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
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?
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.
Sign up as a customer by following the registration process. You will need proof of ID.
Deposit money in your new account using one of several banking options.
Be sure to take advantage of any sign-up bonuses for new customers.
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 Sportsbook | Retail Sportsbook Partner | Address | Online Sportsbook Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | BetMGM Sportsbook | 1777 3rd Ave, Detroit MI 48226 | BetMGM |
| Greektown Casino | Barstool Sportsbook | 555 E Lafayette St, Detroit MI 48226 | Barstool Sportsbook |
| MotorCity Casino | FanDuel Sportsbook | 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit MI 48201 | FanDuel |
| FireKeepers Casino | Dacey’s Sportsbook | 11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek MI 49014 | |
| Odawa Casino Resort | FOX Bet | 1760 Lears Rd, Petosky MI 49770 | FOX Bet Sportsbook |
| Odawa Casino Mackinaw City | FOX Bet | 1080 S Nicolet St, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 | FOX Bet Sportsbook |
| Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel | William Hill | 7741 M-72, Williamsburg MI 49690 | William Hill |
| Leelanau Sands Casino | William Hill | 2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown MI 49682 | William Hill |
| Little River Casino | Rush Street Interactive/BetRivers | 2700 Orchard Highway, Manistee, MI 49660 | Rush Street Interactive/BetRivers |
| Bay Mills Resort Casino | DraftKings | 11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715 | DraftKings |
| Island Resort & Casino | BetAmerica Sportsbook | W 399 US 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845 | Not Yet Launched/BetAmerica Sportsbook |
| Northern Waters Casino Resort | PointsBet | US 45, Watersmeet, MI 49969 | PointsBet |
| Ojibwa Casino Baraga | 16449 Michigan Avenue, Baraga , MI 49908-9209 | Golden Nugget Sports | |
| Ojibwa Casino Marquette | 105 Acre Trail, Marquette, MI 49855 | Golden Nugget Sports | |
| Kewadin Sault Ste. Marie | WynnBET | 2186 Shunk Rd. | Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 | WynnBET |
| Kewadin Christmas | WynnBET | N7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas, MI 49862 | WynnBET |
| Kewadin Manistique | WynnBET | 5630 Manistique Lakes Rd, McMillan, MI 49853 | WynnBET |
| Kewadin Hessel | WynnBET | 3 N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel, MI 49745 | WynnBET |
| Kewadin Ste. Ignace | WynnBET | 3015 Mackinac Trail St. Ignace, MI 49781 | WynnBET |
| Gun Lake Casino | Parx | 1123 129th Ave, Wayland, MI 49348 | Not yet launched/Parx |
| Four Winds Dowagiac | Four Winds/Pala Interactive i | 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117 | Four Winds/Pala Interactive |
| Four Winds Hartford | Four Winds/Pala Interactive | 68600 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, MI 49057 | Four Winds/Pala Interactive |
| Four Winds New Buffalo | Four Winds/Pala Interactive | 11111 Wilson Rd. New Buffalo, MI 49117 | Four Winds/Pala Interactive |
| Saganing Eagles Landing Casino | Not yet launched | Not yet launched | |
| Soaring Eagle Casino | Not yet launched | Not yet launched |
Sports betting in the United States
- Online sports betting legal
- Sports betting legal (excluding online)
- Not legal yet
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?