Michigan Sports Betting

After several unsuccessful attempts to legalize sports wagering since 2015, the state of Michigan finally legalized the activity in December 2019. The state also approved online casino gambling, creating one of the most diverse gambling offerings in the US. So what does Michigan’s sports betting market look like? Let’s find out.

Is it legal to bet on sports in Michigan?

Yes, sports wagering is legal and live in the state of Michigan. On 20 December 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 916 into law, creating the Lawful Sports Betting Act. Under this law, commercial and tribal casinos can offer land-based and online sports betting in Michigan. Governor Whitmer also signed HB 4308 into law, legalizing fantasy sports contests in the state of Michigan.

Under the law, online and mobile sportsbooks must be “tethered” to commercial venues with casinos licences located in the state. The same applies to the 23 tribal casinos located on the state. This means that online operators must secure entry into Michigan’s sports betting market through a partnership with one of the state’s venues.

Whitmer signed HB 4311 into law, creating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. Under this law, mobile and online casino gambling is now legal in the state of Michigan.

Michigan’s sports wagering market went live on 11 March 2020 with the opening of land-based sportsbooks at Penn National Gaming’s Greektown Casino and the MGM Grand Detroit. On 12 March, MotorCity Casino opened its FanDuel-branded sportsbook.

Online sports wagering and casino gambling have yet to go live in the state. At the time of writing, the Michigan Gaming Control Board is in the process of crafting regulations for both verticals and is hoping to launch online operations in early 2021.

Prior to the legalization of sports wagering, residents were limited to betting on horseracing and greyhound racing events at physical locations in the state. In May 2020, the (MGCB) authorised online horseracing betting.

Where can I bet on sports in Michigan?

With the passage of HB 916, Michigan’s commercial and tribal casinos can offer legal and regulated sports betting, both in-person and online. At the time of writing, Michigan’s three commercial casinos have launched sports betting operations and are accepting wagers.

Several operators have secured entry into the market by partnering with tribal venues operated by federally recognized tribal groups. Here are some of the sports betting brands you can expect to see in Michigan further down the line:

What Sports Can I Bet On?

Residents and visitors can bet on a variety of sports including football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, NASCAR, boxing, and UFC. Residents can bet on major leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL, as well as collegiate leagues such as the NCAA football and basketball contests.

While international leagues and events like the World Cup and Olympics are big events for Michigan betting sites, there’s more than enough to enjoy right here at home. And as ever, look around at the different Michigan online sports betting options to be sure you’re getting the most competitive odds. Let’s look at some of the biggest US sports to bet on, and how Michigan is represented in each:

Basketball

Basketball is a great sport to bet on if you’re a fan of prop bets. With any one of hundreds of different players able to go off on a spectacular individual performance on any given night, there’s a whole bunch of predictions to be made. Maybe you think Kevin Durant will hit 50 points, or CP3 will drop 20 assists in a game, make your bets, and if they come in, you win. 

Michigan is represented in the NBA by the Detroit Pistons. The three-time champions look to become a threat to the biggest teams in the league again after picking up hugely promising prospect and Rookie of the Year runner-up, Cade Cunningham, with the first pick in the 2021 NBA draft. 

American Football

American Football gives you three completely different stages to bet on thanks to offensive, defensive, and safety teams. That means proposition bets are a good option here, too. With upsets always possible, and close games more frequent than one may expect, point spreads are another great choice for NFL sports bettors. 

The Detroit Lions are the Michigan NFL team. After winning four conference championships during their 1950s heyday, the Lions have since been quiet. But Detroit never gives up hope, and the likes of center Frank Ragnow and tight-end T.J. Hockenson hope to lead the Lions back to glory in the near future. 

Ice Hockey

The Stanley Cup Final provides one of the biggest betting events of the year, but there are many more opportunities for Michigan bettors in the NHL. Moneylines are always a good choice for hockey games, while point spreads can give a good opportunity for taking a punt on an underdog to pull off an upset, or at least come close. 

Michiganders are likely to cheer on the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. Sharing a stadium with the NBA’s Pistons, the Red Wings are one of the top winners in hockey history. As well as the third-longest playoff streak ever in the NHL, with 25 consecutive appearances, the Red Wings also have 11 Stanley Cups under their belt. 

Baseball

There are many great betting options for Michigan sports betting fans when it comes to baseball. For starters, the leagues provide more games every year than any other sport, meaning a range of great combination offers to pick from, if you go for a parlay bet. And with the ability to bet on multiple games in a day, prop bets are also a solid choice, as are futures with the likes of Home Run champ and most strikeouts in a season among the potential bet choices. 

