Michigan Approves 15 Betting Licenses for 2021 Launch
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Last week, the Michigan Gaming Control Board approved 15 licenses to sports betting operators. The MGCB has announced that none of the operators approved to enter the state will go live before 2021 as there has been a lot of back and forth with when Michigan would officially launch online sports betting and gaming.
Michigan is on the goal line to go live with mobile betting. One of the final steps will be to test the operators betting applications, according to MGCB executive director Richard Kalm.
The Great Lake State will most likely have mobile sports wagering available sometime in January. There is no official launch date, but it is looking like online betting will be ready before Super Bowl Sunday. Mobile betting could not come at a better time since Michigan closed casinos and sportsbooks on November 15 due to COVID-19.
With no in-person betting or casino gaming, the launch of online gaming will help Michigan bring in some revenue during the pandemic.
Apporved Betting Operators
The 15 gaming operators that have been approved are:
– Barstool Sportsbook
– BetAmerica
– BetMGM
– BetRivers
– DraftKings Sportsbook
– FanDuel Sportsbook
– FOX Bet
– GAN
– Golden Nugget
– Kambi
– Parx
– PointsBet
– Scientific Games
– William Hill
– WYNNBet
GAN and Golden Nugget are the two operators that will not have mobile sports betting through its platform. However, all 15 companies will have online casinos available, which GAN and Golden Nugget will focus on. The companies also have a retail partner to launch with, per Michigan betting laws.
Having 15 companies approved for the January launch is huge for the state, but a launch will not come until all the companies have their final testing procedures approved. “The launch date will depend on how quickly they can fulfill the requirements,” Kalm said.
Michigan bettors and gamers will have no issues finding a sportsbook or online casino that is right for them. With 15 different companies looking to launch as soon as possible, the market will take off quickly in the early part of 2021.
DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook are already offering pre-registration bonuses that people can take advantage of before the official launch.
What Does this Mean for Michigan
The state can finally expand on the gaming industry. Experts believe that the Great Lake State will see $4 billion to $6 billion bet annually once the market officially matures.
There is no reason that Michigan cannot have a big first month with online gaming since 15 operators have been approved in the state. This is also the most gaming companies that have been approved before an official launch (Tennessee approved four sportsbooks for the November launch).
It will be interesting to see how the sportsbooks and online casinos try to gain the most market share early on with so much competition. DraftKings and FanDuel do have an edge with pre-registration bonuses, so do not be surprised if they get out ahead compared to other operators.
However, sportsbooks like Barstool and BetMGM have a strong brand and presence and can also have a big first few months even without a registration bonus. Overall, Michigan is only a few weeks away from official online gaming, and after having multiple delays in launching officially, it is finally going to happen.
