Caesars Completes Acquisition of WynnBET's iGaming Operation in Michigan
Caesars Entertainment has officially announced the closing of its acquisition of WynnBET's iGaming business in Michigan.
The deal comes in an effort to expand Michigan online casino presence while taking advantage of WynnBET Michigan's demise.
On Tuesday, the company said it has locked in a long-term extension through the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to access iGaming market rights in Michigan.
“Caesars Entertainment would like to thank the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Michigan Gaming Control Board for their collaboration through this process,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital.
Caesars, one of our best sports betting sites, will assume operations on the existing platform under the WynnBET brand. There is no anticipated interruption to the customer experience.
Along with the official acquisition, Caesars plans to announce a new online casino brand and the transition of the WynnBET iCasino operations to Caesars’ Michigan iGaming Platform in the second half of 2024.
Brand bolstering
Caesars move of acquiring WynnBET's online U.S. casino business was initially announced in February to add to the online sports betting sites in the Wolverine 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 and Chief iGaming Officer for Caesars Entertainment.
While Caesars currently operates its online and retail sportsbook and Caesars Palace Online Casino in Michigan, this move "further enhances iCasino Net Revenue growth in an EBITDA accretive manner," according to Caesars news release.
Michigan's booming market
Sports betting in Michigan is booming and is among three states to produce a minimum of $5 billion in iGaming revenue, along with Pennsylvania sports betting and New Jersey sports betting.
“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," Austin Lowes, chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, said in February. "We believe we found that with Caesars and look forward to being part of their new iCasino offering.”