Mobile sports betting set for January 2021 debut in Michigan and Virginia

Mobile sports betting set for January 2021 debut in Michigan and Virginia

In a significant move towards the digital age, Michigan and Virginia have officially launched online sports betting, joining the ranks of states offering this modern form of entertainment. Both states made the leap in January 2021, just in time for the Super Bowl season.

**Michigan**

Michigan's online sports betting market officially launched on January 22, 2021, and has been thriving ever since. Key operators in the state include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and ESPN BET, with more joining the fray as the market continues to grow and evolve.

The market is not only active but also dynamic, with new licenses occasionally becoming available as operators enter or exit the market. Recently, Sports Illustrated Sportsbook and Casino announced their exit from the Michigan market, with wagering set to end by July 28, 2025, and all funds to be withdrawn by August 25, 2025.

**Virginia**

Virginia's online sports betting market also launched in January 2021, and since then, it has remained a competitive and vibrant market. Major sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars are active in Virginia, with the state's regulatory framework allowing for a competitive marketplace, albeit with a limited number of licenses compared to some states.

**Comparing Michigan and Virginia**

A summary table comparing the launch dates, market statuses, and key operators in both states is provided below:

| State | Launch Date (Online) | Market Status (2025) | Key Operators | |-----------|----------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------| | Michigan | Jan 22, 2021 | Live, expanding, dynamic | FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, others[1][5] | | Virginia | Jan 2021 | Live, competitive | FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, others |

**Noteworthy Developments**

In Virginia, the Virginia Lottery can award licenses tethered to professional sports organizations with facilities in Virginia, in addition to the mobile/online licenses. This opens up opportunities for sportsbooks to partner with local teams and organisations, such as WynnBET's partnership with Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway.

In Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board's decision on how and when operators will launch will be determined, in part, by who is ready. The board issued 15 provisional licenses to operators, including BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill.

As the digital sports betting markets in Michigan and Virginia continue to evolve, it is exciting to see these states join the ranks of those offering this modern form of entertainment. Michigan will be the third most populous state with legal digital sports wagering, behind Pennsylvania and Illinois, and Virginia will be the fifth.

1. Michigan's sports-betting market, launched on January 22, 2021, has been a thriving space, with key operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and ESPN BET, and the market continues to expand with more operators entering.
2. In Virginia, sports-betting enthusiasts can wager on their favorite teams through major sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars, as the state's online sports-betting market remains competitive.
3. For those who enjoy sports-betting, the Super Bowl season was a momentous time in both Michigan and Virginia, as they officially launched their online sports-betting platforms in January 2021, joining the ranks of states offering this modern form of entertainment.

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