The launch could occur by the end of this week

Michigan: FanDuel, DraftKings look forward to online betting launch

FanDuel has had a retail in-person sportsbook at Motor City Casino in Detroit for the past few months and Raffensperger says they've already seen the demand in our state.
2021-01-19
Reading time 2:03 min
According to North America DraftKings president Matt Kalish, Michigan is one of the best markets in the country from a sports standpoint. Mike Raffensperger, Chief Marketing Officer of FanDuel, added that they think the state could become a bigger market place than New Jersey.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is expected to greenlight online casino games and sports betting in the coming days, and experts in the industries are optimistic about the revenue the legalization could create in the state.

When the launch occurs, probably by the end of the week, Michigan will become the eleventh state with full mobile sports betting with states like New Jersey, who grossed over $301 million in 2019, setting the bar for revenue.

While the wait has been lengthy for online sports betting and online casinos to launch, national brands like FanDuel and DraftKings say the state has done things the right way.

According to North America DraftKings president Matt Kalish, Michigan is one of the best markets in the country from a sports standpoint.

"They have not only great pro teams but also a really vibrant college sports atmosphere with tremendous fan bases," he said. "We're really excited!"

"We're actually more encouraged that we think it could be a bigger marketplace than New Jersey," Mike Raffensperger, Chief Marketing Officer of FanDuel told FOX 17. "Given the nature of the state of Michigan, the population, the gaming apparatus it has with casinos."

"There are things you need to do things the right way," Raffensperger added, "having online mobile sign-up, which Michigan has, sustainable tax rate that drives investment into the state, which Michigan also has, and a good competitive market for work class operators to come in."

"The Michigan Gaming Control Board is running a world class operation," Kalish added, "they want to make sure that consumers in Michigan are protected."

Meanwhile, FanDuel has had a retail in-person sportsbook at Motor City Casino in Detroit for the past few months and Raffensperger says they've already seen the demand in our state.

"It's already our second biggest sportsbook in the country, second only to the Meadowlands, which is right outside of New York City."

The online launch will not only create tax revenue for the state, but also create jobs and diminish the illegal sports betting black market that is not regulated.

"I think it's a major industry, market consensus is at it's maturity saying sports betting is something around a $20 billion industry, we think that may be a little light," Raffensperger said.

Once the green light is given, some books could be live later that day.

"We're ready to go," Kalish says, "it won't take long, in Illinois we were live within hours after getting the green light."

"I think there's a lot of built-up demand for sports betting," Richard Kalm, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director said last week. "I think the handle here will be comparable to New Jersey and some of the other heavily populated states."

The Super Bowl has been the goal for Michigan to launch online sportsbooks as it is the most bet on event every year around the world.

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