BetMGM has been authorised by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to enable shared liquidity for multi-state internet poker games between the US states of Michigan and New Jersey.
Under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), the authorisation will allow players from both states to play online poker against one another, a move which the MGCB says should “boost the overall gaming industry and create new opportunities for players”.
BetMGM, the platform provider for MGM Grand Detroit in the Wolverine State, submitted a Multi-State Poker Submission Form to the state’s gambling regulator back in May, which has now been approved.
“This authorisation represents a significant step forward in the development of online gaming within our state boundaries,” commented Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB.
“We are confident that the partnership with BetMGM will enhance the gaming experience for Michigan players and drive growth in the industry.”
Games that BetMGM will be able to its players through the multi-state authorisation include No Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha Hi, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi and Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo.
However, any new internet poker titles must be submitted to the MGCB for approval.
Angus Nisbet, VP of Gaming at BetMGM, noted: “This is a landmark day for our poker product as we combine player pools in select markets. With the introduction of shared liquidity, we’ve listened to players’ desire for more games and larger prize pools.
“By showcasing our best-in-class omnichannel experience – spanning property, sports betting and online casino – we’re committed to providing an unparalleled poker experience for our players.”
BetMGM now joins the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians with the World Series of Poker (WSOP), as well as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians with PokerStars, as multi-state operators in Michigan.
WSOP – whose brand intellectual property rights were recently sold by Caesars Entertainment to NSUS Group – was authorised by the MGCB for multi-state play earlier this year in May, while PokerStars was approved in January 2023.
Michigan has been a part of the MSIGA since May 2022. Other states that are part of the agreement include Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia.
More states could soon be added to that list, as last month, Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to begin the process of joining the MSIGA.
Paddy Power Betfair has added igaming titles to its library through a partnership with online casino content developer Realistic Games.
Through the agreement, Realistic Games’ entire portfolio of slots, instant win and table games has been made available to the Flutter Entertainment brand’s player base in the UK and Ireland.
Titles available on Paddy Power Betfair’s online casino platform now include Book of Charms as well as Chicken or the Egg, with the content developer stating that the remainder of its content is set to follow.
Commenting on the deal, Amy Brewis, Head of Account Management at Realistic Games, said: “By partnering with Paddy Power Betfair, a major name in the UK and Ireland, we are further cementing our presence within our core market.
“This collaboration aligns with our ongoing strategy to expand our game portfolio and deliver more exciting titles to our players, and given Paddy Power Betfair’s trademark reputation for entertainment and fun, it couldn’t be a more appropriate alliance.”
Alongside Paddy Power Betfair, Realistic Games has secured partnerships with several other igaming operators across European markets over the past 12 months.
At the beginning of the year, the content developer reached an agreement to provide online casino titles to LeoVegas’ BetMGM brand in the UK market.
In October, Realistic Games expanded its presence in the Netherlands, as the content developer also agreed to provide its portfolio of slots to Betsson’s Dutch brand Goldrun Casino.
Paddy Power Betfair’s parent company Flutter also posted its third quarter financial results last week, reporting an uptick in total revenue and adjusted EBITDA. Flutter’s Q3 UKI revenue grew by 18% year-over-year to $846m, while igaming revenue increased by 29% YoY to $454m.
