A pair of Michigan bills recently signed into law — SB 1111 and SB 1112 — recently changed the funding source for Michigan charitable millionaire party fundraisers from charitable gaming license fees and ticket sales to the state’s Internet Gaming Fund.
The change taking effect on March 29 is designed to help charities have a more reliable funding source for millionaire parties. Millionaire parties are charitable gaming events where people place wagers on games of chance. It’s essentially a charitable gaming event with casino-style gaming that’s put on by a qualified organization, such as a religious organization or service group.
Charities can have up to four millionaire parties per year, and licenses for the events are given by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Last year, the MGCB launched an online portal that allows charities to apply for millionaire party licenses, pay license fees, and track their application progress.
“The new law addresses funding concerns and allows the MGCB to continue its high level of service to charities, eliminating a potential need for fee increases or limits on issuing licenses,” Henry Williams, the MGCB’s executive director, said in a press release. “Internet gaming has been extremely popular. Operators paid $289.24 million in taxes and payments to the state of Michigan in 2022.”
Change helps lottery
Given the financial windfall provided by online gaming, the switch makes sense. It also helps the Michigan Lottery, which funds other forms of charitable gaming.
Previously, the MGCB received millionaire party funding from the charitable gaming license fees and ticket sales held in the Michigan Lottery fund. The lottery also funds bingos, raffles, and charity-ticket games, and it’s expected that more funding will be available for those given the millionaire party change.
“As the statewide association for charities engaged in charitable gaming events, the Michigan Charitable Gaming Association (MiCGA) is pleased to see the commitment by the Legislature and the Governor,” Katherine M. Hude, the MiCGA’s executive director, said in the press release.
“This funding will allow the MGCB to continue its good work in developing, implementing, and training on technology tools, such as the Online Portal for Millionaire Party applications. These tools help simplify and streamline the application process for our charities and make it easier to continue providing valuable programs and services to their communities through the funds raised through charitable gaming.”
Photo: Getty
