Legal sports betting in Michigan is just days away. And casinos across the state are currently prepping like mad in order to satisfy bettors who want to bet on March Madness.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has been saying for months that the goal for the retail launch of sports betting in the state is the start of the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament, and most casinos will be ready to go once they receive the green light. The MGCB is expected to give final approval to Detroit casinos next Tuesday, and the sportsbooks will likely begin accepting wagers the following day, March 11.
MGM Grand Detroit is one of the locales that has been on the ball, as it introduced two rows of sports betting kiosks this week.
Kiosks the preferred choice of sports bettors
Kiosks have been extremely popular with first-time bettors in other US states that have legalized sports betting. In fact, SBTech’s Ian Bradley told PlayNJ last year that over 80% of bets on-property in the US were placed on kiosks.
Instead of having to deal with a teller at a window, many bettors find it less stressful to go to a kiosk and take their time.
Building parlay bets, which takes a little more time and effort from the bettor, are particularly popular at kiosks.
“The results have been extremely positive. Margin performance has been excellent so far, and the feedback we’ve received both from our partners and their players across retail and online has been very complimentary,” Bradley told PlayNJ. “US consumers have taken very easily to the sports betting kiosks. They have been even more popular than we were expecting.
“The kiosks are very busy every time me or the team visit our partners’ properties.
“They are deliberately designed to be easy to use with very visual guides to various markets and parlays across a host of sports. And they offer players far more flexibility and options than queuing for a cashier, which can often be a daunting experience for more novice bettors.
“The option of betting terminals has also opened content in derivative markets that bettors previously couldn’t access. Crucially, terminals have allowed different customer segments and a wider recreational audience to use an easier and more accessible form of betting compared to the traditional sportsbook counter and cashier, which can often discourage new players.”
Plenty of competition for MGM Grand Detroit
The kiosks at MGM Grand Detroit are located near the casino’s hotel entrance, and just outside the Moneyline Sports Lounge, according to The Detroit News.
The sports bar turned sportsbook features over 50 TVs, a full bar and leather recliners.
MGM Grand Detroit will, of course, have plenty of competition when the legal sportsbooks open in a few days.
MotorCity Casino in Detroit is set to do big business as it has aligned itself with legal sports betting behemoth, FanDuel.
Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit will also feature live sports betting.