The Potawatomi Casino and Hotel‘s temporary sportsbook launched Friday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that unveiled a main area including a full bar, food, and 30 HD TVs for people to watch sporting events.
Milwaukee’s mayor Cavalier Johnson placed the very first bet during the Friday event, putting down $20 to the Bucks to win the NBA championship yet again. “I’m no expert on sports betting, but I do have confidence in our home team,” he said, as per local media.
Potawatomi Casino is now the second location in Wisconsin allowed to offer sports betting, behind Green Bay. Johnson said the opening means “a lot,” as the Potawatomi Casino “is the number one tourist destination in the state.” According to him, having a sportsbook on the property will help the casino “continue to be the tourism driver that it is for the entire state of Wisconsin.”
Besides the sportsbook, located on the main level of the casino, there are also kiosks right off the Skywalk, with free 20-minute parking. Justin Arnett, Potawatomi Sportsbook Director, explained the property is “trying to make it as easy as we can,” Wisn.com reported.
“We also have some technological advantages,” Arnett noted. “We have a URL, we can have the QR code. With the URL, you can get the bet prepped on your phone. You can see all the bets we have to offer. Once you have that ready, you can take it to our ticket writer.”
Hey, sports fans! We are thrilled to announce that on Friday, March 31 we will be opening the Potawatomi Sportsbook at our property! 😎🔥
Be the first one to check out our kiosks tomorrow! We can’t wait to see you all! pic.twitter.com/i6FzPMNrZ2
— Potawatomi Hotel & Casino (@paysbig) March 30, 2023
The two betting locations open are temporary, as the casino transforms the currently-closed Northern Lights Theater into a permanent sportsbook. The casino hopes to open it within a year or less. “We have pretty grand plans in the future,” Arnett stated.
He described the final results, which include a large LED screen two stories tall, 120 feet wide, with a bar and plenty of seating. “It’s going to be the real deal. There’s going to be nothing like it in the whole Midwest, maybe even outside Vegas,” he said.
All bets must be placed on-site. State regulations have stipulated that casino-goers cannot bet on Wisconsin-based teams, nor on events within Wisconsin’s borders, unless a special exception is granted.
Sportsbook is officially open at @paysbig. And I got to place the first bet … on our @Bucks. pic.twitter.com/wdKfR8YC4j
— Mayor Cavalier Johnson (@MayorOfMKE) March 31, 2023
According to Arnett, those exceptions have been granted for the major sports teams, including the Bucks, Brewers and Packers, so bettors can still make bets on those contests whether inside or outside the state’s borders. He also added he is willing to pursue future exceptions for major events like the upcoming Sonsio Grand Prix IndyCar race at Road America, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
All major sports are represented, including UFC, boxing, golf, Formula One and NASCAR. The slate also extends to darts, rugby, table tennis, the Oscars, the Grammys and soccer leagues.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2023/04/03/66689-wisconsin-milwaukee-39s-potawatomi-casino-opens-temporary-sportsbook-first-bet-placed-by-mayor
