Legal Online Gambling Sites In Michigan

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Jan 22, 2020 BetMGM Michigan Casino banking options. Playing on legal and regulated sites gives you the guarantee that your money is kept safe and secure. BetMGM MI Casino gives you plenty of popular options for getting money on and off the site and they are all verified by Michigan Gaming Control Board. Legal Online Gambling Sites for Michigan Residents Since Michigan has neither legalized online gambling nor created proper laws making it illegal for players to play at online gambling sites, it can be safely assumed that Michigan players can play at online gambling sites.

When did online gambling become legal in Michigan?

After 1996, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act banned gambling. It took years of negotiation to finally have the ban on gambling overturned by the Michigan gaming commission. It has a lot to do with other US states legalizing real money gambling sites in recent months. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer changed of state of Michigan gambling laws in December 2019. Michigan State is currently the 15th official state that participates in licensed and regulated online sports betting with the difference that they still lack legal platforms.

Online Sports Betting in Michigan

While Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) allows for online wagering a lack of operator licenses prevents other platforms from offering the long-awaited sports betting online. The initial sports betting will be via Detroit’s 3 land-based casinos. With the commercial land-based casinos offering online gambling in Michigan, a myriad of tribal sportsbooks are set to launch. Even though the bill was just passed recently, players in Michigan have no shortage of legal online gambling sites. These include:

  • Firekeepers Hotel & Casino – Battle Creek – owned and operated by Nottowaseppi Huron Band with platform operating on SD Digital software. The new sportsbook from the tribe was planned long ahead of legalization therefore expected to be one of the quickest to launch online. It will be called Dacey’s Sportsbook with punters invited to be ready in the spring of 2020 for the official sportsbook launch.
  • Little Traverse Bay Bands & The Stars Group partnered to launch their sportsbook.
  • Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish tribe with the Gun Lake Casino Sportsbook
  • Turtle Creek has been open since 2008 under the ownership of 2 Indian tribes. Forming a partnership with industry leader William Hill, they launched Onyx Sports Bar with a full profile of sports online.
  • Soaring Eagle is located in Mt Pleasant and will soon launch its online sportsbook.
  • A fully operational sportsbook is BetMGM that comes from the land-based casino in Detroit MGM Detroit Casino.
  • Greektown casino launched their own sportsbook in March 2020 called The Sportsbook in partnership with Penn National Gaming.

What can I bet on in Michigan?

With the recently signed bill to allow sports betting online, there is still a lack of Michigan online casinos as operator licenses must be acquired. A wide range of sports teams betting include college basketball and football teams like Michigan State Spartans, University of Michigan Wolverines, NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL plus many more. Premier League Soccer, WTA Tennis, ATP Tennis, PGA Golf, parlay wagering and more are also going to be top offers at sportsbooks.

  • Horse racing bets – now accepted through third-party online retailers and sportsbooks.
  • DFS contests – FanDuel is the biggest provider with regular DFS contests in Michigan. Between this site and DraftKings, close to 90% of the market is captured. Over 37, 000 active players live in Michigan with an even bigger rise expected with the new law.
  • Lottery games – Michigan has an online lottery, which is a state-run operation. It is legal to play online with players having an app that can be downloaded via Michigan Lottery/ a simple download followed by registration, making the first deposit using a bank transfer or debit/credit card. Tickets for lottery games include lotto 47, fantasy 5, Powerball and Mega Millions. It is similar to purchasing a gas station ticket, just more convenient with everything handy on your mobile.
  • Sports betting online or at retail venues – close to 30 current casinos are applying for licensing to operate online. Various will continue to offer both online and via retail avenue. With the gambling bill passed only recently, Michigan plyers will wait to see if more newcomers will launch sportsbooks or only retail venues.
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What kind of Online Horse Betting will be available in Michigan?

Racetracks

Only one horseracing track is available in Michigan, with the once-lucrative gambling industry dwindling to almost nothing. The track is Northville Downs, but with legalized gambling, it is expected to prevent the only track from closing too.

Off-track Betting

During 2020’s first months, the Michigan Gaming Control Board approved horse racing bets on mobile and online using advance deposit racing. This order forms part of state horse racing laws to allow third-party industries to offer punters wagering opportunities on both simulcast and live pari-mutuel horse racing. It should increase the industry with additional tracks opening with third parties allowed to accept online horse wagering.

