The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced on Monday that it has approved another online gambling operator in the Wolverine state.

Four Winds Casino received the green light to commence online gambling activities through its platform provider Pala Interactive LLC. The new online Michigan sports betting and online gaming operator was permitted to go live as of noon on Monday.

Said MGCB Executive Director Richard Kalm in a statement:

“We welcome the addition of Four Winds Casinos and Pala Interactive to Michigan’s growing online gaming and sports wagering market. Their participation will generate revenue to support education, economic development and the Pokagon Band’s tribal community.”

Four Winds Casino Brand

The Four Winds Casino and Pala Interactive LLC partnership is the 11th online operator to offer Michigan sports betting and online gaming. The Four Winds Casino brand is operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. It currently has three properties in the western portion of the state near Lake Michigan, namely Dowagiac, Hartford, and New Buffalo.

Although the Four Winds and Pala partnership missed out on the Super Bowl, it will have three weeks to prepare for the next biggest sporting spectacle in the United States in the NCAA Basketball tournament. The University of Michigan Wolverines are one of the top basketball teams in college basketball and their success could spark March Madness bets in the state.

First State to Open Three Verticals Simultaneously

Michigan sports betting was legalized on December 20, 2019 after Bills S4916 and H4311 were passed and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Physical sportsbooks became operational after the Michigan sports betting bills were signed. However, it was only last January 22, 2021 when online sports betting commenced in the Wolverine state.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has been tasked to administer and regulate Michigan sports betting and online gaming. So far, it has approved a total of 15 mobile gaming licenses. Online poker and online gaming also launched on January 22nd, marking the first time that a U.S. state chose to open the doors on the three verticals simultaneously.