Michiganders could have access to online gaming and sports betting by mid-January.
Recently, it was announced that the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) approved provisional licenses for 15 platform providers to allow online gaming and sports betting at a variety of tribal and commercial casinos.
Richard Kalm, the executive director of MGCB, said that platform providers must adhere to all regulatory requirements before anything can officially get going in the state.
“The platform providers still must meet other regulatory requirements before online gaming and sports betting can launch in Michigan. The launch date will depend on how quickly they can fulfill the requirements,” said Kalm. “The platform providers’ ability to meet the requirements of the laws and rules will determine which entities can be licensed for launch first.”
Each of the providers will have their platforms tested by the MGCB to ensure that everything works properly and that gaming integrity remains intact.
The MGCB has been accepting applications since mid-May 2020, ensuring that whenever providers are allowed to launch online gaming and sports betting, they’ll be ready and equipped to do so.
Out of the platform providers who were granted provisional licenses, there are already some big names getting involved for the potential January 2021 launch.
Should there be no further delays, providers should be ready to accept wagers on two of the biggest American sports events: Super Bowl LV and the 2021 NCAA March Madness tournament.
Crown MI Gaming (DraftKings), Betfair Interactive (FanDuel Sportsbook), and TSG Interactive US Services (Fox Bet) were some of the names Michiganders can expect to see involved when online gaming and sports betting is given the green light in the Great Lakes State.
Below are the other names of providers who received a provisional license:
- American Wagering (William Hill Sports Book)
- BetMGM (Roar Digital)
- Churchill Downs Interactive Gaming (TwinSpires)
- GAN Nevada
- Golden Nugget Online Gaming
- NYX Digital Gaming (USA)
- Parx Interactive
- Penn Sports Interactive
- PointsBet Michigan
- Rush Street Interactive MI (BetRivers)
- Sports Information Services (Kambi)
- WSI US (Wynn Sports)
The future launch of online gaming and sports betting in Michigan is important to providers with physical casinos in the state.
Of the providers named above, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Penn Sports Interactive are operators at Detroit’s physical casinos, which have been closed for almost a month due to COVID-19 and won’t be re-opening until at least December 20.
If the casinos’ re-opening is delayed into the beginning of 2021 or further, online gaming and sports betting would provide extra financial stability to those providers.
Despite the fact that platforms won’t be able to be launched until all regulations are met, the MGCB has allowed providers to launch their respective apps in various app stores ahead of time.
This opportunity will allow Michigan residents to go ahead and download the apps ahead of time, and to create their accounts. They won’t be able to place any wagers until everything is officially launched, but they’ll at least be able to avoid online traffic at a later date.
