15 Michigan Online Gambling Operators Got Interim Licenses: What’s Next?
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The Michigan Legislature has recently paved the path for the licensing of online gambling platform providers by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The MGCB will be working this week.
This week, the board granted provisional licenses to 15 providers for sports betting and internet gaming. It is worth mentioning that online poker falls under the umbrella of internet gaming; however, no applicants exclusively focused on poker were given approval.
Richard Kalm, the executive director of the MGCB, announced in a news release that they are now able to grant provisional licenses after submitting the administrative rules for online gaming and sports betting to the Office of the Great Seal on December 2nd.
Before online gaming and sports betting can be launched in Michigan, the platform providers must still comply with additional regulatory requirements. The specific launch date will be determined by the speed at which they are able to meet these requirements.
So is a Michigan online gambling launch imminent?
Provisional licenses facilitate the progression of companies to subsequent stages in the pre-launch process. These licenses serve as temporary approvals, subject to further verification. While they initiate progress, it is important to note that they do not imply an immediate launch of a sportsbook or online casino app the following day.
In order for the launch to proceed, the platform providers must fulfill additional obligations. These include conducting independent lab tests on platforms and games, obtaining MGCB approval for internal controls, as well as acquiring occupational licenses for specific employees.
In an email to Playinmichigan, Mary Kay Bean, a spokesperson for MGCB, stated that they anticipate a launch in mid-January.
The launch estimate aligns with the MGCB’s timeline of four to six weeks after last week’s addition of internet gaming and internet sports betting rules to the state’s administrative code.
It remains uncertain who will be the first to launch in Michigan. According to Kalm, the timing and success of the launch is contingent upon a company successfully assembling all the necessary components.
“The platform providers’ ability to meet the requirements of the laws and rules will determine which entities can be licensed for launch first.”
Who has been given interim licenses by the MGCB?
As of Thursday morning, the MGCB had granted provisional approval to nine companies for licenses in both internet gaming and sports betting, while one additional company received approval solely for sports betting.
Thursday afternoon, the remaining individuals were announced through a news release.
In all, they are:
- American Wagering Inc., known as William Hill, has formed a partnership with the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
- FanDuel, in partnership with MotorCity Casino, is operated by Betfair Interactive US LLC.
- MGM Grand Detroit is partnered with BetMGM, LLC.
- TwinSpires, a brand operated by Churchill Downs Interactive Gaming, LLC, has formed a partnership with Hannahville Indian Community.
- DraftKings, in partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community, operates under the name Crown MI Gaming LLC.
- GAN Nevada Inc. has established a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has partnered with Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc.
- NYX Digital Gaming (USA), LLC is a partnership between Scientific Games and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians.
- Gun Lake Tribe has partnered with Parx Interactive Inc.
- Penn Sports Interactive, LLC has formed a partnership with Greektown Casino.
- Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has formed a partnership with PointsBet Michigan LLC.
- BetRivers, owned by Rush Street Interactive MI, LLC, has formed a partnership with the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians.
- Kambi, a licensed sports betting company, operates under the name Sports Information Services Limited. They have formed a partnership with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
- Fox Bet, in collaboration with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, operates under the name TSG Interactive US Services Limited.
- WSI US, LLC, operating under the trade name Wynn and in collaboration with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Who has not yet been licensed by the MGCB?
Surprisingly, the group does not seem to have any direct affiliation with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. It is possible that the operators of Soaring Eagle and Saganing Eagles Landing casinos might consider joining forces with a different operator, like Kambi or GAN, who already has existing partnerships.
Alternatively, the operator might opt for another entity to form its sports betting partnership. While the tribe intends to initiate retail sports betting next month, they have not yet disclosed any collaboration.
Before initiating a statewide online launch, it is essential to have the approval of at least one online operator associated with a tribal casino and another operator associated with a commercial casino.
Despite this, the launch of online gambling in Michigan in mid-January is definitely something worth anticipating. Make sure to save our live updates page for the most recent news.
