BetMGM Sharing Poker Players in Michigan With New Jersey

Posted on: November 7, 2024, 02:11h. 

Last updated on: November 7, 2024, 02:37h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

BetMGM has secured regulatory allowance in Michigan to connect its online poker players with players in New Jersey who are also utilizing the iGaming platform.

Michigan online poker BetMGM New Jersey
Online poker tables at BetMGM inside Michigan are now sharing players with the online casino’s poker rooms in New Jersey. BetMGM is the third iGaming platform in Michigan to be given interstate player-sharing powers. (Image: Casino.org)

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) said on Wednesday that it “is pleased to announce” its granting of BetMGM to share poker players across its online business in Michigan and New Jersey. The authorization allows players from both states to legally participate in online poker games on a larger scale, which should deliver a more engaging and competitive experience.

This authorization represents a significant step forward in the development of online gaming within our state boundaries,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We are confident that the partnership with BetMGM will enhance the gaming experience for Michigan players and drive growth in the industry.”

BetMGM petitioned the MGCB in late May for the privilege to connect its online poker rooms in Michigan with New Jersey. The state gaming regulatory agency approved the company’s Multi-State Poker Submission Form this week.

Competitive Component

BetMGM is licensed to operate online casino gambling in the State of Michigan, inclusive of interactive slots and table games, through a partnership with MGM Grand Detroit. The brick-and-mortar casino is owned by MGM Resorts International, which is a 50-50 partner in BetMGM with London-based Entain.

BetMGM becomes the third online entity to gain approval to share player liquidity out of Michigan.

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) platform, operating in the state through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and PokerStars through a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, also run multistate poker in Michigan. PokerStars launched its multistate play on Jan. 1, 2023. WSOP began sharing players across state lines in May 2024.

Michigan is a participant in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows for player liquidity sharing between six states. The participating states, along with Michigan, are Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

MSIGA was formed in 2014 when gaming officials in Nevada and Delaware struck a deal to allow their online poker players to compete against one another. New Jersey joined in 2017.

Top iGaming States 

For now, BetMGM’s online poker rooms in Michigan will only connect with online rooms in New Jersey. Michigan and New Jersey are the two richest online casino gaming states.

Through nine months of 2024, online casino gambling operators have won more than $1.75 billion from players in Michigan. In New Jersey, gross gaming revenue from internet casinos, tables, and poker rake totaled more than $1.73 billion.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), unlike the MGCB, publicly breaks down internet gaming revenue by game. Between January through September 2024, online poker operators collected about $21.3 million in fees.

PokerStars is the market leader in New Jersey, as the platform accounted for almost $7 million of the rake. WSOP was second at $4.8 million, and Borgata and BetMGM were tied for third at $2.9 million each. PartyPoker rounded out the top five at $1.5 million.