Michigan Senator Defends Online Poker Bill Against Conflict Of Interest AccusationReport Says Wife Of Lawmaker Works For Amaya Lobbyist |
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The primary backer of Michigan’s online casino gambling bill is defending his wife’s work at a lobbying group that represents Internet gaming giant Amaya.
Michigan Sen. Mike Kowall told The Detroit Free Press that there is no conflict of interest because his wife, Eileen, doesn’t have Amaya as a client and that he began work on the Internet gambling issue several years ago, before his wife was hired by lobbying group MSG Consultants.
MSG Consultants employs four other lobbyists in addition to Ms. Kowall, the report said.
Amaya, the owner of PokerStars, was present in Lansing during the May 4 hearing on Sen. Kowall’s online gambling bill.
Ms. Kowall served in the Michigan legislature with her husband before becoming a lobbyist.
The report appears unlikely to affect the chances for Michigan’s online gambling bill, which has great prospects for this year, a spokesperson for Sen. Kowall told Card Player last week.
Another hearing on the bill, SB 889, is expected in the coming weeks.
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