BetMGM has been authorised by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to enable shared liquidity for multi-state internet poker games between the US states of Michigan and New Jersey.
Under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), the authorisation will allow players from both states to play online poker against one another, a move which the MGCB says should “boost the overall gaming industry and create new opportunities for players”.
BetMGM, the platform provider for MGM Grand Detroit in the Wolverine State, submitted a Multi-State Poker Submission Form to the state’s gambling regulator back in May, which has now been approved.
“This authorisation represents a significant step forward in the development of online gaming within our state boundaries,” commented Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB.
“We are confident that the partnership with BetMGM will enhance the gaming experience for Michigan players and drive growth in the industry.”
Games that BetMGM will be able to its players through the multi-state authorisation include No Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha Hi, Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi and Fixed Limit 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo.
However, any new internet poker titles must be submitted to the MGCB for approval.
Angus Nisbet, VP of Gaming at BetMGM, noted: “This is a landmark day for our poker product as we combine player pools in select markets. With the introduction of shared liquidity, we’ve listened to players’ desire for more games and larger prize pools.
“By showcasing our best-in-class omnichannel experience – spanning property, sports betting and online casino – we’re committed to providing an unparalleled poker experience for our players.”
BetMGM now joins the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians with the World Series of Poker (WSOP), as well as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians with PokerStars, as multi-state operators in Michigan.
WSOP – whose brand intellectual property rights were recently sold by Caesars Entertainment to NSUS Group – was authorised by the MGCB for multi-state play earlier this year in May, while PokerStars was approved in January 2023.
Michigan has been a part of the MSIGA since May 2022. Other states that are part of the agreement include Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia.
More states could soon be added to that list, as last month, Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to begin the process of joining the MSIGA.
Another week has passed and a flurry of slot releases have hit the CasinoBeats inbox. Put your feet up as we guide you through a selection of what the industry has to offer, including Ancient extravaganzas from Wizard Games and Betsoft, as well as BGaming’s archaeological adventure.
Slot of the Week
Book of the Full Moon – Wizard Games
Wizard Games transports players to Ancient Egypt for its latest slot Book of the Full Moon, which also sees Roman Emperor Julius Cesar swing by for a host of page-turning features as the title claimed Slot of the Week.
Backdropped by the pyramids of Giza, Book of the Full Moon presents a 5×3 reel slot with 10-paylines and a maximum win of x1,222 the player’s bet. The slot has low volatility with an RTP range of 92.05-96.05%.
Scatter books can also land on the reels, offering eight, 10 or 12 free spins when three, four or five land on the same spin, respectively.
Additionally, wild pyramids can appear on the reels, substituting for all symbols other than scatter books. Landing three, four or five wilds on the same payline will award x2.5, x7.5 or x25 the player’s stake, respectively.
During the base game, a random book feature can occur. This causes a book to spin through all symbols in the game, selecting one symbol to become enhanced by a random multiplier.
Any wins that occur using the randomly selected symbol will add their multipliers together. This accumulated multiplier value will then be applied to the player’s stake before being awarded.
In the free spins game mode, the book feature will be active on every spin, with at least one paytable symbol chosen to present multipliers on every spin it appears on.
This multiplier will begin at x4 but can increase if enough scatters appear across the feature.
When four scatters appear, one new symbol will become enhanced. If another four scatters land on top of the first four, a new increased multiplier will appear.
A third set of scatters will add a second enhanced symbol, while a final set of four scatter symbols will unlock the highest multiplier value. Each upgrade adds another two spins to the free spins counter.
Featured slots
Catdiana – BGaming
BGaming has placed a feline spin on one of Hollywood’s greatest adventurers as players take on Catdiana, a 5×3 reel slot with 25-paylines and a maximum win worth x2,500 the player’s wager. The slot has medium-high volatility with an RTP of 95.3%.
Julia Alekseeva, Co-CPO at BGaming, stated: “With such a charming main character taking inspiration from the ever-popular Indiana Jones and Puss in Boots, we’re hoping players will be feline just fine with Catdiana.
“Our two sumptuous bonus games lead the way with inspired mechanics, including blazing reels and three lavish jackpots, while the ancient temple-themed style and crisp audiovisual effects add an extra dynamic. This is the best time to get your paws on prizes.”
Coin symbols can land on the reels, displaying monetary prize values that range from x1 to x20 the player’s bet. Landing six or more coins on the same spin will activate the hold-and-win game mode, in which these displayed prizes can be won.
Ark scatters are included on reels one, three and five, awarding access to the free spins game mode when three or more land on the same turn, as well as an instant payout worth x1 the player’s wager.
Additionally, Catdiana wilds can drop into play, substituting for all symbols other than ark scatters and coin symbols. Landing three, four or five wilds on a winning payline will award x1, x10 or x20 the player’s bet.
During the free spins game mode, the middle three reels will merge, allowing them to drop giant 3×3-sized symbols into play, working as nine individual identical symbols to increase the win potential.
For the hold-and-win game mode, players are given three spins to land as many gold coins on the reels as possible, with each additional coin that appears resetting the number of spins to three.
Once the three spins have been completed, players will receive the total sum of all coins that dropped into play.
Additionally, two jackpot coins can appear in this feature, with mini (x30) and major (x100) coins available. However, if players manage to fill the bonus reels with 15 coins, they’ll gain the mega jackpot worth x1,000 their stake.
Coins of Zeus – Betsoft
Betsoft’s took players atop Mount Olympus as the studio presents mythological Hold and Win spins in Coins of Zeus, a 3×3 reel slot with five-paylines and a maximum win worth x10,000 the player’s wager. The slot has high volatility and an RTP of 96.18%.
Fernando Van Velzen, Head of Account Management at Betsoft Gaming, stated: “With Coins of Zeus – Hold & Win, we have brought a fresh perspective to the mythological theme. The combination of high-quality design, captivating mechanics, and features like the Zeus bonus give players a truly immersive gaming experience. We are confident it will become a standout addition to our award-winning portfolio.”
Silver coins can land on reels one and three, while gold coins can appear in the middle reel. When three or more coins land on the same spin, the Hold and Win feature will be activated.
Silver coins display monetary values from x1 to x15 the player’s bet, while jackpot coins of mini (x25), minor (x50), major (x150) and grand (x1,000) can also appear. These prizes can be won in the Hold and Win feature, becoming collected by gold coins that stay sticky in the middle of the reels.
Wild Greek columns can also land on the reels, substituting for all symbols other than the silver and gold coins. Landing three wilds on a winning payline awards x10 the player’s bet.
Players are given three spins in the Hold and Win feature as the gold coins collect the values of all other coins that appear around it. Each coin that lands on the reels will reset the number of spins to three.
The feature will end when no respins remain, with players gaining the value of all the gold coins from the middle reel.
During the base game, the Hold and Win feature can be randomly triggered when any coin drops into play, as part of the game’s ‘gift of the gods’ feature.
