The iconic Golden Nugget brand is coming to Michigan through a partnership with Ojibwa Casino, which is owned and operated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
The Golden Nugget Online Gaming subsidiary is already the leading online casino brand in New Jersey. Its move west comes as Michigan legislators are attempting to fast-track the state’s launch of online gambling and sports betting. If lawmakers approve the plan, legal online sports betting and gambling could kick off in October or November of 2020, instead of early 2021.
“Golden Nugget Online Gaming is thrilled to partner with the Ojibwa Casino to provide casino players in Michigan with a premium online casino and sportsbook experience,” said Golden Nugget Online Gaming president Thomas Winter.
“Players in Michigan will be able to appreciate our award-winning product offering and exceptional customer service from a nationally recognized and trusted brand.”
The Michigan Gaming Control Board began accepting betting and gaming license applications last week. Its director, Richard S. Kalm, said bets could start being placed in the state by the end of the year. In an exclusive interview with Michigan Casino Review Bank last week, Michigan Rep. Brandt Iden, one of the state’s most fierce advocates of legal sports betting, said he hoped Michigan’s rollout would serve as a model for other states finding their way in the marketplace.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community runs two Ojibwa casinos in Michigan, one in Marquette and one in Baraga.
“We are excited to partner with Golden Nugget to bring online casino and sports betting to the state of Michigan,” Keweenaw Bay Indian Community president Chris Swartz said.
“Working with a strong brand will be a perfect complement to our brand new casino in Marquette as well as our casino in Baraga.”
Golden Nugget became a public company last month. This was just after Landcadia Holdings acquired the casino and announced it would rebrand as Golden Nugget Online Gaming Inc. and trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol GNOG. Landcadia Holdings’ share price ticked up nearly 5% in after-hours trading on the news of Golden Nugget’s Michigan access deal was announced.
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