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Bill Summary · SB 713

SB 713 — Summary (adds Sec. 9a to 2019 PA 152, MCL 432.301–432.322)

Subject: Regulation of advertisements and promotions for internet gaming

Status: Referred to Committee on Regulatory Affairs
Introduced: February 21, 2025 (per bill header provided)
What it would do: Add a new Section 9a to the Lawful Internet Gaming Act to regulate advertising and marketing of internet (online) gaming.

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to limit exposure of internet gaming advertising to minors, require prior board approval of advertisements, prevent deceptive marketing, allow limited municipal regulation of public signage, and impose civil penalties (including license revocation) for repeated violations.

Key provisions

  • Board approval

    • All internet gaming advertisements must be approved by the regulatory board (Sec. 9a(1)).

  • Compliance requirements

    • Advertising/marketing must comply with municipal ordinances, state law, and rules under the act (Sec. 9a(2)).

  • Municipal authority

    • Municipalities may adopt ordinances governing public signs related to internet gaming provided the ordinance:
    • Is not unreasonably impracticable;
    • Does not conflict with the act or its rules;
    • Establishes reasonable restrictions on public signs (Sec. 9a(3)).

  • Prohibition on deceptive advertising

    • Operators may not use deceptive, false, or misleading advertising or make such statements on products, signs, or documents (Sec. 9a(4)).

  • Audience-age limitation

    • Advertising may not be placed where reliable evidence indicates that more than 30% of the audience/readership is expected to be under age 21 (applies to TV, radio, websites, print, etc.) (Sec. 9a(5)).

  • Required disclaimer

    • Ads/promotions must include a disclaimer to help prevent gambling addiction and must promote the toll‑free compulsive gaming helpline number (Sec. 9a(6)).

  • Marketing to minors

    • No marketing or advertising to persons under 21; sponsorships targeting individuals under 21 are prohibited.
    • Exceptions: being the named sponsor of a public place (e.g., arena/stadium) or a television channel is not a violation (Sec. 9a(7)).

  • Live-broadcast placement exception

    • Restrictions do not apply to advertising that inadvertently appears on a live TV program or sports broadcast due to physical placement at the event location (Sec. 9a(8)).

  • Penalties and enforcement

    • Civil fines: up to $1,000 for a first violation; up to $5,000 for a second violation.
    • Third or subsequent violation: revocation of the internet gaming operator’s license.
    • Enforcement action may be brought by the Attorney General (Sec. 9a(9)–(10)).

  • Definition of “advertisement”

    • Broad definition covering paid marketing/promotions (search, display, video, native ads, billboards, leaflets, mobile app ads, sponsorships) intended to induce wagers or participation.
    • Excludes TV or internet programs that merely discuss internet gaming and refer to a specific operator/supplier/provider (Sec. 9a(11)).

Who would be affected

  • Internet gaming operators, suppliers, and platform providers (must ensure ad approval, age‑audience screening, disclaimers, avoid deceptive claims).
  • Advertisers and media platforms that carry paid gambling ads (must monitor audience demographics and placement).
  • Municipalities (may adopt certain sign regulations consistent with the bill).
  • Public (reduced exposure of youth to internet gaming ads; availability of compulsive-gaming helpline messaging).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Compliance costs for operators and advertisers to verify audience demographics, secure pre-approval, and add mandated disclaimers.
  • Possible reduction in youth exposure to gaming advertising through audience‑targeting rules.
  • Enforcement mechanism concentrates authority with the Attorney General and the regulatory board; repeated noncompliance carries escalating penalties up to license revocation.
  • The bill includes limited municipal authority over public signage but bars ordinances that conflict with state rules or are unreasonably impracticable.

Procedural note

  • Current status: referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs (initial referral). Subsequent committee actions and amendments could change specifics (e.g., the 30% audience threshold or penalty amounts) before final passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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