Caesars Launches Horseshoe Online Casino in Michigan

Horseshoe online casino live in MI

WynnBET was allowed to sell its license to Caesars thanks to a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, who held the license.

The tribe is affiliated with the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Williamsburg, Michigan, satisfying the state’s requirement that each of its 15 online gambling licenses be linked to a physical casino.

Michigan also allows operators to maintain two casino skins. The launch of the Horseshoe online casino put Caesars, which also operates Caesars Palace in Michigan, at this threshold. Only DraftKings, with its namesake and Golden Nugget brands, also maintains two skins.

Eric Heisson, Caesars Sports and Online Gaming President, said during an investors call earlier this year that Horseshoe has a significant role to play for Caesars despite it not being the leading casino brand. He also warned that it likely will not achieve the same success as the Caesars Palace brand.

However, Hession also said that Horshoe’s strong relationship with retail gamblers could help grow Caesars’ hold on the online betting market by attracting a new population of gamblers to iGaming.

WynnBET continues to close down

While the deal opens a new chapter for Caesars, it marks the closing of one for WynnBET.

The casino and sports betting operator recently shut down operations in numerous states, including Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia.

WynnBET launched in Michigan when the state’s gambling market opened in January 2021. It claimed $175.1 million in lifetime revenue, the eighth-highest total during that time of the 15 licensed operators.

Caesars Palace Michigan online casino averaged $11.4 million in monthly revenue through the end of August. Caesars also finished fifth in August revenue amongst online casino brands, producing $12.6 million in revenue and holding 6.4 percent of the market share.

Michigan will continue to operate with a maximum of 15 licensed operators. This contrasts with states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which do not have a cap on the number of operators that are allowed.

Caesars customers in Michigan can access the company’s offerings through Caesars Sportsbook, Caesars Palace, or Horseshoe Online Casino.

All WynnBET customers who make the switch to Caesars will be enrolled in the Caesars Rewards program.