DraftKings enters Michigan market with Bay Mills access deal
Operator agrees retail and online sportsbook deal to expand into seventh US state
DraftKings has agreed a deal to provide retail and online sportsbook services to Michigan sports bettors in partnership with local casino operator Bay Mills Resort & Casino.
The deal makes Michigan the seventh US state in which DraftKings operates a sportsbook, following similar deals in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
In addition to the mobile and online sportsbooks, Michigan bettors will be able to place in-person bets at the Bay Mills Resort & Casino.
The retail partnership is subject to the adoption of applicable regulations and both parties securing necessary gaming licenses.
Sports betting has been legal in Michigan since December 2019, with rival operators FanDuel, William Hill US and The Stars Group all inking similar market access arrangements.
DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz said the firm was happy to partner with the local casino operator and highlighted a strong local appetite for mobile sports betting.
A DraftKings-commissioned consumer study found that more than a third of Michigan residents had already placed a legal bet via mobile by traveling to another state or internationally, while another 55% had never made an online wager.
“The Great Lakes State presents a number of gaming opportunities and we look forward to collaborating with Bay Mills to provide residents with the best-in-class experience DraftKings is known for,” Kucharz added.
DraftKings last month expanded its partnership with Sportradar to include livestreaming capabilities on its mobile app in all jurisdictions bar Iowa.