Rush Street Interactive (RSI) said has launched “city-specific” podcasts in Detroit and three other cities this month to promote its BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse sportsbook brands.
The Chicago-based gaming company said its CityCast podcasts are currently live in the Motor City, plus Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. RSI said it plans to launch additional podcasts in Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC, within weeks.
BetRivers Sportsbook MI is the official sponsor of the podcast series in Michigan.
RSI said the podcast series would be produced locally in each city five days a week and is available in both audio and video formats across multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, iHeart Media, Spotify and the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN). It will also be available on BetRivers’ blog.
- Good welcome offer
- Interesting promos
- iOS & Android apps
Bet With Your Head, Not Over It.
Must be 21 or over and in Michigan to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the MDHHS Gambling Disorder Help-line at 1-800-270-7117 or visit the MDHHS website.
Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI, said the podcasts will have a local focus “and offer authentic and credible breakdowns specific to each host’s home market. The hosts’ expert analysis will assist BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse bettors in making knowledgeable sports betting decisions, whether they’re experienced or brand new to the action.”
RSI added that the on-air talent at each CityCast podcast would “highlight what’s happening in their city, sharing expert tips and predictions across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college sports and special local events.”
The Detroit CityCast podcast will be hosted by Dan Leach, who also serves as a radio host for WXYT-FM, 97.1 The Ticket, a station owned by Audacy. BetRivers Sportsbook MI describes the program as one that will provide listeners with “daily analysis on betting updates and news surrounding the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, as well as Michigan, Michigan State and the entire Big Ten.”
The three most recent episodes of the podcast include:
- A Leach interview with Lions beat reporter Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, addressing whether the culture of the NFL team has changed;
- A preview of this weekend’s matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the Miami Hurricanes with Spartans beat reporter Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News; and
- Leach disclosing his “reasonable expectations” for Michigan and Michigan State football.
BetRivers Sportsbook one of the state’s smallest
Since sports betting came to the Great Lakes State in January, BetRivers Sportsbook MI has consistently been one of the state’s smallest operators in the space.
BetRivers grossed about $237k from sports betting in August, according to data from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), enough for just 1.5% of the total sports betting market. BetRivers’ best month was March, when it grossed $538k.
The brand has fared much better in online casino gaming. BetRivers Casino MI is a mid-tier operator in that vertical, grossing $7.1 million and holding a 7.4% market share in August, according to the MGCB. That makes BetRivers the fifth-largest online casino operator in the state, after BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and Golden Nugget.
In Michigan, BetRivers is partnered with the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, MI. The casino is owned and operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
