State of Play in Michigan
Sports Betting in Michigan
Michigan entered the US iGaming sphere with a coordinated launch on January 22, 2021, launching multiple online sportsbooks and online casinos on that date.
In 2019, lawmakers were able to introduce several different bills that led to the legalization of a full suite of online gambling options. Governor Gretchen Whitmer ultimately signed the gaming expansion package, setting the stage for a launch in 2021.
It took Michigan much longer than most had hoped to legalize all of these new industries, but retail sports betting was launched in the meantime. Michigan online gambling became one of the biggest in the US in January 2021, and it continues on that path to this day.
Sportsbooks in Michigan
Q&A
- Can I Bet On College Sports In Michigan? Yes. Michigan does allow for betting on college sports, and that inclusion has allowed the state to put up some impressive sports betting numbers. The University of Michigan and the Michigan State Spartans are the two most popular teams in the state, but there are others.
- Are There Any Mobile Betting Apps In Michigan? Yes. There are more mobile apps available for all forms of iGaming that can be found in the state. This includes mobile apps for DFS, sports betting, online casinos, and online poker. Michigan does have several popular commercial casinos, but online apps lead the way.
- Is DraftKings Offering Sports Betting Apps In Michigan? Yes. DraftKings has emerged as the leading sports betting option in the state of Michigan through the first eight months. The DraftKings sports betting app is available for download on both Android and iOS devices, and DFS options can also be found as well.
- Can I Bet Using BetMGM In Michigan? Yes. BetMGM is available in the state of Michigan in multiple different formats. BetMGM offers online casino gaming as well as an online sportsbook in Michigan. The MGM Grand Detroit is one of Michigan's retail options, which allows BetMGM to operate.
Methodology
Michigan Online Betting
Michigan online betting apps launched in January 2021. The Michigan mobile sports betting launch was one of the most successful of any U.S. state, and the Michigan market continues to thrive.
Sports betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 8.4% in Michigan. Michigan became the 20th U.S. state to legalize the industry in 2019 with the passage of the Lawful Sports Betting Act.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is in charge of overseeing and regulating legal sports betting in the state. Betting on college sports was approved when the final rules and regulations were announced, including wagering on in-state college teams.
Since Michigan announced legal sports betting, several sports betting operators have formed partnerships with professional teams in the state. Some of these Michigan sports betting app partnerships include:
- Detroit Pistons: DraftKings and FanDuel
- Detroit Tigers: PointsBet
- Detroit Lions: BetMGM
- Detroit Red Wings: BetMGM
Michigan Online Sports Betting
The launch of online sportsbooks transformed the Michigan sports betting scene, becoming an extremely popular way to wager on sports. Several online operators launched sports betting on January 22, 2021, with continued growth in the Michigan market since then.
Online sports betting operators in Michigan must partner with commercial or tribal casinos in the state. More than 20 casinos operate in Michigan, yielding plenty of opportunities for online sportsbook brands to find partnerships.
DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and BetMGM Sportsbook emerged as the state’s three leading online sports betting operator brands in 2021. Of those three leaders, DraftKings is the only operator not partnered with a commercial casino.
DraftKings entered the state of Michigan through a partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community. In addition, FanDuel offers online sports betting through a partnership with MotorCity Casino, and BetMGM is the online sports betting arm of MGM Grand Detroit.
Sports bettors can sign up for online sports betting accounts in Michigan remotely, and bettors don’t even have to step foot on the casino property. This has allowed these sites to attract new customers quickly and has helped the state see massive growth.
Here is a list of the other online sports betting apps in Michigan:
Best MI Online Sportsbooks
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- FireKeepers
- Four Winds
- FOX Bet
- Golden Nugget
- Parx Sportsbook
- PointsBet
- WynnBET
Online sportsbooks can offer to bet on esports markets, making Michigan somewhat unique among U.S. states. While the state hasn’t specifically legalized this form of betting, there aren’t any laws that make this illegal.
Esports is another growing industry in the United States, and it is one that helped sportsbooks navigate through the pandemic. At this time, esports remains a small betting market in the U.S., but it does provide another option for online sports betting sites.
