Michigan Charitable Gaming Association

Today, the House Committee on Regulatory Reform voted on House Bill 5121, and sent the bill to the House Floor. The version that passed is Substitute (H-3) and it passed with amendment. The amendment came as a result of a bipartisan agreement, and earmarks the revenue generated by the anticipated fee increase to the regulatory activities of the Charitable Gaming Division of the Bureau of State Lottery. During next year’s appropriations process, we will work to try to get more staffing in the budget for the Charitable Gaming Division, in order to improve the Division’s processes, lessen charities’ wait time for their licenses, and provide more efficient regulatory staffing at the division. If staff size is permitted to be increased in the future, then the funding will be there as a result of this amendment.

The next step in this process is that the full House of Representatives will consider this legislation on the House Floor. We do not know exactly when this will be, but anticipate that it will come up for a vote before the Christmas break.  We will keep you posted as to its progress and outcomes.

Thank you to Representative Harold Haugh, Michigan Charitable Gaming Director Mike Petersen, and all of our members who assisted in this effort.  If you have questions, please contact 517-977-0614.  The Substitute will be posted to the Advocacy section once it becomes available.