Detroit Tigers Partner With PointsBet For MLB’s First Team And Sportsbook Deal

On Thursday, the Detroit Tigers made history by being the inaugural Major League Baseball team to form a collaboration with a sportsbook, as they revealed a long-term agreement with PointsBet Sportsbook.

Later this year, when MI online sportsbook apps and Michigan casino sites launch, PointsBet is set to join the online gambling companies stepping into the Michigan market.

The agreement encompasses signage placement at Comerica Park, acknowledgements on radio advertisements, and seamless integration into the MLB and District Detroit applications.

It is expected that online gambling will be introduced in Michigan later this year, possibly in October.

Chris Granger, group president of sports and entertainment for Ilitch Holdings, Inc., expressed his excitement about the partnership between PointsBet and the Detroit Tigers. He stated that the team’s ownership group is thrilled to welcome PointsBet as a gaming partner. Granger believes that the unique experiences and innovative offerings provided by PointsBet’s personalized platform will be loved by the Tigers’ incredible fans. He also mentioned that the partnership will bring fan-friendly enhancements to the game-day experience in and around Comerica Park for many years to come.

The signage, located on the left-field giant scoreboard and the right-field wall, will be prominently visible on television.

Who is PointsBet?

PointsBet, an Australian gambling company, is placing significant bets on the state of Michigan.

PointsBet will experience a few significant milestones in The Great Lakes State. Michigan will mark the company’s inaugural Native American collaboration and its debut in the online casino realm.

PointsBet collaborated with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, situated in the Upper Peninsula, to secure online accessibility.

Located near the Wisconsin border, the Northern Waters Casino Resort is operated by the tribe in Watersmeet.

Announced on January 6th, the agreement was among the initial collaborations in the state. Additionally, the deal granted PointsBet exclusive rights for negotiations to establish a retail sportsbook at the casino.

Aside from conventional markets, “PointsBetting” presents flexible bets where the margin of a bet determines the outcome amounts.

The company takes pride in offering an extensive range of prop bets that surpasses its competitors. This includes unique markets like betting on completion percentages in football and predicting the time of an NBA player’s first basket.

Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA, announced with enthusiasm that the PointsBet team has successfully secured a groundbreaking partnership with the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball. This remarkable achievement marks the first time in US history that a legal sports betting operator has collaborated with an MLB franchise.

PointsBet differentiates itself in the industry by fully owning and controlling our technology, enabling us to swiftly develop innovative products and tailor personalized offerings to enhance our app’s exceptional speed. With our distinctive PointsBetting feature, we provide the largest range of betting options on MLB games globally. We are thrilled to introduce a distinctive and comprehensive betting experience to the wonderful state of Michigan.

Why is PointsBet partnering with the Tigers?

PointsBet is making a daring decision that might just be essential for their growth. Unlike their competitors FanDuel and DraftKings, PointsBet lacks the advantage of brand loyalty, and they also lack a robust physical presence like MGM Resorts.

Last month, the Denver Broncos made history by becoming the inaugural American professional sports team to forge a partnership with a bookmaker, FanDuel.

The launch of online betting in Colorado took place on May 1, even before the announcement of the deal. Meanwhile, PointsBet will have ample time to reach Michigan sports bettors before the app becomes live.

Afterward, the Broncos revealed another agreement with Betfred that encompasses the creation of the first-ever onsite betting lounge in the NFL.

The Tigers’ announcement of their partnership with PointsBet described it as a “exclusive” agreement.

PointsBet has become an authorized gaming operator for Major League Baseball as a result of a recent agreement. This agreement provides PointsBet with the rights to use official MLB data and logos in their products.

FanDuel seemed like a natural fit for Tigers

It’s intriguing that FanDuel, which would have been an evident choice, didn’t end up being a part of the deal.

The Tigers are owned by the Ilitch family, who are prominent figures in the Little Caesars Pizza empire.

The Tigers and Detroit Red Wings’ operations are managed by Christopher Ilitch, who is the son of the late Mike Ilitch. Meanwhile, MotorCity Casino is owned by Marian Ilitch, Christopher’s mother.

MotorCity Casino is among the trio of commercial casinos situated in Detroit, conveniently within walking distance of Comerica Park.

MotorCity Casino partnered with FanDuel to launch its retail sportsbook and offer online access when sports betting became live in Michigan in March.

However, the Tigers ventured to Down Under for their inaugural sportsbook collaboration.

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