Michigan’s first sportsbooks could be up and running in time for March Madness after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a set of bills authorizing retail and online sports betting in the state.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is working to approve license applications for the provision of retail betting services at the state’s three commercial casinos in Detroit.
Rick Kalm, Executive Director at the regulator, told state media outlets that the only thing that the three gambling venues are waiting from the board is to “approve a couple licenses still outstanding for some of their vendors and the internal control.”
Mr. Kalm also pointed out that he and his colleagues at the board have been “going back and forth with them making sure that the internal controls that they have in place are adequate enough to ensure the integrity of gaming and we’re really close.”
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament, widely known as March Madness, is one of the busiest events on America’s sports calendar. It is believed that US bettors place more than $8 billion every year on the major basketball tourney.
According to Mr. Kalm, Detroit’s three casinos will debut their sportsbooks by the start of March Madness on March 17.
Online Sports Betting Still A Ways Off
MGM Grand Casino in Detroit told local news channels that it expects its sports betting facility to become a hit among sports enthusiasts when March Madness kicks off. The casino has already opened a $7 million sports lounge that features self-service betting kiosks. It has also begun training sportsbook staff.
Michigan’s 24 tribal casinos are, too, allowed to operate sports betting and it seems that some of them are almost ready to commence wagering operations any day now.
Mr. Kalm said that tribal gambling venues have their own regulators and their own approval processes. The gambling regulator believes that several of Michigan’s tribal casinos are working with suppliers for the opening of their sportsbooks.
News emerged last month that British bookmaker William Hill has partnered up the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to enter Michigan’s nascent sports betting market.
William Hill will operate a retail betting facility at the tribe’s Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Northern Michigan and a satellite sportsbook at Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge, which is too owned by the tribe.
While the launch of retail sportsbooks seems to be imminent, Michigan sports fans will have to wait a little longer in order to be able to place bets online or via betting apps. Mr. Kalm said that the state gambling regulator is in the middle of a lengthy rule-making process and will also consider a public consultation process.
The regulator expects digital sports betting activities to begin in early 2021.
Source: Sports betting in Michigan casinos expected in time for March Madness
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