Michigan Online Gambling

Michigan may not have been one of the pioneering states for online gambling like New Jersey of Nevada, but today it is one of the biggest states in terms of revenue and it offers the most comprehensive access to online casino games, sports betting, poker, and fantasy sports.

The law that regulates online gambling within the state, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, came into effect in late 2019. It took another year for the first sites to finally launch. However, it was well worth the wait, as Michigan is now home to some of the finest online gambling apps and sites in the US.

All online gambling in the Wolverine State is done through live casino venues, who are the only ones that can apply for online gambling licenses. There are three commercial casinos in the state, along with more than 20 tribal casinos owned by the 12 federally recognized Native American tribes that exist in Michigan. Between them, the casinos have launched dozens of online gambling options that are available to Michiganders today.

On this page, you will find a guide to all things you need to know about legal online gambling in Michigan. We have covered all the best online gambling options you can enjoy, the games you will have access to, and a plethora of other relevant topics. Keep reading and fully familiarize yourself with regulated online gambling in the state of Michigan.

Type of Legal Online Gambling Available in Michigan

Michigan is one of the few states that currently allow and regulate all forms of online gambling. This includes fantasy sports, sports betting, online casinos, and online poker, providing plenty of variety for local players.

Legal Online Casinos

Online gambling in Michigan was legalized by one single bill, the House Bill 4311 (Lawful Internet Gaming Act) which was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019, which allowed for the operation of online casinos along with other forms of online gambling.

Each of the state’s three commercial and 25 tribal casinos was offered a chance to apply for an online casino license, but currently only 15 online casino sites are in operation. These can be accessed from desktop computers and mobile devices alike.

Michigan online casinos provide access to a full plethora of casino games, including premium slots from leading software developers, virtual and live casino games by the likes of Evolution Gaming and NetEnt, video poker machines, and much more.

At legal online casinos in Michigan, you can also claim some of the most favorable and lucrative bonuses and promotions around. This makes the overall experience extremely enjoyable and gives every player a fair chance at winning through a range of RNG-based casino games.

Legal Online Sports Betting

Michigan is definitely a state with a massive base of sports fans, which is why legalizing sports betting there was a massively popular move. Today, sports fans can enjoy both retail sports betting at Michigan casinos and online sports betting through some of the leading online betting platforms around, all of which are partnered with the live casinos.

Legal Michigan sports betting sites offer a huge selection of wagering options, starting with major US sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and NHL, but also including international sports competitions, college sports, and more. Sports fans in all parts of the state can enjoy betting on sports events pre-match and live in a safe and regulated environment for the first time in history.

The three commercial casinos in Michigan have partnered with:

• Barstool Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook

Meanwhile, the state’s tribal casinos have partnered with the following 12 operators:

• betPARX Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FireKeepers Sportsbook
• Four Winds Sportsbook
• FOX Bet Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• PlayEagle Sportsbook
• PointsBet Sportsbook (* future Fanatics Sportsbook)
• SI Sportsbook
• WynnBET Sportsbook

Legal Online Poker

Online poker has been long coming in the US, and the long period without legal poker sites has been a massive hit for poker fans across the country. Michigan is now one of the few states that allow for legal online poker sites within their borders, which has brought in some of the world’s leading online poker operators, namely:

• BetMGM Poker MI
• PokerStars MI
• WSOP MI

Today, major online poker tournaments, regular cash games, and other forms of online poker are available to Michiganders around the clock. Unfortunately, interstate online poker is not yet possible, but with some extra legislation Michigan players should be able to play with those from other states, which will likely lead to a new online poker boom.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports is the one form of online wagering that is legal in nearly all parts of the country, so it comes as no surprise that DFS is also legal and fully available in Michigan. Plenty of DFS options are available, including major operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, which provide hundreds of DFS competitions every single month, across all sports.

Why Choose Legal Michigan Online Gambling Sites?

