With the 2016 World Series of Poker in full swing, we sometimes might overlook that there is OTHER poker news that is going on. With that in mind, it is time to take a look around the poker world and check that information out, just “In Case You Missed It.”
Michigan Senate Committee Passes Online Poker Regulations
In a bit of news that we’ve heard several times, a Michigan Senate committee has passed online gaming and poker regulations for the state. The Michigan Senate Regulatory Reform Committee passed, by an 8-1 margin, SB 889, which would regulate internet casino gaming and poker for Michigan citizens. With this said, there are some issues that the bill faces before it can even begin to be entertained by the Michigan Legislature.
First off, the bill would have to be called for a vote by the Senate Majority Leader, Arlan Meekhof. Meekhof’s position isn’t known on SB 889, but GamblingCompliance.com’s Chris Krafcik points out that there is still opposition to the bill including the Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette, and potentially Governor Rick Snyder, who has constantly been anti-gaming expansion in the state. Then there is the small issue that there is no legislation in the Michigan House to accompany the Senate’s action; without this, the bill cannot move forward.
The time is very short for any legislative action in Lansing. The Michigan Legislature adjourns at the end of June, at which point any outstanding bills would “die” and have to be resubmitted for the next session. The Legislature is currently bogged down in two important areas: budget negotiations that have been ongoing for the last couple of months and how to handle the water crisis in the city of Flint. The budget negotiations are of primary interest to legislators and, until something passes on that, any other legislation is held up, including the online gaming regulation.
There is a bright light on the news from Michigan, however. At the start of 2016, the Wolverine State wasn’t even on the radar when it comes to online gaming and/or poker regulation. Only in the last couple of months has the potential for such legislation come to light. If the current bill doesn’t survive the session, it posits that it will be primed for a strong return in the next legislative session.
Chris Moorman Signs Sponsorship Deal with 888Poker
One of the greatest online poker players in the history of the game, the United Kingdom’s Chris Moorman, has signed a deal with 888Poker to represent the site.
“888 is doing big things and really is working hard to expand their reach in poker,” stated Moorman during the announcement of the new deal. “Things like sponsoring the WSOP and the Super High Roller Bowl have shown they are committed to their growth of the brand, and I can’t wait to see what they have coming up in the future.” Moorman will ditch his usual online moniker of ‘Moorman1’ in favor of a new name, ‘888moorman.’
888Poker is the latest stop in what has been a rather rocky road for Moorman in the online poker sponsorship world. In 2009, Moorman signed with Doyle Brunson’s eponymous poker site, Doyle’s Room, as one of the heralded “Brunson 10,” but that partnership fizzled soon afterwards when the room was absorbed by Cake Poker. In 2011, Moorman became a sponsored pro with Lock Poker, but storm clouds were on the horizon. When it became apparent that there were operational issues with Lock Poker, Moorman was quick to leave, departing in 2013 with fellow pro Paul Volpe rather than staying (as Annette Obrestad did). Thus, when Lock Poker collapsed in 2015, owing somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-$20 million to players, Moorman could not be held accountable for the issues.
This time around, it seems Moorman might have found a home. The second largest online poker site in the industry, 888Poker has been aggressive of late in getting their name further into the marketplace. They are one of the premiere sponsors at the WSOP and were among those that were featured sponsors of the 2016 Super High Roller Bowl at Aria in Las Vegas. 888Poker also provides online poker platforms in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, the three states in the U. S. that authorize online gaming and/or poker.
