Evolution to Launch iGaming in Michigan
The ever-growing online gaming provider Evolution has recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Soaring Eagle Gaming which will enable it to begin offering online casino content via its Evolution, NetEnt and Red Tiger brands in the US state of Michigan. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
Evolution has recently signed an agreement with Soaring Eagle Gaming, allowing it to offer online casino content through its Evolution, NetEnt and Red Tiger brands in the US state of Michigan. ©arthurpalac/Pixabay
Slot Games from Evolution’s Red Tiger Brand to Launch in Coming Weeks
Active in both the North American and Latin American markets, online gaming operator Evolution recently announced that it has finalized an agreement with Soaring Eagle Gaming for the provision of online casino content through its Evolution, NetEnt and Red Tiger brands in the US state of Michigan.
The deal in question means that Evolution will begin offering its wide portfolio of online casino games, including online Live Casino products and First Person RNG titles, from Evolution’s live studio in the Midwestern state of Michigan.
Furthermore, Evolution’s selection of slot games and jackpots, operated by its Red Tiger brand, will also become available, with titles such as “Gonzo’s Quest Megaways”, “Piggy Riches Megaways” now being able to be enjoyed by Michiganders. Finally, its NetEnt brand, which offers titles such as “Divine Fortune Megaways”, “Fruit Shop Megaways” and “Starbust”, will also be launched in the next coming weeks.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Launched Online Platform in April 2022
Speaking on the occasion of Evolution launching its online casino offerings in the Great Lake State, Jeff Millar, Commercial Director for North America at Evolution, promised players a one-of-a-kind online gaming experience:
“We are absolutely delighted that Soaring Eagle Casino is now live with such a wide selection of games from brands within the group in Michigan. Players will be able to immerse themselves in a uniquely entertaining Soaring Eagle online gaming experience from anywhere in the state.”– Jeff Millar, Commercial Director for North America, Evolution, Press Release
For those unaware of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort’s background, it is located near Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and is a casino and entertainment complex owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. As recently as April 2022, it launched Eagle Casino & Sports, its own online casino and sports wagering platform, as the state of Michigan’s 15th active sports betting operator.
The partnership between Soaring Eagle Gaming and Evolution means that a diverse mix of Evolution online games will now be made available to Soaring Eagle customers located in Michigan for play on desktop. The mobile version of Eagle Casino & Sports, however, only launched in May 2022, according to Evolution.
Melinda Coffin, who is the CEO of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, expressed confidence that both old and new Soaring Eagle customers will find something to enjoy as a result of its new partnership with Evolution:
“In table games alone, Soaring Eagle prides itself on offering the hottest gaming action in the Midwest. Now our players will be able to experience the same thrill online, not only playing the casino classics but also exciting and entertaining game show-style games. We are confident that customers old and new are going to love what is the latest in a long line of Soaring Eagle developments.”– Melinda Coffin, CEO, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Press Release
Michigan Revealed Fantasy Contest Operator Licenses in May 2022
In May 2022, the chief gambling regulatory body in Michigan, The Michigan Gaming Control Board, came out and announced the addition of fantasy contest operator license applications to its official website. The agency said it would issue two types of licenses to start.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board also made sure to stress that holding an operator license is mandatory when offering fantasy contests for betting play. A management company licensee would also take care of the day-to-day fantasy contest operations for an operator.
The starting license fee will be $10,000 and the annual license renewal fee is $5,000. In its draft rules, the gaming board suggested a $5,000 management company initial licensing fee and a $5,000 annual renewal fee. The Board reserves the right to assess the operators’ or companies’ costs if they exceed the initial license or renewal fee.
Executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Henry Williams, encouraged operators to apply for the fantasy contest operating licenses as early as possible:
“Licensing is a key step in fulfilling the requirements established by Michigan’s Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act. I urge operators to file soon for licensing so current operators can continue to participate and new ones can join them once rules have been approved by the Michigan Legislature.”
State’s Betting Market Set New Records in November 2021
Back in December 2021, the state of Michigan reported that its gambling performance broke new monthly records during the month of November 2021, with the state’s online sports wagering handle and gross betting receipts in particular reaching new monthly highs during the period.
Michigan bettors put down wagers totaling upwards of $437.8 million on online sports betting during November 2021, which was an increase of 2.3% from the previous record of $463.3 million reached in October 2021.
Gross monthly sports betting revenue naturally also reached a new high of $54.1 million, exceeding the previous monthly record of $32.3 million in March 2021 by a whopping 67.7%.
Online casino, meanwhile, saw gaming gross receipts reach an amount of $107.6 million in November 2021, falling just 1.9% short of the monthly record of $109.7 million also achieved during October 2021.