Today, Michiganders have access to dozens of online casinos, sports betting sites, and poker rooms, all with proper licenses issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). On the other hand, a massive selection of illegal offshore sites is also available, but playing at such sites is not recommended by any stretch of imagination.

The MGCB is the state’s regulatory bodies for all online gambling activities. As such, the Board is tasked with testing and vetting all the sites before they are launched, and regularly audit them to ensure that they are operating in full compliance with the Michigan law.

Playing at regulated Michigan online casinos and sportsbooks means that you are playing in a safe environment where you can be sure things are being run legally and smoothly. Regulated sites are obligated to use the latest and most-advanced security protocols and measures, run all games 100% randomly and protect player information and balances at all costs.

If you happen to have a dispute with a regulated site in Michigan, there is plenty of recourse for you. You can file a complaint with the MGCB or even sue the operator in case you are damaged in any way, as they are operating from within the state and within the law. Playing at offshore sites takes away all these options.

Finally, regulated Michigan online gambling operators are dedicated to responsible gambling practices and they pay taxes, which help various socially beneficial programs and funds. Problem gamblers are allowed to self-exclude or limit their deposits and bets, all of which is impossible with offshore sites who answer to no one.

How to Know if a Michigan Online Gambling Site is Legal, Regulated, and Safe

You will definitely want to play only on legal and regulated Michigan online gambling sites. If you want to know you are in safe hands, here are the things you should be looking out for:

• The MGCB Seal: Only online gambling operators with a Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) seal are legally allowed to offer services in Michigan. You should look at the site’s footer for this seal or check on the Board’s site if an operator actually has the appropriate seal. Making sure you are playing with a licensed gambling site is the first step in ensuring your safety.
• US-Based Operation: The real advantage of regulated and licensed online gambling sites is that they are run by American companies. This means that any dispute that happens with the operator can be addressed and you can file a complaint with the MGCB which will be taken seriously and properly taken care of by the authorities.
• Michigan Casinos as Partners: The only way to acquire a MGCB license is for an operator to partner with one of the Michigan-based live casino venues. This means that your online play will be as good as playing in a real casino within the state, with the casinos standing behind the online gambling platforms both with their reputation and their bankroll.
• Big Name Companies: The best way to make sure you are playing at a safe place and that you will get paid when you win is to play with big name casinos and sportsbooks. International gambling companies partnered with Michigan casinos will make you feel very safe in every way imaginable.
• VIP Schemes: Leading Michigan online gambling operators run valuable VIP schemes and loyalty programs that award the most loyal players. While some offshore casinos also have VIP schemes, the ones offered by regulated casinos and bookies are better structured and give back more to players who keep their action in one place.
• Customer Service: The one thing that you can always expect from a regulated Michigan gambling site is that you will always be able to reach them. A licensed site is obligated to give players ways to reach the, with telephone lines, live chat channels, and email addresses all available.

Important Information When Choosing an Online Gambling Site in Michigan

The selection of online gambling sites in Michigan is fairly wide, with the state being one of the most liberal when it comes to all forms of online gambling. This means that players who are looking to play can choose from a selection of regulated sites, making it the players’ choice which one to choose. For that reason, it is worth considering several key aspects related to value and usability of each operator out there.

Michigan Online Gambling Welcome Bonuses

The welcome bonuses that Michigan online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites offer are one of the things that give the most value to choosing a particular site. Each operator has something to give to new players, but the sites with the most generous welcome bonuses are usually the best to play with, simply because they give more value than the others.

Making a deposit with a site that provides a good welcome bonus means playing with more money, which inevitably gives you a better chance to win. If you are looking for value above all other things, you should certainly consider which Michigan based gambling sites offer the best welcome bonuses and stick to those sites whenever possible.

Gambling Promotions in Michigan

Welcome bonuses are only good for new players who are only just joining a new gambling site, but players who prefer to play with one operator have to look to other promotions for extra value. Fortunately, the top Michigan online gambling sites have plenty of promotions running around the clock, made specifically for players who enjoy playing with them and don’t want to switch casinos.