Legal Online casinos in Michigan

What kind of casino games will be available in Michigan?

Legalization brings serious and significant change to the way games are presented online. With land-based casinos, the first to develop and launch online versions of their casino’s others are also expected to launch. Michigan players can expect a throng of new and classic casino games. Included are:

  • Video keno and live dealer keno
  • Scratch cards from several top providers like Playtech and Microgaming, NetEnt
  • Video pokers
  • Slots machine ranging from classics, themed, Marvel & DC Comics, TV & Movie Themed, 5-reels, 3 reels and a myriad of varying pay lines.
  • Cards games like online poker machine with any possible poker hand as well as live dealer Texas Hold’Em Poker, Crazy 4 Poker, Mississippi Stud, Heads Up and online poker rooms for tournaments.
  • Craps of varying bet limits
  • Blackjack variations like American, Asian, 21, single deck, 6 Deck
  • Roulette versions and varying bet limits
  • Baccarat

Social casino site options

While the Four Winds Hartford on Lake Michigan’s shores is a large land-based casino with plenty of tables and slot online casino games, it offers online social casino games. While it offered social gaming under sweepstakes gambling laws long before betting online was legalized, social casino games have always been legal in the state.

Can You play poker online in Michigan?

With the signed bill, poker sites also became legal in Michigan. One of the tribal casinos Sault Tribe of Chippewa has partnered with the huge igaming developer, GAN. THIS Indian tribe owns and operates 5 land-based casinos and GAN wants to use these for legal online poker, which is long-awaited in Michigan.

Another giant in the poker industry that most gamblers are familiar with is PokerStars, which wants to extend to Michigan. The parent group, The Stars Group, partnered with the tribe Little Traverse bay Bands. A huge poker site will operate under the brand of PokerStars in Michigan after it already launched in other United States states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. While William Hill concentrates its efforts on sports it will offer casino games including poker as part of its offering with its partnering with a native Indian tribe.

Michigan Lottery

Players in Michigan can play lottery online or via a downloadable app that is available for iOS and Android as well as desktop platforms via the Michigan lottery site. The free app requires account registration, a deposit to play, and you are ready to bet. it offers an easy to use players platform with games like Fantasy 5, Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto 47.

Daily Fantasy Sports In Michigan

Michigan has regulated legal daily fantasy sports. Before the legalization of gambling, it has been legal with casinos like FanDuel and DraftKings, offering fantasy betting.

Does Michigan have land-based casinos?

Aside from over 20 tribal casinos over Michigan, there are Detroit-based casinos like:

MGM Grand Detroit is an established casino that recently launched the popular BetMGM Sports in March 2020. It also features an incredibly diverse casino gaming collection like video poker, progressive jackpots with a total of 3, 500 slots.

Greektown Casino Hotel with its 3000+ video poker and slot machines as well as a massive array of table games that include high card flush, let it ride, three-card poker, craps, roulette and blackjack offer legal sports betting in Michigan as well.

MotorCity Casino Hotel is one of Detroit’s downtown casinos with a huge casino floor containing close to 3, 000 video poker and slot machines. Add to that 50+ table games + poker room offering various tournaments. If you have heard of the popular FanDuel Sportsbook, you should realize that MotorCity is the owner that launched it to offer excellently diverse sports betting online.

How to Deposit and Withdraw from Gambling Sites

Michigan gambling sites accept most popular payment methods, and while it is customary to have far fewer withdrawal methods, Michigan Casino and Sportsbooks surprise with more than adequate payment methods going both ways.

Most payment methods are what players are already familiar with. To make a first deposit, registration is required, then proceed to cashier to choose currency and method of choice. When you want to make a withdrawal from the casino or sportsbook, go to the cashier in your account section to request a withdrawal.

