Michigan approves Evolution Gaming live casino games
On Wednesday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced that it had given leading live casino games provider Evolution Gaming the green light to start offering the vertical in the state starting Thursday, July 22 at 10am.
According to the Board, the developer was cleared after fulfilling the state’s online gaming regulatory requirements, which include an onsite review by the regulator.
Following the approval, players in the Wolverine State can now look forward to enjoying popular live dealer games including Live Baccarat, Live Roulette, and Live Blackjack. The games will be live streamed from the developer’s new state-of-the-art studio in Southfield and relayed to players in real-time using cutting-edge technology.
Bettors will be able to access the offering on mobile or computer if they sign up with one of the state’s licensed online operators.
The announcement makes Evolution Gaming the first company to be cleared to offer live casino games in Michigan. The state is the third jurisdiction to approve the market in the country, after New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
MGCB authorizes 10 online casinos for live dealer games
Besides clearing Evolution to debut in the legal Michigan online casino market, the state regulator has also authorized 10 operators to add the developer’s offering to their lobbies.
The brands include DraftKings, Golden Nugget Casino Online, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetMGM, William Hill, Barstool, WynnBet Casino, TwinSpires, and PokerStars Casino.
According to the regulator, the rollout will start with three types of live dealer games – blackjack, baccarat, and roulette – but more games could be added later. Other live dealer games offered by Evolution Gaming include Live Casino Hold’em, Live Three Card Poker, Craps, Football Studio, and game shows.
It is expected that some of the operators will be ready to offer the games when Evolution Gaming starts supplying the product on Thursday. Individual brands will let their customers know when the offering will be available.
Michigan online casino gaming at a glance
The Wolverine State launched its regulated online casino and sports betting market on January 22 this year.
The industry is regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and the three commercial casinos in Detroit as well as tribal-owned gaming establishments with Class III permits can apply for licenses.
Holders of online permits can offer a wide range of games including online slots, progressive jackpots, video poker, digitized table games, and most recently, live dealer games.
Since January, 14 out of the 15 eligible operators have acquired licenses to offer internet casino gaming in the state through partnerships with reputable online operators and platform providers.
BetMGM Casino was the first app to go live in Michigan through a partnership with MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit. The operator chose their long-time tech partner, GVC to power the platform.
Here is a list of all online casino apps in Michigan and their license partners:
- BetMGM Casino – MGM Grand Hotel Detroit
- Barstool Casino – Greektown Casino Detroit
- FanDuel Casino – MotorCity Casino
- DraftKings Casino – Bay Mills Indian Community
- TwinSpires Casino – Hannahville Indian Community
- BetRivers – Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians
- William Hill Casino – Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
- Wynn Casino – Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
- Golden Nugget Casino – Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
- Star Casino – Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
- PointsBet – Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
- Parx Casino – Gun Lake Tribe
- Four Winds Casino – Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
- Firekeepers Casino – Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians
The 15th eligible operator, Soaring Eagle Casino, is expected to launch later this year. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe-owned venue announced in late May that it would be teaming with GAN for its online casino and sportsbook offering.