Last December, legislators in Michigan approved a bill that sought to bring online gambling and sports betting to the state. Just like many other states in the country, Michigan’s gambling market is considered to be very lucrative and lots of operators are looking into venturing there. Despite all the interest, there have been significant delays especially for the online gambling vertical, something that is largely attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, things picked up pace yet again for the industry at the beginning of July when the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced that it was accepting applications for online gambling and sports betting licenses. The state’s commercial and tribal casino operators are now able to submit their applications alongside their potential online technology partners.
One of the most notable entrants into the race is Golden Nugget Online Gaming which is one of the largest iGaming providers in New Jersey. It is a subsidiary of the Golden Nugget chain of casinos that are known for offering some of the best gaming services in the United States.
Partnership with Tribal Casino Operator
As per the Wolverine State’s gambling laws, Golden Nugget Online Gaming is required to partner with a tribal casino in order to gain entry into that market. The iGaming service provider has therefore signed a partnership deal with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community that operates the Ojibwa Casino. Both parties are very excited about the new partnership agreement and they intend to capitalize on their popularity to offer even bet products and services to their customers.
“Players in Michigan will be able to appreciate our award-winning product offering and exceptional customer service from a nationally recognized and trusted brand.”
Golden Nugget Online Gaming president Thomas Winter.
Chris Swartz, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community president also pointed out that this partnership is a pretty big deal for the tribal casino. Needless to say, working with a brand that is as strong as Golden Nugget will perfectly complement their existing casino operations in Michigan.
Possible Launch in 2021
There is still a lot that needs to be done before online gambling can launch in the Keystone State especially considering the slowdowns caused by the pandemic. However, Golden Nugget Online Gaming is aiming for a launch of its joint iGaming offering in early 2021. This is quite ambitious but still, there are hopes that the process could be fast-tracked by the state authorities – lots of states have been looking for new revenue streams and online gambling has been among the most popular suggestions.
