In Northwest Michigan, Sports Betting Expected To Blossom Into Big Business

The cat is sleeping on the mat.

Experience the joy of the National Cherry Festival, the enchantment of Petoskey stones, thrilling winter ski trips, and unforgettable summer golf weekends.

Are you interested in sports betting?

Sports wagering is not yet known as one of the many things that Northwest Michigan is famous for, but that may change in the future.

Las Vegas and Atlantic City may not be trembling with fear, but the region has significantly embraced this activity, offering even more choices for vacationing visitors.

From the tip of Michigan’s middle finger to the pinkie, a string of five casinos offering sports betting can be found along the shoreline of the state’s Mitten.

Anticipating restricted international and air travel due to the pandemic, the region is poised to experience another significant year of regional tourism in 2021.

The sportsbooks located at Leelanau Sands, Little River, two Odawa Casino establishments, and Turtle Creek will be readily available to cater to your needs.

Little River has an old-school sportsbook feel

Little River was the pioneer in sports betting, commencing its operations in Manistee near the southern coast of Lake Michigan.

In July, the River Rock Sportsbook & Grill was launched through a partnership between BetRivers and the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians, offering online sports betting services.

The River Rock restaurant at the casino has been transformed into a sportsbook, featuring three betting windows located in the corner. Additionally, the casino offers 12 sports betting kiosks that are available 24/7 throughout the premises. For the ultimate viewing experience, there is a large TV screen accompanied by 12 cozy chairs arranged in a theater-style layout, ensuring social distancing measures are upheld.

Jonnie Sam, formerly in charge of table games, now oversees the sportsbook operations. On Halloween day, the book experienced high activity due to the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game.

Plans are underway for the tribe to establish a facility in the Muskegon area, potentially expanding the betting options available in the south of Little River.

Turtle Creek, Leelanau Sands were next in the game

Michigan residents can reach Traverse City, one of the country’s top vacation destinations and the region’s central hub, by driving approximately an hour on M-31.

In September, the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians expanded their offerings by introducing sports betting at their two casinos.

Former Detroit Pistons icon Rick Mahorn was the special guest at the grand opening of the Onyx Sports Book by William Hill, held at the renowned Turtle Creek Casino.

At Onyx, you can enjoy complimentary pool games, reserve a private area, play Golden Tee, and relax on our outdoor deck.

“The aim is to create a sports bar atmosphere,” mentioned Jonathan Idec, the manager of the Onyx sportsbook.

In my opinion, the focus of the industry is shifting towards providing an immersive experience. Nowadays, people prefer going to games with their loved ones, enjoying the lively atmosphere, and simply having an incredible time.

According to Idec, the odds boosts and promos offered by the William Hill online sportsbook will be accessible at the physical location as well. Onyx, in addition, plans to host sports trivia nights and happy hour specials.

In addition, the tribe established sports betting kiosks at its Leelanau Sands casino located in Peshawbestown along the Leelanau Peninsula.

Odawa Casino opens doors to Michigan sports betting next

Players can reach Petoskey and the renowned Odawa Casino by continuing along the M-31 shoreline for an additional hour.

Odawa began accepting bets just one week after Turtle Creek introduced sports betting.

Sports betting is also offered at the Mackinaw City location of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

The staffing hours of the sportsbook vary based on sports schedules. On Mondays and Thursdays, the staff is available from 6 to 10 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the sportsbook operates from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Odawa also provides a kiosk that is accessible 24/7. Additionally, bets can be processed at the adjacent cashier desk.

Hurricane Chris, the sportsbook manager hailing from Rochester, NY, boasts an impressive three decades of experience in the sports betting industry.

The sportsbook, located in the former poker room, features three lounge areas. Please note that the sportsbook at Odawa strictly enforces an age restriction of 19 and older.

The tribe established a partnership with The Stars Group to introduce online services under the Fox Bet brand, making sports betting available throughout the state.

Sportsbooks educating sports betting newbies

Education is a crucial aspect of introducing something new to a region.

Inexperienced gamblers may feel overwhelmed when approaching a betting counter to place a sports bet. Betting establishments highly value patience when assisting bettors.

A free Sports Betting University was established by Odawa. Every Thursday evening at 6 p.m., Hurricane Chris conducts a one-hour tutorial on sports betting.

According to Idec, Turtle Creek has consistently reached maximum capacity on Friday and Saturday nights.

Idec, originally from New Jersey, spent 15 years working in Las Vegas before relocating to Traverse City. He began his career as a ticket writer and most recently worked as a sportsbook trader managing lines at DraftKings. Idec also gained experience at Boyd Gaming and SBTech.

Currently, the objective is to facilitate the integration of northwest Michigan into the realm of sports gambling and prepare for the influx of tourists.

Idec expressed optimism about the abundance of opportunities that will arise in the upcoming spring and summer seasons. He confidently stated that our venue, particularly with the inclusion of sports betting, is bound to thrive tremendously.

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