Make sure you read the payment terms and conditions to see the minimum and maximum withdrawals, time frames and if you received a bonus, whether you met the wagering requirements. Expect options like:

  • Debit & Credit Cards – a popular choice for Michigan online gambling platform. With these allowing both withdrawals as well as deposits, the only drawback could be the longer processing time attached. The majority of casinos online offer a minimum withdrawal period of 3 days while it can extend to 8 working days at others. No fees are attached to all major cards, and the bank accommodated. The minimum deposit amount would be depending on a platform used, but $10 is average.
  • Bank transfer – most US banks allow for this method suitable for depositing and withdrawal of funds. Instant deposits while withdrawal range between 3 – 5 days to clear.
  • Paynearme – it grows in popularity for its anonymity and no need to disclose banking or card details. These are found in 7-Elevens, Family Dollar stores and CVS locations. A code is sent to your gambling platform after you registered your account.
  • PayPal – this is certainly one of the smoothest and safest payment portals with no fees and a low minimum deposit and withdrawal. Players with pre-existing PayPal withdraw funds via wallet to gambling platforms that use PayPal. It allows for withdrawals too.
  • Play + – a prepaid card that works similarly to Paysafecard, except it is better as you can withdraw, whereas Paysafecard allows only depositing of casino funds. You need to sign up for the card that can be used multiple times, add funds via card, bank transfer and transfer funds to a casino account. Withdraw winnings by using it as an ATM card.
  • Cryptocurrencies – an increasingly popular payment method, including Bitcoin and several other cryptos. Use a minimum deposit allowed and withdraw too for an instant, safe and secure payment that does not require banking or personal details sharing online. Anonymity is guaranteed while the payment is instant.

Minimum Gambling Age

Players living in Michigan are not allowed to play when they are under 21 years. This age applies to land-based and online casinos. In ensuring players are of legal age and within state lines, age verification processes will be required from gambling operators as well as installed geo-location software. Players that are underaged or not living in Michigan will not be allowed.

History of online gambling in Michigan

The push for legal MI online gambling started in 2015. However, the state’s tribal casinos clashed with lawmakers over commercial casinos’ inclusion.

Additionally, the Michigan Lottery expressed fears that more gambling would cannibalize their lucrative industry. Lotteries generate roughly $1 billion for the MI school fund annually.

The state legislature made no serious efforts to legalize internet gambling until May 2018. May marks the point when the Supreme Court repealed PASPA—a long-time federal ban on sports betting.

Suddenly, MI lawmakers became much more interested in legalizing online gambling. They wanted to take advantage of the lucrative betting market that was sure to follow.

Rep. Brandt Iden drafted the Lawful Internet Gaming Act (HB 4311) and Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916) in hopes of appeasing all sides. He largely achieved this goal when the commercial and tribal casinos agreed with both pieces of legislation.

The bills passed both houses in 2018 with little trouble. Many expected then-Gov. Rick Snyder to sign them into effect afterward. However, Snyder surprisingly rejected the bills as one of his last acts in office.

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Michigan Online Gambling News

Iden reintroduced the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and Sports Betting Act in 2019. The bills again received bipartisan support and passed both houses.

New Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed the same concerns as the lottery, though. She feared that internet gambling would merely cannibalize money that would instead go to school funding.

However, Iden and other proponents convinced Whitmer that online gambling would raise fresh money for the state. She signed HB 4311 and HB 4916 into effect on December 20, 2019.

Contents of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act

Online

What’s legal?

HB 4311 and HB 4916 make the following types of internet gambling legal in Michigan:

  • Online casino games
  • Online poker
  • Online sports betting
  • Daily fantasy sports

Online lottery games were already legal before HB 4916 and HB 4311. Therefore, Michigan residents and visitors can enjoy five different types of internet gambling in total.

Who regulates the industry?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) oversees the state’s online gambling industry. It carries the following responsibilities:

  • Reviewing applications for licenses.
  • Approving qualified applicants.
  • Collecting relevant fees.
  • Drafting rules for the internet gambling market.
  • Ensuring that all licensees adhere to the MGCB’s standards.

Who can participate in the market?

Michigan’s three commercial casinos and 24 tribal casinos (collectively owned by 12 tribes) can participate in the online gambling market.

Outside companies (e.g., DraftKings, FanDuel) can also participate. However, they must form a partnership with a Michigan commercial or tribal casino.

Licensing fees & taxes

The Michigan online gambling licensing and taxation rates are as follows:

  • Potential operators must pay a $50,000 application fee.
  • If approved, operators must cover a $100,000 initial licensing fee.
  • The annual renewal fee is $50,000.
  • Licensees will pay an 8.4% tax rate on online sports betting revenue. Commercial casinos in Detroit must cover an additional 1.25% city tax.
  • Online gaming operators must pay between a 20% and 28% tax rate.
  • Free play at online casinos and sportsbooks counts as a tax deduction.

