DraftKings has announced that this fall it will be debuting its first Sports & Social DraftKings venue at Somerset Collection, an upscale shopping mall in metro Detroit.
The new venue is a collaboration between DraftKings Sportsbook MI and Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, a company that operates dining and entertainment venues. Live! has entertainment districts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas.
The two companies announced a strategic partnership in July 2021. Reed Cordish, principal of The Cordish Cos. and CEO of Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, says the company is creating a new standard for dining and sports entertainment. Sports & Social DraftKings is bridging two worlds, while adding a drop of luxury lifestyle on top, according to a news release.
The venue will offer in-person sports viewing and wagering experience with its 32-foot LED media wall and gameday watch parties, the release said. Guests will access DraftKings mobile platforms for Michigan sports betting and to play daily fantasy sports. Bettors can wager from their mobile devices, with multiple games broadcast live.
More About the DraftKings MI Venue
Sports & Social DraftKings is 10,400 square feet, located in a stand-alone building next to Somerset Collection South, and will include a DraftKings Lounge that can be used for private parties and events.
On the hospitality end, the menu will feature gameday favorites, specialty drinks, curated cocktails and a variety of beers from national and local companies. And look for tailored beverage- and food-focused events throughout the week, including brunch experiences on Saturdays and Sundays, to take part in early NFL betting in Michigan, the release said.
Giving patrons a fully encompassing, live sports betting experience, is the objective of DraftKings and Cordish.
“Thanks to the strong support of Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, we believe we have created a premier dining, sports and entertainment destination for fans to enjoy,” Michael Kibort, senior director of retail sportsbooks at DraftKings, said in the release.
Sports & Social DraftKings venues are being designed by ICRAVE, a strategy, design and development firm. Additional locations for Sports & Social DraftKings will be announced in the coming months, the release said.
Michigan Online Casinos, Wagering Revenue Strong
In July, Michigan online casinos reported revenue of $117.2 million, an increase of 7.1% from June’s $109.4 million.
Online and retail sports betting accounted for $15.3 million in adjusted gross gaming revenue in July. Although revenue was up, the July handle of $225 million was down about 23% from June. Just over $206 million was online. That should pick up as the fall sports calendar gives bettors more options.
NFL betting in Michigan is expected to be popular and bettors are expecting the Detroit Lions to show improvement this season under second-year head coach Dan Campbell.
And it looks like the new Sports & Social DraftKings will be open during the upcoming season.
