Australia’s PointsBet Launches Online Sportsbook in Michigan

PointsBet, the global online bookmaker based in Australia, has launched its services in the American state of Michigan, in partnership with Lac Vieux Desert Casino.

PointsBet’s mobile application and digital sports betting product went live in Michigan on January 22. This is the sixth American state that PointsBet manages to reach with its services, following successful launches in Colorado, New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois.

About the Michigan launch, Johnny Aitken, Chief Executive Officer of PointsBet U.S.A., said: “Launching in Michigan is truly a special moment for PointsBet, and presents a tremendous opportunity we are excited to attack alongside our partners in the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

As always, PointsBet will provide this passionate, sports-loving community with the fastest online sports betting product across every customer touchpoint as well as the most betting options in the market for every NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL game.

We are thrilled to be on the starting line and be able to immediately introduce Michigan sports bettors to the competitive advantages PointsBet possesses in owning our technology end-to-end, as well as further activate our investments in the state such as the partnerships in place with the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and Little Caesars Arena.”

This launch was made possible by a partnership that PointsBet made with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, a tribe that operates the Lac Vieux Desert Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet.

Tribal Chairman James Williams, Jr. added: “The Tribe worked hard to be among the first to launch mobile sports betting in the State of Michigan and is thrilled to offer innovative betting options to Michigan residents in conjunction with our PointsBet partner.

Gaming is the cornerstone of our tribal community, funding our tribal government and essential governmental services such as health care, education, law enforcement, cultural and human services as well as providing employment opportunities for tribal members and others.

Harnessing the power of the internet to expand the Tribe’s gaming footprint has been our dream for more than a decade. The fact that this day has come is long-time in the making. We are confident that this giant step forward will bring the Tribe closer to its goals of self-sufficiency and will serve to stabilize the Tribal economy for future generations.”

In September 2020, PointsBet managed to raise over 150 million Australian dollars through a retail entitlement process in order to fund the company’s efforts to expand into the North American market.

Along with their traditional sports betting operations, PointsBet has also seen huge potential in live casino action. That is why the Australian company put together a partnership with Evolution, the world’s leading provider of live dealer content.

SOURCE: “PointsBet Online and Mobile Sports Betting To Go Live in Michigan“. PointsBet Press Release. January 21, 2021.