Best Michigan Sports Betting Sites
Top Sportsbook Picks in Michigan
Top Sportsbook Picks in Michigan
Retail Sportsbooks Available In Michigan
With 23 commercial and tribal casino properties in the state, retail sports betting is offered in several locations throughout Michigan. Not all tribal casinos have launched retail sports betting at this time, but there is a license reserved for them if they wish to do so.
Some tribal casinos partner with well-known sports betting operators for retail sports betting, such as the Bay Mills Casino/DraftKings partnership. In addition, some tribal casinos offer retail sports betting under their casino brands, like FireKeepers Sportsbook and Four Winds Sportsbook.
The three commercial casinos in the city of Detroit persist as the most popular retail sportsbooks in the state. These three sportsbooks and their locations are:
- Barstool Sportsbook: Greektown Casino
- BetMGM: MGM Grand Detroit
- FanDuel Sportsbook: MotorCity Casino
One interesting note in Michigan is that retail sports betting is not currently allowed at professional sports stadiums or arenas. The state law only allows for retail sports betting at commercial and tribal casinos, but this law could be changed in the future.
Since online sports betting launched in January 2021, retail sports betting has made up less than 10 percent of each month’s total handle. So even though more retail sportsbooks are coming to Michigan, that trend is expected to continue.
MI Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
The legality of fantasy sports sites has been a big topic of debate throughout the U.S., but this was another decision that was ultimately left up to each state. However, daily fantasy sports sites were legalized in Michigan on December 20, 2019, as this industry was linked to sports betting.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board was also given the power to regulate the DFS industry in Michigan, and it started giving out licenses in early 2020. To get a license to offer fantasy games in Michigan, operators must agree to follow certain regulations and pay a tax on the total revenue.
Fantasy sports sites in Michigan pay the same 8.4% tax rate required for sportsbooks in the state. This industry generated $1.4 million in tax revenue for the state in 2020, which is expected to be much higher in the coming years.
Since the launch of Michigan legal fantasy sports sites, DraftKings and FanDuel have accounted for over 90 percent of the market share. This shouldn’t be a major surprise as these are the top two companies in this industry throughout the U.S.
All fantasy sports action is done online or through a mobile app. Registration is not limited to residents of Michigan, but location services have to pinpoint a player to the inside of the state before a contest can be entered.
Salary Cap DFS Sites
DFS salary cap games were the original options when this industry-first format became popular nearly ten years ago. FanDuel and DraftKings were the first major sites to offer these games, and they continue to lead the way regarding this type of DFS action.
These sites offer daily, weekly, and yearly contests that require customers to select a roster of players in one particular sport. These entries then compete against other entries for the right to earn a cash prize.
DraftKings and FanDuel took the hobby of fantasy sports and turned it into a form of “betting.” It has been determined that these games require skill, which is one reason they were able to launch in many states, including Michigan.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel have a mobile app available in Michigan, which can also be used to access the sportsbook. The mobile app works on Android and iOS devices, and players can sign up for a new account through their mobile phones.
If you are lucky enough to win money through one of the contests offered on the site, you will request a payment through whichever DFS site you are playing. These salary cap DFS games might be the original options, but there has been tremendous growth in this industry since FanDuel and DraftKings first launched.
Fantasy Player Prop Games In Michigan
Prop betting has become one of the most popular forms of betting in the sports betting industry, which has now made its way into fantasy sports. Fantasy player prop games combine prop betting with traditional DFS contests and tournaments.
Operators looking to break into the fantasy sports industry knowledge understand that keeping up with DraftKings and FanDuel is not possible. So instead of challenging games’ salary cap style, sites are now offering player prop games.
There is a long list of legal online fantasy player prop game sites in Michigan, which is also a list that continues to grow. With these games, players make predictions about certain prop betting options.
Signing up for one of these sites is a quick and easy process, and it can be done on a mobile device. Each site will determine which sports are featured, but that is another list that should continue to grow over the years.
Here is a list of the DFS sites in Michigan that offer some player prop games:
- Boom Fantasy
- PrizePicks
The list above is expected to grow over the coming years, but each new operator will have to receive a license from the MGCB before it can launch.
