Having automatically cleared the legislative approval at the beginning of October, the proposal of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to ban the Pick’Em daily fantasy sports became effective in the state on 11 October 2023. The new legislation recognizes these fantasy games as the games of chance rather than the games of skill. As they allegedly do not differ from sports wagering, Pick’Em games are now ruled out of Michigan.
Ban Proposal Automatically Clears Legislature:
The ban follows the streak initiated by the State of Florida in September 2023 and continued by New York where the measure is set to take effect on 18 October. Other states on the ”waiting list” include Maine, Massachusetts, and Wyoming. As reported by Mibets, the Michigan Gaming Control Board submitted the ban proposal to the Michigan Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to have it automatically cleared and available for enforcement.
Resemblance Claims Turn Into Law:
The MGCB introduced the new legislation of 11 October 2023. According to the source, it ruled fantasy contests out of the state explaining that Pick’Em games “have the effect of mimicking betting on sports, or that involve ‘prop bets’ or the effect of mimicking proposition selection.” Despite the game operators referring to the 2006 law rendering an interpretation that had allowed the fantasy content, the lawmakers reportedly approved the MGCB’s argument about the similarity between the Pick ’Em games and player props offered by sports betting operators.
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said: “Fantasy contests, like any other form of competitive gaming, thrive on rules and regulations. The Administrative Rules, which were reviewed by the Michigan Legislature, provide a level playing field for all fantasy contest operators and participants, and will help ensure that fairness, transparency, and integrity are upheld,” Mibet reports.
Now that the Pick’Em games are banned, the regulator reportedly announced that it will review all fantasy contest licensees in the state to ensure adherence to the new rules and the exclusion of the no longer allowed gaming content that forces the popular operator PrizePicks out of Michigan and New York.
Proponents Continue The Fight:
However, Mibet reports that not all Michigan lawmakers agree with the decision to ban the Pick’Em fantasy contests. State Sen. Jim Runestad reportedly said that he will try to bring these games back in the state. According to the source, Runestad said in a statement: “Moving forward, I pledge to work with the gaming commission and other lawmakers to restore access to the legal fantasy sports games that have just been stripped away from Michiganders.”
