Operator News
US – BetMGM Sports Lounge opens at MGM Grand Detroit
By Phil - 15 March 2020
MGM Resorts has launched legalised sports betting at MGM Grand Detroit. The property kicked off this new era in sports entertainment as sports fans, casino staff and invited guests witnessed the inaugural bet placed at the now open BetMGM Sports Lounge.
“Twenty years ago, MGM Resorts bet on the great City of Detroit with an $800m commitment to create the city’s first and only integrated luxury casino resort built from the ground up,” said David Tsai, President & COO of MGM Grand Detroit. “We’ve been able to help stimulate the local and state economy by creating thousands of jobs, making substantial infrastructure investments, and contributing over $2.8bn in tax revenue to the City and State since opening. As the market leader in Detroit, we’re proud to be part of this groundbreaking moment for Michigan gaming and to bring a world-class sports betting and entertainment experience to our guests.”
BetMGM Sports Lounge features over-the-counter betting, bar top video poker machines, wall-to-wall HDTV coverage of daily games, and a full bar with signature craft cocktails and local craft beers. Sports fans on property can also easily place wagers at BetMGM kiosks throughout MGM Grand Detroit.
“Michigan is home to some of the nation’s most enthusiastic sports fans. MGM Resorts and Roar Digital are excited to be opening BetMGM Sports Lounge at MGM Grand Detroit in time for college basketball’s tournament season,” said Scott Butera, President of Interactive Gaming for MGM Resorts. “We worked with the most creative design talent to create a world-class sports book and lounge with amenities that will give our guests an exciting sports viewing experience.”
Michigan passed legislation in December 2019, which created a two-step timeline for sports betting becoming legal within the state. Today, retail sports betting went live. Online, mobile wagering and iGaming are expected at a later date, subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.
BetMGM is the marquee betting offering from Roar Digital, the joint venture between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings. The venture has exclusive access to MGM Resorts’ US land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online real-money and free-to-play casino gaming. BetMGM has been rolling out across the United States, with BetMGM Sports Lounges in MGM Resorts properties as well as with mobile betting via the BetMGM app which is currently available in New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana and Nevada, with additional state rollouts planned, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals. For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on Twitter.
As MGM Resorts continues to expand and evolve its sports betting platforms, responsible gambling education remains a key focus. GameSense is an industry-leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), focusing on positive, transparent and proactive conversations with players about how to gamble responsibly. The program comes alive through personal interactions between guests and trained staff based at each property’s M life Rewards desk. In addition to speaking to trained employees – known as GameSense Advisors – guests also utilize interactive GameSense touchscreens and educational materials and other resources found at the M life Rewards Desk.
