Online Gambling in Michigan in 2021
Best known for their horse betting roots that stem back to the prohibition era, MI is now among the newest states to legalize other forms of online gambling. Indeed, the newcomers to the family are online sports betting, online casinos, and online poker, to name a few.
Keep reading to get the full scoop on all of the regulated and legal MI online gambling possibilities.
Best MI Gambling Sites
Despite the fact that the online segment of Michigan’s gambling history just began, not all online sites are created equally. There is a lot of competition out there, and for that reason, we at Playing Legal sort out the frontrunners for you.
At this moment, our specific criteria priority for rankings in MI are:
- Game or Odds Variety– the range of products that the operator offers.
- Bonus Offer– the bonus offers must be valuable and transparent.
- Customer Support– methods of communication, time to respond, and the quality of the reply.
- Interface– the unique features, added functions, and overall ease of use.
- Payment Methods– variety of payment options not exclusive to bank transfers.
Forms of Legal Online Gambling in MI
We're happy to report Michigan has an incredible array of online gambling options to suit all your needs.
- Online Casino Games
- Online Poker
- Online Sports Betting
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
- Lottery
- Horse Racing
There’s no need to travel to Vegas when you can have these in the palm of your hands. Keep reading to get all the details into the world of Michigan online gambling.
MI Casino Games
Starting the trend of MI casinos, the first legalized casinos opened on Native American tribal land in 1993. Unlike traditional casinos, MI Tribal Casinos are considered sovereign nations, located on Native American Tribal land. The State has oversight jurisdiction, but deals are made by contracts discussed between the Indian communities and the State.
Operating well over 30,000 total slot machines, Michigan has a wonderful selection of casinos located in Detroit and Native American Tribal land.
Sports Betting
Look out sports enthusiasts, Michigan has you covered! After a long-awaited shift in the US iGaming realm, MI made the switch to allow sports betting for of-age residents. Act HB 4916, passed in 2019, made way for a large number of businesses to enter the newly acquired market. As of 2020, retail sportsbooks emerged, and online sports betting pages followed suit in early 2021.
Since this is still a new addition, the number of Michigan sportsbooks is not massive just yet. Overall, players can expect to see some great welcome offers such as:
- No-deposit bonus
- Deposit match bonus
- Free bets
Despite sports betting being the newcomer, it is easily among the most preferred form of gambling at this time. Therefore, keep up to date with the MI online sportsbook craze by regularly checking our informative page.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Furthermore, MI Daily Fantasy Sports has had a turbulent history. For the longest time, players and operators were sure of the legality, but that was not the case. The major DFS operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, continued to function over time despite the government's lack of approval.
So, alongside the internet gaming advancements in 2019, online fantasy sports were officially recognized as a legal form of gambling in MI.
Bingo
We are turning our attention to the game adored by many, bingo. While it’s more popular as a charity or fundraiser option, bingo is entirely legal in MI. On the other hand, it’s too soon to speculate if bingo will make its way online or stay as an in-person-only option.
If you’re looking at taking part in the fun, most Tribal casinos hold weekly events centered around the riveting game.
Horse Racing
Initially established by the 1933 Racing Act, horse racing has been part of the long and lustrous framework of MI gaming history. Later amended in 1995, Act 279 established further regulations in agreement with the Racing Commissioner General Rules.
Following a sharp decrease in popularity of horse racing, the Office of the Racing Commissioner position was dissolved by an executive order made by Governor Jennifer Granholm. Due to the executive order, all duties are now under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The end result of the change in duties is that the MGCB becomes the sole regulatory office that oversees all gaming activities, which promotes cooperation between all gaming operators.
Unfortunately, Horse Racing is not nearly as popular as casinos and sportsbooks are in MI.
At this time, Michigan only has one Horse Racetrack, Northville Downs. This racetrack runs live and simulcast races, all available on TwinSpires Racing at Island Resort & Casino and TVG at Motor City Casino.
