LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan has enacted rules to rein in Las Vegas-style charitable gambling events that regulators say have run amok.
The regulations proposed by Governor Rick Snyder's administration took effect Wednesday. A legislative committee could have objected to the rules but chose not to after getting the Michigan Gaming Control Board to make changes.
Legislation that would ease the new rules has passed the Senate, but it's unclear if it will clear the House. Charities and poker rooms that host the "millionaire party" events say the regulations are too restrictive.
Under the rules, poker rooms can host charity games 208 days a year and no more than two parties per location in a day.
Revenue from the events was only $7.9 million in 2002 but jumped to $184 million a decade later.