Caesars Entertainment Acquires WynnBET’s Michigan iGaming Business
The company will expand its iGaming reach in the Great Lake State
Caesars Entertainment revealed it will be expanding its Michigan iGaming market.
Caesars Entertainment yesterday announced an agreement to acquire WynnBET’s Michigan iGaming business and reached a partnership with the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, all subject to regulatory approvals.
Caesars will gain access to Sault Tribe’s iGaming skins and existing WynnBET customers will be transitioned to Caesars’ Michigan iGaming platform at some point this year.
Caesars Expanding Michigan Market
Caesars Entertainment will expand its current Michigan iGaming market through the announced deal, as it will continue to operate both Caesars Sportsbook and Caesars Palace Online Casino in the state.
“As we continue to grow our iGaming franchise, the assumption of WynnBET’s iGaming operations in Michigan allows us to tap into a significant market and customer base, providing a crucial step forward in growing our digital products and offering players more ways to play,” said Matt Sunderland, SVP & Chief iGaming Officer for Caesars Entertainment, in a press release. “We are honored to work with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and look forward to growing with them in Michigan.”
Michigan is one of the largest iGaming markets in the country. Caesars Entertainment announced it will transition the WynnBET iCasino operations in Michigan later this year to one of the flagship brands within the company’s portfolio.
More information on Caesars’ new iGaming offerings will be announced at a later date.
After announcing it would re-evaluate its iGaming and sports betting offerings in the U.S. WynnBET now only holds an online gaming presence in Nevada. It most recently announced it would sell its online sports betting license in New York to PENN Entertainment and will cease operations in Massachusetts this month.
New Tribal Partnership
The Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians celebrated the new partnership with Caesars Entertainment.
“It was paramount that our next partner in iGaming possessed both expertise in the U.S. iGaming market and a history of strong partnerships in Indian country. We believe we found that with Caesars and look forward to being part of their new iCasino offering,” said Austin Lowes, Chairman of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, in a press release.
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians currently owns and operates Kewadin Casinos, which consist of five land-based casinos located throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Caesars Entertainment has worked with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa since Michigan legalized iGaming in 2021.
Robert Linnehan
Covering regulatory developments in online gambling. Editing/writing/creating a newsletter for readers across all formats.