Michigan Best Ball Games
Another popular and new DFS game is known as “Best Ball,” which is a game that can be played in the state of Michigan as well. This DFS option is similar to playing fantasy football or baseball, but there is less work that must be done each week.
Best Ball is a game that can be played daily, weekly, or yearly, depending on the sport and what the player chooses. Players will still have to draft a roster, but the site automatically selects the best scoring lineup for that particular contest.
Underdog Fantasy has emerged as a leader of Best Ball games in the U.S., but that site has not yet received a license in Michigan. Sites like DraftKings and FanDuel offer the best ball games but aren’t as popular as the salary cap contests discussed above.
As more and more sites that offer the best ball games in Michigan continue to launch, creating a new account will be similar to how it works with other contests. Some apps can be downloaded to make it easy to sign up and play one of the newest forms of DFS contests.
Best Sports Betting Apps In Michigan
Top Sportsbook Picks in Michigan
Top Sportsbook Picks in Michigan
Are Legal Online Poker Sites Available In Michigan?
Of the four online gaming options in the state of Michigan, legal online poker has the most limited number of options. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a problem in Michigan, as only a handful of sites offer online poker in the U.S.
Only five states in the U.S. currently have legal online poker, and Michigan is on that short list. In addition, Michigan is the only state in the Midwest portion of the U.S. to feature this option, allowing the state to grow since launching these sites in January.
While the legalization of online poker in Michigan was tied to the gaming expansion package, lawmakers could pass another bill that would have a massive impact on the state.
Senate Bill 0991 allows for interstate poker to be offered in Michigan, but that is not currently up and running. When this form of online poker is finally offered, residents in Michigan will be able to compete with players from other states.
There are currently just two online poker sites in Michigan, but a third one is on the way. So despite the limited number of online poker options in Michigan, there is still plenty of competition.
Live online poker games are available at all times in Michigan, but the sites also offer tournaments. These tournaments have different buy-in amounts, and the initial buy-in reflects the total prize pool.
Michigan Online Poker Sites
There are just two online poker sites currently available in Michigan, but they are two of the biggest names in the industry. Unfortunately, no online-only poker licenses are available, and companies are forced to partner with a commercial or tribal casino.
The two online poker sites in Michigan are:
- BetMGM Online Poker
- PokerStars Michigan
The BetMGM online poker site is offered through the iGaming license of MGM Grand Detroit, a commercial casino. In addition, PokerStars has partnered with Odawa Casino, a tribally-owned casino, for the opportunity to provide online poker in the state.
These sites offer several online poker game options, including cash game tables and multi-table tournaments.
One thing that makes Michigan online poker sites unique is that there are currently only two options. WSOP.com, an industry leader in the U.S., is expected to launch at some point in the future.
Several casinos in Michigan still have not jumped into online poker, and it’s unclear if and when that will change.
Another unique aspect of legal online poker in Michigan is that all players must be at least 21 years of age. Some tribal casinos in Michigan allow guests to be 18 years old, but all online gambling has a minimum age of 21.
Interstate Online Poker Player Pools In Michigan
SB 0991 was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer right at the end of 2020, less than a month before the industry officially launched. So even though this bill hasn’t impacted Michigan online poker yet, it will very soon.
This will allow Michigan online poker players to join player pools with people from other states. Only those states that have legal online poker can join this agreement, and those states are:
- Delaware
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
All these states will have to reach an agreement before interstate poker is offered, which will unlock new opportunities for online poker players in Michigan. In addition, there is no specific launch date for online poker player pools with players from other states.
MI Online Casinos
Michigan online casino sites launched on the same day as online poker and online sports betting. Out of the three iGaming industries, online casino sites bring in the most revenue for the state.
Michigan law allows for 15 online casino licenses to be available, and 14 of those have already been claimed. This leaves little room for growth, but the state has capped the number of online casino sites that can launch.
While some states allow online-only operators to offer online casino gaming, that isn’t the case in Michigan. Only land-based casinos with a gaming license with the Michigan Gaming Control Board can offer online casino sites.
It was House Bill 4311 that officially legalized Michigan online casino sites when it was signed into law by Governor Whitmer. Lawmakers started to explore legalizing this industry in 2017, but it took two full years to get support.
