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The Michigan online gambling market resembles a game of musical chairs, where the music is about to come to a halt.
On Wednesday, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) secured a partnership with the Hannahville Indian Community to launch BetAmerica in Michigan just in time. This collaboration provided CDI, the renowned horse racing company, with a suitable platform to establish its presence in the state.
According to a news release, the Island Resort & Casino in Harris, owned by the Upper Peninsula tribe, will have a retail sportsbook operated by BetAmerica. This addition will complement their existing online sports betting and online casino offerings.
Hannahville tribe one of the final online skins
The availability of online access partners in Michigan is progressively diminishing.
Additionally, certain tribes in Michigan are also preparing to introduce their own customized applications.
This fall is expected to witness the launch of a thriving online sports betting market, with a minimum of 11 online companies already having secured deals to be a part of it.
| Brand | Partner | Launch Date | Retail Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | MGM Grand Detroit | Jan. 22 | Opened March 11, 2020 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians | Jan. 22 | Opened July 17, 2020 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bay Mills Indian Community | Jan. 22 | Expected soon |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | MotorCity Casino | Jan. 22 | Opened March 12, 2020 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Jan. 22 | Expected soon |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | Jan. 22 | Opened Sept. 18, 2020 |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Greektown Casino | Jan. 22 | Opened March 11, 2020 |
| Golden Nugget Sports | Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | Jan. 22 | Expected in early 2021 |
| Wynn Sportsbook | Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | Jan. 22 | Kiosks only, Dec. 14, 2020 |
| TwinSpires Sportsbook | Hannahville Indian Community | Jan. 22 | Opened Sept. 10, 2020 |
| FOX Bet Sportsbook | Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | Jan. 29 | Opened Sept, 24 2020 |
| Four Winds Sportsbook | Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians | Feb. 15 | Opened July 13, 2020 |
| Parx Sportsbook | Gun Lake Tribe | Expected soon | Opened Oct. 3, 2020 |
| TBD/FireKeepers Casino | Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians | Expected soon | Opened June 22, 2020 |
| TBD/Soaring Eagle Casino | Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe | Expected in 2021 | Expected soon |
Churchill Downs one of gambling’s biggest brands
In 2007, BetAmerica was introduced by CDI. The renowned Churchill Downs racetrack and its iconic Kentucky Derby are both under the ownership of this company.
BetAmerica started as a racebook for a decade, but recently expanded its brand through a partnership with SBTech, as reported by Online Poker Report. The company has future plans to shift to a GAN platform and Kambi sportsbook.
Bill Mudd, the COO of CDI, expressed his satisfaction in a press release, stating, “We are delighted to introduce our groundbreaking BetAmerica sportsbook and iGaming product to sports enthusiasts across Michigan. Island Resort & Casino visitors, as well as online players in Michigan, will have the opportunity to enjoy sports betting, premium online casino games, and exclusive promotions through BetAmerica.”
BetAmerica operates an online sportsbook in Indiana and is available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Another tribal sportsbook on deck in Michigan
The retail sportsbook is set to become part of an expanding range of tribal choices throughout the state.
The recent opening of River Rock Sportsbook & Grill at Little River Casino in Manistee marked the addition of the fifth tribal sportsbook. In total, there are now eight sportsbooks available, including the three Detroit casinos set to reopen on August 5th.
Although other sportsbooks are also being developed, Island Resort has the potential to be the first to introduce the UP sportsbook.
Kenneth Meshigaud, the tribal chairperson of Hannahville Indian Community, expressed immense enthusiasm regarding the newly formed partnership with BetAmerica. In a statement, he stated that the addition of the BetAmerica sportsbook would enhance their existing range of entertainment choices. Moreover, Meshigaud highlighted that this partnership would offer yet another enticing incentive for people to visit the picturesque Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
