An ESPN BET spokesperson told PlayMichigan on Thursday that its retail sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Greektown is opening on April 24, one day before the 2024 NFL Draft begins in Detroit.
PENN Entertainment announced that Hollywood Casino Greektown would be the first ESPN retail sportsbook installed at Hollywood properties across the country.
The NFL Draft is expected to draw huge amounts of fans from all over the country to Detroit April 25-27. Those fans will be able to make wagers at Hollywood Casino Greektown or download Michigan online sportsbooks.
ESPN BET confirms retail launch at Hollywood Casino Greektown
PENN Entertainment CEO, Jay Snowden, announced in February, during the company’s Q4 2023 earnings call, that Hollywood Casino Greektown would include ESPN BET branding to its retail sportsbook at some point in the second quarter of 2024.
An ESPN BET spokesperson confirmed to PlayMichigan that rebranding inside Hollywood Casino Greektown will be finished just in time. On April 24, the casino plans to unveil its new ESPN BET retail sportsbook.
The obvious plan for PENN was to prepare the rebranding for the NFL Draft. Hollywood Casino Greektown is going to benefit from major exposure, located just five blocks from the main stage at Campus Maritus Park.
Mike Morrison, Vice President ESPN BET, said in a February press release:
“Growing the ESPN BET brand is essential in increasing our market share and ultimately reaching a podium position. Our commitment to that shows in a variety of ways from new markets to our first retail presence, and we cannot wait to open ESPN BET inside Hollywood Casino at Greektown for fans in Michigan ahead of some key sporting events.”
In PENN’s Q4 earnings presentation, the grand opening of the ESPN BET retail sportsbook would create “a unique omni-channel experience with ESPN events and talent for VIPs, clients and fans.”
Hollywood Casino Greektown hoping to capitalize during NFL Draft weekend
Last year’s NFL Draft in Kansas City drew 312,000 visitors. It produced an economic impact of $164.3 million over the three-day event.
Detroit is also expecting hundreds of thousands of fans during the NFL Draft, which starts on April 25. That directly benefits all Detroit casinos, which are going to be in the center of all the action. Each casino is located within blocks of the draft events taking place:
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: five blocks away
- MGM Grand Detroit: eight blocks away
- MotorCity Casino: 15 blocks away
After a slow January and February, Detroit casinos, including Hollywood Casino Greektown, combined for $122.3 million last month. That was the highest March total since 2019.
Hollywood Casino Greektown generated $22.2 million and $23.8 million in January and February revenue, respectively. It recorded $28.1 million in March.
Along with slots, table games and poker, retail sports betting ticked up last month at Detroit casinos. The three properties reported $17.25 million in March retail sports betting handle. That is a 30% month-over-month increase and a 23.7% year-over-year increase.
The influx of people in Detroit over the three-day event should mean Detroit casinos cash in. Hollywood Casino Greektown could be the biggest beneficiary as the closest to the action and opening its brand new ESPN BET retail sportsbook.
