Michigan Online Sports Betting and Casino Gaming to Launch Friday

michigan online sports betting

The long wait for Michigan online sports betting and casino gaming is coming to an end.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Michigan Gaming Control Board authorized nine sports gaming operators to begin online betting operations this Friday at noon.

This latest development means the state will hit its long-targeted January 2021 launch date for online sports wagering and casino gaming. More practically, Friday’s highly anticipated launch means that Michigan bettors will be able to wager on this weekend’s NFL conference championship matchups, and, of course, Super Bowl 55, which is scheduled to be played on February 7.

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Michigan Online Sports Betting Coming Friday

Here is Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director Richard Kalm on the latest developments:

Michigan residents love sports and, judging by inquiries we’ve received, eagerly anticipate using mobile devices to place bets through the commercial and tribal casinos. Online gaming and sports betting will provide the casinos with new ways to engage with customers while the state and local communities will benefit from taxes and payments on wagering revenue.

With the announcement, bettors will also be able to begin playing Michigan online casino games as early as Friday. Previous indications suggested a potential staggered rollout with casino gaming following sports betting operations, but that is no longer the case.

Also noteworthy is the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s decision to immediately grant nine different operators a green light to launch.

The Michigan online sports betting and casino gaming markets have long been viewed as potentially the strongest overall markets in the country, one that would feature significant competition among the industry’s biggest players. That’s still the case, but the competition will be immediate with the likes of gaming titans DraftKings Michigan Sportsbook, BetMGM Michigan and FanDuel Sportsbook Michigan going at it right from the very start.

Previously, the Michigan Gaming Control Board indicated that as many as 10 online sportsbook operators could be fully live by the end of 2021.

A Competitive Michigan Online Sports Betting Market

The Michigan online sports betting and casino markets are viewed as particularly fertile for a variety of reasons. Not only does Michigan boast the nation’s 10th-highest population, but several other contextual factors aid what will instantly become a booming business for the state.

Michigan is home to four major professional sports teams as well as several major colleges and universities such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State. And while devoted fan bases and high-profile professional and collegiate teams are part of a successful equation, helping matters are both the user-friendly and operator-friendly betting rules set forth by state regulators.

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Michigan’s 8.4% gaming revenue tax rate is among the best in the country, which promotes an inviting place to do business for operators, and, in turn, competition between such companies.

That competition is good for news for several parties beyond just the operators. Prospective Michigan online sports bettors stand to benefit from more competitive odds as well as the promotional offers rolled out from the top betting apps.

With the fight for new user sign ups and betting dollars expected to be fierce from the start, there will be plenty of ways to cash in on free bets, bonuses and other specials. Meanwhile, a more competitive market should also lead to bigger tax revenue for the state. Similarly, New Jersey has comparably modest tax rate and has experienced terrific market growth as the state has reaped the tax benefits of its substantial gaming revenue.

Operators Available at Launch

The state has granted permission for nine different operators to begin taking action at noon this Friday.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board authorized 9 sportsbook operators to begin online sports betting and or online casinos Friday, January 22.

Here is the list: pic.twitter.com/3NdlYiVjky

— Action Rush (@ActionRushBets) January 19, 2021

Here is the complete list:

Gaming Operator	Gaming Partner
Rush Street	Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
MGM Grand Detroit	Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
FanDuel	Bay Mills Indian Community
Wynn	Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
DraftKings	Bay Mills Indian Community
William Hill	Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Penn Sports Interactive/Barstool Sportsbook	Greektown Casino
TwinSpires	Hannahville Indian Community
Golden Nugget Online Gaming	Keewenaw Bay Indian Community

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