MI Sports Betting
Sports betting online and in-person is officially legal in Michigan. Thanks to the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act signed on Dec. 20, 2019; you can legally wager on sports online and at retail sportsbooks in the Wolverine State.
MI bettors will undoubtedly want to conveniently sign-up online at the top MI sports betting sites after exploring the best welcome bonuses plus all the outstanding features that each online sportsbook offers.
Best Michigan Sports Betting Sites
At PlayingLegal, sports betting enthusiasts and experts rate all the available MI online sportsbooks with strict criteria to make up our top list. After a thorough examination of welcome bonuses plus other features, not every MI online sportsbook makes the list.
William Hill Sportsbook
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
William Hill has over 80 years of experience in providing a fantastic sports betting experience. Currently, William Hill takes in over a million wagers per day worldwide.
BetMGM Sportsbook
- Must clear in 7 days
- Available for BetMGM Sports only
- Bet must be qualifying
- Bet must lose
- Free Live Streaming
- Crisp in-play betting
- Boosted parlays
- Easy Navigation
- Shortage of special market odds
- Slow customer support response
The BetMGM Sportsbook has incredible brand name recognition with the famed MGM Grand Detroit. There’s more than just brand recognition as well, considering the BetMGM betting interface has quickly boosted it to become one of the nation’s top online sportsbooks. Finally, BetMGM offers a fantastic Free Bets offer for new customers.
FOX Bet Sportsbook
- New player accounts only
- Expires 30 days after issue
- The initial bet has to lose
- 1x wagering requirement
- Custom prop bets available
- Cash Outs are available on certain bets
- Various bet boosts and ongoing betting promotions
- Interactive In-Play betting platform
- No Live Streaming
- Email-only for customer support
- Slow server during high traffic hours
FOX Bet Sportsbook is fantastic for offering custom bets, and customers can take part in a loyalty program, unlike many other online sportsbooks. Finally, FOX Bet offers many boosted lines and odds hand-in-hand with their on-air personalities.
MI Sports Betting Law
Gov. Whitmer officially signed the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916) into law on Dec. 20, 2019. Retail sportsbook launched in March 2020, while online sports betting followed in Jan. 2021. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulates sports betting in the state.
Some key points to the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act are:
- Online sports betting pairs with retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos or state-run Detroit casinos.
- Each physical casino is allowed one online sportsbook partnership.
- Sports betting license fees are:
- $50,000 for an initial application fee
- $100,000 license fee
- $50,000 annual fee.
- MI online sports betting tax is 8.4% adjusted.
- Detroit casinos pay an additional 1.25% tax to the city.
All in all, the Michigan Department of Treasury estimates that legal and regulated gaming combined will yield $19 million in tax revenue with the lion’s share coming from sports betting.
Sports Available
Indeed, you can bet on a variety of sports here in Michigan. Obviously, depending on the sport's seasonality, you may not see every sport type listed in every MI online sportsbook.
| Available Sports to Bet in Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Rules | Baseball | Basketball |
| Boxing | Cricket | Cycling |
| Darts | Football | Golf |
| Hockey | MMA/UFC | Motor Racing |
| NASCAR | Rugby Union | Soccer |
| Table Tennis | Tennis | Wrestling |
Restrictions
Unlike other states that legalized sports betting, Michigan truly has few restrictions. For example, there are no restrictions on wagers regarding collegiate team sports. However, you cannot wager on eSports at the moment.
Geo-location
Particularly important to realize, when you desire to place sports online in MI and other states, you need to be located within the state. Thus, the online sportsbook uses geolocation technology to make this determination. To explain, geolocation technology uses triangulation data from your mobile device’s GPS or IP address from your desktop to ensure that you are physically within Michigan state borders.
Therefore, make sure that you allow the MI online sportsbook to run the geolocation check. Please note that you do not need to be a resident of Michigan to use an online sports betting site. The MCGB only requires that you are physically located within the state while placing your sports wagers.