Michigan’s Detroit Tigers have won four MLB World Series crowns, most recently in 1984, as well as 11 AL pennants, with the last coming in 2012. After a four-year rebuild, the Tigers outperformed all predictions in 2021 behind incredible pitching from Spencer Turnbull, and they therefore may be due a run back to the World Series sooner than expected.

What Else Can I Bet On in Michigan?

Michigan betting sites host a range of different betting options outside of the sports arena. Lotteries and horse racing enjoy strong popularity in the state, while there are also numerous top-quality casino games to try, including:

Blackjack

Played heads up against the dealer, the idea of blackjack is simple, with the aim being to get closer to 21 than your opponent without going over. With online blackjack games offering side bets and other variations on the theme, this high RTP casino title (over 99% on average) remains hugely popular with players. 

Poker

Poker comes in two forms online, regular poker and video poker. With the first, you’ll be going up against other players and trying to find the best hand to match the variant you’re playing. Video poker is the missing link between poker and slots. With this version, you’re playing alone on a console screen that’s similar to a slots display and trying to find a good enough five card hand to land on the paytable and pick up a win. 

Craps

Roll the dice, or bet on the person who is. Aim for 7s and 11s, and avoid snake eyes. Craps is a unique game because if you’re not the ‘shooter’ (the person rolling the dice) you can bet on the rolls to win or lose. 

Three-Card Poker

A great starting point for aspiring poker pros. You get dealt three cards, one of which you can flip, and then if you’ve got the best three-card hand, you win! Also known as three-card draw and three-card monte, this is a simple game that’s great for new players to learn the finer points of poker play. 

Roulette

Bet on a number or a series of numbers, and watch the ball spin around the wheel. If it lands on your chosen number, you win, it’s that simple. Roulette has been a mainstay of land-based casinos for centuries, and the game has maintained its popularity thanks to exciting online variants like Evolution’s Lightning Roulette and Double Ball Roulette. 

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em became the most popular form of poker thanks to televised late-night tournaments, and is a well-loved variant for Michigan bettors. You start with two cards, and then five are laid out on the table. Make the best five-card hand using the seven available cards, and you win.

The Wolverine State is home to a variety of gambling establishments. The tribal gaming market is a dominant force in the state with over 20 tribal-owned casinos. The Motor City, Detroit, is home to the state’s three commercial casinos and there are four pari-mutuel horse racing tracks spread across the state.

On top of the casinos that operate in the state, residents and visitors can partake in four types of legal online gambling. These four types of online gambling include:

• online lottery games
• horse and greyhound racing
• games of skill like backgammon
• betting on fantasy sports games.

The state lawmakers have taken steps in recent years to expand the online gambling offerings with online casinos, poker and sports betting currently considering legislation to permit these activities.

Claim a Michigan Sports Betting Bonus

When you sign up to a new MI sportsbook, one of the first things you’ll be able to do is claim a welcome bonus. At the best Michigan sports betting sites, you’ll also find a plethora of promotions for existing players, too. Here are the most popular forms of bonus available:

Free Bets

One of two possible ways a Michigan sports betting site may match a percentage of a first deposit is with free online bets. So instead of giving you bonus funds, you will be given the chance to take one or more free bets on certain sports with odds restrictions – for example, you could bet $20 and be given an additional $20 in free bets. As ever, terms and conditions will usually apply so read through before accepting this type of deposit bonus. 

New players at the BetMGM sportsbook receive a $200 free bet bonus when making a first deposit of $10 or more

Matched Deposits

The other way to get rewarded for making a deposit is a matched deposit bonus that will give you a percentage of your cashier payment in bonus cash. A 100% bonus up to $100, for example, would give you an additional $100 to play with for a $100 deposit. 

BetMGM currently has a 100% matched deposit bonus up to a $250 for new players

Risk-Free Bets 

Fancy taking a punt you wouldn’t usually consider? A risk-free bet bonus is a fantastic way to do that. Here, you make a bet – within set parameters – and if it comes in, happy days, you win. However, if your bet loses, you will receive its value in a free bet or perhaps casino credits, from the sportsbook so you can have another go. 

Betway sportsbook currently has a $1,000 risk-free bet promo for new customers.

