Michigan Online Gambling – Complete Guide for Legal MI Apps and Sites
The Michigan online gambling piece is now fully part of the online gambling USA puzzle and things are getting very exciting for visitors and residents of the Wolverine State. With 23 tribal casinos and three commercial casinos in Detroit, the state of Michigan has always been a booking gambling market. But on January 22, 2021, online casinos, online poker, and online sports betting finally became legal.
In order to get a licence, MI online gambling casinos and sportsbooks need to partner with one of the three commercial casinos or 23 tribal casinos in the state. This state is already showing huge potential in becoming a US market leader and thousands of residents of the Great Lake state are already involved.
Knowing where to start when there’s such an array of Michigan online gambling sites can be confusing, especially in a state that’s new to online wagering and casinos. Luckily for you, How To Bet has got you covered. You’ll find all you need to know on this page, from the legalities of online gambing in Michigan to the options currently available for making real money online.
Online gambling became legal in Michigan after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bill HB 4311 - the Lawful Internet Gaming Act - into law in December 2019. This put the Wolverine State in the position of a serious contender for being a market-leading industry. The law passed makes all forms of Michigan online gambling legal in the Great Lake State. It includes online casinos and sportsbooks, which both launched on January 22, and online poker sites which debuted on January 29. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are also legal and regulated in the state.
All Michigan online gambling sites are regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) which is responsible for licensing. To be awarded a license, the online operator must be partnered with one of the land-based casinos in the state and pay an application fee of $50,000 to $100,000.
Online gambling in Michigan isn’t open to everyone. To legally play, you have to be at least 21 years old. Also, you must be located within state borders. The rules for online gambling in Michigan differ slightly from land-based gambling, where people aged 18 can participate in gaming at tribal establishments, horse race betting, and charitable gambling.
Michigan Online Gambling Revenue
In March 2022, online gaming gross receipts were a Michigan record $131.67 million, surpassing the previous total gross receipts record of $122.8 million set in February. Gross sports betting receipts totaled $30.48 million.
Combined total online gaming and internet sports adjusted gross receipts were $133.24 million, including $118.58 million from online casino gaming and $14.66 million from online sports betting. Monthly online gaming adjusted gross receipts were 7.3% higher than in February, and online sports betting adjusted gross receipts increased by $18.6 million compared with February.
Compared with March 2021, online gaming adjusted gross receipts rose 33.7%, and online sports betting adjusted gross sports betting receipts fell 22.8%.
The operators submitted $24.7 million in taxes and payments to the State of Michigan during March including:
Online gaming taxes and fees: $23.9 million
Online sports betting taxes and fees: $805,334
Complete List of Legal Michigan Online Gambling Sites and Apps
Residents and visitors looking for online gambling in Michigan can now enjoy their favorite gambling experience at one of the many online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms that are now legal. All Michigan online gambling apps and sites in the state must partner with a land-based casino in order to be legal.
Legal Online Casinos in Michigan
In the Great Lake State, it’s legal to play at licensed and regulated online casinos. However, you must be over 21 to play and located within state borders if you want to place a wager.
Michigan legalized online casinos in December 2019, and the Gaming Control Board spent the next year devising the rules and deciding how the industry would be structured. After a long wait, a launch date of January 22, 2021 was given and 8 online casinos made their debut on opening day. Two more have since joined and more are expected.
There are also a plethora of live and legal Michigan sportsbooks and online betting sites. The industry might be in its early days, but there are currently 12 online sportsbooks operating in the Great Lake State.
There’s plenty of live poker rooms and dozens of tournaments scheduled every month, but as far as online poker goes, PokerStars was the first online poker room to launch in the regulated market of Michigan last January. However, it didn’t get to enjoy a monopoly for too long because BetMGM claimed a piece of the pie just eight weeks later. WSOP Online joined the online Michigan poker scene in March 2022.
Which Operators are Best for Each Type of Online Gambling in Michigan
Now it’s time for us to turn our attention to How To Bet’s selection of the best online casino, sports betting, and poker sites and apps in the Wolverine State. All of the mentioned operators passed the tests we’ve put them through with flying colors. Aspects we looked closely at include sign up bonuses, user experience, and safety. Without further ado, let’s start with Michigan’s best online casino gambling websites and apps.
