Michigan Online Gambling

Michigan is home to arguably the fastest-growing online gambling industry in the United States. The Great Lakes State first legalized iGaming in 2019 and has since worked to provide a safe and regulated environment for both gambling companies and individual bettors to thrive. Some of the biggest names in the global online gaming business, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings, have all pitched their tents in Michigan. In turn, locals have a variety of casino and sportsbook options to choose from. 

Here, we’ll help you stay updated with important information about the Michigan online gambling sector, ranging from top gambling apps to industry news and the latest bonuses.

Almost every form of online gambling that you can imagine is available to Michiganders. The state allows for a wide range of betting markets, casino products, and different iGaming features. Below are some of the legal gambling forms you can enjoy in Michigan:

1. Online Sports Betting

The Wolverine State has 14 fully licensed sportsbooks operators that have amassed over $850 million in lifetime revenue and more than $10 billion total betting handle. Michigan bettors can wager multiple bet types and markets on different professional or college sporting events. There are also live betting options, prop bets, and futures on offer at Michigan sportsbooks. 

2. Online Casinos

Slots, table games, and live dealer titles are in no short supply in Michigan, thanks to its 15 licensed online casino providers. Players can enjoy some of the most popular releases from renowned casino software suppliers. Three years after the launch of the first set of Michigan online casinos, the state has generated over $3 billion in revenue. 

3. Online Poker

Although Michigan offers only three poker apps to choose from, its locals are well-reputed for their success at national poker series events. PokerStars, WSOP Michigan, and BetMGM Poker are the three online poker operators in the state. At the start of 2023, Michigan became the latest state to allow interstate poker, offering joint player pools with New Jersey through PokerStars. 

4. Daily Fantasy Sports

Enjoy weekly simulated sporting contests with DraftKings Michigan’s daily fantasy events. Michiganders can create virtual teams, accumulate points, and participate in special events to win cash prizes. Some of the popular options include DraftKings Fantasy Millionaire, March Madness, Oscars, and the World Cup fantasy contests.  

5. Horse Racing

Michigan plays host to the highly famous Northville Downs and allows parimutuel betting on local and national horse races. In-person horse race betting has been legal in Michigan for 90 years, with online betting options becoming available on recently. TVG, Xpress Bet, NYRA Bets, and FanDuel Racing are some of the state's available horse racing betting companies.

Only licensed casino and sportsbook companies are allowed to operate in the Michigan online gambling industry by law. This way, Michigan regulators can guarantee player safety, track revenue, and use taxes from online gambling activities to improve the state. 

That said, the Great Lakes State currently has 15 casino and 14 sportsbook operators that the Michigan Gaming Control Board licenses. Licenses are initially granted to operators of brick-and-mortar gambling platforms, who then partner with online companies to provide sports betting and iGaming services.

As a result of this policy, most of the license holders in Michigan are native tribes and the three Detroit physical casino owners. Below is a full list of the sportsbooks and casinos in Michigan that offer legal online gambling.

Websites and apps are the most common ways to access Michigan online gaming features. As long as you’re within the state, you can enjoy easy access to both casino and sportsbook apps from licensed operators. 

MI Casino Apps

There are as many as 15 online casino apps available to Michigan players. Licensed gambling service providers run all these apps and feature all of the best jackpot slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker games in the US. Besides having thousands of games to choose from, Michigan online casinos also promise mouth-watering bonus offers.

MI Sports Betting Apps

Similar to online casinos, Michigan also has 14 sportsbook apps. These apps allow you to bet on the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NCAA events. You also have access to different betting types and markets, including moneyline, spread bets, and futures. There are also welcome bonuses for new customers.

In 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, granting states the authority to establish gambling laws for their respective jurisdictions. This landmark decision has led to the legalization of sports betting and casino gaming in more than 33 states in the US, including Michigan. 

Below, you’ll get a more detailed overview of how online gaming became legal in Michigan and how the industry is regulated in the state. 

