The Stars Group, Odawa Indian Tribe To Offer MI Online Betting
- The Stars Group and Odawa Indian Tribe of Michigan have partnered to give the residents of Michigan an outlet for internet gambling.
- Michigan has not yet set a date for the launch of their newly legalized wagering.
- While TSG was the first to announce their deal, the state now has two internet sportsbooks ready to be rolled out to the public once licenses are given out.
DETROIT - The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority in Michigan have partnered with The Stars Group to offer legal online betting to residents.
Under the new deal, the company will have the ability to supply its services in all forms of legal gambling via internet platforms. This will include both poker and casino games as well as real money wagers to include sports betting, all of which will be branded with The Stars Group brand.
Michigan has just recently legalized internet gambling in December 2019. The Stars Group saw an opportunity to capitalize on the market before it blows up by becoming the first official internet gambling platform provider in the state to form a deal such as this one.
A launch of their services is pending until the proper licenses are obtained. But they can begin doing business immediately once they are.
Michigan Internet Gambling Scene
Both the Stars Group and the Odawa Tribe are thrilled about their new venture together.
“We are excited to announce this agreement with the Odawa tribe, which further strengthens our market access as we work to continue to build our FOX Bet business into one of the leaders in the emerging US online betting and gaming market,” said Robin Chhabra, the CEO of FOX Bet.
The Odawa Tribe had a very similar response to this new development.
“The Tribe’s partnership with The Stars Group extends beyond our reservation and places the thrill of world class sports betting and online gaming under every finger-tip sliding across a touch screen in the State of Michigan,” said Fred Harrington Jr., a member of the Tribal Council, LTBB Odawa.
After the announcement of their partnership, the Stars Group was upstaged by PointsBet Sportsbook’s announcement. The Australian based company made a deal with Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to not only serve as their internet gambling provider but as their official retail sportsbook with their Watersmeet casino, Northern Waters Casino Resort.
TSG does not yet have a land-based contract as their current contract is strictly for internet gambling. But the Odawa Tribe has three casinos in Michigan which may equal more business for TSG.
Nevertheless, the state of Michigan now has two internet wagering operators before an official launch date has even been made. More sportsbooks are expected to make deals with the casinos of Michigan in the near future. The earliest launch for legal wagers to be placed will be by the Spring of 2020.