Minimum Legal Age Requirement
Overall, remember the minimum legal age requirement in Michigan for sports betting is 21 years or older. Yet, theoretically, the age range for legal gambling in the Wolverine State is from ages 18 to 21.
Note: you must be 21 or older to sports bet online or gamble in state-regulated commercial Detroit Casinos in Michigan.
However, due to Native American tribal casinos being their own sovereign entities, there are various tribal casinos with different minimum age requirements.
| 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 |
Remember that although the tribal casinos offer online sports betting, the MGCB governs online gambling. Therefore, although you can physically gamble in the tribal casinos if you are below 21, you must be 21 and older to sports bet online.
All MI Online Sportsbooks
Sports bettors in MI already have quite a nice selection of online sportsbooks to choose from. While each casino can only have one online sportsbook partnership, there is still room for other operators to join the MI sports betting landscape.
| Online Sportsbook | MI Partner | Software Provider |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sports | MGM Grand Detroit | Entain, GVC Holdings |
| William Hill Sports Book | Leelanau Sands Casino | Proprietary Software |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bay Mills Resort & Casinos | SBTech |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Greektown Casino | Kambi |
| FOX Bet Sportsbook | Odawa Casino | Amelco |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Little River Casino Resort | Kambi |
| WynnBet | Kewadin Casino | BetBull |
| Golden Nugget Sports | Ojibwa Casino | SG Digital |
| TwinSpires Sports | Island Resort & Casino | Kambi |
New Online Sportsbooks
The following online sportsbooks are launching soon:
- Parx
- FireKeepers
Land-Based Casino Sportsbooks in Michigan
In Michigan, there is a clear distinction between Indian tribal casinos and state-licensed casinos. The MGCB regulates the commercial casinos located in Detroit. However, the tribal casinos are technically considered sovereign nations and are not under the jurisdiction of the MGCB. However, if the tribal casinos choose to offer online sports betting, online gaming is regulated by the MGCB.
Detroit Retail Casino Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook Name | Casino | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Barstool Sportsbook | Greektown Casino 555 East Lafayette Boulevard Detroit, Michigan 48226 | March 11, 2020 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | MGM Grand Detroit 1777 Third St Detroit, MI 48226 | March 11, 2020 |
Although technically not a Detroit sportsbook, Caesars Windsor, a hop, skip, and a tunnel ride from Detroit in Canada, deserves a special mention as many Detroit locals visit. Note that Caesars Windsor technically does not have a sportsbook. However, Game Picks is available. Game Picks is technically a sports lottery offered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
MI Indian Tribal Casino Sportsbooks
Overall, Native American tribes are sovereign nations. Thus, Michigan and the MGCB do not generally regulate these Indian casinos. In fact, the only oversight authority by the state is compacts between the tribes and Michigan called Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compacts. Also, these casinos are under the regulation of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
The distinction of tribal casinos in Michigan is important because opening retail sportsbooks in these locations need no approval from the MGCB. Yet, tribes that desire to offer online or mobile sports betting in MI have to apply for a sports betting license through the state.
