Share 
Michigan lawmakers have introduced legislation that would expressly exempt state-regulated gaming activities from portions of the state’s criminal gambling laws.
House Bill 6068, introduced June 10 by Reps. Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Kimberly Edwards and Brenda Carter, would amend the Michigan Penal Code by adding new exemptions for lottery games, charitable gaming and gaming conducted under the Michigan Gaming Control Board and Revenue Act. Those include Michigan online casinos and Michigan online sportsbooks.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.
New exemptions added to penal code
The centerpiece of HB 6068 is the addition of three new sections within the Michigan Penal Code.
Under the proposal, the chapter governing gambling offenses would not apply to “games offered by the bureau of state lottery” under Michigan’s lottery law.
The legislation also states that the chapter would not apply to “gaming conducted under a license issued under” Michigan’s Bingo Act.
A third exemption would provide that the chapter does not apply to “gaming conducted under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.”
The bill does not create new forms of gaming or expand existing gaming offerings. Instead, it would add explicit exemptions for activities already authorized under other Michigan laws.
Bill updates slot machine provisions
HB 6068 would also make several changes to provisions dealing with slot machines and gaming devices.
Current law exempts slot machines that are at least 25 years old and are not used for gambling purposes. The bill would retain that exemption while changing how illegal machines are handled.
Under existing law, a slot machine used for gambling in violation of the exemption must be confiscated and turned over to the director of the Department of State Police for auction.
HB 6068 would replace that language and require the machine to be “seized for disposition under section 308a” of the penal code.
The legislation also adds a definition of “slot machine” for purposes of the chapter. The definition includes any mechanical, electrical or electromechanical device that may allow a player to receive “cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens, or anything of value” through skill, chance or a combination of both.
Other changes included in proposal
The bill also makes a series of technical and wording changes to existing gambling provisions.
It keeps language exempting certain mechanical amusement devices that award free replays, as well as existing exemptions for crane games. The legislation would also preserve current penalties for operating illegal gambling devices and for altering crane games so they no longer comply with Michigan law.
If enacted, HB 6068 would amend Sections 303 and 308a of the Michigan Penal Code and add new Sections 310f, 310g and 310h.
The measure now awaits consideration by the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.
