. But other games can benefit.
Cumulative (aka progressive) jackpots can get a big boost from shared liquidity. So can online bingo. Online table games like blackjack and roulette can have more of a casino vibe around them if players from different states are seated — albeit virtually — shoulder to shoulder.
Shared liquidity can also support wagering on eSports and on daily fantasy sports (DFS). DFS is extremely popular, and eSports are becoming more so over time.
Only Delaware and New Jersey Sharing Online Casino Games Now
To date, only Delaware and New Jersey are collaborating in the online casino vertical under the compact. Nevada doesn’t have any online casino gaming, and Michigan — which does offer online casino — isn’t providing such games to players in other states under MSIGA.
The MSIGA agreement stipulates that applicable laws in each of the compact’s four member states — Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey — don’t prohibit licensed operators from allowing players in all four states from playing online poker against each other.
But with online casino gaming, the MSIGA agreement states that “other internet gaming offerings” may be added to the agreement, including, but not limited to, online casino games listed in Exhibit B of the compact. Those games are:
- Baccarat
- Big Six (aka Big Six Wheel)
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Let It Ride
- Pai Gow
- Red Dog
- Roulette
- Sic Bo (aka tai sai, dai siu)
- Slots and Video Lottery
- Wheel of Fortune and Progressive slots
Delaware and New Jersey have agreed to allow online casino operators to offer the aforementioned games to players in both states. The MSIGA documents also note that “Delaware law authorizes the state to offer a variety of table games and video lottery games” to players — including, but not limited to, those games.
The Delaware Lottery oversees gaming at the state’s three racinos — Bally’s Dover (formerly Dover Downs), Delaware Park, and Harrington Raceway. Each offers progressive slots, but they are not currently shared with any other member states in the compact.
888 is Only Online Casino Sharing Liquidity Through MSIGA
There is currently only one gaming company taking advantage of shared liquidity for online casino gaming through MSIGA: 888 Holdings.
888 has its flagship online casino brand, 888casino, deployed in New Jersey. 888casino NJ operates under the license of Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE) in the Garden State. Other online operators on the license include Caesars Casino NJ, Harrah’s Casino NJ, WSOP NJ, and WynnBET Casino NJ.
But 888 is the only online casino operator in Delaware. It gained access through an exclusive agreement with the Delaware Lottery in 2013. The agreement was renewed in 2020 for an additional two years and is reportedly up for renewal.
The three racinos in Delaware each use their own branded skin for online poker and casino gaming. There is no online sports betting in the state — wagers must be made in-person at one of the racinos.
Grab the latest MI Online Poker No Deposit Bonus info and get in on the action or learn more about US Shared Liquidity in our complete guide.
