Just days before the start of this year’s World Series of Poker, the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Tuesday that it has granted Caesars Digital’s request to operate its multi-state WSOP online poker platform inside the state.
The move means players in the state can now use the WSOP Michigan promo code to play in WSOP tournament events with competitors based in New Jersey and Nevada. It’s the second online poker operator in the that’s been permitted to offer multi-state tournaments. PokerStars has done so in the Mitten State since Jan. 1, 2023.
In a release, the MGCB said the decision to green light Caesars’ request, which the Las Vegas-based company filed last month, underscores the board’s goal of promoting “a vibrant and dynamic gaming industry” across Michigan.
“The Board’s approval of Caesars’ platform establishes another opportunity for online poker collaboration and innovation,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “Michigan citizens can anticipate a safe, secure gaming environment — in what will likely be a larger pool of online players — as they engage in World Series of Poker games across state borders in a responsible manner.”
Caesars is a licensed sports betting operator in the state and offers the Caesars Palace Online Casino Michigan app through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Why Michigan Matters For Online Poker
Online poker has been legal in the United States for more than a decade, but the games have struggled to draw enough players. That’s primarily because few states have it operational and there has been a lack of universal agreement among those states.
Delaware and Nevada established the Multi-State Internet Agreement a decade ago to create “shared liquidity,” the ability to combine pools from both states to develop larger and more lucrative events. New Jersey joined the accord in 2017. Michigan did two years ago, and West Virginia signed it last November.
The arrival of Michigan online casinos customers is a welcomed sign as it’s the most populous state within the agreement, with 10 million people, slightly larger than New Jersey’s 9.3 million. However, the largest iGaming state — Pennsylvania, with a population of 13 million — has yet to join the agreement.
Connecticut and Rhode Island are the other iGaming states that have not joined. The WSOP online poker app is not licensed in either.
2024 WSOP Ready To Deal
Michigan’s approval makes WSOP the first online poker operator to draw players from three states. Late last week, in preparation for the move, Caesars unveiled a new WSOP platform that allows players interested in online poker in Michigan to participate in multi-flight re-entry tournaments and take advantage of other upgrades within the app.
“This platform upgrade is long overdue and is a big win for our players,” said Danielle Barille, vice president of online poker at Caesars Digital. “The best is yet to come for WSOP Online tournaments, and we’re thrilled to bring Michigan players into the fold with Nevada and New Jersey, resulting in a better experience, more value, and the biggest prize pools of the year.”
Tuesday also marks the beginning of the 55th annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, a two-month festival of poker tournaments highlighted by the $10,000 Main Event, which will start July 3. Folks using MI online poker bonuses can join in.
In addition to the in-person events at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas resorts on The Strip, WSOP will also hold 30 online events with players competing from the three states vying for a coveted gold bracelet. Those events will begin Saturday. Five of the online events will be hybrids, as they will conclude with a live final table.
The WSOP app will also host two online satellite events for the in-person Main Event. The tournaments, to be held on June 30 and July 3, will each allow 25 people to get guaranteed seats for the world’s largest and most renowned poker event.
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