| Tribe Name | Sportsbook Partner | Casino Name |
|---|---|---|
| Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians | WynnBet | Kewadin Casino Christmas N7761 Candy Cane Ln. Christmas, MI 49862 |
| Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie 2186 Shunk Road Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 |
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| Kewadin Casino Hessel N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel, MI 49745 | ||
| Kewadin Casino St. Ignace 3015 Mackinac Trail St. Ignace, MI 49781 |
||
| Kewadin Casino Manistique 5633 W. US Hwy 2 Manistique, MI 49854 |
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| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians | Parx | Gun Lake Casino 1123 129th Ave Wayland, MI 49323 |
| Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe | TBD | Saganing Eagles Landing Casino 2690 Worth Rd. Standish, MI 48658 |
| Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 |
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| Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | Golden Nugget | Ojibwa Casino and Bingo – Baraga 16429 Michigan Ave. Baraga, MI 49908 |
| Ojibwa Casino – Marquette 105 Acre Trail Marquette, MI 49855 |
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| Pokagon Band of Pottawatomi Indians | Four Winds | Four Winds Casino New Buffalo 11111 Wilson Road New Buffalo, MI 49117 |
| Four Winds Casino Dowagiac 58700 M-51, Dowagiac, MI 49047 | ||
| Four Winds Casino Hartford 68600 Red Arrow Hwy Hartford, MI 49057 |
||
| Bay Mills Indian Community | DraftKings | Bay Mills Resort & Casinos 11386 West Lakeshore Drive Brimley, MI 49715 |
| Kings Club Casino 12140 W. Lakeshore Dr. Brimley, MI 49715 |
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| The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | FOX Bet | Odawa Casino Resort 1760 Lears Road Petoskey, Michigan 49770 |
| Odawa Casino Mackinaw City 1028 Nicolet St. Mackinaw City, MI |
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| Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | William Hill | Grand Traverse Resort and Spa 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard Acme, Michigan 49610 |
| Turtle Creek Casino 7741 M-72 East Williamsburg, MI 49690 |
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| Leelanau Sands Casino 2521 NW Bayshore Drive Peshabestown, MI 49682 |
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| The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | PointsBet | Northern Waters Casino Resort N5384 US-45, Watersmeet, MI 49969 |
| The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians | BetRivers | Little River Casino Resort 2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee, MI 49660 |
| Hannahville Indian Community | TwinSpires | Island Resort & Casino W 399 US-2, Harris, MI 49845 |
Moreover, there’s another proposed casino called the Lakeshore Casino and Resort to be located at Ellis Road in Fruitport Township, Muskegon County.
MI Sports Betting Apps
Indeed, mobile sports betting apps dominate the sports wagering market nationwide. Indeed, the same holds for the great state of Michigan. More online operators are launching in the Wolverine State as well so, expect PlayingLegal’s list of best MI sports betting mobile apps list to grow.
William Hill Sports Book Mobile App
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
The William Hill mobile app offers a classic sports betting experience. Additionally, signing up and depositing funds is a quick and easy process. However, the highlight to William Hill is accessing stats and how quickly live odds change.
BetMGM Sports Mobile App
- Must clear in 7 days
- Available for BetMGM Sports only
- Bet must be qualifying
- Bet must lose
- Free Live Streaming
- Crisp in-play betting
- Boosted parlays
- Easy Navigation
- Shortage of special market odds
- Slow customer support response
The BetMGM Sportsbook mobile app offers a fantastic feature for alerts during games to receive score notifications. Moreover, you can easily access the ‘Edit My Bet’ feature to easily change your bet instead of cashing out.
FOX Bet Sportsbook Mobile App
- New player accounts only
- Expires 30 days after issue
- The initial bet has to lose
- 1x wagering requirement
- Custom prop bets available
- Cash Outs are available on certain bets
- Various bet boosts and ongoing betting promotions
- Interactive In-Play betting platform
- No Live Streaming
- Email-only for customer support
- Slow server during high traffic hours
The FOX Bet Sportsbook mobile app rates highly. However, beware that you cannot parlay more than two bets in the same game. For example, if you’d like to bet on a single game's spread and total, you cannot do so. In time, this option may be offered. However, you can come up with custom bets, and the boosted betting options make up for the lack of the parlay betting feature.
Golden Nugget Sports Mobile App
- First qualifying bet must lose
- No minimum odds required
- Free Bet credits within 72 hours
- Must use 100% of Free Bet or forfeit
- 90 days to place a qualifying bet
- NJ Players Only
- Variety of ongoing betting promotions
- A decent in-play betting interface
- Streamlined mobile betting app
- Integrated online casino
- No Cash Out
- No Live Streaming
- Live Chat is often unavailable
Technically, you need to download the ‘Golden Nugget MI Online Casino’ app. Sports betting is directly integrated into the online casino app. The highlight to Golden Nugget Sports is boosting your odds with Golden Lines and easy access to enhanced odds with the Notorious V.I.G.
