Michigan Online Poker Joins Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement

Michigan became Wednesday the latest state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), joining New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.

Michigan poker players will soon be able to compete in interstate play, pending full execution of the agreement by the state of Michigan.

The MSIGA allows states that join the compact to share games among poker fans in those states.

Nevada and Delaware were the first two US states that entered into the compact in 2014. New Jersey joined in 2017.

Michigan is the largest state with regulated online poker.

The development comes more than a year after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the online interstate poker bill into law in December 2020.

Michigan Largest State to Join So Far

Michigan is the largest state to join MSIGA so far, and its inclusion would almost double the current pool. The Wolverine State has a population of around 10 million. New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware have combined populations of nearly 12.8 million.

Rebecca Satterfield, manager of the association and the internet gaming manager for the Delaware Lottery, welcomed Michigan for joining MSIGA. The Michiganians can now avail themselves of a full array of interactive gaming among the Association’s member states, she said in a news release.

The only other states that currently allow regulated poker are Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Neither has currently joined the multi-state compact. However, if Pennsylvania joins, it will be a considerable addition given its 12.8 million population.

With a population of nearly 1.8 million, West Virginia has yet to see a gaming operator offer online poker games in the state.

Awaiting Clearance from WSOP Michigan

Of the three Michigan online poker sites, WSOP Michigan is the only operator that has taken advantage of the MSIGA.

WSOP is also operational in New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

BetMGM and PokerStars also operate online poker rooms in Michigan – neither operates in Delaware or Nevada. So, an interstate compact wasn’t possible. However, both operate in New Jersey.

It is yet to see the future of BetMGM Poker and PokerStars MI following Michigan’s inclusion into the interstate poker play.

BetMGM Director of Poker Luke Staudenmaier lauded MSIGA for admitting Michigan into the consortium, adding that this is a huge step in the right direction. Staudenmaier said that they “remain committed to expanding BetMGM’s poker offering and look forward to serving shared player pools in the future.”

Can Michigan Players Compete Interstate Play Now?

Michigan online players are just one step away before competing in interstate play. An online operator in the Wolverine State – most likely WSOP MI – has to allow them into its interstate play.

Caesars Entertainment and WSOP didn’t immediately respond to the question when asked about the timeline of the launch.

New Jersey took nearly six months between the time it was included in the compact before WSOP was able to launch the interstate play.

Wednesday night’s announcement drew excitement among Michigan online poker players who can finally compete against others around the country.

Bigger tournament fields allow bigger payouts, and a regular poker player loves that. The interstate play will also expand Michigan players’ options, allowing them to participate in the WSOP Online Bracelet Series events scheduled to begin June 5 and run through July 17.

In New Jersey and Nevada, WSOP ran as many as 33 Online Bracelet events between last July and August and lavished more than $18.2 million in prizes