The Duties of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB):
- Issuing licensing and permits
- Assigning racing dates and schedules
- Collect race license and tax revenue
- Selecting veterinarians to represent MI
- Conduct horse and human drug testing
- Approving track officials
- Supervise daily live and simulcast racing
- Hearing appeals and forming decisions
Michigan Lottery
Technically considered a game of chance, the lottery has historically been able to become legalized with ease in most states. With that being said, the Michigan lottery was made legal in 1972 thanks to Act 239.
Over the years, the lottery has made a name for itself, especially with the popular interstate and multi-state drawings such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto 47. In addition to the in-person MI lottery offering, players now can access 60+ games on the Michigan Lottery mobile app. Games are being added each month to the MI lottery website, as well as the corresponding phone app.
The Michigan Lottery has proudly supported the education of Michigan’s growing generation and has donated more than $23.4 billion since the inception.
Poker
Now live in Michigan, online poker was most recently a part of the 2019 online gambling package signed by Governor Gretchen Witmer. Even though it works hand in hand with online casinos and sportsbooks, MI currently only has one live online poker brand; PokerStars. BetMGM has been approved for an online poker extension, but no further plans have been revealed.
Thankfully, the future of poker in Michigan is quite promising. Incorporated into the law, multijurisdictional poker is a possibility, but has not been put into effect until multi-state negotiations are complete.
MI Gambling Law
Michigan gambling history was started in 1933 with the original legalization of horse racing. From there, the path has been a bright one. MI has had some milestone moments, and those are best broken down as such:
| 1933 | Racing Act of 1933 |
| 1972 | Launch of state lottery |
| 1993 | First tribal casino opened |
| 1997 | Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act is signed, three Detroit casinos authorized to launch |
| 2014 | MI iLottery officially launches |
| 2019 | Lawmakers pass online gambling package |
| 2020 | First retail sportsbook launched |
| 2021 | Online and mobile sportsbooks, online casinos, and online poker launched |
Local License Holders
As part of the new MI licensing capabilities, license holders are now allowed a maximum of one online casino, one sportsbook, and one poker partnership per location. This online development will allow players in various parts of the state to take part in the action.
| MI License Holder | MI Online Partners | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Greektown Casino | Barstool Sportsbook | 555 E Lafayette St, Detroit MI 48226 |
| Barstool Casino | ||
| MGM Grand-Detroit | BetMGM Sports | 1777 3rd Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 |
| BetMGM Casino |
In addition to the listed casinos, there is another planned casino called Lakeshore Casino and Resort which is to be located at Ellis Road in Fruitport Township, Muskegon County.
| MI Tribal License Holder | Gambling Partners | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kewadin Casino • Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians | ||
| Christmas | Kewadin Sportsbook by WynnBET | N7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas MI 49862 |
| St. Ignace | Kewadin Sportsbook by WynnBET | 3039 Mackinac Trail, St. Ignace, MI 49783 |
| Mansitique | Kewadin Sportsbook by WynnBET | 5633 W. US Hwy 2, Manistique, MI 49854 |
| Hessel | Kewadin Sportsbook by WynnBET | N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel, MI 49745 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Kewadin Sportsbook by WynnBET | 2186 Shunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 |
| Gun Lake Casino • Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians | Gun Lake Sportsbook by Parx Play Gun Lake- TBD | 1123 129th Ave, Wayland MI 48658 |
| Saganing Eagles Landing Casino • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe | TBD | 2690 Worth Rd. Standish, MI 48658 |
| Ojibwa Casino and Bingo • Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | Golden Nugget Sports Golden Nugget Online Casino | 16429 Michigan Ave, Baraga, MI 49908 |
| MI Tribal License Holder | Gambling Partners | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Four Winds Casino • Pokagon Band of Pottawatomi Indians | ||
| New Buffalo | Four Winds Sportsbook by Kambi | 11111 Wilson Road New Buffalo, MI 49117 |
| Dowagiac | Four Winds Sportsbook by Kambi | M-51 South of Edwards Street Dowagiac, MI 49047 |
