Online poker in Michigan is now a reality thanks to the launch of PokerStars in the Great Lake State.
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Michigan became the fifth US state to offer online poker after PokerStars MI went live on January 29. (Image: Twitter/PokerStars)
PokerStars Michigan went live on January 29. The site is a joint venture with FOX Bet and brings online poker, casino gaming, and sports betting to the state.
Other US states might have the necessary regulations in place to offer online betting and gaming. However, none have put them into practice, which makes Michigan the fifth state to officially offer online poker.
Players Flock to PokerStars MI
Things started out well for PokerStars MI. Early reports showed that 800 players were active on January 30. As well as a steady stream of traffic, one customer noted that the games were extremely lively.
An initial surge of activity is expected. The important thing for PokerStars MI is sustaining this momentum and solidifying its position in the market.
Michigan is home to nearly 10 million people. That puts it on par with New Jersey in terms of market potential.
Playing #PokerStarsMI is as if you found a DeLorean and time traveled to 2005. Open limping every pot, 4-6x raises preflop, limp folding your 8bb stack, calling all ins with 22 on 46Q boards for 30bb. I can't wait til all the @PokerStarsUSA ads hit TV.
— atarirobby (@atarirobby) January 30, 2021
Having a brand like PokerStars leading from the front could work well. As well as being an established name in the business, its partnership with FOX should generate a lot of mainstream hype.
However, for the market to thrive, other operators need to enter the mix. There isn’t a clear roadmap but BetMGM is likely to be the next network to launch.
Plenty of Potential for Online Poker in Michigan
The eponymous BetMGM Poker MI will lead a trio of sites comprised of Partypoker MI and Borgata Poker MI.
Of the three, Partypoker is the biggest name due to its international status. Indeed, Partypoker and PokerStars have long battled for supremacy outside of the US.
This dynamic will prompt both operators to up the ante at every opportunity.
An early look at action on PokerStars Michigan, courtesy of @Bishop847 pic.twitter.com/6WYx8CNM8C
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) January 29, 2021
In fact, PokerStars has already announced that it will host one of its popular Championship of Online Poker Series (COOPs) in the coming months.
Partypoker will almost certainly match that with its own events and, perhaps in time, WPT online tournaments.
The future is, as they say, bright. Michigan has the population and, now, the sites to create a thriving online poker economy.
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