Michigan online sportsbooks

Land-based sportsbooks opened just a few months after Whitmer approved internet betting. However, MI online sportsbooks have dealt with a slower process.

No Michigan betting sites have launched at the time of this writing. Popular speculation, though, is that internet bookmakers will begin opening either in late 2020 or early 2021.

The MGCB is still working on the framework for MI online betting. It hopes to finish everything on its end before 2020 is up.

Once the MGCB gives the green light, bookmakers will try to launch as quickly as possible. The biggest brands will probably open before their counterparts.

Here are best estimates on when each betting site will become available in Michigan:

  • DraftKings (partnered w/ Bay Mills Indian Community) - January/February 2021
  • FanDuel (partnered w/ MotorCity Casino) - January/February 2021
  • BetMGM (partnered w/ MGM Grand Detroit) - March/April 2021
  • FOX Bet (partnered w/ Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) - May 2021
  • Barstool Sportsbook (partnered w/ Greektown Casino) - May 2021
  • PointsBet (Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians) - June 2021
  • BetStars (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) - June 2021
  • William Hill (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians) - June/July 2021

Other bookmakers will likely jump into the online betting pool as well. However, we can’t say for sure which brands will join the main players.

What bets will be available in Michigan?

The Wolverine State will probably offer a full range of betting opportunities. Online bookmakers should feature the basics, such as moneylines and point spreads, along with exotic prop bets and teasers.

Here are the likely bet types that will be available at MI online sportsbooks:

  • Moneylines
  • Point spreads
  • Totals (over/under)
  • Live betting
  • Proposition bets
  • Parlays
  • Teasers

What markets will you be able to wager on?

Football, basketball, hockey, and baseball are all popular in Michigan. After all, the Wolverine State features major professional teams in all of these sports. Therefore, we can guarantee that bookmakers will cover these four sports.

Of course, Michigan is a large state that can support many markets. Betting sites will take advantage of this liquidity by offering lines on a wide variety of sports.

Here’s what you can look forward to regarding markets:

  • Australian rules football
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Darts
  • Golf
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Tennis
  • The Olympics
  • Volleyball
  • World Cup

Michigan online casinos

MI online casinos are in the same boat as internet bookmakers. They’re still waiting on the MGCB to finish up the regulatory framework.

We don’t know when exactly gaming sites will become available. We also don’t know how many operators will be available.

Technically, Michigan could feature up to 15 casino skins. The three commercial casinos can run up to three skins apiece, while the 12 tribal gaming interests can each only run one.

Here’s speculation on when the major casino brands might launch:

  • BetMGM Casino (partnered w/ MGM Grand Detroit) - December 2020
  • FanDuel Casino (partnered w/ MotorCity Casino) - January 2021
  • DraftKings Casino (partnered w/ Bay Mills Indian Community) - January 2021
  • PokerStars Casino (partnered w/ Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) - February 2021
  • BetRivers Casino (partnered w/ MGM Grand Detroit) - March 2021
  • Golden Nugget (partnered w/ Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) - May 2021
  • Parx Casino (partnered w/ Gun Lake Tribe) - June/July 2021

If you don’t want to wait for these online casinos to arrive, you can play at Chumba Casino immediately.

Chumba is a legal sweepstakes gaming site that offers Sweeps Coins that let you enter sweepstakes contests and potentially win prizes.

What online casino games will Michigan offer?

We can only speculate on which internet casino games will be available in the Wolverine State. However, states with active online gaming markets (e.g., New Jersey, Pennsylvania) provide hints on this matter.

Online slots will no doubt be the primary games. Every other internet gaming market relies heavily on slots.

Blackjack and roulette should be the featured table games. Most online casinos from other states offer multiple variations of roulette and blackjack.

Here are some other games that’ll likely be available:

  • Baccarat
  • Casino hold’em
  • Craps
  • Let It Ride
  • Mississippi Stud
  • Pai gow poker
  • Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker
  • Three-card poker

Will live dealer casino games be available?

Michigan will assuredly offer live dealer gaming at some point. However, this likely won’t occur until months after online casinos launch.

Evolution Gaming is the primary supplier in most markets. It will need time to set up studios and equipment in Michigan.

