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Sports betting has expanded to northern Michigan following the recent opening of two tribal casino sportsbooks downstate.
On Friday, River Rock Sportsbook & Grill at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee commenced operations, becoming the eighth casino in the state to offer a sportsbook and the fifth located on tribal land.
The sportsbook opened amidst Michigan’s ongoing struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has experienced a recent surge following an initial slowdown in its spread.
When online gambling launches in Michigan, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has joined forces with Rush Street Interactive to introduce BetRivers.
Little River joins Michigan’s growing sportsbook market
Last month, Battle Creek’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel became the first tribal casino in the state to open a sportsbook. Additionally, three Four Winds Casinos in southwest Michigan also started accepting bets last week.
In March, Greektown Casino-Hotel, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino, the three commercial casinos of Detroit, launched their sportsbooks.
Upon launch, online casinos and sports betting can be operated by each of the state’s 15 casino operators, consisting of 12 federally recognized tribes and three commercial casinos.
It is anticipated that the online launch will take place either towards the end of this year or at the beginning of 2021, with a possible target as early as October.
Ceremonial bet on Detroit Lions to win Super Bowl
According to The Manistee News Advocate, Mayor Roger Zielinski of the city placed a symbolic opening bet of $20 on the Detroit Lions to emerge victorious in the Super Bowl.
The Lions have a chance to win it all, following their first playoff victory since 1957. However, the NFL wager could also be seen as an acknowledgment of the region’s lack of familiarity with sports betting.
According to Jonnie Sam, the manager responsible for sportsbook and table games, the casino carefully considered this aspect while deciding on its offerings, as stated in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
“It was a challenging task,” Sam explained, “as there are very few individuals in this area with sportsbook experience, and we had to gauge the casino’s comfort level with gambling.”
What sportsbooks are up next in Michigan?
The sportsbook at Little River is the inaugural establishment to open in the region, lovingly referred to as “Up North,” for residents from downstate.
Nonetheless, no sportsbooks have been planned for the Upper Peninsula north of the Mackinac Bridge in the state yet.
Several Michigan tribal casinos are preparing to launch sportsbooks, although there is currently no specific date set for their opening.
Some examples include:
- Bay Mills Casino in Brimley has formed a collaboration with DraftKings to offer both online and retail sportsbook services.
- Parx Casino, located near Philadelphia, has collaborated with Gun Lake Casino in Wayland to offer sportsbook services.
- The Island Resort and Casino in Harris has yet to disclose any technology or sports betting partnerships.
- GAN has partnered with Kewadin Casinos to provide sportsbook technology at their five UP locations.
- PointsBet has partnered with Northern Waters Casino in Watersmeet.
- The Stars Group has formed a partnership with Odawa Casinos located in Mackinaw City and Petoskey.
- Ojibwa Casinos in Baraga and Marquette have formed a partnership with the Golden Nugget casino in Michigan, enabling them to offer online gambling services.
- Soaring Eagle Casino located in Mount Pleasant and Saganing Eagles Landing in Standish have yet to disclose their sportsbook or technology partnerships.
- William Hill Sportsbook has formed a partnership with Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge in Peshawbestown to enhance their branding and technology offerings.
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