PointsBet’s First Online Casino Launches In Michigan, Becomes State’s 13th

After the Michigan Gaming Control Board granted approval, PointsBet officially announced the launch of its inaugural online casino on Tuesday afternoon.

PointsBet, the Australian operator, has selected Michigan as its debut jurisdiction for online casino play, marking its entry into the state’s online sports betting market on Jan. 22. With this move, PointsBet becomes the 13th online casino option available in Michigan.

PointsBet focuses company innovation in Michigan

PointsBet has experienced numerous milestones in Michigan, one of which was its inaugural tribal collaboration. Last year, the company established a partnership with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians tribe located in the Upper Peninsula. The tribe is responsible for operating the Northern Waters Casino Resort situated in Watersmeet, close to the Wisconsin border.

PointsBet made history by becoming the inaugural sports betting operator to establish partnerships with the Detroit Tigers, an MLB team, and Richard Hamilton, a prominent Michigan athlete from the Detroit Pistons. Additionally, they secured the exclusive naming rights for a bar at Little Caesars Arena, solidifying their position as industry pioneers.

Richard Kalm, the executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, announced in a news release that the Lac Vieux Desert tribe has fulfilled all regulatory obligations and has now become the twelfth operator to provide both forms of online gaming. The revenue generated from this venture will contribute to K-12 education, economic development, and the local tribal governing body.

Nevertheless, only two license holders remain without online gambling products as the company prepares to launch its casino. FireKeepers and Soaring Eagle have expressed intentions to introduce sports betting and internet gaming offerings under their renowned casino brands.

PlayGunLake online casino was launched by the Gun Lake Tribe last month, however, they have not yet introduced online sports betting.

PointsBet opens with a dozen slot titles, other games

PointsBet launched its initial online casino with a selection of 12 slot games, three table games, and two variations of video poker.

PointsBet offers a range of slot options, including well-known titles like IGT’s Wolf Run and Da Vinci Diamonds. Moreover, they also provide classic casino games such as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.

In the coming weeks, PointsBet is anticipated to make substantial expansions to both its game collection and promotional framework.

Michigan online casinos on fire since January launch

The tremendous success of Michigan’s online casinos has propelled the internet gaming industry to unprecedented heights in this region.

In terms of overall revenue from internet gaming, the state ranks third, trailing only New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This includes the revenue generated from online poker, which is comparatively smaller.

In the first 69 days, Michigan accumulated a total of $204.2 million in internet gaming revenue, with $95.1 million generated in the month of March.

Last week, PointsBet presented its quarterly numbers through March during an earnings call, revealing significant growth in the United States.

Sports betting wagers surged by a staggering 431% to reach $375 million, compared to the previous year. In addition, PointsBet witnessed a remarkable increase in active users, with a 461% rise from the previous year and an 87% growth since December 31, 2020, totaling 127,470 active users.

PointsBet ranks fifth in terms of online sports betting handle in Michigan, with a total of $22.6 million in bets, which corresponds to a market share of 2.9%.

So far, a group of four dominant players in the market, namely FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings, and Barstool Sportsbook, have emerged as the leading contenders.

The inclusion of an online casino is expected to ignite further expansion for PointsBet.