MGM Grand Detroit Prepares for Launch of Legal Sports Betting in Michigan
Michigan has joined the ranks of legal sports betting states, with the MGM Grand Detroit opening its Moneyline Sports Lounge for business. The lounge, which opened on March 11, arrives just in time for the highly anticipated NCAA college basketball tournament, allowing bettors to wager on Big Ten powers Michigan and Michigan State.
Detroit's casinos are gearing up for March Madness, as Greektown Casino opened its doors on the same day and the FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino will start accepting wagers the following day. However, Michigan stands behind Indiana in the mobile sports betting race due to the lack of mobile betting options.
Unlike Michigan, Indiana offers mobile sports betting with multiple licensed operators such as FanDuel and BetMGM, making it a highly competitive and accessible market for users. While Michigan legalizes mobile betting, there has been a recent crackdown on illegal betting sites, potentially hindering accessibility for some users who rely on these unregulated services.
However, Brandt Iden, key House bill sponsor for sports betting in Michigan, is hopeful that by the end of the year, users will have access to online sports betting options. Iden has been instrumental in pushing for sports betting legislation in the Wolverine State, nearly succeeding in 2018 before then-Governor Rick Snyder's surprise veto.
In comparison, the Indiana gaming commission reported a record $187.1 million handle in February, with online sportsbooks accounting for roughly three-fourths of the total handle. The convenience of mobile betting has driven early success in Indiana's sports betting market, drawing customers from both Michigan and Illinois since going live last August.
So, while Michigan is joining the legal sports betting fray, the Hoosier State's robust and accessible mobile sports betting market may give it a leg up in the competition. Stay tuned for updates on the Michigan sports betting scene as it continues to develop.
- Michigan has plunged into the pool of legal sports betting states, debuting with the MGM Grand Detroit's Moneyline Sports Lounge.
- The sportsbook's opening timed perfectly for the upcoming NCAA college basketball tournament, enabling bettors to wager on Michigan and Michigan State.
- Casinos in Detroit are preparing for March Madness, with Greektown Casino starting operations on the same day, and FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino to follow suit the next day.
- Despite this, Michigan trails Indiana in the mobile sports betting race due to limited mobile betting options currently available.
- In contrast, Indiana boasts a competitive and accessible mobile sports betting market, thanks to multiple licensed operators like FanDuel and BetMGM.
- Iden, the key House bill sponsor for sports betting in Michigan, expects online sports betting options to become accessible to users by the end of the year.
- The convenience of mobile betting has fueled early success in Indiana's sports betting market, drawing customers from Michigan and Illinois since its August launch.
- Michigan's foray into legal sports betting continues to evolve, and updates on the state's sports betting scene are worth keeping an eye on.
