Golden Nugget Online and Michigan Indian Tribe Strike a Deal

iGaming operator Golden Nugget Online Gaming Incorporated will enter the sports betting and online casino market of Michigan thanks to the newly formed alliance with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community that is federally recognized.

PlayMichigan reports that the operator will apply to Michigan gaming Control Board in order to gain a license similar to those they already have in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where the brand runs Golden Nugget casino domains.

October or Later?

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community operates Ojibwa Casino-branded facilities in barrage and Marquette…

…which are small communities in northern Michigan. The tribe believes this new iGaming enterprise could go live by the end of October and will offer punters a variety of online casino and sports betting games.

Michigan made sports betting and online casino legal late in 2019, however the authorities still haven’t awarded a first iGaming license to any operator.

This might imply that this inactivity will last a while and that Golden Nugget may have to wait until next year to launch in this state.

Working With a Strong Brand

Thomas Winter, Golden Nugget’s senior vice president and online gaming general manager, said:

“Golden Nugget Online Gaming is thrilled to partner with the Ojibwa Casino to provide casino players in Michigan with a online casino and sportsbook experience. Players in Michigan will be able to appreciate our award-winning product offering and exceptional customer service from a nationally recognized and trusted brand.”

Adds Chris Swartz, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community president:

“We are excited to partner with Golden Nugget to bring online casino and sports betting to the state of Michigan. Working with a strong brand will be a perfect complement to our brand new casino in Marquette as well as our casino in Baraga.”

The venue has secured their access to Michigan market and can now pursue the license. Michigan Gaming Control Board wishes to cooperate to a great extent in order to expedite this process.

Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta, who also owns NBA’s Houston Rockets, is very keen to begin his online gaming odyssey in Michigan as he believes that an online gambler is “worth seven times as much as an online sports bettor.”

Source:

“Golden Nugget Strikes Mi Online Casino Deal with Ojibwa Casino”, playmichigan.com, July 16th, 2020.