The Best Online Casino Gambling Websites and Apps in Michigan
The Wolverine State gives casino players a great selection of Michigan online casino operators to choose from. We’ve picked out the five most popular to focus on in more detail. If you’d like to know more about the other online casino gambling options, How To Bet has a range of online reviews available for you to read.
Golden Nugget Casino MI
Golden Nugget Casino takes its place in the Michigan market very seriously. We know this because of its strong media campaign and impressive selection of casino games. Options include almost 400 slots and table games. Golden Nugget was also right on board for the full launch of live dealer online casino games.
Caesars has recently been expanding its online casino arsenal and it now features more than 130 different games. Its biggest expansion was in the slots section and players now have over 100 to choose from.
As well as fan favorites such as Divine Fortune and Wheel of Fortune, there’s also a variety of penny slots and old-school reels for players to choose from.
If table games are more your thing, there are more than a dozen available. These include multiple blackjack options, baccarat, roulette, casino hold’em and 3-card stud. In addition, live dealer blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are also available along with multiple video poker options.
This operator has a smaller number of games but with a total of 180 games to choose from, FanDuel Casino customers obviously find plenty to choose from. Games include a single-deck version of blackjack and four varieties of Evolution’s first-person series, including a version of war called Dragon Tiger.
FanDuel also has a selection of progressive online slot machine titles including 88 Fortunes, Divine Fortune, Wild Fury, and Candy Bars.
This one-time daily fantasy sports brand has quickly upped its casino game. In Michigan, DraftKings offers more than 360 games. There are 60+ varieties of table games, with multiple variations of online blackjack.
Online slots include progressives Divine Fortune and Mercy of Gods as part of nearly 200 titles.
BetMGM has a lot to offer casino game lovers in Michigan. As well as a handful of exclusive jackpot slot titles, its massive library also contains more than 400 other slot titles. Promotions are frequent and when you opt into the casino promotions, you generally get 14 days to fulfill wagering requirements.
As for table games, BetMGM has seven Evolution first-person games, including Lightning Roulette, which is one of nearly 10 roulette offerings. There’s also a full suite of live dealer games. BetMGM also offers more than 50 table games, including casino floor favorite blackjack varieties Blazing 7s Blackjack and Zappit Blackjack.
The Best Michigan Online Sports Gambling Websites and Apps
Michigan wasn’t among the first US states to legalize sports betting, but it’s now fully legal and operational for sports fans across the state.
We’ve picked out the five most popular Michigan online sports gambling sites and apps to focus on in more detail. If you’d like to know more about the other Michigan online sports betting operators, How To Bet has a range of online reviews available for you to read.
FanDuel Sportsbook MI
FanDuel is known for steering online sports gambling fans to multi-bet parlays and most of its promotions revolve around them. While parlays are good for the house, players can also experience the excitement that comes with a selection of winners coming together. FanDuel was the forerunner of the Same Game Parlay, which many other operators have now copied.
FanDuel’s app brings a lot to Michigan including branded boosts with media partners and instantly updated live betting odds. They were also among the first to introduce cash-outs, that allow players to take a partial-profit payment on a good bet before it closes.
DraftKings Sportsbook has a very user-friendly app and desktop interface. It also delivers a regular stream of great promotions such as odds boats, opportunities to earn free bets, and other innovative surprises. It also has a deal with MLB to livestream baseball games on its app which is boosting the microbetting market.
The odds are OK compared with many of the other industry leaders, and DraftKings is often an early mover to post markets on sports that are newly approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The live in-game options are just as good as any others, and the app functions quickly enough to make the most of every wagering opportunity.
Caesars was one of the later brands to land in the Wolverine State, but it’s already put itself among the leaders. Following on from its William Hill buyout, Caesars delivers an outstanding user experience. Almost every day, there’s a promotion worth considering, along with plenty of free bets.
