Michigan is now more than six months into interstate poker play thanks to PokerStars MI.
Despite being in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement since April of 2022, only one operator has brough interstate poker play to Michigan.
The online casino revenue of PokerStars continues to grow since the launch of interstate play. Now, PokerStars is getting set for its inaugural Summer Series later this month.
Despite The Stars Group opting out of the online sports betting game, things looks quite strong with their online casino and online poker room.
PokerStars still the lone Michigan app with interstate play
PokerStars Michigan remains the one and only online poker application to offer interstate poker play in the state.
Launching on Jan. 1 of 2023, PokerStars has managed to offer shared prize pools for Michigan and New Jersey poker players. It is still something other poker apps in the state have yet to get regulated for.
“Shared liquidity in Michigan and New Jersey is a game changer for online poker in the US. With more players in the pool we are able to offer more games, bigger guarantees and the ability to scale up promotions for our players,” said Steve Preiss, Vice President of PokerStars North America. “Bringing interstate play to Michigan means that our customers in the state get a more robust offering at cash tables and tournaments. At the end of the day, we just want to provide our customers with the best overall experience in poker and casino online. Interstate helps achieve that goal, especially with our liquidity pool as market leader.”
Being able to crack the code of interstate play has allowed PokerStars to put on larger online events in terms of prize pools. That included the PSPC Online event ($2.5 million guaranteed), the US Spring Championship of Online Poker ($3 million) and Million Dollar Sunday (over $1 million).
Michigan joined in the MISGA last year, which also includes Delaware and Nevada.
Interstate play boosting PokerStars Casino MI
The Michigan Gaming Control Board doesn’t separate online poker revenue from the overall online casino revenue in its monthly reports.
However, we can still get a feel for the impact the launch of interstate play has had on PokerStars Casino MI.
In June, PokerStars reported $2.8 million in monthly revenue. That bumped the operator up to $18.2 million in revenue through the first half of 2022. That is up 14.9% from the first six months of 2022 ($15.9 million).
The lowest monthly revenue PokerStars has seen in 2023 came in April at $2.78 million. That was still greater than 11 of the 12 months the operator did in all of 2022.
Should the revenue continue to grow at 14.9%, PokerStars Casino MI would amass nearly $34.4 million in 2023.
While we can’t calculate the exact financial impact interstate poker has provided, it’s clear that it has had a positive impact for PokerStars and will likely continue to do so as it can further expand on it.
PokerStars Summer Series begins Aug. 24
Beginning Aug. 24, the inaugural PokerStars Summer Series will be taking place in Philadelphia at the Live! Casino Hotel.
This event will run from Aug. 24 through Sept. 10 and feature a buy-in at three entry levels, along with a guaranteed $1 million prize pool. The three featured events will be:
- Aug. 24-27: $550 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool
- Aug. 31-Sept. 4: $1,100 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
- Sept. 7-10: $2,200 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed prize pool
“With the addition of Michigan into the New Jersey shared liquidity pool, combined with our existing Pennsylvania operations, our partnership with Philly Live! brings in a partner equally committed to growing excitement in the market while providing a geographically efficient venue for our liquidities,” said Preiss. “We’ve coordinated efforts to provide players with a full 360 experience, from online satellites throughout August, entry plus travel packages for each event and on-site PokerStars representatives throughout the duration of the tournaments.”
Players will also have the opportunity to satellite into the US Championships of Online Poker during the event.
Online qualifiers will be taking place throughout August to give you a chance to qualify for Summer Series events at PokerStars MI.
Fox Bet, PokerStars’ sportsbook partner, shuts down
Last week, Flutter elected to shut down sports betting operations of Fox Bet online sportsbook.
Fox Bet is part of The Stars Group operation, which also runs PokerStars Casino.
Fox Bet was one of 15 online sportsbooks here in Michigan. With it shutting down operations, it leaves the door open for a new sportsbook operator to come to the state.
The decision won’t impact PokerStars Casino or PokerStars online poker.
If anything, it likely means that The Stars Group will put added focus into both the online casino and online poker products. That should be exciting for online poker players in the state.