Payment Methods at Michigan Betting Sites

Michigan online sports betting sites provide players with a wide choice of payment methods. There is a good range of options for both deposits and withdrawals so let’s take a look through the most commonly offered banking methods:

Debit/Credit Cards

Debit and credit cards are the go-to for the majority of Michigan betting sites. This tried and tested online payment method has the benefit of qualifying players for all potential bonuses. In addition, after you have entered your details for the first time, the sportsbook will save them, ensuring you can make all future deposits and withdrawals with just a couple of clicks of your mouse. 

However, as a downside for some Michigan bettors, this payment method isn’t suitable for those who prefer not to share their banking information with online sports betting sites. Withdrawals can also take longer with debit and credit cards than with some alternative methods. 

E-Wallets

E-Wallets are a very popular alternative payment method for Michigan sports betting thanks to fast withdrawals – it shouldn’t take more than 24 hours for your funds to arrive in your wallet after being released from your sportsbook account, and in many cases payments are immediate. 

The biggest benefit of e-wallets, however, is that you don’t need to share any card or bank details with your chosen sites or sports betting apps. The e-wallet service, be it PayPal, Skrill, or another option, will take care of transactions, meaning you simply deposit into your wallet and the payments can be made directly from your bank via the e-wallet account. 

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are a popular way to make deposits at Michigan betting sites. While specific prepaid card services, like paysafecard, do not have the traction in the US that they enjoy in other markets, there are still options available. For example, Mastercard provides a prepaid card that you can charge with cash, the card’s code can then be used immediately to place a deposit via your best sportsbook sites. 

The big issue with prepaid cards is that, in almost all cases, withdrawals cannot be made, so you’ll have to pick another banking method for payouts.

Michigan sports betting revenue

Michigan launched sports betting at Detroit’s land-based casinos in March 2020 just days before the state was forced to close its casinos due to the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s online market went live on 22 January 2021.

Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, Michigan is on its way to becoming one of the best performing sports betting states in the US.

*Michigan’s casinos were closed in March 2020 through to 5 August 2020 at a 15% maximum occupancy limit. Casino closed again on 17 November through to December 2020.

Complete state reports can be accessed via the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Last updated on 10th January 2022

Are offshore gambling sites legal in Michigan?

According to Michigan law, it is illegal to place bets with unlicensed online sportsbooks and offshore gambling sites, and gamblers could face prosecution for gambling with these operators. This also applies to US gambling sites from other states.

Aside from legality, we’d recommend steering clear of offshore gambling and sports betting sites because of the lack of regulation. This means they may not be secure or may not have measures in place to protect vulnerable players. You also have no way of finding out who is handling the money you deposit into an online account. If Michigan does choose to regulate sports betting, then there is a strong chance there will be some legal online Michigan sports betting sites available further down the line.

You can spot offshore gambling sites by looking at the website’s domain name. If you see a domain that ends in .EU or .AG it does not hold a license to operate in Michigan and therefore should be avoided at all costs.

Is it safe to bet on sports in Michigan?

Michigan already has very strict regulatory standards for gambling operations and sports betting is no different. The state regulator is currently drafting online sports betting regulations to ensure players are safe and secure. However, taking steps to ensure you gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose is a vital part is keeping gambling fun. The Michigan Association on Problem Gambling and the National Problem Gambling Helpline offer support and resources if you believe that you, or a loved one, may be suffering with problem gambling.

You can contact the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling via:

Phone: 517-672-6904

The Michigan Association on Problem Gambling is located at: 1128 Wethersfield Dr. S., Portage, Michigan, 49002

You can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline via:

Phone: 1-800-522-4700

Text: 1-800-522-4700

Online chat

Who regulates gambling in Michigan?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is responsible for overseeing gambling operations in relation to the state’s commercial casinos, as well as some aspects of Michang’s tribal casinos, as laid out by terms in tribal-state gaming compacts.

How old do I have to be to gamble in Michigan?

You must be 18 play the Michigan state lottery and place bets on horse racing. If you wish to play casino games, you must be at least 21 years of age.

The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in Michigan

Whilst sports betting in Michigan is yet to be legalized, state lawmakers are still considering legislation, we will continue to update this page as the situation develops.

1933 – The first opportunities for legal gambling in Michigan surfaced with the approval of the 1933 Racing Act. This act authorized and regulated pari-mutuel horse racing in Michigan. Since then the act has been repealed and horse racing now falls under the Horse Racing Law of 1995.