Caesars book consistently gives the most player-friendly odds you can find and an expansive list of constant odds boosts is also worth including a visit in your sports betting routine.
While there might not be a heap of bells and whistles, Caesars Sportsbook is a great betting product for those who want to bet on games with good odds.
It calls itself the King of Sportsbooks and in Michigan has capitalized on its reputation of delivering a fine sports betting product. This sportsbook is very solid and offers everything you might need including lots of markets, adequate odds, live betting, strong daily “Lions Boosts” and straightforward promotions.
For example, the Money Monday Club gives you a free $10 bet if you’ve wagered $50 over the previous week.
The BetRivers platform delivers solid promotions, an attractive interface, a wide variety of boosts and bets. One feature that really makes this sportsbook stand out is the 1x playthrough for sportsbook and online casino bonus money that is far better than the industry standard.
When it first hit the Wolverine State, only Android users were able to get in on the sports betting act, but an iOS app has now launched so everyone can be included.
The Best Online Poker Websites and Apps in Michigan
The online poker Michigan scene is live and legal and there’s lots of playing options to choose from. Online poker tournaments, spin and gos, and no-limit hold-em cash games are just some of what’s available in the state.
WSOP Poker MI
The World Series of Poker is one of the most recognizable poker brands and it launched in Michigan in March, 2022. The main draw for poker players in Michigan are big-time tournaments, whether it’s during the week, in daily qualifiers for the WSOP Main Event or the WSOP Online Circuit. The weekly $100 buy-in, $50K guarantee tournament is the biggest Sunday tournament in the state.
Bet MGM Poker launched in Michigan in March 2021. Traffic was a little slow to start with, but while it might still trail behind PokerStars, it has gained some ground. Poker lovers can expect the occasional monthly tournament series, the BetMGM Online Series, which attracts decent-sized fields for certain events.
Because of the low traffic, BetMGM Poker in Michigan is not so attractive an option for cash games, but it does have frequent and varied tournament offerings. There are some popular events with guaranteed prize pools that are worth adding to your weekly schedules.
PokerStars partnered with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to launch the first online poker room in Michigan in late January 2021. Almost straight away, the MI site became PokerStars' most-trafficked US site. Big fields were drawn in by tournaments such as PokerStars famous COOP series with its huge prize pools.
One of the reasons for PokerStars' success is its state-of-the-art PokerStars client software. The decades of experience mean it delivers the smoothest and most reliable online poker experience in the world.
When it comes to the variety of casino games in the Wolverine State, you’ll be pleased to learn that all MI online casinos have a well-stocked library of slots and games.
The games on offer will typically include:
Slots:These tend to be the most popular online games as well as topping the charts at land-based casinos. There is typically a massive variety and the chance to win big payouts on small bets. Many of the online casino slots can be found in land-based casinos, but there’s also a massive selection of online exclusives. Progressive jackpots that feature in some of these games can reach six figures as well.
Blackjack: This is the most popular table game because it’s simple to play and offers some of the best odds at a casino. Some blackjack variations have payback rates as high as 99.60%. If you want to increase your chance of a win don’t worry about using a blackjack strategy card. It’s not a strategy that’s frowned upon when you play online.
Roulette: Roulette is another super easy game to play and you have the option of choosing good odds and low payouts or bad odds and high payouts. It’s also quite a thrilling game to participate in and watch. Payouts range from double or nothing (black/red, odd/even, etc) to 35 to 1 for a single number bet.
Other table games: Other table games you’ll commonly find online include casino poker, craps, and baccarat.
Video poker: You’ll find a much wider variety of video poker games online than you would in any land-based casino. You’ll see the standard nine-in-one video poker game “Game King”, as well as multi-hand poker and other unique online variations.
