Michigan is down another online sportsbook.
Golden Nugget Casino recently released an updated app to its online casino, but didn’t include a sportsbook in its update.
It wasn’t just an oversight, as Golden Nugget has confirmed it will no longer offer a sportsbook in Michigan.
That takes away the Michigan online sportsbook option for Ojibwa Casinos and leaves the state with just 13 online sportsbooks.
Golden Nugget directing customers to DraftKings Sportsbook
Back in May of 2022, DraftKings completed its acquisition of Golden Nugget.
The two have partnered in Michigan to offer special promotions in the past, but now Golden Nugget is handing the sports betting reins over to DraftKings.
Following the update of the Golden Nugget casino app, the following was disclosed on the app while trying to find the sportsbook.
“Golden Nugget Online Sportsbook in West Virginia and Michigan will no longer be available post-update to the new Golden Nugget Online Gaming experience. However, players can enjoy the Sportsbook experience in the states of West Virginia and Michigan with our partner, DraftKings Sportsbook. Players can download the DraftKings Sportsbook app or go to the DraftKings Sportsbook website. You will need to create a DraftKings Sportsbook account to wager on the DraftKings Sportsbook in the states of West Virginia and Michigan.”
Combined with Fox Bet Sportsbook shutting down operations last summer, Michigan is now down to just 13 online sportsbook options.
Golden Nugget mirrors DraftKings look
The partnership with DraftKings is pretty clear in Golden Nugget’s latest app update.
Golden Nugget touted the update as a way to clean up the speed and efficiency of its offering among the many Michigan online casinos.
You will recognize the aesthetics of the layout, as it now looks nearly identical to DraftKings Casino Michigan.
The display, selection options, promo layouts and even the fonts for Golden Nugget now match up with DraftKings.
Previously exclusive to DraftKings games like “DraftKings Rocket” are now available at Golden Nugget under the “Golden Nugget Rocket” title.
Some titles aren’t even removing the DraftKings label. Included in the new Golden Nugget inventory are various table games with the DraftKings title. That includes “DraftKings Basketball Roulette” and “DraftKings Football Blackjack.”
Account info carries over to new Golden Nugget
If you have an account with the old version of Golden Nugget Casino or Golden Nugget Sportsbook, your information has been carried over to the new app.
To access your funds and play the new Golden Nugget Casino, just download the updated app. Once that is complete and you log-in with your old account info, your information will transfer over.
Your information will not be transferred to DraftKings Sportsbook. You will need to withdraw your funds and deposit them into DraftKings (or any other Michigan online sportsbook option) if looking to make sports wagers with your Golden Nugget funds.
The new Golden Nugget Casino app is available for both iOS and Android.
Golden Nugget a top-5 online casino
Golden Nugget Casino has remained one of the strongest online casinos in Michigan.
In 2023, Golden Nugget recorded $81.7 million in online casino revenue. That was up 12.5% from 2022’s total of $72.6 million.
For the year, Golden Nugget finished fifth amongst all online casino operators in Michigan.
They are still looking up at their owner, DraftKings, which finished third in revenue for 2023 with $364.4 million, a 46.7% increase from 2022 ($248.4 million).
When it came to being an online sportsbook, Golden Nugget has always been near the bottom of the state.
Over its lifetime, Golden Nugget has just $36.3 million in online handle, which ranks third last (13th) in the state’s history.
DraftKings sits second in lifetime online handle with $3.36 billion.
