The state house voted Thursday to legalize fantasy sports gambling in Michigan.
The bills both legalize fantasy sports gaming and create a statutory framework to oversee it.
Republican Representative Brandt Iden sponsored the bills. He says Indiana has set similar fees for fantasy gaming businesses.
“I don’t believe that excludes anybody from the marketplace,” he says. “We want serious actors who can come in and operate these games and make sure they are benefitting players in the state of Michigan. These fees are consistent with other states and I’m happy with where we’re at.”
Steve Brubaker is an attorney representing Small Businesses of Fantasy Sports Trade Association. He says the bills $50,000 registration fee is too steep for smaller fantasy gaming businesses.
“The companies that will pay that price to operate in Michigan are two: Draft Kings and Fan Duel.”
Brubaker says the states fee would take a substantial cut from the profit margin of smaller fantasy sports businesses.
He says Colorado – which has a tiered registration fee – is a better model.
