Michigan Joins US Multi-State Internet Poker
The last state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, also known as MSIGA, was New Jersey…in 2017. Since then, Pennsylvania launched online poker in late 2019, and Michigan did the same in early 2021. While there is no sign of Pennsylvania in the interstate poker mix, Michigan pushed ahead. And on April 6, 2022, Nevada posted the announcement that Michigan signed on to MSIGA.
The state of Michigan is working on its fully-executed agreement. But with all parties – Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Michigan – signed on the dotted line, the deal is pretty much official.
MSIGA Announcement
It appeared on the Nevada Gaming Control Board website, but it was an announcement from the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. The group officially admitted Michigan to MSIGA, as approved by Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey – the only other members thus far.
Delaware Lottery Internet Gaming Manager Rebecca Satterfield commented, “The Multi-State Internet Gaming Association welcomes Michigan to its ranks, along with its nearly 10 million residents, who can now avail themselves of a full array of interactive gaming among the Association’s member states.” She then added, “The Association continues to be forward thinking and welcomes the interest of additional gaming jurisdictions in becoming party to the Agreement.”
Looking at you, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia.
What Does It Mean?
While the agreement and the announcement’s wording make it sound like all games can join, there is no indication that there will be any slot or casino jackpots across state lines. It had been a concern of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer when she initially signed the bill to legalize internet gaming in her state in 2020, and she doesn’t appear to have changed her mind.
So, this is all about online poker. And online poker is the only game that depends on player-to-player action to build a player base and become successful. The bigger the player pools, the more game variety for cash games and tournaments, and the bigger the tournament guarantees. It is a cyclical environment based on player numbers.
The MSIGA announcement means that online poker operators in Michigan can join with their sites in Nevada, New Jersey, and/or Delaware.
Michigan joins the MSIGA pic.twitter.com/GFBB9jCRFT
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) April 6, 2022
History of MSIGA
It started years ago. In February 2014, Nevada and Delaware became the first American states to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. While Nevada only offered online poker, Delaware was fine with sharing that player pool. The connections were relatively simply, as Delaware had only three sites…all on one 888poker platform. That connected with the WSOP platform on 888.
New Jersey brought its online poker and casino sites online around the same time as the other two, but lawmakers had trouble envisioning the shared sites. That meant that New Jersey didn’t join MSIGA until October 2017. And considering that the WSOP had sites in three states, the agreement benefited only the WSOP and its players.
And then, the MSIGA disappeared from conversation.
Pennsylvania launched its online poker market in November 2019, but the state didn’t push for participation in MSIGA. Michigan launched in January 2021, though, with lawmakers and the Michigan Gaming Control Board fully understanding the importance of shared player pools.
West Virginia legalized online poker in March 2019 and Connecticut followed in June 2021. However, neither have launched online poker sites since then. They appear to feel that their little individual markets will not be worth the time and effort unless they can link the poker sites with those in other states. At the same time, they haven’t appeared to have made an effort to join MSIGA.
What Happens Now?
The Michigan agreement enables several sites to start sharing player pools.
-WSOP can tie its newly-launched Michigan site to the ones in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.
-PokerStars can link its New Jersey and Michigan online poker rooms.
-BetMGM/partypoker can tie its New Jersey and Michigan sites.
This is not as easy as it sounds. While these US-based sites have improved their technology greatly since the last interstate link in 2017, it is still more complicated than pressing a button. It is unclear how long it might take. An educated guess would be 1-3 months.
Can it happen before the World Series of Poker, in time for Michigan players to compete online for WSOP bracelets? That is all in the hands of the WSOP and 888. It appears possible.
If regulators are ok with a staggered launch, it will be soon, and advantage WSOP (but I still expect PokerStars to climb to the top over time). If they prefer a synchronized launch, I foresee a longer wait with PokerStars becoming the #1 US online poker operator on Day 1.
— Steve Ruddock (@SteveRuddock) April 7, 2022
Why didn’t Pennsylvania join MSIGA? There is no legal reason. Only the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board knows for sure.
If this MSIGA update moves forward quickly, it may keep the momentum necessary to inspire Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Connecticut to join.
