- BetAmerica has opened retail sportsbooks in Colorado and Michigan.
- BetAmerica is the sports betting brand of Churchill Downs, Incorporated.
- They expect to launch mobile betting in both states subject to regulatory approvals.
Churchill Downs, Incorporated owned sportsbook brand BetAmerica has been a ‘slow starter’ in the nascent US market but they appear to be picking up steam. Within the past week they’ve entered two new states with retail sportsbook openings in Colorado and Michigan. They plan to offer mobile betting under the BetAmerica brand in both states once they obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.
Although Churchill Downs is best known for horse racing, they’ve begun to make some significant inroads into the sports betting business. They now operate retail betting locations in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. They offer mobile betting in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana with online casino games available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They offer deposit horse race wagering in 40 US states.
The BetAmerica retail location in Colorado is located at Bronco Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek. The Bronco Billy’s Casino sportsbook features 10 self-service betting terminals and 2 betting windows offering wagering opportunities on a large range of sporting events, including professional and collegiate U.S. sports along with major international sports. Baxter Lee, General Manager at Bronco Billy’s Casino, said that his customers are excited to see the sportsbook available and impressed by the state of the art BetAmerica kiosks:
“Sports betting enthusiasts from all over Colorado are sure to enjoy these industry-leading kiosk offerings and our customers are excited to see our Sportsbook open.”
Bill Mudd, Chief Operating Officer of Churchill Downs International is pleased to offer BetAmerica’s sports betting platform in Colorado:
“Colorado is home to some of the most enthusiastic sports fans in professional and college sports and we are pleased to offer BetAmerica’s state-of-the-art sportsbook experience there.”
In Michigan, the new BetAmerica Sportsbook has opened at the Island Resort & Casino in Harris. The Island Casino location has 14 self-service betting terminals and 2 betting windows offering wagering opportunities on sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and golf. It also features 25 large-screen televisions and boasts the largest high definition video wall in the Upper Peninsula. The Island Casino is located Located 2 hours north of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Kenneth Mesigaud, Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Chairperson for the Island Resort & Casino, is enthused to offer the BetAmerica Sportsbook at his property:
“We are thrilled to partner with BetAmerica to open the first sportsbook in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. The BetAmerica Sportsbook is a fantastic addition to our gaming options and combined with our other entertainment opportunities — including two 18-hole championship golf courses — it provides another great reason for people to visit.”
CDI’s Mudd also gave comments about BetAmerica’s move into Michigan:
“We are excited that guests of the Island Resort & Casino will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art sports wagering experience. Sports fans in Michigan will be able to access the best in sports betting, including live in-play betting as well as engaging and unique promotions at our BetAmerica Sportsbook.”
The Michigan sports betting scene is very intriguing. They’re planning to launch online gaming in early 2021 and if this is done properly could make Michigan a serious player on the national sports betting stage. Colorado, meanwhile, has already become one of the hottest jurisdictions in the industry and could eventually take the crown as the epicenter of US sports betting.
