FireKeepers becomes the first tribal casino in Michigan to open a sportsbook

FireKeepers Casino Hotel started offering sports betting in Michigan after cutting the ribbon for a sportsbook Monday. The Battle Creek casino also celebrated the topping off of FireKeepers' second hotel tower.

"Sports will come along. Each week, I think they’ll be announcing something different, so we just look forward to everyone coming out and having some entertainment," said FireKeepers CEO Kathy George, as reported by WWMT.

Betting on sports became legal in Michigan in Dec. 2019 and some Detroit casinos have opened their own books. On Monday, FireKeepers, owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, became the first tribal casino in the state to open a sportsbook and what was once Dacey's Taphouse was changed to Dacey's Sportsbook.

Today was a celebration of expansion!

Construction on the hotel expansion has reached its highest point, and Dacey's Sportsbook is officially open!

Read all about it here: https://t.co/ki24Pugwf8 pic.twitter.com/iE01g9JYH8

— FireKeepers Casino (@FireKeepers) June 22, 2020

Jim Dacey, a contractor who was first part of the team that developed FireKeepers in 1999, became the first person to place a bet. The sportsbook offers TVs to watch games, screens with betting odds, live wagering windows and self-serving betting kiosks.

In addition to bringing more people to the casino, George said sports betting ultimately helps the state, and local communities that benefit from revenue sharing. "We're always looking at trying to be the leader in the community. And if this helps people get excited for the future, we're just really happy to be a part of it," she said.

In addition to the sportsbook. the casino staff and the tribe also celebrated the topping off of FireKeepers' new hotel tower. A crane lifted the final steel beam to the top of the new tower, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2021. The new eight-story tower offers 203 additional rooms, and some new gaming areas.

Jamie Stuck, Tribal Council chairperson, said the improvements and expansions are gratifying because they are coming after the casino was shut down recently due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Coming off the shutdown, it was exciting to be able to reopen in a safe way recently and to see today come as well, with the hotel expansion and to be one of the first casinos in the state of Michigan to have bets, it's a great feeling," Stuck said, as reported by Battle Creek Enquirer. "This will make sports in this area more exciting. And with betting and fantasy sports, it will bring a different vibe here and a new population.”