New “FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino Hotel” coming to Detroit just in time for NCAA Tourney

In an agreement that brings together America’s No. 1 sportsbook with a premier destination for entertainment in Detroit, FanDuel Group will take its industry-leading sports betting services to MotorCity Casino Hotel. Beginning on March 12, 2020, this collaboration will allow guests and sports fans to place bets in an exciting, newly designed area of the award-winning casino.

The two-story sportsbook will feature six betting windows, 67 high-definition televisions, one ticker, a VIP area, and 54 self-service IGT PlaySports betting kiosks. The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino Hotel will accept bets on all major U.S. sports, including baseball, hockey, soccer, football, basketball, golf, boxing, motorsports racing, and more.

“For two decades, we have been committed to reimagining the guest experience, consistently raising the bar with innovative entertainment, world-class luxury hotel accommodations and high energy gaming activities,” said Bruce Dall, president of MotorCity Casino Hotel. “This relationship takes it to the next level. With FanDuel, our guests will be able to engage with their favorite sports in a dynamic new way at Detroit’s only locally-owned and operated casino.”

“Detroit is an incredible sports town — the ‘City of Champions’. As we look to expand our national footprint and bring America’s top sportsbook to more customers across the country, this was a perfect fit,” said Matt King, chief executive officer of FanDuel Group. “It has everything we look for — from the industry leading casino operation to the proud and passionate Midwest fan base. Exciting things are happening in Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited about this move to the Motor City.”

FanDuel will administer all core services affecting betting for the Sportsbook. As such, guests can place bets on a number of games, including the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. Operating in absolute compliance with all gaming and sports league rules and regulations, MotorCity Casino revenue is explicitly not tied to the outcome of any particular baseball or hockey game.

‍

Reflecting its commitment to keeping Detroiters connected, informed and engaged, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. has promoted Jamie Langdon to Vice President, Corporate Communications, from her previously held role as Director of Communications.

A Michigan native born and raised in metro Detroit, Langdon brings nearly 20 years of marketing, branding and communication experience — both internal and external — to the team.

“Since joining the organization in October 2019, Jamie has quickly adapted to the team and showcased her leadership skills, efficiently working to identify key focus areas for our communication initiatives, including the launch of our News Hub,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings. “She has played an integral role in ensuring our organization provides appropriate updates on our activities across our businesses, and we’re looking forward to her taking on a larger role in communicating our company vision.”

In her new leadership role, Langdon will oversee the development and execution of strategic communications across the Ilitch Companies. She will direct media relations, creative editorial content creation and internal communications for the organization. She will also serve as professional counsel to leadership across all companies for corporate communications and community relations. Langdon’s background in the entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries made her a natural fit for the array of businesses within the Ilitch Holdings organization.

Before joining Ilitch Holdings, she served in a director-level communications role with The Walt Disney Company, where she led a team that developed global communications strategies. Before Disney, Langdon held leadership positions with Caesars Entertainment, Zeno Group for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Darden Restaurant Group.

‍

Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull said he felt called to help. He’d heard about Kingdom Home, the nonprofit organization fellow pitcher Matthew Boyd and his wife, Ashley, launched in 2018 to help end human trafficking in Uganda through prevention. He approached Boyd about going with them halfway around the world to help children in need.

“I just remember feeling like I really wanted to go to Uganda,” said Turnbull. “To say that it was life-changing or perspective-shifting just doesn’t really cover it.”

Watch Matthew Boyd and Turnbull reflect on their experiences in Uganda in the video below.

To date, Kingdom Home has raised $250,000 to house 146 at-risk Ugandan children in four private homes. Soon, Kingdom Home will build additional homes and will maintain two wells and a hydroponic farm to help local families.

The Detroit News honored Matthew and Ashley Boyd for their activism by naming them among the 41^st Class of its “Michiganians of the Year” series.  

