Bill > SB0511

This bill amends Michigan's penal code to modify existing laws around gambling and social wagering. Currently, any person who accepts money or valuable items with an agreement that payment is contingent on the outcome of a race, contest, game, or uncertain event commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. The bill increases the potential fine to $5,000 and introduces a new section that creates exceptions for small-scale social wagers. These exceptions include social transactions limited to 100 participants, with individual wager limits of $25, where all money is returned as prizes, the organizer is a participant, and the event does not occur in a gambling establishment or business venue. The new provisions aim to distinguish between illegal gambling and casual social wagering among friends or acquaintances, providing a clear legal framework for low-stakes, social gaming activities that do not have commercial intent.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0511