Update on Playtech’s Michigan live dealer studio

When Michigan’s legislature green lighted online casinos at the end of 2019, it was only a matter of time before live dealers would make an appearance.

Not they’re yet, but they’re not far away.

After Evolution won the race to get studios up and running in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Playtech looks like they’ll take the honours in Michigan. They announced back in March that they’d signed a long term lease on a large commercial space in Southfield, and are now busy fitting it out.

Southfield is located on northern outskirts of Detroit. It’s developing a reputation as a burgeoning technology and innovation hub of the motor city. Playtech’s arrival shouldn’t do that reputation any harm.

Their new studio promises to include, “best in class technology and video capabilities from its flagship Riga studio“. There’s enough space to house a decent generic table range, as well as catering to casinos wanting dedicated, branded tables. Something the big operators are consider a must-have these days.

Playtech have been slow to move in the US. Evolution have been serving live dealer games from their Atlantic City studio since 2018. Since then they’ve opened studios in Pennsylvania and across the border in Vancouver. They will undoubtedly have a Michigan studio up and running in the not too distant future. Their US strategy has been plain to see: go as hard and fast as regulators will allow.

Playtech has taken more of a wait and see approach. The Michigan studio is the first indication they do have ambitions to compete in the rapidly growing US market. This was reaffirmed by their COO, who made the following statement at the announcement of their first US studio:

“The new studio in Michigan is the first step in our US Live expansion as we look to deliver Live studios in all regulated states. Our Michigan studio is being designed to be one of the more sophisticated studios tailored to the US market featuring innovation and entertainment at its best. The scale of our technology and breadth of our product will allow Playtech to take the live iGaming experience in the US to the next level.”

No word yet on when Playtech’s Michigan dealer studio will start taking bets. No supply deals with local operators announced yet either.

They won’t want to dilly dally too long. They have the lead in the Michigan race. But haven’t won it just yet.