Michigan is getting its third sportsbook today after FanDuel and MotorCity Casino in Detroit announced an exclusive wagering partnership and the gambling venue obtained the necessary approval to conduct betting activities from the state Gaming Control Board.
Sports betting officially kicked off in Michigan on Wednesday, March 11, when MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown Casino-Hotel debuted their brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Under its partnership with MotorCity Casino, FanDuel is set to open its latest sports betting facility as part of its US expansion campaign today at 10 am local time.
The betting operator said Wednesday in a press release announcing its partnership with the Detroit-based casino that it would “administer all core services affecting betting for the sportsbook.”
The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino will spread over two stories and will feature six betting windows, 67 HD televisions, one ticker, a VIP area, and 54 self-service IGT PlaySports betting kiosks.
The betting facility will accept wagers on all major US and international sports, including football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf, boxing, motorsports racing, and many more.
Reports about the partnership between FanDuel and MotorCity Casino first emerged earlier this month. Today’s start of wagering at the gambling venue means that Michigan’s all three commercial casinos have managed to go live with sports betting right in time for the March Madness basketball tourney.
Michigan legalized sports betting late last year as part of wider gambling expansion push that also authorized online casino-style gaming. The state’s wagering law also permits digital betting, but the Michigan Gaming Control Board is yet to draft the rules regulating the online sector.
Consistently Raising the Bar
About entering the sports betting segment, MotorCity Casino President Bruce Dall said that they have been committed to “reimagining the guest experience” by “consistently raising the bar with innovative entertainment, world-class luxury hotel accommodations and high energy gaming activities.”
Mr. Dall went on that their partnership with FanDuel takes the experience offered at the property to the next level and that with the sports betting operator, MotorCity guests would be able to “engage with their favorite sports in a dynamic new way at Detroit’s only locally owned and operated casino.”
FanDuel Group CEO Matt King said that Detroit being an incredible sports town was a perfect fit to their strategy to expand their presence nationwide.
Michigan is the sixth state FanDuel has secured its entry into. The company, along with its biggest rival DraftKings, recently signed a wagering partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings for the provision of sports betting services in Colorado where the operator owns three properties.
While FanDuel has teamed up with a commercial casino in Michigan, DraftKings will have to partner a tribal casino in order to enter the state’s sports betting mix. MGM Grand and Greektown, both located in Detroit, are Michigan’s two other commercial casinos.
MGM Grand’s sportsbook is operated by its owner MGM Resorts International’s sports betting joint venture with European gambling giant GVC Holdings, while Greektown’s owner, Penn National Gaming, would probably look to leverage the widespread success of the recently acquired Barstool Sports brand at the casino’s Sportsbook.
Source: FanDuel Group and MotorCity Casino Announce Exclusive Deal
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories
