The day has finally come and the online gambling enthusiasts of Michigan have access to an extensive pool of poke players. According to the gambling regulators in the Wolverine State, it is now allowed for those who love poker games to compete against opponents from different states. In a recent announcement by the regulator, Michigan internet gaming operator Odawa Online and platform partner The Stars Group have permission to launch multistate games in MI.
This approval follows a collective decision between two states; MI Gaming Control Board granted approval Dec 20th, while New Jersey granted TSG Poker Stars permission on Dec 23rd. The goal was to launch shared liquidity starting from Jan. 1, 2023. Poker players now play with their counterparts in New Jersey and the reverse is true. This move will also enhance brand competitiveness because titles will be released to different audiences simultaneously.
Speaking on the new development, the executive director of MGCB, Henry Williams, revealed that everyone was happy that interstate poker is now a reality that is within the reach of MI and NJ poker players. He has congratulated the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and TSG PokerStars for being the pioneers of this new model of poker play. As the first operator and provider to be granted permission to launch multistate internet poker in Michigan, these two brands have the unchallenged privilege of stamping their influence as market pace setters.
PokerStars does not have the approval to set up or run gambling outfits in Delaware and Nevada but this agreement opens up the markets to experience the company’s products. According to the agreement, Odawa Online and TSG have been authorized to pool together their players from Michigan with others drawn from other jurisdictions. Apart from players having a larger pool of players to test their strategy against, TSG can now reach a bigger market.
Moreover, having different audiences connected through a common platform makes it economical to cater to the budget needs of a brand. As a matter of fact, the operator only needs to work with a developer who can clone or optimize a platform to reflect the various locations.
Before the launch took place in 2023, all the poker players from Michigan playing online poker could only compete against fellow players that were playing from within the same state. In this current agreement, operators have been granted authority to pool their players together with others from jurisdictions outside their area of licensing. The only condition to this pooling is that an operator has the approval to run operations in all areas they pool.
With a large pool of players on the same platform, operators are optimistic the volume of active play hours is going to increase. This is a good move for the industry as a whole because there will possibly be a heightened demand for more games and varieties of games. To keep players interested in games offered, it is also likely that the tournament prizes will be increased. William has urged all licensed poker operators trading in the state of Michigan to enter into partnerships with platform providers that will offer them the necessary tools required for multijurisdictional poker.
In April last year, the poker community of Michigan filed a request that would see them join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement if their request was granted. The paperwork reached William’s attention in May and he supported it by signing. Other members of the MSIGA are Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. With a massive pool of players trying their luck in massive casinos across states, the casino business will operate at a whole new level.
For the respective operators and providers to obtain licenses that support interstate gambling, they will be required to meet a set of MGCB requirements. The agency will take time as prescribed by the bylaws to analyze all applications on a case by case basis before giving their verdict.
The board has anticipated an upsurge of interest from casino operators that would want to venture into this new model of offering gambling support to players. To accommodate those who will in the future come to seek licenses to introduce poker to their game offerings, the regulator has published a list of requirements they will have to meet.
Presently, MGM Grand Detroit with BetMGM and Chippewa Indians with World Series of Poker and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa are also authorized providers of poker gaming in Michigan. If they are interested in offering their services in jurisdictions outside MI, they will have to get targeted approval for multijurisdictional play. The poker community in Pennsylvania enjoys a regulated gaming market but unfortunately, player pooling is not allowed.
It is going to take time for the industry to warm up to the idea of player pooling and until the jurisdictions that have legalized it report positive outcomes, the rest will have to make do with models they are familiar with. Most of the bystanders are on the sidelines waiting to join in the action but only if all goes well.
With such levels of excitement surrounding the new concept of running businesses in multiple locations, it is easy for operators to lose grip of player welfare. Responsible gaming resources should be made available across channels and if possible, make it the responsibility of all players to look out for one another. How about diverting resources saves from shared functions to make gaming safety a department?
Conclusion
Player pooling is a new gaming concept that poker providers are exploring but it is baby steps for now. For players to be put together with others from different areas where the only thing they have in common is the love of poker, the arena is opened up for healthy competition and individual growth. Moreover, there is greater bargaining power for players as well as operators when they have common issues they would want to address as a block.
