The Stars Group owns or licenses gaming and related consumer brands, such as PokerStars. (Youtube)
Just a few weeks after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her signature on the state’s bill regulating sports betting, Internet gaming and wagering on fantasy sports, a Michigan Tribal casino has entered a partnership with global iGaming leader to come online as Michigan’s first iGaming operator.
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority will leverage the expertise of The Stars Group (TSG) to bring gaming like poker online. Now TSG will work to secure a license and regulatory approval from Michigan.
One of three federally recognized Tribes of Odawa people in Michigan—home to 23 Tribal casinos—the Little Traverse Bay Bands operate two properties in Michigan, anchored by Odawa Casino Resort near Petoskey, on the northwestern shores of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The gaming authority will receive a cut of TSG’s online revenues in return for providing market access.
Among other Tribal casinos, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort has teamed up with The Stars Group, one of the world’s most licensed online gaming operators, to introduce retail sports betting. The Stars Group owns or licenses gaming and related consumer brands, such as PokerStars, among more than a dozen other brands.
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority’s agreement grants The Stars Group first skin market access to operate and brand real-money online betting, poker and casino in Michigan, subject to license availability, state law and regulatory approvals.
“We are excited to announce this agreement with the Odawa tribe, which further strengthens our market access as we work to continue to build our FOX Bet business into one of the leaders in the emerging U.S. online betting and gaming market,” said Robin Chhabra, Chief Executive Officer, FOX Bet.
“The Tribe’s partnership with The Stars Group extends beyond our reservation and places the thrill of world class sports betting and online gaming under every finger-tip sliding across a touch screen in the State of Michigan,” said Fred Harrington Jr., Tribal Council, LTBB Odawa.