Several Michigan operators offer online casino games and online sports betting, and only one mobile app is needed. Michigan online casino sites can also be accessed through an online site.
Eight online casino sites were ready to launch on the first day this became a legal option. Since then, six others have joined.
Online casino sites in Michigan offer a wide range of slots as well as table games. In addition, each online casino has partnered with a tech company that powers all online casino gaming options.
All three commercial casinos and the 12 federally recognized Native American tribes are allowed to offer an online casino. Even though there are 23 casinos in Michigan, some tribes offer a casino at multiple locations.
Here is a list of all of the online casino sites that are legal and live in Michigan:
List Of Michigan Online Casinos
- Barstool Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- Caesars Casino
- DraftKings Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- FireKeepers Casino
- Four Winds Casino
- Golden Nugget Casino
- Play Gun Lake Casino
- PointsBet Casino
- Stars Casino
- TwinSpires Casino
- WynnBET Casino
The three biggest online casino sites in Michigan are BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings. BetMGM Casino has brought in the most online casino revenue since its launch, and it’s a pretty wide gap between the other two.
Several things make Michigan online gambling sites unique, but the cap on the number of available licenses is one of them. Limiting the number of online casino sites to 15 will create a competitive market, but also one that is not saturated.
Since Michigan is currently the only state in the Midwest that offers online casinos, the state is attractive to residents of other states. In addition, remote registration is available at these online casino sites, meaning anyone can sign up from anywhere in the state.
Some Native American tribes allow 18-year-olds inside their casinos, but that isn’t allowed with this form of betting. Also, the legal gambling age for online casino sites in Michigan is 21.
Live Dealer Games In Michigan
Live dealer games have become extremely popular in the online casino industry, now an option in Michigan. The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved this form of gaming, and it first became offered this summer.
Evolution Studio was the first company to gain approval from the MGCB to supply online casino sites with live dealer games. This approval came on July 22, 2021, and at least ten online casino sites partnered with Evolution.
The live dealer experience differs entirely from what is traditionally offered at online casino sites. Many of the same table games are offered as traditional or live dealer games, but the action is much different.
With a live dealer game, the online casino site allows players to feel like they are right on the casino floor. In addition, a live stream is made available, and players compete against the dealer instead of other players.
The three most popular live dealer games that are offered in Michigan are:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Roulette
Online casino sites in Michigan can offer different variations of these games based on what is supplied to them by Evolution. In addition, most online casino sites set specific times in which live dealer games are offered.
Best Michigan Online Sportsbooks
Are Legal Online Gambling Sites In Michigan Fair?
Michigan online gambling sites are fair, but that doesn’t mean the customer will consistently be winning money at the site. All of the games and betting odds are fair, but there is still some luck and skill.
The sites will continue to be reviewed to hold an online gambling license in Michigan. Some very specific rules and regulations must be followed, or the license could ultimately be stripped.
If you ever feel that an online gambling site in Michigan is not operating fairly or breaking a regulation, you can contact the MGCB and make a complaint.
Is There A Group That Regulates Michigan Legal Online Sportsbooks?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has been tasked with regulating the online sports betting industry and other new iGaming options. The MGCB receives all of the applications from companies looking to offer a form of online gambling, and then it approves.
The MGCB was also in charge of setting the final regulations for each form of iGaming in the state. As a result, this group was able to work quickly so that all iGaming options could launch on the same date.
Why Should I Trust Legal Online Sportsbooks?
Legal online sportsbooks are the only trustworthy options in the state and should be the only sites you access. In addition, all the legal online sportsbooks hold a sports betting license, allowing them to offer sports bettings.
Offshore betting sites have been around in Michigan for decades, but these are not legal sports betting options. So it’s important for bettors to know the difference and always choose the legal options.
How Do I Get Paid If I Win?
When you win money on any of the online gambling sites in Michigan, all payments will come through that site. It doesn’t matter what iGaming option you choose; the banking process will work the same way.
Each online gambling site in Michigan will have its banking department, and withdrawal options will be listed on each. If there is a problem when trying to receive a payment, then the first step is contacting that individual online.