Today’s Grand Opening Celebration at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Included
A Ribbon-Cutting with NIGA Chairman Ernest L. Stevens, Jr.,
and Ceremonial First Bet Placed by NBA All-Star Rick Mahorn
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (September 23, 2020) – William Hill US, America’s leading sports betting company and Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos, today officially opened their first Michigan sports books at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel along with a satellite location at Leelanau Sands Casino. The long-term partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (“GTB”) makes William Hill GTB’s exclusive partner for sports books, along with mobile sports betting and iCasino gaming, pending regulatory approvals. The Onyx Sports Book by William Hill and its satellite location are now open for business seven days a week.
Today’s grand opening ceremony included a ribbon-cutting with National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., followed by a ceremonial first bet placed by NBA All-Star Rick Mahorn. On hand for the momentous celebration was Dan Shapiro, VP of Strategy and Business Development for William Hill US, Tribal Vice-Chairman Mark Wilson of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michael Schrader, CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos, Johnny Barrientoz, General Manager of Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, and other area dignitaries and members of the press.
“Today’s grand opening at Turtle Creek Casino officially marks the 13th state where William Hill now offers sports betting. This is just the beginning of our partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, with plans to launch mobile sports betting and iCasino gaming throughout Michigan as soon as permitted,” said Dan Shapiro, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development for William Hill. “This is an exciting way to start the NFL season, and we know the Onyx Sports Book by William Hill will be the new game-day location for sports fans in Northern Michigan.
The Onyx Sports Book by William Hill at Turtle Creek Casino features two ticket windows and two kiosks, adjacent to the popular table games and slot machines on the casino floor. The sports book also offers 20 high-definition televisions, complimentary games, food and beverages, and an outdoor patio. Staffed hours are Monday through Thursday from noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to midnight. The kiosks will be available during casino hours at Turtle Creek from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.
The satellite location at Leelanau Sands Casino includes two kiosks for sports betting available daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Customers at both locations will be serviced according to CDC-recommended guidelines and will find a seamless experience from setting up their accounts to placing bets.
“We are excited to align with William Hill, the leading sports betting company in the US. They are the best in the business, and that’s always what we strive to give our guests. We have an excellent, trained staff to assist customers with getting their bets down,” stated Michael Schrader. CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos. “We want to provide the best destination for sports betting in the state, and with William Hill as our partner, that’s a bet we’re happy to take. When Michigan regulations are permitted, we will be able to offer the best in online gaming and betting as well. This is truly a win-win for Northern Michigan.”
For more information on the Onyx Sports Book By William Hill, visit www.turtlecreekcasino.com.
About William Hill US
William Hill US, part of FTSE-listed William Hill PLC, is America’s #1 Sports Book operator. Established in 2012, the company has expanded from its birthplace of Nevada to operate in more than 150 locations across 13 states, and now takes one in every four sports bets placed in the country. William Hill US currently has operations in The Bahamas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The company is also the licensed sports betting provider for numerous casinos in Mississippi and New Mexico and is the exclusive risk manager for the Delaware and Rhode Island sports lotteries. Product and technology are core to William Hill’s growth strategy in the US, and it now offers industry-leading betting apps in Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia. Continuing the innovative spirit of its founder William Hill, the company opened a sports book in the world-famous Capital One Arena in 2020, becoming the first operator to offer sports wagering inside a US professional sports complex. For more information, visit William Hill US.
About Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos
Owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos encompasses an array of premiere entertainment, dining, gaming, golfing, spa, meeting space, and hotel accommodations across three unique venues in Northern Michigan. A top destination in Midwest travel, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel offers more than 1,100 casino slot games, 25 table games, modern guest rooms and suites, and outstanding restaurant options.
On the West shore of Grand Traverse Bay, Leelanau Sands Casino is a much-loved scenic getaway, complete with a bingo hall, 330 casino slot games, and table games such as craps, roulette, 3-card poker, and blackjack. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa showcases 900 acres of year-round entertainment, recreation, relaxation, and activities for individuals and families, plus meeting and event space for your corporate, association, or other groups.
For more information, visit www.turtlecreekcasino.com, www.leelanausandscasino.com,
