Bay Mills To Begin $65 Million Expansion In 2024, Open DraftKings Sportsbook In November

Written By Drew Ellis on October 5, 2024

Bay Mills Resort & Casino is set to embark on a big expansion project in the spring of 2024.

The casino, located in Brimley, will break ground on a $65 million project next year. Along with providing new amenities for guests, it will create many new employment opportunities in the area.

Plans call for the entire project to be finished in 2024.

What’s part of the Bay Mills expansion project?

This $65 million project includes a lot of upgrades to current Bay Mills amenities.

Altogether, the plan calls for the following interior upgrades:

  • 134 additional rooms with balconies
  • New deli
  • Spa with massage therapy rooms
  • Pool with a splash pad
  • Hot tubs
  • Nail salon
  • Fitness center
  • Arcade
  • Conference spaces
  • Storefront

Employees of the resort will also be treated to an expanded break room that will provide additional space for staff to relax in.

Around the exterior of the resort, the expansion plans include:

  • New fishing piers
  • Gardens
  • Gazebos
  • Outdoor patios
  • Marina upgrades

DraftKings Sportsbook set to open next month

On top of the expansion plans, Bay Mills Resort & Casino will be opening a permanent retail sportsbook soon.

In June, Bay Mills opened up a temporary DraftKings retail sportsbook with the plan to open a permanent version in the fall.

That permanent version is nearing completion. With building expected to be completed later this month, Bay Mills is tentatively planning for a Nov. 6 grand opening. That would coincide with the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers NFL game in Week 9 of the season.

The complete DraftKings Sportsbook will feature a large video wall and odds board, along with many self-service kiosks and an over-the-counter ticket cage.

DraftKings Sportsbook MI has been a big online hit for Bay Mills. It sits third in Michigan’s all-time sports betting handle ($1.61 billion), while generating over $88 million in revenue.

Who is handling the Bay Mills project?

Bay Mills Indian Community will bid out its expansion project this winter in anticipation for the spring groundbreaking.

DSGW, an architectural firm, will be serving as the architects of this projects.

“Bay Mills Resort & Casino is well loved by its visitors,” said BMRC General Manager Richard LeBlanc. “This expansion will allow us to take things one step further to meet the needs of our guests, while also providing them with a one-of-a-kind experience on Lake Superior.”

Opened in 1995, BMRC employs more than 200 individuals. The casino features more than 600 slot machines, eight table games, two restaurants, a golf course, gift shop, hotel, and RV-Park.

“Bay Mills Indian Community has long been a leader in Indian Country,” said BMIC President Whitney Gravelle. “Expanding our enterprise operations will allow us to continue to grow and become the number one destination in the Upper Peninsula. I’m so proud of our team and our tribal nation for this achievement.”

Rendering courtesy of Bay Mills Resort & Casino Twitter.

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Drew Ellis

Drew Ellis is the Lead Writer of Playinmichigan, the No. 1 source for online gambling news in Michigan. A lifelong resident of the state, Ellis has been working in various forms of media since 1998, including more than a decade in the sports betting industry prior to transitioning into US casino markets in 2020.

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