The Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is up and running in Michigan.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has given the green light to 888 Holdings as the new Michigan sports betting platform provider for the Hannahville Indian Community, which will operate under the Sports Illustrated brand name, according to a news release.
The agreement made 888 Holdings the new platform provider effective on Wednesday at 10 a.m., according to the MGCB release. Sports Illustrated replaces TwinSpires.
The Hannahville tribe operates Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan. The Hannahville Indian Community was among 10 licenses initially authorized to launch both forms of internet gaming in Michigan.
TwinSpires, the original platform provider for the Hannahville tribe, announced its plans to exit the business earlier this year, leading to an agreement with 888 Holdings. TwinSpires no longer offers an online casino in Michigan or online sports betting after shutting down over the weekend.
First Change in MI Platform Providers
“The Hannahville tribe is the first operator in Michigan to change platform providers since internet gaming and sports betting began here in January 2021,” Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams said in the Michigan Gaming Control Board release. “The tribe has found another experienced partner, and I wish them continued success.”
The tribe and 888 Holdings had requested that the MGCB “authorize internet sports betting only.” An approval request for online casino could come later this year. In April, the MGCB authorized the state’s 15th internet gaming and sports betting operator.
Sports gaming licenses in Michigan are limited to the three commercial casinos in Detroit and the state’s federally recognized tribes.
Be sure to look for MI sportsbook promo codes from the Sports Illustrated Sportsbook.
Strong Betting Market in Michigan
The Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is entering one of the strongest online sports betting markets in the country.
The Michigan online sports betting handle in July was $206.1 million, That was down 23% from June’s handle, but up 9% from July 2021’s handle.
The state saw its biggest increase in revenue in July, which was up 179.6% over June.
Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is also live in two other thriving online sports betting markets — Virginia and Colorado.