Live dealer games: If you’re looking for a real-life alternative to the standard digital table games at online casinos, liver dealer games offer a totally immersive experience. Live dealer games feature actual dealers at physical tables. The games are live streamed to players sitting at home and bets take the form of digital chips. Live dealer games include:
Live dealer blackjack
Live dealer roulette
Auto roulette
Blackjack unlimited
Which Sports Can You Bet on Online in Michigan
Michigan boasts home clubs in all four major pro leagues:
NFL: Detroit Lions
NBA: Detroit Pistons
MLB: Detroit Tigers
NHL: Detroit Red Wings
College sports are another big attraction in Michigan. During college football and basketball seasons, the University of Michigan and Michigan State garner most of the attention. Plenty of smaller programs have loyal fan bases, as well, and there are no restrictions on betting on in-state teams.
Elsewhere, options include soccer, tennis, golf, UFC, and NASCAR, all of which generate a good deal of interest. If you’re looking to mix it up a little, many sportsbooks also offer more niche events such as table tennis and rugby.
What Poker Games Can You Play Online in Michigan
By far the most popular poker game in Michigan is No Limit Hold’em. Almost all Michigan tournaments are NLHE, although they come in many different formats including turbo, deep-stacked, and progressive knockout. On occasion, you’ll also find some pot-limit Omaha tournaments.
BetMGM Poker and WSOP only offer hold’em and Omaha. While PokerStars is the only option for players looking to play other games, including mixed-game formats. PokerStars has the following cash games available:
8-Game (H.O.R.S.E. plus 2-7 triple draw, PLO, and NLHE)
PokerStars also features a daily tournament called the “Change-Up”where the game is something other than NLHE or PLO (for example, HORSE, stud, razz, or Badugi).
Payouts and Odds at Michigan Online Gambling Sites and Apps
If you’re not sure which of your gambling options are best for you, payouts and odds provide an objective outlook on the matter.
Average payouts for real money casino games are fixed, however, those for sports will fluctuate, so keep in mind that they change regularly. Return to Player percentages provide a theoretical insight into how much real money you’ll use for and how much you can expect to get back. Sportsbooks use profit margins to determine the operator’s advantage.
In the table below, there are some examples of the most interesting markets you can bet on, as well as their average rates in Michigan.
Casino Game
Payout
Slots
83.45% – 99.67%
Roulette
88.37% – 98.68%
Blackjack
90.28% – 99.74%
Online Poker
90.33% – 99.47%
Keno
93.98% – 96.15%
Baccarat
83.07% – 98.89%
Sport
Payout
Soccer
90.53% – 93.65%
Basketball
92.01% – 93.55%
Cricket
93.34% – 94.15%
MMA
95.47% – 95.76%
Table Tennis
89.70% – 91.66%
Tennis
91.70% – 93.32%
Online Gambling in Michigan in Comparison With Other States
Michigan shares the same level of online gambling as states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Not only does it offer online sports betting, online poker, online casinos, and daily fantasy sports are also available.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are considered the first states to go all-in on wide scale online gambling expansion, but Michigan is projected as the next major US online gambling hub. Michigan could well permit betting on eSports, and we’ll keep an eye on Michigan online gambling news and let you know when that happens.
Michigan’s tax rate of 8.4% on sports betting revenue at tribal casinos ranks among the lowest in the nation. States like New Jersey and New York, with an 8.5% tax rate on land-based bets, share a similar taxation level.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board set regulations that allow players to register for online gaming accounts remotely, with no trip to a land-based casino required. This ease of entry to Michigan’s iGaming products plays a crucial role in the potentially massive Michigan market.
Benefits of Legal Michigan Online Gambling over In-Person Gambling
The Michigan online gambling experience has many benefits that can’t be ignored. One of the biggest is that you don’t need to visit a casino in person. Instead, you can gamble online wherever you are in the state and whenever you want.
Let’s compare the two options further in this table:
Michigan Online gambling
Land-based gambling MI
Access to multiple operators
Unique atmosphere
Ease of use
Excellent customer service
Exciting welcome offers
Live interaction with dealers
Doesn’t require a physical presence
You can enter various events
Mobile device access is possible
Exciting VIP perks and entertainment
How to Pick the Best Michigan Online Gambling Site or App
With so many Michigan online gambling options, deciding which one to play at can be somewhat overwhelming. Checking out the specific features and details of every site and app is also very time-consuming and often confusing.
