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Michigan online sports betting laws

Michigan is one of the great sporting states in the US. With pro teams in all four major sports, there is always top-level action to enjoy. And with sports betting now legalized, this is one of the fastest growing markets in the nation. Even with casinos closed due to COVID-19 and online betting only becoming legal in 2021, it still exceeded $1 billion in sports betting handle in just over one year of its introduction in March 2020 through to April 2021.

Written by OnlineBetting.com staff.

Fact Checked
Jennifer Gaynor Bio

Jennifer Gaynor

Administrative law and government relations attorney

Jennifer has a degree in Journalism from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C, in 2005. She's been living in Las Vegas helping clients in the casino and gaming industry, as well as other regulated businesses, across Nevada for over 15 years.

She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and books on US gaming law, including most recently,  The Law of Regulated Gambling: A Practical Guide for Business Lawyers , American Bar Association (2020), and  That (Expletive) Broad: Women Who Broke Barriers in the Casino and Gaming Industry (2020) .

Is sports betting legal in Michigan?

Yes it is. Michigan sports betting was legalized in late 2019 and went live in March 2020.

Is online sports betting legal in Michigan?

Yes, Michigan sports betting fans have been able to place wagers online since January 2021.

How old do I have to be to place a bet in Michigan?

You need to be at least 21 years old to be able to place a sports bet in Michigan.

How do I start betting in Michigan?

  1. You can place wagers in person at a sportsbook in Michigan, or choose your preferred online sportsbook – there are already more than 10 operating in Michigan – to set up an account.

  2. Sign up as a customer by following the registration process. You will need proof of ID.

  3. Deposit money in your new account using one of several banking options.

  4. Be sure to take advantage of any sign-up bonuses for new customers.

  5. Start betting.

Is sports betting legal in Michigan?

Michigan legalizes online sports betting
Remote registration and geolocation
Online sports betting licenses
Are Michigan gambling winnings taxable?

Who is allowed to bet on sports In Michigan?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet in Michigan
You must be in Michigan to bet

What can’t I bet on in Michigan?

Esports
Politics

Daily Fantasy Sports in Michigan

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) became legal in Michigan at the same time as sports betting, in December 2019.

In the first year in operation, $16.7 million of revenue was generated, meaning a $1.4 million tax windfall for the state in 2020.

DFS operators, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, pay a tax of 8.4% on their revenues – the same rate as sports betting companies.

With a population of more than 10 million, Michigan is a lucrative state for fantasy operators. Some analysts estimate that approximately four per cent of all DFS contest entry fees across the US come from Michigan.

Top sports to bet on in Michigan

Michigan sports betting has already become extremely big business. But that’s hardly surprising when you look at the quality of sports teams in the state. With representatives at the highest level of all four major US sports plying their trade in Detroit, no wonder there is such a huge appetite for sport – and sports betting – in the Great Lakes State.

Football

The Detroit Lions play in the NFC North of the NFL and have a history dating back to the 1930s. There are also several leading NCAA football colleges in the state. Football is massive for sports fans and Michigan sports betting enthusiasts.

Responsible gambling in Michigan

As the popularity of sports betting in Michigan grows at a stunning rate, it is encouraging to see there are several resources in place to support responsible gambling.

It should go without saying that betting ought to be a pleasant, fun experience. However, for a small proportion of people, it can be a source of financial and emotional anxiety.

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) is the body charged with assisting people who encounter problems with gambling.

Principal among these is the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline. This is available 24/7 and offers confidential, toll-free, one-on-one counseling to residents of the state.

The MDHHS also funds a Gambling Treatment Program to help problem gamblers and their families.

In addition, Michigan sports betting customers who feel they may need assistance also have access to nationwide resources such as:

  • The Michigan Gaming Control Board : Shares links and resources to sites that offer help with compulsive gambling, as well as the opportunity to join a Disassociated Persons List to voluntarily remove themselves from gaming.

  • Gam-Anon : An organization that aids the family members and friends of the compulsive gambler.

  • Gamblers Anonymous : A listing of dozens of GA meetings in the Detroit area.

  • National Council on Problem Gambling : A non-profit health agency, which disseminates information about problem/compulsive gambling, and promotes the development of services.

