- Play Gun Lake has launched sports betting as part of their online casino.
- This means that there are now 14 online sportsbooks operating in Michigan.
- These structural improvements have generated tax revenue increases.
DETROIT - Play Gun Lake launched sports betting in Michigan on Monday, bringing the total number of online sportsbooks up to 14.
The brand, a partnership between well-known online gambling platform provider Parx Interactive and the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan, was approved for sports betting launch on Friday.
Parx and the Gun Lake Band have a history in Michigan, and have been operating Play Gun Lake as a pure online casino since April.
The Gun Lake Band operates Gun Lake Casino, and sports betting has been operational there since October, but the move to online sports betting should bring in significant revenue for the Band.
Play Gun Lake’s casino offerings put it at 11th place in the competitive Michigan online casino market, with $1.27 million in total revenue brought in since its April opening. The addition of sports betting to the online casino in advance of the upcoming NFL and college football seasons could provide a big boost to revenue.
Online sports betting has shown significant revenue potential in Michigan, as the FanDuel operated MotorCity generated a total handle of $77 million in June.
While Play Gun Lake will likely set its sights far lower than that, it could still be a very relevant source of income for the Band.
Michigan Sports Betting Revenues Increase
The move also represents a potential for more revenue from the perspective of the state itself. Michigan reached $1 million in tax revenue from sports betting for the first time in June, and that is a unique accomplishment.
To increase revenue in the worst sports betting months of the year speaks to structural improvements in the industry, and Michigan has made those improvements.
Michigan’s original sports betting offerings were sparse - there were only three places one could gamble, and all of them were in-person. With the addition of Play Gun Lake to Michigan’s sports betting roster, there are now 14 online sportsbooks available.
This allows online gambling fans to shop lines, find the best bets, and place wagers with added convenience. In turn, revenue has steadily increased, even though the worst months of the sports betting calendar have arrived.