Michigan will become DraftKings’ seventh retail sportsbook state in a deal that brings a mobile app as well as a bricks-and-mortar location to Bay Mills Resort and Casino in Brimley. Both the mobile and retail operations are subject to licensing and approvals.
The DraftKings mobile app can also be found in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Its retail arm has locations in Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York, in addition to Michigan.
In a DraftKings consumer study of Michigan residents interested in sports betting, more than a third had placed legal bets via mobile app by traveling to another state or internationally. Another 55 percent had never made an online wager before. Combined, these represent a large potential market for the sportsbook giant.
“We are excited about our new partnership with DraftKings,” said Bryan Newland, tribal chairman for the Bay Mills Indian Community. “Expanding on what entertainment options we can offer at Michigan’s longest operating gaming facility is always our goal.”
The Star Group partnered with Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, according to Fred Harrington Jr., a member of the tribal council for the band. The partnership “extends beyond our reservation and places the thrill of world-class sports betting and online gaming under every finger-tip sliding across a touch screen in the State of Michigan,” Harrington said.
William Hill joined up with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. It will operate sports betting at the Onyx Sports Bar at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Williamsburg and a satellite location at Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown. Both venues are expected to be taking bets by the start of the 2020 football season, which kicks off September 10.
“It was important for us to find a partner with a great sports betting and gaming brand that has proven experience throughout the U.S. market,” said Michael Schrader, CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos.
The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has inked a 20-year agreement with PointsBet with the option for a five-year extension to offer an online and mobile PointsBet-branded sportsbook. The agreement also includes online casino gambling. The band may also open a retail sportsbook at Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet.
