The Stars Group has secured entry into the Michigan sports betting market.
The Stars Group (TSG) has entered a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTTB), providing TSG with market access to Michigan’s online betting market.
With this deal, TSG will be able to bring the PokerStars and Fox Bet brands to the Great Lake State.
This news comes after the Australian sportsbook operator, PointsBet, struck a deal with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians for online gambling in Michigan.
What’s covered in the deal?
Under the agreement, TSG will be granted first skin market access to operate real-money online sports betting, casino and poker gaming in Michigan. However, this agreement is subject to the availability of licenses, state law and regulatory approval. The tribe will also receive a revenue share from the operation of TSG’s online gaming offerings.
Robin Chhabra, Chief Executive Officer, FOX Bet said: “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 U.S. online betting and gaming market.”
Fred Harrington Jr., Tribal Council, LTBB Odawa said: “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.”
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.
