Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules  
Administrative Rules Division (ARD)  
MOAHR-Rules@michigan.gov  
REQUEST FOR RULEMAKING (RFR)  
1. Department:  
Treasury  
2. Bureau:  
Michigan Gaming Control Board  
3. Promulgation type:  
Full Process  
4. Title of proposed rule set:  
Internet Sports Betting Rules  
5. Rule numbers or rule set range of numbers:  
R 432.729, R 432.729a, & R 432.754  
6. Estimated time frame:  
12 months  
Name of person filling out RFR:  
John McKeown  
E-mail of person filling out RFR:  
McKeownJ4@michigan.gov  
Phone number of person filling out RFR:  
517-335-5600  
Address of person filling out RFR:  
P.O. Box 30786, Lansing, MI 48909  
7. Describe the general purpose of these rules, including any problems the changes are intended  
to address.  
MCL 24.239  
RFR-Page 2  
The proposed amendments will:  
(1) Clarify the vendor requirements and the vendor registration process contained in rule 729,  
Mich Admin Code R 432.729, consistent with the Lawful Sports Betting Act, MCL 432.401 – 419.  
Currently, the provisions governing vendor requirements and registration are all in rule 729. The  
proposed amendments will keep vendor requirements in rule 729, and will move vendor  
registration to newly added rule 729a. This reorganization, together with the other proposed  
amendments, is intended to clarify the provisions governing vendor requirements and vendor  
registration, and to clarify the board’s regulatory authority to regulate vendors, delegated by the  
Lawful Sports Betting Act.  
(2) Amend part of the responsible gaming requirement imposed in rule 754(a), Mich Admin Code  
R 432.754(a). Currently this section requires sports betting operators and internet sports betting  
platform providers to prominently display a specific Michigan gambling helpline on their  
websites. The proposed amendment to Rule 754(a) changes this to a more generic requirement for  
operators and platform providers to provide a toll-free compulsive gambling helpline. This  
change provides more flexibility to operators and platform providers, while continuing to ensure  
the public has access to information about the availability of a toll-free gambling helpline for  
immediate support and information about how to access additional long-term resources for help  
with compulsive gambling.  
(3) Fix any other minor changes that may be needed.  
8. Please cite the specific promulgation authority for the rules (i.e. department director,  
commission, board, etc.).  
Section 10 of the Lawful Sports Betting Act, MCL 432.410, provides the board with the authority  
to promulgate any rules necessary and proper to govern internet sports betting.  
A. Please list all applicable statutory references (MCLs, Executive Orders, etc.).  
Section 10 of the Lawful Sports Betting Act, MCL 432.410, provides the board with the authority  
to promulgate any rules necessary and proper to govern internet sports betting. This includes  
requirements to ensure responsible gaming, and requirements for vendors and vendor registration.  
See MCL 432.410(1)(h) & (l).  
B. Are the rules mandated by any applicable constitutional or statutory provision? If so, please  
explain.  
Yes. Section 10 of the Lawful Sports Betting Act, MCL 432.410, provides the board with the  
authority to promulgate necessary and proper rules to govern internet sports betting.  
9. Please describe the extent to which the rules conflict with or duplicate similar rules,  
compliance requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
The proposed rules do not conflict with or duplicate any similar rules, compliance requirements,  
or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
10. Is the subject matter of the rules currently contained in any guideline, handbook, manual,  
instructional bulletin, form with instructions, or operational memoranda?  
The subject matter of the proposed rules is not contained in any guideline, handbook, manual,  
instructional bulletin, form with instructions, or operational memoranda.  
11. Are the rules listed on the department’s annual regulatory plan as rules to be processed  
for the current year?  
No, these rules are not on the Board’s annual regulatory plan.  
MCL 24.239  
RFR-Page 3  
12. Will the proposed rules be promulgated under Section 44 of the Administrative Procedures  
Act, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.244, or under the full rulemaking process?  
Full Process  
13. Please describe the extent to which the rules exceed similar regulations, compliance  
requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
These rules do not exceed similar regulations, compliance requirements, or other standards.  
14. Do the rules incorporate the recommendations received from the public regarding any  
complaints or comments regarding the rules? If yes, please explain.  
At this point, the Board has not sought or received any recommendations from the public about the  
proposed rules.  
15. If amending an existing rule set, please provide the date of the last evaluation of the rules  
and the degree, if any, to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed  
the regulatory activity covered by the rules since the last evaluation.  
The Internet Sports Betting Rules were promulgated in 2020, following the enactment of the  
Lawful Sports Betting Act in 2019—which legalized internet sports betting in Michigan. The  
Lawful Sports Betting Act and Internet Sports Betting Rules govern internet sports betting in  
Michigan, as an activity separate from casino gaming conducted pursuant to the Michigan Gaming  
Control and Revenue Act, and internet wagering conducted under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.  
In 2020, the internet sports betting and internet wagering industries were relatively new, both in  
Michigan and nationally. Since that time, there has been significant growth and market  
consolidation in these industries, and across the sector of gaming. These changes have made it  
more important than ever for the Board to coordinate its regulatory approach and regulatory  
requirements to minimize duplication and to improve its ability to effectively regulate internet  
sports betting, and other forms of gaming in Michigan.  
16. Are there any changes or developments since implementation that demonstrate there is no  
continued need for the rules, or any portion of the rules?  
No, there have not been any changes or developments since 2020 that would demonstrate that  
there is no continued need for the rules or for any portion of the rules. Internet sports betting is a  
highly regulated industry, with a regulatory structure made to protect the public interest that it is  
conducted in a secure, responsible, fair, and legal manner. The Internet Sports Betting Rules are a  
critical part of this regulatory structure.  
17. Is there an applicable decision record (as defined in MCL 24.203(6) and required by MCL  
24.239(2))? If so, please attach the decision record.  
No  
Based on the information provided in this RFR, MOAHR concludes that there are sufficient  
policy and legal bases for approving the RFR. The RFR satisfies the requirements of the  
Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, and Executive  
Order No. 2019-6.  
MCL 24.239  
;