Wynn Sportsbook Is Kewadin’s Mystery Partner In GAN Online Access Deal

The mystery partner has been unmasked.

Wynn Resorts has signed a 10-year deal to bring its online sports betting and casino platforms to Michigan.

The deal is through software provider GAN, which has access through Kewadin Casinos, according to a press release.

Kewadin Casinos is access partner for Wynn

GAN and Kewadin, a chain of five Upper Peninsula tribal casinos, announced their partnership in March.

In it, GAN says it will power retail sports betting at Kewadin’s Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace locations.

The release mentioned “an existing major US casino operator client of GAN who has requested anonymity pending certain regulatory approvals.”

Now we know its identity — another brand in Wynn Sportsbook and Casino with name recognition in what will be a competitive market.

Wynn Sportsbook expects to be ready for online launch

Michigan bettors have been patiently waiting for online gambling to go live ever since expanded gambling laws were passed in December.

The latest estimates set that launch for late November.

Wynn will be at the starting gate, “subject to all regulatory approvals,” according to Monday’s announcement.

Gaming brand looking to break into online market

Wynn is a big name in gambling but less so in online sports betting and casino.

Developer Steve Wynn opened Wynn Las Vegas in 2005, a behemoth on the Strip. The company also operates Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts, in addition to Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, Cotai in China.

Wynn Sports and Wynn Online Casino had quiet New Jersey launches in August. New Jersey, of course, has had legal online gambling since 2013.

The Wynn Sportsbook initially launched as app-only in the Garden State. The online casino games were under a tab within the sports betting app.

The company also has an online sportsbook in Nevada. Wynn will launch in Colorado and Indiana eventually.

Retail sportsbook in the pipeline at Kewadin Casinos

There are now 14 retail sportsbooks in Michigan after Gun Lake Casino launched Stage 131 Sportsbook and Lounge on Saturday in Wayland, near Grand Rapids.

Kewadin will launch GAN-powered sports betting at all five casinos soon. For now, the mystery online partner has GAN excited about the potential in Michigan.

“We look forward to powering the Wynn brand in Michigan with our highly optimized technology platform and enabling Wynn to efficiently invest their marketing capital to attract loyal sports betting and iGaming players,” said Jeffrey B. Berman, the chief commercial officer for GAN.