| Hartford | Four Winds Sportsbook by Kambi | 68600 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford, MI 49057 |
| FireKeepers Casino Hotel • Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi | Dacey’s Sportsbook | 11177 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49014 |
| Bay Mills Resort & Casinos • Bay Mills Indian Community | DraftKings Sportsbook DraftKings Casino | 11386 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715 |
| Kings Club Casino • Bay Mills Indian Community | William Hill Sports Book | 12140 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715 |
| MI Tribal License Holder | Gambling Partners | Location |
|---|---|---|
Odawa Casino Resort • The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | FOX Bet Sportsbook pokerstars PokerStars Casino | 1760 Lears Road, Petoskey, MI 49770 |
Odawa Casino Mackinaw City • The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | FOX Bet Sportsbook PokerStars PokerStars Casino | 1028 Nicolet St., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 |
Turtle Creek Casino • Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | William Hill Sports Book | 7741 M-72 East, Williamsburg, MI 49690 |
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe | TBD | 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 |
Leelanau Sands Casino • Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | William Hill Sports Book William Hill Casino | 2521 NW Bayshore Drive, Peshabestown, MI 49682 |
Little River Casino Resort • The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians | BetRivers Casino BetRivers Sportsbook | 2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee, MI 49660 |
Island Resort & Casino • Hannahville Indian Community | TwinSpires Sportsbook TwinSpires Casino TwinSpires Racing | 399 US-2, Harris, MI 49845 |
Minimum Legal Gambling Age in Michigan
| Casino Games * | 21 Years Old |
| Sports Betting * | 21 Years Old |
| Poker | 21 Years Old |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | 18 Years Old |
| Horse Racing | 18 Years Old |
| Lottery | 18 Years Old |
| Bingo | 18 Years Old |
| * varies at Indian Tribal Casinos |
Nevertheless, these ages may be varied on Native American Tribal land, if patrons decide to gamble online, the rules are altered. For online casino and sportsbook betting, patrons must be 21 years old or older in order to participate.
| 18+ Michigan Tribal Casinos | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bay Mills Casino | Island Resort Casino | Leelanau Sands Casino |
| Little River Resort Casino | Ojibwa Casino Baraga | Saganing Eagles Landing Casino |
| Soaring Eagle Casino Resort | Turtle Creek Casino | Ojibwa Casino Marquette |
| 19+ Michigan Tribal Casinos | |
|---|---|
| MI Kewadin Casinos | Odawa Casino, Petoskey |
| 21+ Michigan Tribal Casinos | |
|---|---|
| FireKeepers Casino | Gun Lake Casino |
| MI Four Winds Casinos | Odawa Casino Mackinaw City |
Auditors and Regulators in MI
Overall, the auditors and regulatory bodies in MI are very uniform throughout all categories. Changes have occurred throughout history, but the Michigan Gaming Control Board is the leading regulatory body for the majority of gaming.
| Casino Games | MI Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Sports Betting | Division of Sports Betting (MGCB) |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | MI Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Bingo | MI Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Lottery | Bureau of State Lottery |
| Horse Racing | MI Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Poker | MI Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Tribal Casinos | National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) |
Bonuses and Promotions
On top of the welcome bonuses, we can expect online sportsbooks and casinos in MI to house a range of ongoing promotions. For existing players that cannot take advantage of the new player offers, look out for loyalty programs and ongoing promotions surrounding the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Red Wings games.
Here is a list of betting bonuses and promotions in Michigan:
- No-deposit bonus
- Deposit match bonus
- Leaderboard promotions
Likewise, don't worry if the online gambling option of your dreams doesn't offer any ongoing promotions, just check out the available rewards program tailored to your player account.
Responsible Gambling
Going above and beyond, Michigan provides players with resources to bet responsibly every step of the way. Located on each website, the green RG logo is a simple way to easily access the Responsible Gambling information.
