gretchen whitmer

governor

 

State of Michigan

department of treasury

Lansing

 

rachael eubanks

state treasurer

 

 

October 26, 2020

 

Also Sent Via Email

 

Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Boji Tower, 3rd Floor

124 West Allegan Street

P.O. Box 30036

Lansing, MI 48909-7536

 

Dear Chairperson Lucido, Alternate Chairperson Maddock, and Committee Members:

 

Subject:  Waiver Request

 

As the Regulatory Affairs Officer for the Department of Treasury, I request that the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) waive the remaining session days under the authority provided in the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, MCL 24.245a(1)(d), for the following rule sets:

 

            Internet Gaming Rules (2020-10 TY)

            Internet Sports Betting Rules (2020-09 TY)

 

The rule sets were submitted to JCAR on October 8, 2020.

 

In support of the request, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (Board) offers the following:

 

  1. The Board gave stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Tribes, the Detroit casinos, platform providers (such as FanDuel, PointsBet, & DraftKings), and sports governing bodies (NFL, PGA, NBA, & MLB) multiple opportunities to make comments and suggested changes to the rule sets.  Where possible, the Board incorporated those changes into the rule sets.

 

  1. No comments addressing the substance of the rules were received at the public hearing held September 23, 2020.

 

  1. Once the rules are filed, the Board can start to issue licenses thereby launching internet gaming and internet sports betting legally in the state of Michigan as early as late fall 2020. The launch of internet gaming and internet sports betting will result in increased revenue to the State and local governments as well as Tribal communities and the Detroit casinos.

 

As was recognized by the Legislature when it passed these two acts in December 2019, “it is in the best interest of this State and its citizens to regulate this activity by establishing a secure, responsible, fair, and legal system….” Thus, this request is respectfully made to the JCAR to waive the remaining session days.

 

                                                                                    Sincerely,

 

                                                                                    /s/ Margaret Patterson

 

Margaret Patterson

                                                                                    Regulatory Affairs Officer

                                                                                    (517) 241-3196

 

cc: Elizabeth Edberg and Timothy Reeves, Legislative Services Bureau

      Katie Wienczewski, Manager MOAHR

      Deidre O’Berry, MOAHR

      Richard Kalm, Executive Director, MGCB

      Wendy Harns, MGCB