Live dealer online gambling play is coming to the Michigan market starting this week. The move comes after Evolution Gaming received the thumbs up from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to offer the service in the state. It’s a move that marks a new era in US online gambling as more and more states embrace the hybrid model of live and online gambling.
Though live dealer online gambling is very common and very popular in most parts of the world, it’s still an oddity in the United States. Michigan is only the third US state to offer the hybrid format, joining Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Evolution Gaming is also the sole provide of live dealer play in those states.
As of this writing, there are 13 licensed operators in the Michigan online market, though it’s unclear how many will actually be able to offer live dealer play. BetMGM will likely be the first out of the gate to offer the new service and has already announced that it plans to offer craps, poker, blackjack, and “game shows” to its players.
It’s unlikely that every Michigan operator will be offering live dealer play, since it involves a considerable investment since, Under Michigan law, all of the online dealers and the broadcast facility must be located in the Wolverine State.
Though some operators will likely rely on Evolution to provide a studio, others will be building their own. In a statement reported on by OnlinePokerReport.com, BetMGM Gaming Communications Manager Anthony Mallamaci said that though the company plans to build its own live dealer studio, and DraftKings is likely to follow suit.
Evolution Gaming currently runs live dealer studios in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.