Assuming the Wolverine State offers live gaming as expected, then it’ll likely feature the following games:

  • Baccarat
  • Blackjack
  • Casino hold’em
  • Dream Catcher
  • European roulette
  • Infinite Blackjack
  • Three-card poker
  • Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Michigan poker sites

Online poker plays third fiddle to online casinos and sportsbooks in any given market. The same will hold true in Michigan.

Even with almost 10 million residents, this state doesn’t boast the liquidity for a lucrative online poker market. It’ll need to sign a multi-state compact to generate more liquidity.

The MGCB will take its time in establishing the legal framework for internet poker. MI poker sites could begin launching by May/June 2021 or later.

Michigan daily fantasy sports

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) were already happening in Michigan before the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. However, HB 4311 officially legalized DFS.

No speculation on launch dates is necessary. DFS giants DraftKings and FanDuel are already running legally in the state.

MI online gambling apps

Michigan online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker rooms will all feature apps. Most should provide Android and iOS apps, while others will only feature one or the other.

When a choice must be made, Android apps typically get the nod. More people own Android devices than iPhones.

Therefore, MI online gambling sites are more likely to provide an app for the former. They also appreciate that they can offer Android apps directly through their websites.

Apple, meanwhile, requires that all operators feature iOS apps in the App Store—not on the website. Gamblers must visit the App Store to download any iOS betting, casino, or poker app.

How to deposit at Michigan online gambling sites

Once MI internet gambling sites become available, you shouldn’t experience any trouble funding your account. You’ll just need to perform the following steps to deposit:

  1. Register for an account
  2. Visit the site’s banking section.
  3. Choose a valid deposit option.
  4. Enter the amount you’d like to deposit.
  5. Confirm the deposit and wait for funds to arrive.

The waiting time depends on which banking option you use. For example, credit cards and casino cages provide instant funding.

Here are the probable deposit methods that’ll be available in Michigan:

  • Cash at the cage: Visit a relevant land-based casino and deposit directly at the cage.
  • Credit card: Instantly fund your account using Visa or Mastercard.
  • E-check: Move funds from your bank account to a gambling site through an e-check.
  • E-wallet: Use an e-wallet (e.g., PayPal, Skrill) to send funds online to your gambling account.
  • PayNearMe: Purchase a voucher at the local 7-Eleven that you can use for an online deposit.
  • Prepaid card: Many gambling sites feature branded prepaid cards for depositing.
Gambling

Online gambling bonuses in Michigan

WIth internet sportsbooks, poker sites, and casinos all coming up, Michigan will offer many bonus opportunities.

Of course, the bonuses will vary based on the type of gambling. Here are the different bonuses you can expect in each respective form of iGambling:

MI online casino bonuses

  • No-deposit bonus: You collect a small bonus (e.g., $25) just for signing up.
  • Match deposit bonus: The site matches a percentage (e.g., 100%) of your deposit up to a specified amount (e.g., $500).
  • Cashback: You receive a percentage (e.g., 20%) of your losses back over a specified period (e.g., five days).
  • Free spins: Free spins let you play real-money slots for free and generate winnings.

MI online sportsbook bonuses

  • Free bet: If your first bet loses, you can win the losses back up to a specified amount (e.g., $100).
  • No-deposit bonus
  • Match deposit bonus

MI online poker bonuses

  • Leaderboard races: You accumulate points by playing poker in an effort to earn a leaderboard prize.
  • No-deposit bonus
  • Match deposit bonus

Michigan Online Gambling FAQ

Do I have to live in Michigan to gamble online?

No. You only need to be within Michigan’s borders to participate in its online gambling market. Each site uses geolocation software to determine whether you’re in the Wolverine State.

Is online gambling legal in Michigan?

Yes. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act (HB 4311) legalizes online casinos, poker sites, and DFS sites. The Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916) legalizes internet sportsbooks.

Are Michigan gambling winnings taxed?

Yes. All annual MI gambling profits—whether online or land-based—are subject to taxation. Michigan’s state income tax withholding rate is 4.25%.

Is Michigan online gambling safe?

Yes. The Michigan Gambling Control Board works to ensure that every licensee operates in a responsible manner. It reserves the power to revoke licenses from operators who fail to uphold its standards.

What’s the legal online gambling age in Michigan

You must be 21 years or older to gamble at online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms. However, you can play online lotteries at 18 years of age.