Michigan Online Poker

Online Poker in Michigan

Michigan online poker is almost here, and players are getting predictably excited about that fact.

Michigan has a relatively small commercial gambling industry, with just three commercial casinos in the state. All of these properties are located in Detroit, leaving the majority of the state without any large casino options.

The tribal casino industry is strong and thriving in Michigan, but it doesn't bring in a significant amount of revenue for the state. With that in mind, lawmakers looked to make some changes to the gambling laws in hopes of opening things up.

When lawmakers started to explore the possibility of legalizing sports betting in 2019, iGaming was also included in these talks. Online operators were campaigning lawmakers to make this a possibility as they were looking for a new state to launch in.

An expanded gambling bill was finally passed at the end of 2019. Governor Gretchen Whitmer supported the bill and signing it into law. This officially legalized online casino gambling in Michigan. However, it has taken the state over a year to get things up and running.

As of Nov. 15, 2020, online casino gambling sites have not yet launched, but the launch date is coming soon. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has already been reviewing and approving applications. As a result, several operators are set to go as soon as they have the green light.

If Michigan online poker sites aren't able to launch in 2020, they should be ready to go in early 2021.

Best Michigan Online Poker Sites

Michigan is expected to attract some of the biggest names in the online casino gambling industry. Some of these applicants have already been revealed.

There are some companies that already offer sports betting in the state. Those are expected to launch comprehensive online platforms which include both activities.

The applicants that are already known are detailed in the table below. When these sites are fully approved and ready to launch, this is where you will find full details of the bonuses and promotions offered by each.

Picking the Best Michigan Online Poker Rooms

The Michigan online poker industry is expected to be extremely competitive, especially as the industry continues to grow. This means that there will be many different online poker sites, and it could be hard for customers to determine which site is the best.

That is where we come in as we have a very reliable way of picking and listing the best Michigan online poker sites. We take a look at several key aspects and features of each online poker site and then rank them accordingly.

If you are looking for the top online poker site in a specific area, then this is where you will want to look. Here is what we are focused on with each of these categories listed below.

Players and game selection

The first thing that we will look at is the number of players and games available on each site. It's important to join a site that has a large number of players so there can be more people to play against.

The top Michigan online poker sites will also have a large collection of games available so that you plenty of choice and variety. Every poker player is unique, and enjoys different types of games.

This will likely be a category that you will really want to focus on when looking for the top Michigan poker site. You will want to choose a site that has the game or games that you are interested in playing.

Bonus offers

Next, we look at the bonus offers that are available at each of the sites. When the industry first launches, every one of the operators will almost certainly feature a bonus offer as a way to try to attract new customers.

These bonus offers usually come in two different forms; one is a no-deposit bonus, and the other is a deposit match. Some online poker sites will offer both bonuses, and those sites will almost automatically jump to the top of the list.

The sites with the best bonus offers are the ones to focus on when looking for an online poker room to play at. If you don't see a bonus offer listed for a site, then you can assume that there isn't one available.

Safety

All of the sites that we review will be licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This makes them both safe and legal. Some sites will add in an additional layer of safety and security, and those sites are particularly worthy of note.

You always want to pick a secure site so that you can play with confidence. We will rank all of the sites based on their safety and security right here in this section.

Software

Software might not matter much on the surface to most online poker players, but this is an important consideration. There are several different online poker software providers, and some of the best companies will be providing services in Michigan.

If you don't understand what to look for when it comes to software, don't worry. We've got your back and we'll point out the most important features from each site.

Mobile Experience

Finally, most of these online poker sites will have a mobile app available, but their quality and functionality may vary. Some of the top operators will have highly-rated mobile apps, while others will fall short in this category.

We will look most favorably on those online poker sites that launch a mobile app which offers the same general experience as the main site. Most online poker play will be done through a mobile app, so this is an important aspect to evaluate.

Land-Based vs. Online Poker

Online poker and land-based poker are essentially the same game. If you know how to play poker in one format then you know how to play in the other. However, there are some key differences in the experience of playing. The most notable ones are as follows:

Pace of Play

One of the biggest differences between online poker and land-based poker is the pace of play. Most online poker sites will set a timer for each move, and that forces players to act more promptly. Online poker is therefore much faster than the offline game. A faster pace is neither a good nor a bad thing, but it is something that you will definitely notice.

