MotorCity Casino is partnering with FanDuel Group to operate a newly designed, two-story sportsbook at the Detroit casino scheduled to open Thursday, March 12. MGM Grand and Greektown Casino opened their sportsbooks today. Other casinos around the state are expected to follow suit.
The casinos received the go-ahead from the Michigan Gaming Control Board March 6 to allow legal sports gambling starting today, in advance of the NCAA basketball tournament that begins March 17.
The MotorCity Casino facility opening tomorrow features six betting windows, 67 high-definition televisions, one ticker, a VIP area, and 54 self-service IGT PlaySports betting kiosks. The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino will accept bets on all major U.S. sports, including baseball, hockey, soccer, football, basketball, golf, boxing, motorsports, and more.
“For two decades, we have been committed to reimagining the guest experience – consistently raising the bar with innovative entertainment, world-class luxury hotel accommodations and high energy gaming activities,” says Bruce Dall, president of MotorCity Casino. “This relationship takes it to the next level. With FanDuel, our guests will be able to engage with their favorite sports in a dynamic new way at Detroit’s only locally-owned and operated casino.”
Matt King, CEO of FanDuel, says, “Detroit is an incredible sports town – the ‘City of Champions.’ As we look to expand our national footprint and bring America’s top sportsbook to more customers across the country, this was a perfect fit. It has everything we look for – from the industry leading casino operation to the proud and passionate Midwest fanbase. Exciting things are happening in Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited about this move to the Motor City.”
FanDuel will administer all core services affecting betting for the sportsbook. Guests can place bets on a number of games, including the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, even though both teams are owned by the Ilitch family, which also owns the casino. The ownership makes clear that the sportsbook will operate in absolute compliance with all gaming and sports league rules and regulations, and that MotorCity Casino revenue is explicitly not tied to the outcome of any particular baseball or hockey game.
MGM Grand’s BetMGM, which opened today, is a Las Vegas-style facility with leather chairs and sofas, 60 large-screen TVs, high-top seating, and video poker machines at the bar.
