Michigan online gambling bill inside casinos only

A Senate vote in Michigan on allowing online gambling but only inside land based casinos has caused some controversy, Senator  Mike Kowall who is sponsoring the bill said that by allowing online gambling inside casinos would generate much needed tax revenues and also allow all operators in the state to take part without having to go to and get a vote of support from Michigan voters.

Michigan has three commercial casinos and also American Indian tribe casinos and with the constitution of Michigan on gambling expansion outside of casinos requiring a state vote this would be the only way around that obstacle said Kowall, it would also be the way to involve tribal Indian casinos without compromising their sovereignty.

However gambling insiders say there is no point in the bill as why would gamblers go to a casino to play online, the whole purpose of online gambling is the luxury of playing without leaving your armchair.

Other criticism of the idea would be is that land based casinos would not see any increase or little on revenue as they would just lose it to online gambling in their venues.

However there is support for the bill as Amaya believes that the bill could generate new revenues of $45 million to $60 million based on New Jersey gambling figures, however those estimates are from a state that has online gambling available to all state residents not just those sitting in a casino.

But the idea would remove any confrontation by tribal gaming who would not have to give up their sovereign immunity to get licensed.

The general consensus is that the bill although having validation in involving tribal gambling in online gambling has too many flaws in generating worthwhile revenues without involving the general population that never goes to casinos.