Legal Sports Betting Now Live In Michigan As Detroit Casinos Kick Things Off

Live and legal sports wagering has arrived in Michigan.

Two Detroit sportsbooks took the first ever legal sports bets in the state on Wednesday afternoon, with Greektown Casino and MGM Grand Detroit kicking things off at 1 p.m..

The two Detroit casinos were given the green light Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

MotorCity Casino, powered by FanDuel Sportsbook, will launch on Thursday.

 

Detroit sports legends launch the books

Jerome Bettis, Tommy Hearns, Dino Ciccarelli, Lomas Brown and James Edwards helped kick off MGM Grand Detroit’s launch on Wednesday.

Over at Greektown, Mateen Cleaves and Lem Barney were on hand.

MotorCity got the big get, however, as it announced on Wednesday that Barry Sanders will help launch FanDuel Sportsbook.

 

MotorCity ready to roll

FanDuel and MotorCity announced on Wednesday its intention to open a day after Greektown and MGM Grand.

Its sportsbook, which will be aptly named The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino, will open at 10 a.m. Thursday. It will feature six betting windows as well as a whopping 54 sports betting kiosks.

“For two decades, we have been committed to reimagining the guest experience – consistently raising the bar with innovative entertainment, world-class luxury hotel accommodations and high energy gaming activities,” Bruce Dall, president of MotorCity Casino, said. “This relationship takes it to the next level. With FanDuel, our guests will be able to engage with their favorite sports in a dynamic new way at Detroit’s only locally-owned and operated casino.”

FanDuel will oversee all services affecting sports wagers at MotorCity.

“Detroit is an incredible sports town – the ‘City of Champions’,” said Matt King, chief executive officer of FanDuel Group. “As we look to expand our national footprint and bring America’s top sportsbook to more customers across the country, this was a perfect fit. It has everything we look for – from the industry leading casino operation to the proud and passionate Midwest fanbase. Exciting things are happening in Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited about this move to the Motor City.”

 

Plenty of variety

The state’s 22 other casinos are all expected to have legal sports betting up-and-running within the next year.

According to the Detroit News, the casinos that are closest to opening Michigan sportsbooks next are Little River Casino and Resort in Manistee (imminent), Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet (imminent), Saganing Eagles Landing Casino in Standish (imminent), Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant (imminent), Kings Club Casino in Brimley (around July), Leelanau Sands Casino in Suttons Bay (around September), and Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel in Williamsburg (around September).

Gun Lake Casino in Wayland will also “phase in” the Gun Lake Casino Sportsbook within the next few weeks. Gun Lake’s sports betting offerings will be powered by Parx – a popular casino in Philadelphia.

Gun Lake’s initial sportsbook will be located in the casino’s Stage 131 entertainment area.

“We are motivated to offer our casino guests and all Michigan residents the ultimate first time experience with these new entertainment offerings,” Gun Lake Casino Vice President and General Manager Jose Flores told ABC 13 in Grand Rapids.

Materials from a press release were used in this report.