Sportsbook operator William Hill U.S. announced a deal Monday with Michigan’s Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to be the tribe’s sports gambling partner in the state once the activity launches this year.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the agreement, Las Vegas-based William Hill will operate a retail sportsbook at the tribe’s Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and a satellite location at the Leelanau Sands Casino. In addition, William Hill provide the online gaming platform for the Grand Traverse tribe.
Michigan lawmakers and the governor approved sports betting and online gaming in December. Regulations are still being drafted and in statement, executives from the Grand Traverse tribe and William Hill said they hope to have the retail sportsbook open by football season this fall.
Michigan is one of six states and the District of Columbia that have legalized sports betting but is still preparing regulations ahead of launching the activity. Currently, 14 states have legal sports betting at casinos, racetracks and online.
“Michigan will be a key state in William Hill’s U.S. expansion due to its large population and deep rooted-sports culture with so many popular college and pro sports teams,” said William Hill CEO Joe Asher.
The company currently has legal sports betting operations in nine states. The company also has a deal in place with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to build and operate a sports book at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.,
In addition to three commercial casinos in Detroit, Michigan is home to 24 tribal-owned casinos.
Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos CEO Michael Schrader said online sports betting and online gaming will allow the northern Michigan tribe to attract more customers from throughout the state.
“William Hill’s expertise in sports betting operations and marketing and strategic media partnerships will ensure that we are able to attract customers from throughout the state of Michigan to the online products while offering another great amenity to attract guests to our casinos,” Schrader said.
The Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel offers more than 1,100 slot machines and 25 table games. The sportsbook will be located in the property’s Onyx Sports Bar.
Leelanau Sands Casino has a bingo hall, 330 slot machines, and table games.
The Michigan Department of Treasury estimated sports betting and online wagering will bring in $19 million in new revenue to the state.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