How To Bet looks closely at each option on your behalf and only recommends the best operators so that you can enjoy an outstanding Michigan online gambling experience, whatever your game of choice. We base our selections on the following:
Security: Your security is a priority so we make sure our recommended MI online gambling sites and apps have strong security measures in place. There are some things you can do as well to further protect yourself, such as making sure your password is not generic, and being careful that the internet connection you use is not public. In addition, look for the small padlock at the top left of the browser.
Bonus offers: We like to see sites that offer a number of bonus and promo options.
Multiple game options: A broad range of gaming options makes a massive difference to your gaming experience.
Software: Great software is vital if you’re going to have a good time. All of the best online gambing MI sites and apps should have the best software.
Payment options: Operators should provide a range of secure choices for both deposits and withdrawals.
Licensing and regulation: We only ever recommend Michigan online gambling apps and sites that are licensed and regulated by a respected and trustworthy regulator.
How to Start Your Michigan Online Gambling Journey
If you’re a newbie to the Michigan online gambling scene, there are a few steps you need to take, regardless of whether you’re going to be playing online casino games, poker online, or placing sports bets online. It’s a very simple process, but it’s crucial you make the right choices every step of your MI online gambling journey.
Select a gambling product: Choose what type of gambling games you want to play. In Michigan you’re very fortunate because your options are sports betting, casino games, or poker.
Ensure the platform is secure: Check that your chosen Michigan online gambling site is safe, secure, and licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Create an account: Create an account by completing the operator's registration process.
Check for welcome bonuses: Check if the operator offers a welcome bonus to its new players and use it to your advantage.
Choose a payment method: Make a deposit using one of the operator’s safe and convenient payment methods.
Follow these five steps correctly and you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle.
Benefit from Free Bets, Promos, and Bonus Codes in Michigan
Each one of our How To Bet recommended Michigan online gambling sites offers an exciting free bet, promo, or bonus code that is sure to motivate you to sign up and gamble some more. You can regularly check our Free MI Bets and Promo Codes page for constant updates of bonuses and promotions from online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker rooms in the Wolverine State.
Of course, it’s important that you make yourself aware of the specific terms and conditions attached to each offer and bonus code so that you avoid any misunderstanding and unnecessary financial loss. The most important factors to consider when MI online gambling include wagering requirements, expiry periods, and game contributions.
Responsible Online Gambling in Michigan
When Michigan rolled out its massive selection of gambling options, it made sure there were plenty of resources for those struggling with gambling limitations.
For Michigan-specific help combating a gambling addiction, we recommend:
Calling 1-800-270-7117 for the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline.
Looking into Gambling Treatment Programs, which are funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
For national resources, the following are available:
GamblersAnonymous.org, the premier online resource for gambling addiction help that’s also available by phone at 855-222-5542 (for folks in Michigan).
Yes, you can and you don’t have to be a state resident either.
Is online gambling legal in Michigan?
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Yes, it most certainly is.
When will online gambling be legal in Michigan?
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Online gambling in Michigan has been legal since 2020. Sports betting was legalized first, followed by online casino gambling and poker.
Do I need to be in Michigan to open a gambling account?
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No, you don’t and you can log into legal online gambling sites in Michigan if you’re outside of MI borders. However, you must be physically located inside of Michigan state lines to place bets and take advantage of Michigan gambling online.
Is it safe to play at MI gambling sites?
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How To Bet only features Michigan online gambling sites and apps that are licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Who is allowed to play for real money on MI online gambling sites?
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Only those 21+ years of age who are physically inside the borders of Michigan may gamble for real money at Michigan online gambling sites. You do not need to be a resident to take advantage of Michigan gambling online and can do so even if you are just visiting. To ensure players are inside the state, operators use geolocation software to verify a players location.
Can you play the Lottery in Michigan?
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Michigan lottery online gambling is available in the Wolverine State. Michigan lottery online gambling includes instant win, draw, fast cash, pull tab, keno, and second chance games through licensed Michigan Lottery retailers and online through the Michigan iLottery website and mobile app.
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