Michigan issues 15 sports betting and igaming licences

Despite the approvals, the MGCB has warned that sports betting and igaming may not launch in Michigan until the new year.

US.- The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued the first 15 provisional licences for sports betting and igaming in the state.

The operators awarded with licences were BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fox Bet, GAN, Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Kambi, NYX Digital Gaming, Parx Interactive, Penn Sports Interactive, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, Churchill Downs Inc’s TwinSpires, William Hill and Wynn Sports Interactive.

While the majority of operators have ties with the state’s tribal casinos, BetMGM, Penn National and FanDuel have partnerships with Detroit’s three commercial casinos. 

Casinos in Michigan are currently closed after Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration implemented new measures following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Despite advances in the licensing process, the MGCB has warned that sports betting and igaming may not launch in Michigan until next year, despite an MGCB spokesperson previously saying that online gambling could be launched by the end of the year.

Executive director of the MGCB, Richard Kalm, said “The MGCB now can approve provisional licenses following the filing of the administrative rules for online gaming and sports betting Dec. 2 with the Office of the Great Seal.

“The platform providers still must meet other regulatory requirements before online gaming and sports betting can launch in Michigan. The launch date will depend on how quickly they can fulfill the requirements.”