BetMGM Michigan Poker has improved its role in the regulated online gambling market by introducing a next-generation online poker app for online poker in Michigan.
In addition, in New Jersey, it has improved its mobile poker offering: Android users can now download the BetMGM Casino, Poker, and Sports app directly from the Google Play store.
This is due to a recent policy shift in the app store that now allows licensed, regulated gambling apps in select US states.
Ray Stefanelli, Director of Poker, BetMGM, said in a statement to pokerfuse that “A world-class player experience lies at the heart of partypoker US Network. We’re consistently examining how to leverage the best in poker promotions, product, and partnerships to improve the Network we offer our players.”
On Monday, March 22, BetMGM MI became only the second operator to launch MI online poker.
In partnership with Entain, formerly GVC, the owner of the partypoker software, the brand is part of the partypoker US network. It is the joint venture’s second regulated US market to offer online poker, though it and New Jersey will remain separate for now.
The applications are also available for Android and iOS, and they can be used on both phones and tablets.
Several other operators, including software provider partypoker, upgraded their mobile apps in 2020. Portrait orientation is one of the latest features, making it much easier for players to play one-handed on their mobile phones.
Multi-tabling is possible in portrait mode up to four tables. As part of a thorough mobile client overhaul, it was first rolled out to Spins games on the global partypoker network. Since then, it has gradually expanded to include FastForward and regular cash games, before becoming available for tournaments as well to complete the process.
The redesigned lobby and tables, as well as new animations, are now available to all BetMGM customers in Michigan. In addition, the new social currency, Diamonds, became available with the upgrade to the next-generation app.
The new currency can be acquired through normal real-money activity. Diamonds can then be used to purchase throwables and view rabbit cards, which allows players to peek the cards that were not dealt in the hand. One diamond will be deducted from the currency balance for each remaining street in the rabbit hunt.
In a nutshell, the new app’s overall appearance is much more polished and user-friendly than its predecessor. It also benefits from an improved hand history replayer as well, which has received a face-lift.
- A new portrait mode allows up to four tables to be multi-tabled.
- For all game types, portrait mode is available.
- Improved one-handed navigation
- Diamonds, a new social currency, have been introduced.
- Visual improvements and superior overall navigation
- New hand replayer layout implemented
Customers of BetMGM Poker Michigan can download the latest next-gen app now, and it will most likely be rolled out to other states as well. It will be available soon in New Jersey, the brand’s only other regulated US state where online poker is currently available.
When the network goes like in Pennsylvania—BetMGM Poker PA, Borgata Poker PA, and partypoker PA are all in the pipeline—then it seems very likely this will get the new next-gen app from day 1.
Google’s “Play Store” developer terms and conditions were recently updated, allowing customers in 15 additional countries to download real-money apps.
The new guidelines mandate that it be classified as “Adult Content” and that information on responsible gambling be shown prior to the download.
Historically, although Apple has allowed regulated real money gambling apps to be downloaded from the Apple App Store, Google has banned them from being downloaded from the Google Play store; instead, customers had to download the files directly from the operator’s website.
This stance changed in 2017 when Google began to lift the restrictions in a few key markets. The United Kingdom, France, and Ireland were the first countries to participate in this trial. More countries were added to the list after nearly four years.
Heavyweights like Canada, Spain, and the United States are among the newest batch of newly eligible countries. The changes went into effect on March 1, and several operators took advantage of the opportunity to launch their mobile applications in the store.
On March 16, the BetMGM poker app was the first to go online. Shortly after, online casino and sports betting apps were released.
Customers who are traveling will not need to download any additional applications. In October 2020, BetMGM merged the various state apps into a one unified app. Users can now pick which state they are in and continue without interruption thanks to the new “state switcher” function.
It’s very likely that both verticals will expand more in the near future. The BetMGM Sportsbook app is currently available in seven states, with the prospect of it being available in Michigan and Virginia soon.
BetMGM operates the partypoker US network in cooperation with Entain to provide online poker in Michigan and New Jersey. The Wolverine State now boasts BetMGM’s online poker, casino, and sportsbook platform.
With the launch of the Borgata Casino PA at the end of February, BetMGM’s iGaming presence grew even further. Whether or not that is a sign for an increased focus on the Keystone State for all verticals of multiple BetMGM’s brands remains to be seen.