DraftKings Sportsbook Mobile App
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
DraftKings has a highly-rated mobile sports betting app. However, there are issues with app stability and freezing. The most frustrating aspect of the DraftKings mobile betting app is when freezing disrupts placing a bet.
How to Bet Online in Michigan
Signing up for an online sports betting account is a quick and convenient process in Michigan. Once your MI sports betting account is active, you can legally wager on sports from anywhere within Michigan state borders. Best of all, you do not need to be a resident of the Wolverine State as long as you are physically located within state borders.
- Pick an online operator from PlayingLegal’s top MI best-betting sites.
- Navigate to your chosen online sportsbook via your web-based browser.
- If you are on an Android or iOS mobile device, click on the OS icon if you’d like to download the mobile app. Then, follow the prompts for installation.
- Sign-up for your new MI sports betting account with your information.
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Last four digits of your SSN
- Enter in a promo code if applicable to redeem your welcome bonus.
- Choose a payment option to fund your account.
- Now, check to ensure that your welcome bonus is active in your player account.
- Finally, browse and select your first sports bet to add it to your bet slip.
Note that you may need a copy of your government-issued ID ready for account verification. Additionally, a MI online sportsbook may request you to contact customer service for additional verification due to state regulations.
MI Betting Bonuses and Promotions
Indeed, one of the best aspects of online sports betting is the bonuses and promotions that each operator offers. In Michigan, online sportsbooks provide a wide range of bonuses and promotions to entice new customers to sign-up or keep existing customers intrigued.
Here is a selection of welcome bonuses that MI online sportsbooks offer:
- No-deposit bonus
- Deposit match bonus
- Free bets
Moreover, here is a list of popular ongoing betting promotions available at most Michigan online sports betting sites:
- Reload bonuses
- Parlay boosts
- Odds boost
- Leaderboard races
Definitely, look for ongoing promotions and boosted odds surrounding MI pro teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions, and the Red Wings. Of note, if you notice a sportsbook lagging in ongoing promotions or bonuses, check for a strong loyalty or rewards program that may make up for the lack of offers.
Payment Methods
Playing at a legal and licensed online sportsbook in Michigan means you have access to various payment options. Best of all, your funds are safe and secure. Here’s a list of payment options for either depositing or withdrawing funds in Michigan sportsbooks. Note that not all of these methods are available at each online operator.
- eCheck ACH
- Sportsbook branded prepaid Play+ cards
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- Bill Pay
- Bank Transfer
- Credit or debit cards
- Skrill
- Casino cashier cage
Finally, note that specific deposit methods are not available for withdrawals depending on the online sports betting site.
Most Popular Sports in MI Sportsbooks
MI NCAA Teams
Finally, MI boasts some of the most well-known collegiate sports Division I teams.
- Michigan Wolverines
- Michigan State Spartans
- Central Michigan Chippewas
- Detroit Mercy Titans
- Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Oakland Golden Grizzlies
- Western Michigan Broncos
In particular, look for boosted odds and promotions surrounding the Big 10 conference. Also, highlights to the NCCA football season include games where Michigan plays in-state rival Michigan State, or Michigan plays OSU.
NFL
The Detroit Lions call Michigan home. Also, there’s a fiercely loyal fan base. In addition to the bets listed below, betting on the NFL pre-season is popular, followed by the regular season, the NFL playoffs, and finally, the Super Bowl.
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Totals
- Props
- Parlay
- Live in-game betting
- Futures
In Michigan, BetMGM is the official partner of the Detroit Lions.
NBA
Michigan is home to the Detroit Pistons. NBA betting in MI revolves around the Pistons games as they hold three NBA titles. Finally, FanDuel and DraftKings are vying to be partners with the Pistons. Both online sportsbooks will be advertising at the arena and in other media outlets.