“We’re just answering the call. The true heroes are the house mothers and house parents, mothers and fathers in Uganda who are with the children every single day and working hard,” said Matthew Boyd, who was named “Tiger of the Year” in November. “They’re pouring into these children and investing their whole lives for them to be future leaders.”

The Boyds are not the only Tigers family to earn the prestigious honor. The Detroit News previously extended the “Michiganian of the Year” award to Al Kaline, Alan Trammell and Ernie Harwell.

For more information on Kingdom Home, visit KingdomHome.org.

‍

The District Detroit offers world-class live entertainment year-round. Little Caesars Arena specifically hosts hockey, basketball and concerts — sometimes all in the same weekend. But have you ever wondered how an ice rink becomes a basketball court overnight?

We followed Little Caesars Arena facility manager Jared Bodary and his conversion crew for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into transforming Little Caesars Arena, one of the world’s best and busiest venues, from ice to court.

Peek behind the curtain in the video below.

‍

The sport of hockey can greatly impact the lives of kids, especially the girls who take up the sport at a young age. The Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, one of the nation’s premier amateur hockey organizations, provides opportunities for young players to advance their athletic careers. Each year, high school students around the country sign a binding National Letter of Intent to play collegiate sports for the school of their choice.

For signatories from the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club’s Girls team, there’s another layer of significance: some of them grew up watching their big brothers on the ice, wondering when their opportunity to play hockey would come.

Due to their hard work, dedication to the sport and the help of the coaches and staff of the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, these athletes will have the opportunity to attend college and play the game they love.

Celebrate the momentous occasion with them in the video below.

‍

Team sports like baseball can play a key role in the development of kids. That’s why the Detroit Tigers, with the help of the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, and USA Baseball, introduced the Fun At Bat program to elementary schools throughout the Detroit Public School Community District.

Fun At Bat is a free curriculum available for schools and school districts nationwide that emphasizes character development, functional movement, active play and fun. The initiative aims to provide children with a fun and active experience while reinforcing principles such as teamwork, honesty and responsibility, and to create an environment that produces both healthier and more well-rounded kids.

Watch as Detroit Tigers players and coaches teach baseball, as well as important life lessons, in the video below.

‍

The Detroit Red Wings Foundation is committed to creating positive change across Michigan through community involvement and the growth of hockey. Last season, the Red Wings organization proudly represented more than $2 million in combined community support.

Fans and supporters throughout the region helped further the foundation’s cause by attending this year’s Toast of Hockeytown. The annual event was reimagined for its 20^th anniversary around a 1920’s theme, bringing the fun-loving spirit of the Jazz Age to the award-winning Little Caesars Arena.

The main event, which took place atop the covered ice, featured remarks from Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman, and Christopher Ilitch, President & CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Governor, Detroit Red Wings.

As the foundation’s signature event, Toast of Hockeytown allows Detroit Red Wings fans, coaches and players — past and present — to mingle while enjoying great music, food from dozens of Detroit-based vendors and craft cocktails. Fans were granted unparalleled access to Little Caesars Arena and Detroit Red Wings personnel, including a three-hour meet-and-greet featuring Yzerman himself. Proceeds from ticket sales support the Detroit Red Wings Foundation.

Travel back in time through this charitable event in the photos below.

‍

Progress continues at 110 Sproat St., where Olympia Development is redeveloping the nearly 100-year-old former Eddystone Hotel building. The project will bring 92 new residential units and ground-floor retail space to a high-demand area near Little Caesars Arena.

For a peek inside the redevelopment of this historic site, check out the video below.

‍

Tigers fans rejoice: Opening Day and the 2020 season is just around the corner. In anticipation of the upcoming season, we sent a crew down to Tigertown in Lakeland, Fla.

The players and coaches cut loose to playfully pose for the fun and fan-centered “motion headshots” featured on scoreboards throughout the season. And our video crew captured it all.

Catch the exclusive video here:

‍