Four Winds Casinos Gets Green Light to Launch Online Gaming, Sports Betting in Michigan

  • Pokagon Band-owned casino brand and Pala Interactive are the 11th duo to go live in the state
  • State only permits licensed casinos to offer online gambling products via platform providers
  • Launch offers include $20 casino free play, 200% deposit bonus, and a free million-dollar spin
  • Michigan and Virginia posted a combined 7.5m online gambling transactions on launch weekend
Map zoomed in on US state of Michigan
Following approval by the MGCB, Four Winds Casinos and platform provider Pala Interactive have launched online gaming and sports betting in Michigan. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Operator teams up with Pala Interactive

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has approved the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to launch online gaming and sports betting under its Four Winds Casinos brand, in association with platform provider Pala Interactive L.L.C.

joins a roster of ten other similar collaborating brands

The MGCB’s authorization means that, together with Pala Interactive, Four Winds Casinos joins a roster of ten other similar collaborating brands offering online gaming and sports betting in the Great Lake State.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians owns and operates three casinos under the Four Winds brand in the Michigan cities of Dowagiac, Hartford, and New Buffalo, and one in South Bend, Indiana. California-based Pala Interactive is a leading online social and real money gaming B2B software development company founded in 2013.

The increased activity in Michigan’s gaming scene follows the official launch of both forms of gambling in January 2021. Under Michigan law, only licensed casinos can offer online gaming and sports betting, with platform providers allowed to partner with brick-and-mortar casinos in the state.

Rollout kicks off with welcome promotion

Following the MGCB’s approval, Four Winds Casinos was permitted to go live with its online gaming and sports betting products from 12:00pm on February 15. A welcome bonus package promotion for new players on the Four Winds website offers new customers $20 casino free play, a 200% deposit bonus, and a free million-dollar spin.

generate revenue to support education, economic development and the Pokagon Band’s tribal community”

In an official statement, MGCB executive director Richard Kalm welcomed Four Winds and Pala Interactive to the state’s “growing online gaming and sports wagering market.” He said the addition of the newest gambling tag-team will “generate revenue to support education, economic development and the Pokagon Band’s tribal community.”

Four Winds makes it 11

Four Winds becomes the 11th casino brand to offer online gaming and betting services in the Great Lake State, after the MGCB gave ten operators the thumbs up to go live on January 22.

In the first weekend following the historic launch of online casino gambling and sports betting in both states, Michigan and Virginia saw a combined total of 7.5 million online gambling transactions, according to data from GeoComply. Virginia contributed just two online sportsbooks on its launch weekend, so it’s likely the ten Michigan players accounted for the bulk of the impressive gambling activity, which corresponds to 25% of the total US online betting market.

The other operators to offer both forms of gambling in Michigan are Bay Mills Indian Community (via DraftKings), Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (via William Hill), Greektown Casino (via Barstool Sportsbook & Casino), Hannahville Indian Community (via TwinSpires), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Golden Nugget Online Gaming LLC), Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (via Rush Street Interactive MI, LLC), MGM Grand Detroit (via BetMGM LLC), MotorCity Casino (via FanDuel), and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (via WynnBet).

A 12th operator and its platform buddy, Lac Vieux Desert Tribe and PointsBet, are currently authorized to provide internet sports betting only in Michigan.

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