PokerStars Launches Michigan Online Poker; FOX Bet, Stars Casino Also Go Live
Rey Del Rio/Getty Images. Pictured: Michigan State Capitol.
PokerStars became the first legal real-money online poker operator in Michigan on Friday, bringing the world’s largest online poker site to one of the most anticipated markets in America. PokerStars’ launch marks the fifth state with live peer-to-peer online poker.
Michiganders can also now access the FOX Bet online sportsbook as well as the Stars Casino, which features real-money digital casino games such as blackjack. All three offerings are available in the same app.
PokerStars Michigan Launch
PokerStars controls more than two-thirds of the global online poker market, bringing the industry leader to Michigan after launching in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The site features daily games, major Sunday tournaments and the annual Championship of Online Poker series each September.
The company has hosted 1.85 billion tournaments and dealt more than 200 billion hands across the world. The brand also organizes locally focused “home games” through its app that caters to play between neighbors and friends.
Under a 2020 law, Michigan will be able to join the interstate player sharing compact with other legal online poker states. Officials are still finalizing agreements needed to join the compact, but Michiganders should be able to play against players in other legal states in the coming months.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Delaware are the only other states with live legal online poker sites. West Virginia could launch its first offerings later this year. Indiana lawmakers are also seriously considering legal online poker legislation as well.
FOX Bet, Stars Casino Expand Gaming
FOX Bet brings another top brand to Michigan, one of the most-anticipated legal sports betting markets in the country. Already live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Colorado, FOX Bet officials say its partnerships with FOX Sports give it a leg up on a crowded market that features many other top operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet and BetMGM.
Along with promotions through FOX’s NFL and college football broadcast as well as a daily show on FS1, FOX Bet’s Super Six contest has been one of the biggest catalysts for growth even before the Michigan launch. Officials said participation in the free-to-play contest that allows players to pick the outcomes of six live events has doubled in the past year.
Eligible bettors physically within Michigan state lines can register, deposit and wager through a mobile device without having to go to a casino first. The sportsbook features all major American sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, while also allowing betting on both out-of-state and in-state college programs.
Stars Casino has also gone live, allowing poker players and sports bettors to transition between different gaming options within the same mobile interface. Launched in partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the digital Stars Casino features many of the same casino gaming options available in-person at the tribe’s casinos in Petoskey and Mackinaw City.
“The key differentiators for us have always been our valued partnership with the FOX Corporation and the strength of our industry-leading FOX Bet Super 6 product combined with the PokerStars business and we plan to lean into these unique assets as we launch in Michigan,” said FOX Bet CEO Kip in a statement.
“Behind FOX Bet Sportsbook, PokerStars and Stars Casino, customers create one account for all three apps, unlocking a wide variety of exciting and entertaining options to supercharge the experience for our Michigan audience.”
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