1972 – On 16 May, voters in Michigan approved a constitutional amendment that lead to the establishment of the state lottery. On 1 August Governor William Milliken signed Public Act 239 into law and appointed Gus Harrison as the state’s first Lottery Commissioner.

Act 382 was also passed that year, allowing nonprofit organizations to raise funds through licensed bingo games, raffles, and the sale of charity game tickets. It also allowed for the licensing of bingo halls and suppliers

1992 – Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting sports betting across US states. Four states were made exempt from the law: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana. These states had legal sports betting regulations in place.

1993 – The first tribal casino in Michigan opened for business in the Mt. Pleasant area and was operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The tribe entered into a compact with the state the same year.

1996 – The Lottery Commissioner at the time Bill Martin, introduced “The Big Game” a new lottery game in which Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia all participated. Thanks to the success of the game four more states joined the game in 2002.

In November, voters in Michigan approved Proposal E, which authorized the construction of three licensed casinos in the Detroit area. The proposal was reviewed and improvements were made before being the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Greek Town, MGM, and Motor City were the three commercial casinos established under this act.

1998 – A number of tribes entered into compacts with the state this year, and tribes were required to pay 10% of their net wins on electronic games of chance. 8% of this would go to the state, and 2% to local municipalities.

2003 – The state lottery began to expand its games and started offering Club Keno and pull-tab games which could be purchased at licensed restaurants and bars.

2007 – On 30 September, the state lottery finished the financial year with a contribution of $748.9m to the School Aid Fund.

2017 – Multiple pieces of legislation were introduced in an attempt to begin the move towards legalizing online casino gambling in Michigan. Towards the end of the year, during the Supreme Court case, provisions for sports betting were starting to appear in some pieces of legislation.

2018 – On 14 May, the Court reached a decision. In a 7 – 2 vote it was agreed that one of the clauses in PASPA violated the Tenth Amendment, as it commandeered power from states to regulate their own gambling industries. This paved the way for all US states to decide whether or not to legalize sports betting. In the weeks after the repeal of PASPA a number of US sportsbooks launched across the country.

2019 – At the end of December, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4311 into law, creating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. Under this law, mobile and online casino gambling is now legal in the state of Michigan. Under the law, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) will be granted the power to issue licenses for online and mobile casino gambling.

The state’s governor also approved HB 916, creating the Lawful Sports Betting Act. Under this law, commercial and tribal casinos can offer land-based and online sports betting in Michigan. Governor Whitmer also signed HB 4308 into law, legalizing fantasy sports contests in the state of Michigan.

2020 – On 11 March, land-based betting went live at Michigan’s commercial casinos.

Michigan’s casinos were closed in March 2020 through to 5 August 2020 at a 15% maximum occupancy limit. Casinos closed again from 17 November through to December 2020.

Michigan’s land-based sports betting market closed the year with a total of $130.8m being wagered on sporting events. 

2021 – On 22 January 2021, Michigan’s online and mobile sports betting market went live with the launch of 10 previously approved sports betting operators. At noon, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, PointsBet, TwinSpires, William Hill, and WynnBet launched their sportsbooks in the state.

In addition to online betting, Michigan’s online casino market also went live on 22 January 2021.

Figures from the Michigan regulator revealed that $115m was wagered online within the first 10 days of legal online sports betting in Michigan.

For the month of February, which also marked the first full month of legal online betting in Michigan, bettors wagered $302m on sporting events. FanDuel, DraftKings, Barstool, and BetMGM accounted for 91% of the total online betting handle in February.

During March, Michigan sports betting handle surged to $383.7m, mainly thanks to a boost from March Madness betting.

In September, Michigan’s legal sportsbook operators processed a record $386.8m in bets. This was largely due to a major boost from professional football betting.

Michigan sports betting handle surged again in October, with more than $497.6m in bets. This was largely thanks to the fact that there were five full weekends of football in October 2021.

In November, Michigan betting handle broke the $500m mark after sportsbooks took $500.5m in bets for the month, marking another record for the state.

In December, Michigan sportsbooks took a record $514.6m in bets, pushing the state’s total handle for the month past $3.9bn. Of this total, $3.7bn came from bets placed via online sportsbooks.

2022 – On 13 January, Caesars Sportsbook announced a deal that saw the operator become the exclusive sportsbook and iGaming partner of Michigan State University. This marked the first official iGaming deal with a Power 5 conference school.

For more updates on sports betting in Michigan be sure to check back with Compare.bet.