Legal Status of Online Gambling in Michigan

Online gambling, including casinos, sports betting, poker rooms, lottery, and fantasy sports, is fully legal in Michigan. In the same year as the ground-breaking Supreme Court decision, lawmakers in Michigan passed a bill that aimed to legalize the operations of online casinos and sportsbooks in the state. Former governor Rick Snyder vetoed the bill. However, in December 2019, Gretchen Whitmer, the new Michigan governor, signed a comprehensive online gambling measure into law.

In the aftermath, retail sportsbooks were open for operation in March 2020, while online markets were fully launched in January 2021. The law allowing the operation of online gaming sites in the state requires that operators partner with an existing retail casino or sportsbook license holder. 

Legal Gambling Age Requirement for Michigan 

The legal gambling age in Michigan is 21. This means that only players aged 21 years and above will be allowed to open online casino or sportsbook accounts and place wagers. However, several forms of gambling activities may stipulate different minimum age requirements. 

For instance, many retail tribal gaming facilities have 18 as the legal age to play casino games. Similarly, a player must be at least 18 years old to participate in the lottery. But for some commercial sportsbooks and Odawa Casino, the minimum age is set at 19. 

Taxes on Casino Winnings

Both the state of Michigan and the federal government charge taxes on your winnings from retail and online casinos or sportsbooks. Generally, the IRS considers winnings from any gambling activity to be taxable income. 

So, you are liable to pay 24% federal tax on any of your winnings at Michigan online casinos or sportsbooks. At the state level, the tax is levied at 4.25%. However, this payment is usually subject to your household and overall taxable income. 

The Michigan state also charges taxes on the revenue of sports betting and casino sites. These taxes are paid to local authorities and used to fund education and several other important state programs like responsible gaming initiatives. 

Which Agency Regulates Michigan Casinos?

Both casinos and sportsbooks in the state are regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The MGCB is responsible for issuing licenses to eligible operators. It is also responsible for regulatory oversight over retail and online gambling platform operations, while ensuring fairness across all wagering activities.

Although the MGCB does not have authority over federal tribes, it has a duty to ensure that tribes and their casinos comply with the State-Tribal Compact Provision. The MGCB is also tasked with auditing revenue and promoting the state’s responsible gambling program. 

deliver industry news and legal updates and promote the best Michigan online casinos to afford you a richer gambling experience within state lines. 

In recommending online casinos and sportsbooks, we assess them carefully based on a wide range of criteria. These parameters are important as they can help you distinguish between licensed, reputable gambling sites and those that are not. 

Licensing and Regulation

We look out for only gambling platforms that are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Licensed platforms guarantee fair outcomes on games and wagers. Besides, since they are under the regulatory control of the MGCB, you can rest assured that the casino’s operation is backed by law and that the gambling environment is safe for all customers. 

Data Privacy and Security

Every gambling activity involves you providing your personal details and financial information. Thus, our team of experts ensures that the casinos we recommend offer cutting-edge data protection, comply with state-imposed KYC, and ensure the security of sensitive information. The best casinos are those that adopt SSL encryption on their websites. 

Quality Reputation

Only casinos with a solid reputation make it to our list of the best gambling platforms in Michigan. While all of these sites are generally safe and fair, their reputation for utmost customer satisfaction is important. Our team of experts looks through independent reviews and public sentiment to determine if a casino has a positive overall reputation. 

Efficient Customer Service

Top Michigan casinos typically offer smooth service delivery without glitches. However, in the case of problems, it is essential that casinos have reliable and highly responsive customer support teams. We ensure that each gambling site has accessible customer support, with options to contact the team via live chat, email, or phone. 

Swift Payouts

Winning at online casinos or sportsbooks isn't the end of the gambling experience. Players still need to withdraw their winnings, and the best sites are those that offer swift and hassle-free withdrawal processes. At Gamble Online Michigan, we ensure that you have multiple banking options to withdraw your funds and that they arrive in record time. 

Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the most trustworthy details about Michigan online gambling, relying on a thorough, multi-stage review process.