More Tables

Another variation you will notice is in the number of tables that an online poker site is able to offer. Land-based casinos are restricted in the number of poker tables they can have, but that isn't the case online.

If more poker players join an online poker site, the operator can simply open up new tables. For that reason, you'll be able to start playing quite quickly even during the busiest periods.

Easy to Switch Tables

Last, but not least, you may be surprised at how easy to switch tables when playing online. You can leave a table at any time, and you won't have to worry about cashing out or waiting for a new spot to open up. If your luck seems to be running out at one table, or the opponents are too fierce, you can simply move elsewhere.

Playing Online Poker in Michigan

The official list of Michigan online poker sites is not yet available, but there is expected to be close to a dozen operators set to offer online casino gambling. Some of these sites will offer both online sports betting and online poker, while others will strictly focus on one or the other.

Once sites officially open up for business in Michigan, then this section will include all of the legal and regulated online poker sites available.

Poker Games available in Michigan

Here is a list of some of the games that you will likely see when Michigan online poker rooms go live:

• 7-Card Stud
• Limit Hold' Em
• Multi-Table Tournaments
• No-Limit Hold' Em
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• Pot-Limit Omaha
• Sit & Go's

Signing Up with a Michigan Online Poker Room

When online poker sites do officially launch in Michigan, the sign-up process will be relatively simple and easy. The entire process should take less than ten minutes to complete, and it can be done on a mobile app or desktop.

Online poker sites will require some basic information that will be used to verify your identity. This will include your name, date of birth, physical address, and the last four digits of your social security number. Many sites will also ask for your phone number and email address.

After your identity has been verified, you will be asked to create a username and password. This information will be needed each time that you want to log in to your new account.

Be sure to create a username that is memorable and choose a password that you don't use anywhere else. This information should not be shared with anyone.

That done, you will be ready to log in and begin playing online poker.

Banking Options

Each online poker room will have its own banking options, but there will be plenty of options that are common to most venues. As long as you only play at properly regulated sites, all of the payment options detailed below are safe and secure.

Deposits

Deposit methods vary, but most will process your request within minutes so that you can start playing without delay. Others will take a little longer, so opt for an electronic method if at all possible.

Some of the most common deposit methods that you will see at online poker sites in Michigan are:

• Credit/Debit Card
• Online Bank Transfer
• PayPal
• Skrill
• Neteller
• ACH/E-check
• Cash at Casino Cage

Withdrawals

You won't see as many withdrawal options at online poker sites in Michigan, but there are still several methods offered. As with deposits, withdrawing money from regulated sites is safe and secure.

Most withdrawal methods will require a minimum amount to be withdrawn. Some will also take longer than others to complete. However, most of them are hassle-free ways of withdrawing your winnings.

Some of the most common withdrawal methods you will see are:

• Online Bank transfer
• PayPal
• ACH/E-check
• Check by mail
• Cash at Casino Cage

How to Claim a Michigan Online Poker Bonus

As mentioned earlier in this article, online poker rooms offer bonuses and promotions as a way to attract new customers. Claiming an online poker bonus is relatively simple.

The first step is to identify the online poker bonus that you want to take advantage of. Note that you can play at several different sites and claim several different bonuses as a result.

Next, sign up for an account, as previously described. You will then be taken to a page where you can make your first deposit.

Some sites will simply automatically offer a bonus to every new account, while others will require a code. If the latter applies, this is where you will need to enter the bonus or promo code provided.

After entering that code and making the deposit, you will be all set to begin playing at the online poker site, and the bonus code will be activated. Make sure that you follow all of the requirements of that bonus to ensure that it is paid out to you.

Michigan Mobile Poker

When online poker sites launch in the state of Michigan, mobile apps will also be available for almost all of the providers. These apps will be available for download on both Android and iOS devices and should therefore be available in the App store or Google Play store.

When you have installed the required app you will be able to play poker on your mobile just as easily as you can play on your desktop.