Mich. Gaming Control Board authorizes Gun Lake, Parx Interactive for Online Sports Betting
In a press release announcement issued by the Michigan Gaming Control BOARD this morning, the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan and its platform provider, Parx Interactive, received authorization to launch online sports betting under the Gun Lake/Parx brand at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2. The approval follows the approval the West Michigan-based tribe previously received to launch internet casino gaming on April 23.
“With Gun Lake Casino now fully authorized, 14 current Michigan operators and their platform providers may offer both internet casino gaming and online sports betting to patrons,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. “The associated revenue payments will support responsible gaming, the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund, K-12 education and economic development.”
Authorized online gaming operators and their platform providers are listed on the MGCB website.
The GGB Gaming & Technology Awards are the casino industry’s most prestigious awards for technology, products and services that enhance the gaming experience. The honors are designed to recognize and encourage innovation and technology in the rapidly changing casino industry.
Winners will be announced in the November 2021 issue of Global Gaming Business magazine.
The deadline is August 11, 2021. Nominations are now open in the following 6 categories:
- Best Consumer-Service Technology
- Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology
- Best Slot Product
- Best Table-Game Product or Innovation
- Best Interactive Product
- Best Guest Health & Safety Product
You can find more about the categories, judges and how to submit a nomination here.
For any questions or concerns please contact GGB Sales Director Terri Brady at Tbrady@ggbmagazine.com.
On July 28, Caesars Windsor reopened additional games and amenities as part of its progressive reopening process according to an article in the CTV News. Caesars Windsor opened over 40 table games and added more than 190 gaming positions to the number of available positions throughout the casino.
Additionally, Caesars Windsor plans to continue reopening additional facilities in the coming weeks, including more bars and restaurants. Rules restricting capacity to 50% and requiring plexiglass barriers between table games, however, will remain in tact.
To ensure patron and employee safety, Caesars Windsor will continue to follow its Health and Safety Plan. Protections include requirements for guests and employees to wear face masks at all times, the completion of a health assessment before entry, and the frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch points throughout the casino. Additional policies and procedures of Caesars Windsor’s Health and Safety Plan can be found at the casino’s website, linked here.
On July 21, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) authorized Evolution to launch live dealer casino table games livestreamed from a Southfield studio. According to a press release, the MGCB granted approval after Evolution fulfilled Michigan internet gaming regulatory requirements, including an onsite review.
The MGCB’s decision made Evolution the first entity authorized to offer internet casino live dealer games in Michigan. “Players can use a mobile device or computer to play typical land-based casino games like blackjack, baccarat and roulette with a real-time, live dealer,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. “Cameras capture the dealer and the play, and the providers’ apps or websites share it live with remote players.”
The initial live dealer games offered are blackjack, baccarat and roulette. In the future, more games may be added.
According to a press release issued by the company, Evolution aims to provide a “state-of-the-art B2B live casino solution for multiple operators wishing to offer world-class live casino gaming to online players on desktop, tablet and smartphone.” Nine gaming operators made Evolution’s live games available at launch on July 22: Barstool Sports, BetMGM, DraftKings, BetRivers, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, PokerStars, TwinSpires, and William Hill. Evolution’s new Michigan studio joins the company’s existing New Jersey and Pennsylvania studios.
On July 21, at the National Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention. Little River Holdings, the economic development entity of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, announced a new partnership with Wahlburgers and ARKK Foods.
Founded by brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg, Wahlburgers is a casual restaurant offering 49 locations. According to an article in the Manistee News Advocate discussing the development, the partnership grants Little River Holdings the rights to franchise Wahlburgers at tribally-owned locations in order to “accelerate the growth of the Wahlburgers franchise throughout Indian Country in the United States and Canada.”
Mark Wahlberg emphasized that “Wahlburgers is only scratching the surface of its potential and this partnership will be invaluable in giving us the opportunity to expand our reach and serve more guests.”
Commenting on the Wahlberg brothers’ commitment to supporting tribal economic development, Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, said, “The Wahlberg brothers have demonstrated that they are tremendous partners for the Native American community by supporting tribal business endeavors.”
At the Convention, Eugene Magnuson, CEO of Little River Holdings, and Mark and Paul Wahlberg received Business Leadership Awards for their support of tribal development. In support of the partnership, Larry Romanelli, Tribal Ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, stated that the tribe is “thrilled to welcome Wahlburgers as a partner and look[s] forward to continuing to develop a relationship with such a successful brand that will aid in diversifying [its] tribal economy.”