TLDR
- Michigan regulators approved FanDuel to offer multi-state online poker with players in Pennsylvania and New Jersey starting April 1, 2026
- FanDuel will operate under the PokerStars brand with MotorCity Casino as its local partner
- Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement in 2022 alongside five other states
- Michigan’s online gaming market brought in $313 million in revenue in February alone
- Governor Whitmer has proposed new taxes on sportsbooks and online casinos that could raise nearly $200 million per year
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has approved FanDuel to offer multi-state online poker, connecting Michigan players with opponents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The approval took effect on April 1, 2026.
FanDuel will run its poker operations under the PokerStars brand in Michigan. MotorCity Casino is serving as the company’s local partner in the state.
The regulator said its decision came after a full review of FanDuel’s compliance with state gaming rules. The operator met all requirements for multi-state internet poker, according to the MGCB.
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said Michigan players should feel confident in the platform. “FanDuel is a well-established operator in the Michigan gaming market,” Williams said. He added that the same oversight applied to all licensed gaming activity in the state would apply here.
Before this approval, Michigan poker players could only compete against others within state lines. The expanded player pool is expected to offer more game options and larger tournaments.
Michigan’s Role in Multi-State Online Poker
Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement in 2022. The agreement also includes Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The MSIGA allows licensed operators to pool players across state borders while each state maintains its own regulatory oversight. FanDuel is now among the operators approved to use this framework in Michigan.
“FanDuel’s approval reinforces the MGCB’s commitment to enabling legal, regulated gaming opportunities while upholding responsible gaming practices,” the regulator said in a statement released on Wednesday.
The move gives Michigan poker players access to a much larger competitive field. It also brings FanDuel in line with other operators already offering cross-state poker in the region.
Revenue Growth and Proposed Tax Changes
The approval arrives during a period of strong performance for Michigan’s online gaming market. In February, the state reported $313 million in online gaming revenue.
That figure was down 12.2% from January but still reflected the size of the market. Online casinos led with $273.1 million in revenue, while sports betting contributed $39.9 million.
Compared to the same period last year, online casino revenue jumped more than 25%. Sports betting revenue dipped slightly year over year. The combined activity generated over $55 million in state tax revenue.
Fifteen operators currently run online gaming platforms in Michigan. The state has become one of the larger regulated online gaming markets in the country.
At the same time, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed changes to how online gaming is taxed. Her new budget includes a per-bet fee on sportsbooks, starting at 25 cents for the first 20 million wagers and rising to 50 cents after that.
The model mirrors what Illinois has already put in place. Online casinos with larger operations could see their tax rate rise from 28% to 36% under the proposal.
Whitmer’s plan would also end the practice of operators writing off free play promotions as deductions. State officials estimate the new charges could bring in nearly $200 million per year for Medicaid.
Gaming operators have pushed back against the proposed tax increases. Lawmakers have not yet decided whether to approve the plan.
