PointsBet is continuing to make waves in the US betting market with its latest deal.
Today, the Australian sports betting operator PointsBet announced an exclusive agreement between its subsidiary PointsBet Michigan and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians for online gambling in Michigan.
With this agreement, PointsBet will be able to offer online and mobile sports betting and online casino gaming in the Great Lake State.
What’s covered in the deal?
The exclusive deal between the operator and the tribe, will span a 20-year period and can be renewed for an additional five years. Under the deal, PointsBet will be able to launch mobile and online sports betting in the state of Michigan. The operator will also launch a branded tribal sports betting product.
In the future, the partnership could be expanded to cover land-based sports betting with PointsBet in negotiations to operate a sportsbook at the tribe’s Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet, Michigan.
PointsBet Group CEO Sam Swanell said: “PointsBet is pleased to have reached an agreement for both online sportsbook and online casino operations with such a forward-thinking Tribe, and we look forward to many years of great success working together in Michigan.”
James Williams, Jr., Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Chairman, said: “The Tribe is excited to join forces with PointsBet to further the Tribe’s economic development efforts and expand gaming online as allowable under Michigan and federal law.
“We are confident that this new opportunity will strengthen the Tribe’s self-sufficiency and self-determination efforts and provide much-needed revenue to continue to expand and enhance tribal governmental services as well as provide jobs for the LVD community.”
Sports betting in Michigan
On 20 December 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4311 into law, creating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. Under this law, mobile and online casino gambling is now legal in the state of Michigan. Under the law, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) will be granted the power to issue licenses for online and mobile casino gambling.
The state’s governor also approved HB 916, creating the Lawful Sports Betting Act. Under this law, commercial and tribal casinos can offer land-based and online sports betting in Michigan. Governor Whitmer also signed HB 4308 into law, legalizing fantasy sports contests in the state of Michigan.
