Only in a world that lives at the speed of the internet can 24 days seem slow to online gamblers eagerly awaiting the rollout of BetMGM‘s online casino and sportsbook apps in the Google Play store. Both appeared on Wednesday, joining the BetMGM online poker app that debuted on March 16.
Considering Google only permitted online gambling apps in Google Play beginning on March 1, the addition of the apps is welcome news to fans. That’s especially true for online players who had been fooled by imposters before BetMGM’s apps appeared.
The BetMGM Sportsbook app description ensures sports bettors know they can only play in these jurisdictions where sports betting is legal:
Plus, users can “seamlessly” switch the app to the next legal jurisdiction while traveling, BetMGM says of its new “state switcher function.”
And the exclamation point below is straight from BetMGM:
“Please note, this app is currently NOT able to be used in Michigan and Virginia, but we will be soon!”
In the meantime, gamblers can bet on sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, mixed martial arts, boxing, tennis and golf.
BetMGM Online Casino also touts its “state switcher” option, which allows traveling gamblers to toggle to the next state in which online casino betting is legal. But the app only offers play in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at the moment, so that gaming switch might be reserved for short road trips.
Casino and sports betting generate the most revenue for BetMGM. So it was surprising to see the BetMGM Poker – New Jersey app enter Google Play before its online casino and sportsbook offerings.
But that made more sense after the company made a move to add online poker in Michigan. That addition would round out its offerings in the state that just legalized online gambling.
Michiganders greeted online casino and sports betting with open wallets, giving the company “incredible early success,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.
BetMGM Poker is the brand of choice in New Jersey and Michigan. And it may have a wider release later, because Entain – which runs BetMGM as a partnership with MGM Resorts International – appears to have such plans. Entain also has the Partypoker skin, but will likely promote BetMGM Poker outside of New Jersey.
In December 2020, BetMGM appointed the former Borgata tournament director Tab Duchateau as its poker operations games manager. In announcing the role on Dec. 24, Duchateau said he was tasked with growing online poker.