Timeline of sports betting in Michigan

1993

Michigan’s first tribal gaming compact, which would pave the way for tribal casinos in Michigan, is approved by the state legislature.

1996

The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act of 1996 authorizes gambling in three casinos on non-tribal land in Detroit.

2015

Rep. Robert Kosowski introduces legislation to allow casinos to conduct sports betting and to wager on simulcast horse racing.

2016

Kosowski reintroduces his bill, this time including language that would allow third parties to offer sports betting. Once again, the bills never made it out of committee – but the subject had been raised.

2017

Rep. Brandt Iden tries to pass internet gambling legislation. This at least made it past the committee.

2018

Rep. Iden gets all stakeholders behind a bill that would have allowed the Michigan Gaming Control Board to permit internet gambling operators to accept sports bets – but it’s vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder.

2019

New governor Gretchen Whitmer signs a package of gambling expansion bills into law. These include legalizing online sports betting and fantasy sports.

2020

New governor Gretchen Whitmer signs a package of gambling expansion bills into law. These include legalizing online sports betting and fantasy sports.

2021

Online and mobile sportsbooks begin to offer services to remote customers.

Where can you bet in Michigan?

Casino/Retail SportsbookRetail Sportsbook PartnerAddressOnline Sportsbook Partner
MGM Grand DetroitBetMGM Sportsbook1777 3rd Ave, Detroit MI 48226BetMGM
Greektown CasinoBarstool Sportsbook555 E Lafayette St, Detroit MI 48226Barstool Sportsbook
MotorCity CasinoFanDuel Sportsbook2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit MI 48201FanDuel
FireKeepers CasinoDacey’s Sportsbook11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek MI 49014
Odawa Casino ResortFOX Bet1760 Lears Rd, Petosky MI 49770FOX Bet Sportsbook
Odawa Casino Mackinaw CityFOX Bet1080 S Nicolet St, Mackinaw City, MI 49701FOX Bet Sportsbook
Turtle Creek Casino & HotelWilliam Hill7741 M-72, Williamsburg MI 49690William Hill
Leelanau Sands CasinoWilliam Hill2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown MI 49682William Hill
Little River CasinoRush Street Interactive/BetRivers2700 Orchard Highway, Manistee, MI 49660Rush Street Interactive/BetRivers
Bay Mills Resort CasinoDraftKings11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715DraftKings
Island Resort & CasinoBetAmerica SportsbookW 399 US 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845Not Yet Launched/BetAmerica Sportsbook
Northern Waters Casino ResortPointsBetUS 45, Watersmeet, MI 49969PointsBet
Ojibwa Casino Baraga16449 Michigan Avenue, Baraga , MI 49908-9209Golden Nugget Sports
Ojibwa Casino Marquette105 Acre Trail, Marquette, MI 49855Golden Nugget Sports
Kewadin Sault Ste. MarieWynnBET2186 Shunk Rd. | Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783WynnBET
Kewadin ChristmasWynnBETN7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas, MI 49862WynnBET
Kewadin ManistiqueWynnBET5630 Manistique Lakes Rd, McMillan, MI 49853WynnBET
Kewadin HesselWynnBET3 N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel, MI 49745WynnBET
Kewadin Ste. IgnaceWynnBET3015 Mackinac Trail St. Ignace, MI 49781WynnBET
Gun Lake CasinoParx1123 129th Ave, Wayland, MI 49348Not yet launched/Parx
Four Winds DowagiacFour Winds/Pala Interactive i11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117Four Winds/Pala Interactive
Four Winds HartfordFour Winds/Pala Interactive68600 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, MI 49057Four Winds/Pala Interactive
Four Winds New BuffaloFour Winds/Pala Interactive11111 Wilson Rd. New Buffalo, MI 49117Four Winds/Pala Interactive
Saganing Eagles Landing CasinoNot yet launchedNot yet launched
Soaring Eagle CasinoNot yet launchedNot yet launched

Michigan betting FAQs

Can you bet online in Michigan?
What sports betting sites are legal in Michigan?
Can I use MyBookie in Michigan?
Is FanDuel legal in Michigan?