BetMGM: "We’re confident that our private studio with Evolution will amplify our market-leading casino offering in Michigan"

BetMGM opened a private live dealer studio in Michigan late last month, built in partnership with its live casino partner Evolution. BetMGM Casino launched its Michigan live dealer offering in July 2021 as one of the nine operators that went live from day one with Evolution, and currently holds 39% market share in a jurisdiction that keeps setting new revenues for online casino revenue.

"We’re thrilled to finally be able to deliver the opportunity to sit exclusively among other BetMGM Casino players at branded tables, inspired by the iconic branding and iconography of MGM Resorts," Oliver Bartlett, Director of Gaming for BetMGM, tells Yogonet in an exclusive interview. "Aside from building a beautiful environment for our players to enjoy, a private studio offers us specific control on operational hours, table limits and player promotions, which will only serve to enhance the overall BetMGM gaming experience."

Michigan online casinos and poker sites generated $127.4 million in revenue in May, falling 3.8% from the Michigan record $132.4 million in April. The state has 15 online casino operators, of which 9 went live from day one with Evolution's third studio in the U.S. Bartlett —who before joining BetMGM in March 2021 served for over two years and a half as Evolution's Business Development for US & Canada— says that through BetMGM's relationship with Evolution, "the leading B2B supplier of live casino content," the operator was again able to work closely together to design and construct the studio with its players’ preferences in mind: "The studio is adorned with the iconic golden lion and the familiar black and gold BetMGM color scheme. Comprised of six blackjack tables of varying bet limits, a roulette table, and a speed baccarat table, we’re confident that it will amplify our market-leading casino offering in Michigan."

Also last month, BetMGM announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Television and IGT to launch Wheel of Fortune Casino, the first full brand-led online casino in North America, initially in New Jersey. "Our partnership with Sony and IGT is the latest example of our dedication to building the industry’s largest and strongest game portfolio," Bartlett tells Yogonet. "BetMGM often looks to strengthen our own brand by developing partnerships and leveraging established IP that we know players recognize and trust. We’ve done it with MGM Resorts properties and countless popular land-based titles in the past, and we’re doing it again through the Wheel of Fortune brand and our partners Sony and IGT. We’re thrilled to bring Wheel of Fortune Casino to New Jersey, where players will feel the excitement of their favorite gameshow paired with real money wagering in the palm of their hand."

When asked about BetMGM's recent deal with Carnival Corporation to deliver retail and mobile sports betting and iGaming in over 50 ships ported in the U.S., the executive says the company will share more details closer to the technology implementation.