BetMGM has received regulatory approval in Michigan to link its online poker players with those in New Jersey who also use the iGaming platform.
Online poker tables at BetMGM within Michigan are now integrated with the online casino’s poker rooms in New Jersey. This makes BetMGM the third iGaming platform in Michigan to receive the ability to share players across state lines.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced on Wednesday that it has granted BetMGM the authority to merge poker players from its Michigan and New Jersey online platforms. This new allowance enables players from both states to legally engage in online poker games on a larger scale, promising a more engaging and competitive experience for users.
“This authorization marks a significant milestone in the development of online gaming within our state boundaries,” stated MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We are confident that our partnership with BetMGM will enhance the gaming experience for Michigan players and stimulate growth in the industry.”
BetMGM initially petitioned the MGCB in late May for permission to connect its Michigan online poker rooms with those in New Jersey. This week, the state gaming regulatory body approved the company’s Multi-State Poker Submission Form, finalizing the authorization.
BetMGM, licensed to operate online casino gambling in Michigan—including interactive slots and table games—through a partnership with MGM Grand Detroit, now becomes the third online entity to receive approval for sharing player liquidity from Michigan. MGM Grand Detroit is owned by MGM Resorts International, which shares a 50-50 partnership in BetMGM with London-based Entain.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) platform, operating in Michigan alongside the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and PokerStars, through a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, also conduct multistate poker in Michigan. PokerStars launched its multistate poker format on January 1, 2023, followed by WSOP in May 2024.
Michigan participates in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which facilitates player liquidity sharing among six states—Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan itself. MSIGA was initially established in 2014 when gaming officials from Nevada and Delaware agreed to allow their online poker players to compete against each other, with New Jersey joining the agreement in 2017.
Currently, BetMGM’s online poker rooms in Michigan will only be linked with its rooms in New Jersey. These two states represent the most lucrative markets for online casino gaming.
In the first nine months of 2024, online casino operators in Michigan have garnered more than $1.75 billion from players. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s gross gaming revenue from internet casinos, table games, and poker rake reached over $1.73 billion.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) provides a detailed breakdown of internet gaming revenue. Between January and September 2024, online poker operators in New Jersey collected approximately $21.3 million in fees.
In the New Jersey market, PokerStars leads the pack, accounting for almost $7 million of the rake. WSOP follows at $4.8 million, with Borgata and BetMGM tied for third place at $2.9 million each. PartyPoker rounds out the top five at $1.5 million.
