The Michigan Gaming Control Board has approved a new online sportsbook and two online casinos for launch in the Great Lakes State. In a press release emailed to the media, the MGCB announced its authorization of the following operators:
- Poker Stars (online casino)
- FOX Bet (online sports betting)
- Penn Sports Interactive/Barstool (online casino)
Poker Stars and FOX Bet are both part of The Stars Group, which is partnered with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Both platforms are expected to launch today.
Penn Sports Interactive and Barstool Sportsbook and Casino are partnered with Greektown Casino in Detroit. Barstool launched its sportsbook in Michigan on January 22. Now, the company can launch its online casino in partnership with Greektown on Monday, February 1.
“We welcome the addition of Odawa Casino, Poker Stars, FOX Bet and Barstool Casino to Michigan’s growing online gaming and sports wagering market,” said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB Executive Director. “Their participation will generate revenue to support education, tribal communities and the city of Detroit.”
Michigan’s First Online Poker Site
Executive Director Kalm also noted that Poker Stars will offer Michigan’s first peer-to-peer online poker games. That’s a huge development for the state, which has prioritized online casinos and sports betting ahead of poker.
For now, Poker Stars players can only face off against other players in the state. Michigan currently has a law allowing multijurisdictional online poker rooms in the legislative process, but it is not yet in effect. Even once it passes, multi-state poker players will have to wait until Michigan solidifies an agreement (or multiple agreements) with other states that offer online poker. New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Delaware currently seem the most likely candidates for a team-up with the Great Lakes State.
Michigan Online Gambling Status
Only one week out from the launch of online gambling, Michigan has already expanded in the space considerably. Here’s a by-the-numbers look at the state’s current online gambling platforms:
- 10 online casinos (once Barstool casino launches next week)
- 11 online sportsbooks
- 1 online poker site
And yet more are on the way. The MGCB has been busy approving operators at a fast clip, and we expect more online gaming operators launch in Michigan throughout 2021.
About the Author
