Detroit Sports Betting Trip Report: Ranking The Three New Sportsbooks

Can you please rewrite the following sentence for me?<br><br>Original sentence: “I am going to the store to buy some groceries.”<br><br>Rewritten sentence: “I will be heading to the store in order to purchase groceries.”

Basketball enthusiasts endured a lengthy wait for sports betting after the COVID-19 pandemic caused Michigan to miss out on March Madness wagers in sportsbooks.

However, when the highly anticipated day for basketball finally arrived, it was evident that it would not compare to the excitement of that initial Thursday during the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, the NBA commenced its playoffs on Monday afternoon, amidst the ongoing pandemic. Despite the limited 15% occupancy in Detroit casinos, Playinmichigan managed to visit all three sportsbooks in Detroit to experience the atmosphere. Masks were mandatory during the visit.

Certainly a challenging Monday assignment, no doubt about it.

We decided to include my brother, Brian Schoch, in our visit to Greektown Casino-Hotel, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino to get a fresh perspective from a passionate sports enthusiast who had never been before.

The Sportsbook At Greektown-Casino Hotel

There were ample spaces available at the complimentary parking structure in Greektown, and we made our way across Monroe Street using the skywalk, which was temporarily serving as the sole entrance to the casino.

The temperature screening process at the entrance was efficient, and the workers displayed great patience, instructing customers to maintain social distancing while waiting in line.

Greektown’s temporary sportsbook is rather ordinary, featuring 12 standard screens broadcasting games and five screens displaying odds. The number of bettors in the sportsbook ranged from 7 to 12 during the first half of the Denver versus Utah match.

To create parlays, we utilized the Kambi Bet Builder feature on our smartphones. Unlike the traditional method of conveying our selections to an attendant through plexiglass, the QR code simplifies the process significantly.

The temporary sportsbook has approximately 10 high-top tables with stools, although the small bar within is closed. In light of the temporary smoking ban inside Detroit’s casinos, Greektown currently stands as the most smoker-friendly option. This is due to its easily accessible outdoor smoking patio located in the sportsbook area.

“They should have more seats,” commented John, a bettor who regularly commutes from Columbus, Ohio, to place sports bets. “But it’s alright.”

There is promising news on the horizon, as the construction of the permanent Barstool Sportsbook is currently underway. The facility is being enclosed by walls on the casino floor. However, Greektown and its owner, Penn National Gaming, have not disclosed any specific timeline for when it will be open to the public.

To add some excitement, I decided to create a parlay with increasing difficulty as the day went on. My ultimate goal was to end the night on a high note by predicting a big upset: Dallas defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1, straight-up, and securing a major win.

However, the game was a bust before it even started. Toronto had a comfortable victory in my initial bet, but the underdog Philadelphia failed to cover the 6.5-point spread against Boston in the third game of the day.

I had the opportunity to watch Michelle Obama during the Dallas game, since I was free.

Brian’s take: Bring me Barstool

Clearly, the current setup is only a temporary solution since they transformed an existing room into a usable and practical space. However, I’m excited to witness the creative ideas that the Barstool guys will bring to the table.

FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino

The attendants directed vehicles to a designated spot in the garage, where customers undergo temperature screening from the comfort of their cars before parking.

The FanDuel Sportsbook, spanning across two levels, appears to be the most well-prepared venue for thrilling football Sundays.

Approximately 25 individuals were present to witness the overtime of the Nuggets and Jazz game. The majority of the spectators expressed their support for Denver’s impressive comeback and victory. In the venue, spread across two levels, one can find approximately 25 cozy chairs, each thoughtfully arranged to maintain social distancing. Furthermore, each chair comes equipped with its own electrical outlet to conveniently charge electronic devices. Additionally, a few high-top tables and bars are available, along with ample standing room.

Jason and David, friends from Detroit, were delighted to share one of the high-tops and express their appreciation for the presence of sports betting in Detroit, even if on a limited scale.

David stated that whatever they do will not be able to compare, as it is like Little League compared to Vegas.

According to Jason, he is a horse racing bettor who continues to place bets through Daily Racing Form instead of TVG Racebook. It is worth noting that TVG Racebook was recently granted a license by the Michigan Gaming Control Board to provide advance deposit wagering.

Instead of utilizing the two available windows, we opted to place our bets on the Toronto game using the IGT PlaySports-powered kiosks.

We had to drive around the parking garage a few times before locating the exit. One entrance was blocked, forcing us to follow a specific one-way route to get in and out.

I emerged victorious! Finally, I achieved my first triumph in a sports bet at a casino in Detroit. Such a remarkable turn of events in this incredible world.

Brian expressed his belief that betting on overs in the bubble appeared to be a favorable choice, particularly considering the rest players received in preparation for the playoffs.

During bubble regular-season games, the overall record was 47-39-2. Out of the six teams, only one played on Monday, and their over bets on their eight games fell below .500.

As I observed Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray engage in a thrilling exchange of shots, I anticipated that Toronto and Brooklyn would exceed the total score of 221.5. To my delight, my bet proved successful even before the fourth quarter had concluded, with 3 minutes and 54 seconds remaining.

Brian’s take: FanDuel has the best space so far

Their layout stands out as the most impressive and creative among the three options, offering an excellent setting for accommodating a large audience focused on a single event, as well as smaller groups watching various events simultaneously. Their utilization of space is truly commendable.

BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Grand Detroit

The BetMGM Sportsbook in Detroit is the largest in the city, making it a perfect choice for hosting major events, especially due to its impressive three massive screens located behind the bar.

I placed wagers at a betting window while cynically listening to Tigers fans who were adamant that the run total had been set too low.

One fan confidently claimed, “With the way (Matthew) Boyd is pitching, the score should definitely be 11!” However, it turns out that the fan’s prediction was inaccurate.

“No, he will pitch well tonight. There is no chance they lose six in a row,” another person argued. (Unfortunately, they were also incorrect.)

Instead of playing music related to the NBA playoffs, the sportsbook opted for an eclectic mix ranging from dance tunes to the melodies of Paul Simon.

The Brooklyn and Toronto game, which was considered the least exciting of the day, had approximately 20 bettors.

Kudos to MGM Grand Detroit for implementing touchless entry to the casino, although you’ll still need to touch elevator buttons a few feet away.

Kyle, from Eastpointe, expressed that things would have turned out differently if the playoffs had commenced on Saturday.

In Detroit, Kyle and Jamell enjoyed watching the games side by side. However, Kyle expressed his disappointment upon learning that he needed to acquire an M life Rewards card in order to place bets of $100 or higher.

I commend the BetMGM employee for effectively reminding our group to promptly cover their mouth and nose with their masks after taking a sip. Well done.

Feeling overly confident about my overs bet, I decided to combine the overs for the night games: Philadelphia and Boston (218), and later Dallas and LA (230.5) in a parlay.

Both games did not go well. Perhaps at some point in the future, I will lose faith in Philadelphia’s ability to improve their offense.

Brian’s take: Spacious

Spacious and expansive, offering ample room for hosting a large gathering where everyone can be engaged. However, as long as it remains comfortably uncrowded, you can position yourself at the forefront of the event that captivates your growing excitement.

None of Detroit’s casinos carried UFC pay-per-view

It is worth mentioning that none of the sportsbooks in Detroit made any orders for the Saturday night UFC pay-per-view event, which showcased the thrilling face-off between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.

Representatives from all three books expressed their anticipation of featuring UFC and boxing pay-per-views in the future. As news about the sportsbooks in Detroit spreads and worries regarding COVID-19 diminish, all three establishments are expected to showcase major fights.

Please rephrase your request.