Continued rollouts of legal sports betting along with the addition of online casino play have been dominating the weekly news headlines in the overall US gaming industry. However, another popular gambling activity recently got some ink for its latest expansion in the marketplace.
As part of legislation that expanded gambling options in Michigan casino games, online poker officially made its debut on Jan. 29. After a much anticipated waiting period, PokerStars went live. This was just one week after online casino gambling made its debut in the state.
The initial response from in-state players has been strong. While online sports betting and now online casino games will continue to lead the way, online poker has the ability to enhance the overall tax revenue generated from all three activities.
Previously limited to poker rooms in land-based casinos, poker has continued to capitalize on its spike in popularity in the early 2000’s fueled by Texas Hold’em. In more recent years, the action shifted online in established markets such as Nevada casinos and New Jersey online casinos.
Added revenue has been the driving force behind the expansion of online poker across the US. Demand is not as nearly as high as legal sports betting but the poker industry is encouraged by the solid response in its latest legal market.
PokerStars was the first to market in Michigan through a strategic partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. This poker site should be able to maintain that edge for the foreseeable future.
BetMGM Poker has also received approval in the state but there are no definitive plans tied to a launch date.
PartyPoker is part of ROAR Digital, which is also partly owned by MGM Resorts International. The only news from that camp is a possible online poker launch in the first half of this year.
Online expansion of casino games and poker was approved for three commercial casinos in Detroit along with 12 tribal casino operators located across the state. These gaming venues can offer online casino games and poker up to a total of two brands for each gaming opportunity.
The extra brand for online poker could open the door for other providers such as WSOP and 888 Poker.
Rules and regulations for playing online poker in Michigan have also been set. This list of playing options include:
- Cash Games – There are roughly 30 different poker game variants. Stakes start as low as .01 and 0.2 cents to $25 and $50 for most cash games.
- Sit and Go Tournaments – PokerStars will offer Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold’em Sit and Go options with buy-ins from $1 up to $500.
- Spin and Go Tournaments – Buy-ins for these options are between $1 and $5. With players going all-in early, this is the fastest way to play.
- Multi-Player Tournaments – These tournaments offer the biggest prize pools. A guaranteed $500 pool for daily tournaments is common. Bigger weekly events could raise the stakes up to $35,000 guaranteed.
Players 21 and older can register for any of these online poker options. You must be physically located within Michigan state borders to participate.