The Michigan Gaming Control Board has cleared DraftKings to run multi-state online poker in Michigan, allowing eligible players to join shared tables with Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The platform went live on 8 July, and the board said its review found DraftKings met Michigan’s regulatory requirements.
DraftKings operates the poker product in Michigan through the Bay Mills Indian Community. Henry Williams, the board’s executive director, said the approval reflected “the strength of our partnership with Bay Mills Indian Community and the thoroughness of our regulatory process.”
The change means Michigan players can now compete in a common player pool rather than being limited to opponents inside the state. The larger network is expected to improve game availability and support bigger tournament fields.
Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, or MSIGA, in 2022. The compact also includes Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Before Michigan entered the agreement, online poker players in the state could only face other Michigan residents.
The board said DraftKings’ approval fits its broader effort to expand legal online gaming while maintaining standards for fairness, security, integrity and responsible gambling. Michigan players remain subject to identity verification, age restrictions and other responsible-gaming protections even when they play against people elsewhere.
The latest clearance followed another Michigan decision in April, when the regulator approved FanDuel for interstate poker after reviewing geolocation systems, data security measures and responsible gaming controls. The board also directed residents to its Multistate Poker Submission Form and highlighted self-exclusion tools, including free access to Gamban gambling-blocking software through its partnership with the provider.
