Officials from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) have confirmed that online gambling operations will launch in mid-January 2021. This comes as the online gambling bill was passed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019 and licenses have been granted over the past month. 2021 is shaping up to be a great year for sports betting businesses in this state.
Granting immediate licenses
On 1 December 2020, an approval from the Joint Committee on Administrative meant that casinos in Michigan can now receive immediate licenses to set up their sports betting businesses. This is, of course, as long as they meet the prerequisites set out by the government. If they don’t, they could face a delay and miss out as other license holders launch over the next month.
Since the approval at the beginning of December, 15 licenses have been granted, meaning that these businesses will be able to break ground once online gambling launches early next month. This includes Gun Lake Casino and Firekeepers Casino.
Live sports betting in the Wolverine State
This latest confirmation of the launch of sports betting in Michigan comes as the state hopes to plug the deficit hole left by COVID-19. There are three commercial casinos and 23 tribal-owned casinos in the state hoping to break ground online in 2021.
By launching in mid-January 2021, these sports betting operators can be ready ahead of the Super Bowl and March Madness which is typically held in March.
With other states looking on, Michigan needs to show that sports betting can be properly managed from the moment that it launches. Look out for any operators hoping to launch mid-January which is only a few weeks away.
