GAMBLING

Authorities have seized 100 gambling machines and devices from two suspected storefront casinos in the Flint area.

Here’s what you need to know to help simplify your financial planning -- watch the video above.

As is always the case, those who like to make wagers for the Super Bowl can bet on more conventional happenings in the game, such as who’ll cover the spread, who’ll win the coin toss, who’ll score the first touchdown, how many touchdown passes each quarterback will have; the list goes on and on.

Here’s what you need to know to help simplify your financial planning -- watch the video above.

Michigan residents who place wagers on unregulated gaming sites may gamble on more than they expected and become identity theft or deposit theft victims, said Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams.

Michigan will start allowing people to claim a state income tax deduction for gambling losses they claim on their federal tax return.

The latest generation of NHL pucks allow infrared cameras to constantly connect the vulcanized rubber with a puck and player tracking system.

Who says Friday the 13th is unlucky? In Michigan it actually appears to be pretty lucky when it comes to playing the Mega Millions lottery game.

This is going to be a disaster.”The first hint that Booker’s grim predictions may have credibility comes by way of calls to the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline, 800-270-7117. And while more money is going toward problem gambling treatment, it’s miniscule in comparison to the tax windfall. Her organization receives a much smaller budget, about $350,000, to help pay for problem gambling treatment. In Michigan, online gambling commercials are required to include information about problem gambling treatment. Online gambling providers and governments have created partnerships with tech companies that specialize in blocking people from online gambling.

The second showdown in the triple crown of thoroughbred racing is this weekend.

Calls to Michigan’s helpline for people struggling with gambling addiction spiked early this year, and researchers believe the timing is linked to the start of online gambling.

DETROIT – Starting at noon Friday, people in Michigan could legally place bets on sports teams or play casino games online. READ: ‘New era’ of gambling in Michigan begins -- Online sports betting goes live FridayIt’s been billed as a new dawn of online sports gambling, but really it is the COVID-recovery plan for the gambling industry. It all starts with downloading your favorite gambling app to your phone or smart device. At sign-up, they all require GPS tracking to make sure you’re betting from inside Michigan. The operators authorized to begin online offerings Jan. 22 are:ResourcesThe MGCB has published FAQs, patron dispute forms and a sports wagering catalog on its website, www.michigan.gov/mgcb.

DETROIT – Starting at noon, Friday, online sports betting was allowed for the first time in Michigan. The launch came about a year after sports betting became legal in Michigan, but until now, players had to place bets in person at casinos. It’s not just sports betting, but online gambling also has gone live. The MGM Casino is using Roar Digital, Motor City Casino is using FanDuel and Greektown Casino is using Penn Sports Interactive. The online apps require the user to verify their location within Michigan using the GPS in one’s phone or smart device.

Michigan will officially allow online sports betting for the first time starting on Friday, Jan. 22. The Michigan Gaming Control Board today authorized nine operators to begin online sports betting or both online gaming and sports betting at noon on Friday, Jan. 22. “The Michigan Gaming Control Board and the state’s commercial and tribal casinos will begin a new era Jan. 22 with the launch of regulated online gaming and sports betting,” said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director. Taxes and Payment RatesThe tax and payment rate for online sports betting is 8.4 percent. The tax and payment rate for internet gaming ranges from about 20 percent to 28 percent.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 01: View of the Detroit Red Wings center ice logo during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena on February 01, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings announced Tuesday a new partnership with PointsBet, a sportsbook operator. The NHL club said this sports betting partnership will “enhance fan engagement and game-day excitement.”Sports & Social Detroit at Little Caesars Arena will be rebranded as the PointsBet Sports Bar. As part of that deal, PointsBet will have branding at Comerica Park and will be featured on the Detroit Tigers Radio Network. More: Detroit Red Wings news

DETROIT – The MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit is preparing to open its doors to the public on Dec. 23 thanks to loosened coronavirus restrictions announced this week. The MotorCity Casino Hotel will reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, officials said. All casino and hotel employees will reportedly be tested for COVID-19 before the reopening date. The revised restrictions are currently in effect until Jan. 15, 2021. More: Here’s everything that’s reopening under Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order

WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Investigators released new information in an arrest in a massive murder investigation. The burned remains of Susie Zhao was found July 13 at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Center. READ: 60-year-old man charged in premeditated murder of woman found ‘badly burned’ in White Lake TownshipMorris is accused of murdering Zhao and setting her on fire. White Lake Township Police investigated for 24 days. READ: Suspect in custody in connection to death of Waterford Township woman found ‘badly burned’

Investigators released new information in an arrest in a massive murder investigation. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A man has been charged in the killing of a professional poker player in Michigan. READ: Suspect in custody in connection to death of Waterford Township woman found ‘badly burned’Morris was hospitalized on Tuesday after having a medical issue earlier in the day. Zhao was a professional poker player living in L.A., investigators had to consider if that had anything to do with her murder. The night before Zhao’s remains were found, sources said Zhao met Morris at an area motel. White Lake Township police and an FBI task force tracked Morris and arrested him last Friday.

WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police said they have one suspect in custody in connection to the death of a 33-year-old woman. The burnt remains of a female were found near a park on July 13 and identified as belonging to Susie Zhao from Waterford Township. A citizen discovered the “badly burned” remains of a female body around 8 a.m. on July 13 near the Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area at Maceday Lake and Cross roads, officials said. Police identified the body as Zhao one week after she was found. Police are asking anyone who may have seen Zhao between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on July 11 to immediately contact White Lake Police Lieutenant Christopher Hild at 248-698-4404, ext.

WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police have identified burnt remains of a female found near a park on July 13 as belonging to Susie Zhao from Waterford Township. A citizen discovered the “badly burned” remains of a female body around 8 a.m. on July 13 near the Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area at Maceday Lake and Cross roads, officials said. Police identified the body as Zhao one week after she was found. Autopsy and toxicology results from the Oakland County Medical Examiner are still pending, so the cause of death is still unknown. Police are asking anyone who may have seen Zhao between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on July 11 to immediately contact White Lake Police Lieutenant Christopher Hild at 248-698-4404, ext.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers became the first Major League Baseball team to reach a deal with a sports gambling company, announcing a multiyear partnership Thursday with PointsBet. Detroit said the agreement will enhance fan engagement and game-day excitement by providing access to unique experiences, content, promotions and more, in and around Comerica Park.PointsBet operates in rare space within the industry by owning our technology environment from end to end, which allows us to be extremely nimble on product innovation and personalized offerings to complement our apps market-leading speed," PointsBet USA chief executive officer Johnny Aitken said in a statement. As part of the deal, PointsBet will have branding at Comerica Park and will be featured on the Detroit Tigers Radio Network. Related: Michigan Gaming Control Board now accepting online gaming operator, vendor forms

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced Wednesday that is has started to accept internet gaming and internet sports betting operator license applications from commercial casinos and tribes in Michigan. The MGCB continues to make progress toward the launch of online gaming by adding forms for operators and vendors, said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director. On May 15, the agency began to accept online gaming supplier forms. We expect to launch internet gaming and online sports betting by late 2020 or early 2021, Kalm said. Read back: Michigans Legislature votes to legalize sports betting, online gambling

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Lottery Claim Centers will reopen to accept prize claims by appointment only on Monday. They will be wearing masks, following social distancing guidelines, using Plexiglass partitions on counters and disinfecting shared surfaces. During the appointment, players must observe social distancing, follow directional signs and floor markings, and stand behind Plexiglass shields on Claim Center counters. Lottery asks players who submit a drop-off claim to take the following precautions:Complete a Ticket Receipt Form in advance of visiting the Claim Center. Claim Center hours and procedures may be adjusted to meet the needs of each office and provide efficient processing of player prize claims.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials are warning of a potential increase in gambling activity -- especially among those with gambling addictions -- amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Officials believe that even as casinos are closed due to the pandemic, the lottery, online gaming and sports betting can still exacerbate unhealthy gambling behaviors during this crisis. “Despite social distancing-related closures, online and sports betting remain concerns, and we want community members to know there is help for anyone trying to manage urges to gamble.”The Michigan Problem Gambling Hotline is available to individuals that struggle with gambling addiction. If you or someone you love has gambled, or borrowed money to gamble, in order to solve financial difficulties or combat worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness, officials urge you to call 820-270-7117. Officials say an estimated 2 million U.S. adults struggle with a gambling problem each year, and about 4-6 million have mild to moderate gambling problems.

MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City Casino and Greektown Casino will all close for at least two weeks due the coronavirus crisis beginning Monday. Motor City released this statement:Based on the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s order, MotorCity Casino will be closing to the general public tomorrow, March 16, 2020 at 12 noon. MGM Grand released this statement:In compliance with the Michigan Gaming Control Board's order, MGM Grand Detroit will temporarily suspend operations by 5:00pm, March 16. More: https://t.co/Aky1yT5K8R pic.twitter.com/ihszZMAluk — MGM Grand Detroit (@MGMGrandDetroit) March 16, 2020Governor Whitmer announced the temporary closure last Sunday night. Across the Detroit River, Caesar’s Windsor is closing Monday and rescheduling concerts planned there over the next few weeks.

Michigan Casinos can now legally accepts wagers on sports events. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board made the announcement Friday that sports fans will be able to bet on March Madness games when the legal betting goes live. MGM Grand in Detroit spent $7 million on a sports lounge and sports book. It will have seven walk-up windows and 15 kiosks. Greektown Casino sports book will be on the third level with kiosks, televisions, a bar and food. Motor City Casino didn’t respond to a comment request about what it has ready for sports betting, but it has met the requirements to begin onsite betting Wednesday.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s Legislature will vote Wednesday to legalize sports betting and internet gambling, expanding options for gamblers in a state with three commercial casinos in Detroit and two-dozen tribal casinos elsewhere. Michigan will become the 20th state to authorize sports wagers and the fifth to allow casino-style games to be played online. UPDATE: Whitmer signs bills legalizing sports betting, internet gambling in MichiganA look at the development:WHEN MAY SPORTS BETTING BEGIN? Supporters said gamblers already are betting on sports and gambling online through illegal bookies or non-U.S. websites. Those offering online games like poker will pay a tax of between 20% and 28%, depending on their amount of adjusted gross receipts.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Senate is expected to approve bills that would legalize sports betting and internet gambling. READ MORE: Michigan Senate panel OKs sports betting, online gamblingUnder the bill, an 8.4% sales tax would be collected, most of which will go toward funding public schools. There are still no details on how long it will be before people can place legal bets. Detroit’s casinos have been preparing for legalization -- MGM built a sports betting area in preparation that has yet to open. If approved this week, the bill will land on Gov.