Gambling promotions make all gameplay more valuable by adding various incentives to play. Whether we are talking about free bets, extra spins, or reload bonuses, these promotions can be the deciding factor between playing with an operator or switching to a different one in search of a new welcome bonus.

Michigan Customer Loyalty Programs

Similar to promotions, loyalty programs make playing on top Michigan gambling sites very lucrative, as they give extra value to those players who are dedicated to a particular operator. By playing as much as you can on one site, you will reach higher and higher VIP status, eventually leading to more rewards from the customer loyalty program.

Loyalty programs and VIP schemes are usually designed in ways that cater most to the high-stakes VIP players who love to make big best and don’t shy away from playing many hours at the high-limit tables. If you fall into this category, you will be getting more value from the VIP program than any other promotional offer, and you should look at the loyalty schemes more closely than anything else.

Mobile Gambling in Michigan

Mobile devices are the dominant way of accessing online gambling in the US and Michigan alike, with every operator in the state offering their product to mobile users. If you prefer gambling on the go as well, you should look at the mobile gambling options that the operators provide.

You will find that all sites offer either instant-play platforms to play on or downloadable apps that you can install on your phone and access quickly and safely. Mobile casinos and sportsbooks in Michigan offer the full scope of the operators’ services, which makes playing on mobile devices very convenient.

Game Selection and Navigation

The final factor you will want to look at before you choose which legal Michigan online gambling site you want to play on is the usability of the platform itself. This includes the way you navigate through the site, the options that are made available, and the overall game selection.

When it comes to usability and navigation, it is worth noting that all Michigan gambling sites are powered by world’s leading iGaming platforms, making them smooth, sleek, and easy to use. Still, each player has their preference, and we suggest testing out a few platforms before you choose which one you truly prefer.

Game selection is yet another important factor, especially for online casino players. The regulated Michigan online casinos offer hundreds of casino games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. Looking over the portfolio of available games will give you a good idea if a particular casino site is the perfect match for your personal preferences.

Michigan Gaming Regulator Information

Playing at licensed Michigan online gambling sites is the better choice for a number of reasons we mentioned on this page. However, you may still be wondering where these licenses come from and what exactly they mean?!

All online gambling licenses in the state of Michigan are issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), the state’s gaming regulator. The Board may issue a gaming license to any operator who signs up for one, but the state law indicates that every such operator must be partnered with one of the live casinos operating in the Wolverine State.

All operators licensed by the MGCB are given the license seal, which they can display on their site. You can normally find these seals in the footer section of gambling sites, and it indicates that the site is safe to play at and operating completely within the law.

Your biggest advantage in playing at a licensed Michigan online casino or sportsbook is the fact you will be able to file a complaint with the MGCB should anything go wrong. If you have any problem with your licensed operator, you can file a complaint right here:

Patron Complaint Form

If you would prefer to file a complaint in person, the head office of the Michigan Gaming Control Board can be found at 3062 West Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700, Detroit, MI 48202-6062.

History of Michigan Online Gambling Legislation

The first mentions of online gambling in Michigan came back in 2016, when the first online gambling bill was proposed by Senator Mike Kowall. This bill proposed that Michigan casinos be allowed to offer online sports betting and pay a licensing fee of $5 million each. This initial bill did not pass the Senate, and online gambling would have to wait.

New bills appeared on the House floor in 2017, including the one from Rep. Brendt Iden, which was supported by major Detroit casinos but not by the tribal communities. In 2018, a version of the bill finally got the necessary support from the House and the Senate, but was eventually vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the surprise of many.

In late 2019, the new versions of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act (HB 4311) and the Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916) passed both the House and the Senate, and were finally signed into power by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer just before Christmas.

Today, the two bills regulate operations of online casino sites, poker sites, and sportsbooks, with each of the commercial and tribal casinos in the state allowed to operate on skin for each type of online gambling.

