Michigan Invited to Join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement to Offer Poker    

On April 6, the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association announced the admission of Michigan into the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (“Agreement”).  Upon its acceptance of the terms of the Agreement, Michigan will become the fourth state involved joining Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.   The Agreement still needs to be reviewed and approved by state officials and signed by the Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”).

Recently, the MGCB released guidance relating to multi-jurisdictional poker entitled “Multistate Internet Poker Potential Tasks and Considerations for Operators and Platform Providers” which made it clear that before multistate Internet poker can be launched the following will need to occur:

1. The board has entered into a multi-jurisdictional agreement and the agreement is in effect.
2. The operator, platform provider, and any other third parties involved in the conduct of multistate poker have obtained all necessary licenses and approvals and met all other requirements prescribed by the board.
3. The board has expressly authorized the operator or platform provider to launch multistate poker.

The guidance issued by the MGCB outlines all the tasks that operators and platform providers will need to complete in order to offer multistate poker.

“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,”

commented Manager of the Association and Internet Gaming Manager for the Delaware Lottery Rebecca Satterfield.

In 2014, Nevada and Delaware became the first states to enter the Agreement to enable patrons to participate in legal forms of online gaming within the geographic limits of the two jurisdictions. New Jersey joined the Agreement in 2017 to offer full online casino gaming, further expanding the scope of the shared liquidity among patrons within the participating geographic regions. Michigan passed a statute authorizing the activity in late December of 2019.  MCL 432.305(3) provides:

The board may enter into agreements with other jurisdictions, including Indian tribes, to facilitate, administer, and regulate multijurisdictional internet gaming for poker by internet gaming operators to the extent that entering into the agreement is consistent with state and federal laws and if the internet gaming under the agreement is conducted only in the United States.

The Association manages member states’ multi-state internet gaming operations. Nevada currently provides online poker, and Delaware and New Jersey offer a full suite of online gaming activities.  Upon its acceptance of the Agreement, Michigan will also only offer multijurisdictional online poker as provided by the statute.

Embracing the expansion of the Association’s membership, Satterfield emphasized that the “Association continues to be forward thinking and welcomes the interest of additional gaming jurisdictions in becoming party to the Agreement.”

MGCB Public Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, April 12

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) will hold a regular public meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the MGCB’s Cadillac Place Office, 3062 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700, Detroit, MI 48202-6062.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM at the above address, and will also be accessible via Zoom for viewing only. Please use this link to join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89839392723. If you prefer to listen only you may join by telephone 636.651.3141 or 877.402.3753. Conference code is: 31845

The MGCB will consider approval of occupational licenses, operator licenses, supplier licenses, supplier license renewals, approval of new key persons, recommendations regarding the transfer of interests as well as other business.  The full agenda for  April’s meeting may be found here.

The meeting is open to the public, and comments from the public are welcomed and encouraged during the public comment portion of the meeting.

The MGCB asks you to submit this form to MGCBweb@michigan.gov by 9:30 AM, Tuesday, April 12, to notify them you plan to address the Board during public comment. Please include your telephone number on the form. You also may use the Q&A in the Zoom meeting to indicate you wish to speak during public comment. Please provide your name and telephone number, and you will receive a call placing you in the queue.

AGA Announces Senior Promotions and New Hires

In an April 5 press release, the American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the promotion of four senior-level employees and the hiring of three new employees in government relations, communications, and member services roles.

Alex Costello has been promoted to Vice President of Government Relations. In this role, Costello will advocate for the AGA’s federal legislative priorities and monitor the AGA’s Bank Secrecy Act compliance and anti-money laundering efforts. Costello will also manage the AGA’s payments modernization and anti-human trafficking working groups. Costello will apply her nearly two decades of experience in the legislative, executive, and advocacy communities to support the AGA’s goals.

David Forman has been promoted to Vice President of Research, a role through which he will position the AGA as the central authority for members, industry, media, and investors through the creation of long-term industry data tracking tools, such as the AGA Gaming Industry Outlook and the Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. Forman will use his experience in global communications strategy management to lead the AGA’s proprietary research efforts.

As the Vice President of Finance and Operations, Gabrielle Voorhees will work to ensure the AGA’s financial strength and compliance with financial and organizational policies. Voorhees will also manage the AGA’s human resources operations. Prior to her work at the AGA, Voorhees gained three decades of experience at a defense contracting firm and nonprofit organizations.

Brandon Leggiero has been promoted to Senior Director of Member and Partner Relations. In this role, Leggiero will lead the AGA’s efforts to retain, expand, and diversify its membership. Leggiero will leverage his previous experience in the executive branch and at a commercial casino to lead the AGA’s business development efforts and membership relations program.

“I’m immensely proud of the team we have built at the AGA,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “[This] announcement reflects their hard work and significant achievements on behalf of our members and the gaming industry.”

In addition to these senior-level promotions, the AGA hired three new employees who will “enhance the [AGA’s] ability to advance gaming’s interests and deliver member value,” according to Miller.

Tres York has been hired as Senior Director of Government Relations. He will lead the AGA’s engagement efforts in state advocacy and regulation. Prior to joining the AGA, York served as the legislative director of the National Conference of State Legislatures, where he led advocacy efforts in the gaming, financial services, and technology industries.

Christopher Browne will work as the AGA’s Director of Media Relations. In this role, Browne will manage the AGA’s media communications to craft an industry narrative.

Annabelle Goese has been hired as a Senior Manager of Member Services. Goese will work to support the relations between the AGA and its members and partners.

“These talented professionals, and the rest of our strong AGA team,” Miller commented, “will help us continue to lead the industry through this new era of growth.”