Some of the tools worth noting are:
- Self-Exclusion
- Player Verification
- Guidance on Responsible Gaming
- Gambling Limits
The list of resources available to players and their families is:
MI Gambling Tax Rate
Finally allowing all MI gambling avenues, the local government has provided wonderful resources concerning MI gambling tax rates for operators. One thing Michigan has done very well is keep all information transparent and easily accessible.
Thus, since there are many different categories of gambling, here is a list of broken-down MI gambling tax rates:
- Sports Betting 8.4%
- This tax covers all sports betting, except operators on Tribal land.
- Fantasy Sports 8.4%
- Tax revenue is deposited into the Fantasy Contest Fund
- Online Casinos 1.25%
- In addition to the above 8.4%, online casinos are required to pay a municipal service fee to the city of 1.25%, if it is outline in the agreement. Again, this does not include Tribal land.
Distribution of the 8.4% goes to various state funds. This includes the following:
- 30% to the City of Detroit
- 65% to the Internet Sports Betting Fund
- 5% for the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund
MI Tribal Land Tax Rates
Outlined in the Lawful Internet Gaming Act 4311, Indian Tribal Land is subject to a different set of laws. Although there are defined tax rates, only 6 MI Tribal Casinos have signed contracts to be subject to fees. Otherwise, these rates are only a suggestion.
- Casinos 2%
- This tax is allocated to the local units of government in the regional area of the physical casino.
- Internet Gaming 8.4%
As a result of the 8.4% tax collection from the Tribal Casinos, 70% of it must go to the Internet Gaming Fund, 20% to the local units of government, the remaining 10% goes towards the Michigan Strategic Fund.
Gambling Winnings Tax Rate
All things considered, gambling winnings are great news, but the complex tax forms are not.
Nevertheless, the MI gambling winning tax rate for individuals is 4.5% for winnings over $300. That being said, tax rates can easily be altered, considering online gambling in MI is still a new addition. We recommend staying in close contact with your licensed tax accountant for any tax related questions.
Payment Methods in MI Gambling Sites
Playing at a legal MI online operator guarantees that your funds are safe and secure. All in all, this list includes all of the possible payment method options, but not all online operators will have this availability.
| VISA | PayPal | PayNearMe |
| MasterCard | Play+ | ACH/VIP Preferred |
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that the deposit method of your choosing is going to be available as a withdrawal option. Check with customer support for further details.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, the liberal legalization of gambling has benefited the Michigan economy in many ways.
Overall, the future is bright for every form of MI online gambling. Approving online casinos, online sports betting, and online poker is perhaps the best revenue stream for the local government. Given the low taxes and entrance fees for operators, Michigan is a great place to operate.
Online Gambling in Michigan FAQ's
What is the legal gambling age in Michigan?
The minimum gambling age depends on the form of gambling and the location. For instance, all Tribal Casinos have varied gambling ages for in person gaming. If you plan on doing any gambling online, the minimum age for sports, casinos, and poker is 21. Fantasy sports, horse racing, and bingo are all legal for players 18 and older.
When did online sports betting launch in Michigan?
Online sports gambling became legal in MI in Jan. 2021. Michigan has some of the lowest taxes for operators, making it a really great option for expanding companies.
Is FanDuel or DraftKings legal in MI?
Yes, FanDuel and DraftKings are both legal sports books in Michigan. Players can safely and securely start a sports betting account online and even participate in Fantasy Sports betting.
Are online casinos legal in Michigan?
Yes! As of Jan 22, 2021, online casino gaming is legal and authorized by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The majority of MI online casinos are in partnership with the Tribal Casinos.
Can I play the Michigan Lottery online?
Yes, the Michigan Lottery has a couple different options to play. Try the iLottery mobile app for quick on the go games, or the website version on your home computer. All downloads will include geolocation software and an age verification. Players must be 18 or older.
