Michigan Sets Sights on March Madness 2020 for Sports Betting Launch

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March Madness 2020 and the arrival of legal sports betting in Michigan are both on the horizon. If everything goes as scheduled, these two occurrences will coincide.

A Wolverine State legislator, who is leading the effort to expand legal gambling in the state, has set the middle of March as the goal for introducing legal sportsbooks. Nevertheless, even if it materializes, the process will be cautious and controlled.

Why March Madness is the target date for Michigan

To ensure a successful launch of Michigan legal sports betting, it would be ideal for it to align with a significant sporting occasion. Although the College Football Playoff, NFL playoffs, and Super Bowl LIV are not feasible options due to time constraints, the spotlight can be placed on March Madness as the prime opportunity.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board will have ample time to review license applications and ensure compliance, primarily for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

Examining retail sportsbooks for compliance is made simpler due to the physical presence of all the components right in front of regulators, allowing for easy inspection.

Using March Madness for launching sports betting this year could be a great opportunity with both Michigan’s and Michigan State’s men’s teams currently holding spots in the AP Top 25 rankings.

It is possible that both the commercial and tribal casinos in Detroit, as well as the state of Michigan, will be prepared to accept bets in time for the tournament runs of both teams. However, the status of online betting in Michigan remains uncertain.

Potential timeline for the launch of online betting

Online betting may not be far behind the retail launch, although Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. has not specified a specific timeline.

Hertel expressed his belief that brick and mortar establishments will be operational before online platforms for sports wagering. He mentioned that brick and mortar venues could potentially be ready for March Madness, as they would just need to include another game in their existing license. On the other hand, online operators will have to obtain licenses and meet necessary regulations before they can commence their operations.

In a parallel move, a neighboring state of Michigan also embraced a similar course. Indiana granted approval for its retail books to commence accepting wagers in September, with the introduction of mobile sportsbooks taking place the subsequent month in the Hoosier State.

Although there is no certainty that Michigan will precisely follow that trajectory, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) might require an additional month to fulfill all the necessary requirements for online books.

Mobile betting in Michigan may commence in April, should that scenario unfold. This would provide online sportsbooks with an opportunity to leverage the beginning of the MLB season as a promotional occasion.

The Wolverine State’s gambling expansion includes another component, but it is not a priority at the moment. Unlike sports betting, this component is not time-dependent.

iGaming likely to be the last to market in Michigan

Once mobile and retail sports betting are fully operational, the MGCB is expected to shift its focus towards online casino games and Michigan poker sites. At this stage, it remains uncertain how many operators will be participating in the initial launch.

If everything goes as planned, the first component of iGaming and sports betting will be fully operational in Michigan by mid-March. Once this happens, the gambling options available in the state will be on par with those offered in any other state.

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