PokerStars launches first legal poker offering in Michigan
Flutter-owned subsidiary also debuts Fox Bet and Stars Casino alongside PokerStars brand in the Great Lakes State
The Stars Group (TSG) rolled out its PokerStars brand in Michigan on Friday, becoming the first poker operator to go live in the newly regulated igaming and sports betting state.
According to screengrabs of the lobby posted on social media, the cash tables were busy soon after the launch as PokerStars got off to a brisk start through its access deal in Michigan with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
From the get-go, the product included cash games such as mixed games, single- and multi-table tournaments and the popular lottery-style Spin & Go jackpot games.
PokerStars now offers poker in three US states, the other two being Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Two additional states, Nevada and Delaware, have regulated online poker while West Virginia has passed legislation but as of yet no operator has launched there with intrastate poker predominately due to the state’s modest population.
Initially, Michigan will have ring-fenced liquidity, however the legislation allows for compacting with other poker states which means it could join the interstate compact between New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware.
Besides poker, TSG also unleashed its Fox Bet sportsbook in Michigan, which brings the number of US states in which Fox Bet operates up to four, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
“The key differentiators for us have always been our valued partnership with the Fox Corporation and the strength of our industry leading [free-to-play] Fox Bet Super 6 product combined with the PokerStars business and we plan to lean into these unique assets as we launch in Michigan,” Fox Bet CEO Kip Levin explained.
“Customers create one account to access Fox Bet sportsbook, PokerStars and Stars Casino, users create one account for all three apps, unlocking a wide variety of exciting and entertaining options to supercharge the experience for our Michigan audience,” Levin added.
BetMGM, FanDuel, and PointsBet were among the first operators to launch online sports betting in the Great Lakes State in January.