Responsible Gambling Resources in Michigan

It is a well-known fact that gambling can become an addiction and a problem for some of those who partake in it, which is why responsible gambling practices and problem gambling suppression are so important. Regulatory bodies such as the MGCB are in charge of making sure that all operators in Michigan put responsible gambling at the top of their priorities list.

In the state of Michigan, there is a number of mechanisms that players can use to get help if they have problem controlling their gambling habits, including a complete ban from online gambling by placing oneself on the self-exclusion list, as well as setting up deposit limits, and more.

Both the MGCB and the individual online gambling regulators in Michigan have mechanisms of their own dedicated to the promotion of responsible gambling. Should you find yourself experiencing trouble controlling your gambling habits, the one helpline that is very likely to help can be reached at:

1-800-270-7117 — Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline

Aside from this helpline, you may also seek help from other organizations dedicated to prevention of problem gambling, such as:

Gambler’s Anonymous
International Service Office
1-626-960-3500
www.gamblersanonymous.org

National Council on Problem Gambling
1-800-522-4700
www.ncpgambling.org

Gam-Anon
International Service Office
1-718-352-1671
www.gam-anon.org

Land Based Gambling Available in Michigan:

Commercial Casinos:

• Hollywood Casino at Greektown: 1211 Chrysler Drive, Detroit 48226
• MGM Grand Detroit: 1777 3rd Ave, Detroit 48226
• MotorCity Casino Hotel: 2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit 48201

Tribal Casinos:

• Bay Mills Resort & Casino: 11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley 49715
• FireKeepers Casino Hotel: 11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek 49014
• Four Winds Dowagiac Casino: 58700 M-51, Dowagiac 49047
• Four Winds Hartford Casino: 68600 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford 49057
• Four Winds New Buffalo Casino: 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo 49117
• Gun Lake Casino: 1123 129th Ave, Wayland 49348
• Island Resort & Casino: W 399 US-2, Harris 49845
• Kewadin Casino Christmas: N7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas 49862
• Kewadin Casino Hotel Sault Ste. Marie: 2186 Shunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie 49783
• Kewadin Casino Hessel: 3 Mile Road, Hessel 49745
• Kewadin Casino Manistique: 5630 W, US-2, Manistique 49854
• Kewadin St. Ignace Casino & Hotel: 3015 Mackinac Trail, St. Ignace 49781
• Kings Club Casino: 12140 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley 49715
• Leelanau Sands Casino: 2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown 49682
• Little River Casino Resort & Hotel: 2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee 49660
• Northern Waters Casino Resort: 5384 Highway US 45 North, PO Box 129, Watersmeet 49969
• Odawa Casino Petoskey: 1760 Lears Rd, Petoskey 49770
• Odawa Casino Mackinaw City: 1080 S Nicolet St, Mackinaw City 49701
• Ojibwa Casino Baraga: 16449 Michigan Ave, Baraga 49908
• Ojibwa Casino Marquette: 105 Acre Trail, Marquette 49855
• Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel: 2690 Worth Road, Standish 48658
• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant 48858
• Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 7741 M-72, Williamsburg 49690

FAQ

Is online gambling legal in Michigan?

Yes! Online gambling was made legal in Michigan in late 2019 with two Bills being signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, legalizing both online casino and sports betting.

What forms of online gambling are regulated in Michigan?

All common forms of online gambling are legal in Michigan. Players can enjoy online sports betting, online casino games, and online poker within the state borders.

Can I use my Michigan online gambling account in other states?

No! Once you sign up for a Michigan online gambling site, you will only be able to play for real money on the site while you are within the state, but you can access other functions of the site outside of the state too.

I’m traveling to Michigan. Can I set up my account beforehand?

Yes! You can access various Michigan online gambling sites from outside the state, register an account, and set it all up for your visit to the state. You will have to wait to make your deposits and play for real money until you are in Michigan.