But Iden noted he’s open to negotiating with the governor on the taxes, acknowledging gambling tax revenue affects education funding. The three Detroit casinos recently posted record gaming revenue for a single month. Under Iden’s bill, online gaming revenue would be taxed at a lower rate than brick-and-mortar gaming revenue. They are going through and meeting with the tribes to make sure they are comfortable with it,” Iden said. Iden said the Whitmer administration is doing its “due diligence” regarding tribal support. However, Iden’s bill would allow the tribes to offer internet gambling, regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board-the first arrangement of its kind in the U.S. Observers said Whitmer is concerned about the impact of online gambling on tribal casinos, who have revenue-sharing compacts with the state. The online casino legislation had bipartisan support last year but former Governor Rick Snyder vetoed it just before his term ended.

Brandt Iden, sponsor of a sports betting bill, said he also plans to hold a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act the first week in May and have the online gambling law signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer this summer.

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