Here is a selection of odds that NBA bettors in MI enjoy:
- NBA Finals
- Conference winners
- MVP
- Point Spreads
- Defensive POY
NHL
Ultimately, the Detroit Red Wings is one of the most popular NHL teams with nationwide fans. Detroit is also known as ‘Hockeytown.’ In fact, the Red Wings are among the oldest NHL teams in the nation. Finally, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup Championship a total of eleven times.
NHL fans in MI enjoy betting on:
- Stanley Cup Champion
- Division Conference Champion
- MVP
- Puck lines
- Moneylines
- Totals
The Red Wings have a partnership with BetMGM.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers is the oldest professional team in Michigan. Definitely, Michiganders are loyal fans as the Tigers’ history dates back to 1894. Also, the MLB season lasts quite a few months, typically March through October. PointsBet is the official partner of the Detroit Tigers.
Here are some popular MI MLB bet types:
- To win the World Series
- Moneyline
- Runline
- Totals
- Innings
- Series betting.
Additionally, player props are a popular type of MI MLB bet:
- Most regular season hits
- Home runs in a regular-season
- Most regular season stolen bases.
Types of Sports Betting in Michigan
Find an assortment of traditional types of sports bets in Michigan:
- Moneyline
- Straight bets
- Parlay bets
- Props
- Totals
- Teasers
- Future
- Single-game bets
- Alternative bets
- Point spreads
- Live in-play betting
History of Sports Betting in Michigan
Generally speaking, it has taken a few attempts to legalize sports betting in Michigan finally. After much back and forth, sports betting is finally legal and available in MI. No doubt, MI legal sports betting is largely due to the tribal casinos who supported and pushed forth legislation. Below, explore the history and timeline of events involving Michigan sports betting.
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Dec. 5, 1996
Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act lays the groundwork for gambling laws within the state. Essentially, the act approves state-run casinos separate from tribal casinos.
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2015
Robert Kosowski introduces H4669 for casinos to allow sports betting.
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2016
Kosowski’s bill is introduced again as H5828 and expands to allow other operators to allow sports betting besides just casinos. Both bills did not come to fruition.
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May 2018
New Jersey wins Supreme Court appeal, which legalizes NJ online sports betting and paves the way for all states.
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Dec. 20, 2018
Michigan attempts to pass the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, HB 4926. One lone sentence permits the MGCB to allow sports betting licensing. Unfortunately, Gov. Snyder vetoed the bill.
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Sept. 4, 2019
HB4916 is introduced by Rep. Brandt Iden, specifically regarding sports betting in Michigan.
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Sept. 10, 2019
House Regulatory Reform Committee hears HB4916.
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Sept. 11, 2019
The eighth and final draft of the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act has minor changes.
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Dec. 11, 2019
Senate passes bill with 358-35.
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Dec. 20, 2019
Gov. Whitmer signs into law HB4916, legalizing sports betting for Michigan.
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March 11, 2020
Retail sportsbooks and sports betting lounges begin opening in MI.
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Jan. 22, 2021
MGCB authorizes online sportsbooks to begin accepting mobile wagers.
The Future of MI Sports Betting
The future of Michigan sports betting is bright, particularly when you account for Michigan’s size (11th in the nation) and approximately ten million population (10th in the country). Additionally, the Wolverine State’s residents have a big appetite for gaming, with an abundance of 26 casinos (three commercial and 23 tribal casinos).
To this end, many online sportsbooks are vying to enter the Wolverine State. Moreover, the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act is quite favorable to the sports betting market. In particular, the licensing fees and tax rate are low. Also, the MCGB and legislatures did not impose cumbersome restrictions on sports betting, such as limiting the types of wagers or sports you can bet on in Michigan. Finally, Michigan checks off all the boxes for professional sports teams with loyal fan bases, ensuring that the MI sports betting market continues on its healthy start to a mature and sustainable future.
