Michigan Online Gambling
Welcome to Michigan Gambling Online! You’ve arrived at the premier destination for all things gambling in the Great Lake State.
Michigan is an often-overlooked gambling powerhouse. Residents and visitors have a wide selection of both land-based and online options available to them.
Michigan Online Gambling is your source for the best bonuses, updates, and news about gambling locally, whether you’re in the Upper or Lower Peninsula. As it turns out, with so many options, it doesn’t really matter where you are.
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Online Gambling has Launched in Michigan
Online gambling officially launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021! Michigan’s gambling expansion in December 2019 was alarmingly comprehensive. Few states choose to jump into so many new types of gambling at the same time. Initial speculation was that sports betting would launch first, followed by casinos. Michigan has shocked the world by launching both on the same day.
Online Casinos in Michigan
Online casino play is now a reality in Michigan. After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019, the launch of casinos on mobile devices happened on January 22, 2021.
The law allows for all 26 of Michigan’s casinos to offer online casino games to anyone of legal age across the state. There’s no telling how many operators will take the state up on this option, but given the profit potential, it’s likely that most of them will.
Michigan’s casino operators are not fly-by-night organizations, either – companies like MGM and Penn National already call the Wolverine State home. So, it’s safe to assume that Michigan will soon be home to cutting edge online casino options.
As soon as we get firm information about when the first launches will occur, we will let you know.
Online Poker in Michigan
Michigan poker players can rejoice in the fact that online poker sites are soon to appear in their home territory. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which legalized online casinos in 2019, also legalized online poker sites.
Indeed, each of Michigan’s 26 casinos now has the opportunity to apply for an online poker license. Of course, 26 online poker rooms would likely exceed the demands of the market, but it’s certain that there will be some great options in the Great Lake State soon.
There’s no word about whether Michigan will join the Multi-State Compact and combine player pools with other states yet. However, as advantageous as it is to join, don’t be surprised if Michigan heads that way in the near future.
Casinos and Gambling
There are 26 casino properties located in Michigan. Of the 26, 23 are owned and operated by federally-recognized Native American tribes in the state.
The remaining locations are commercial casinos owned and operated by private organizations. All three are in and around the Detroit area, and serve the Detroit metropolitan area.
In addition to offering slots, table games, and poker, two of these Detroit-area properties are now home to retail sportsbooks. You can place wagers on sporting events at both MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown.
Online Sports Betting in Michigan
Retail sports betting is already underway in Michigan. However, online betting is now the main attraction.
In a little over one year since the legislation passed, Michigan has online sportsbooks live in the market.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Michigan
Michiganders have enjoyed access to most major daily fantasy sports sites for years. The two market leaders, DraftKings and FanDuel, offer their services to Michigan inhabitants every single day.
With that said, Michigan does not have a formal recognition of DFS as legal in its statutes. So far, both the legislature and the state attorney general have remained noncommittal about the practice.
With online sports betting coming, however, things might be changing. Keep your eyes peeled for how Michigan decides to go on daily fantasy sports.
Michigan Lottery
Michigan enjoys an extremely robust offering when it comes to its state lottery. Unlike other states, which often dabble in retail draw games and scratch-offs, Michigan has jumped with both feet into the online lottery game.
Players across the state can access the Michigan Lottery app for a wide variety of opportunities. There are keno, instant win, and draw games available in the virtual space, and players do not have to travel off their couches to take part.
Of course, Michigan also offers the prerequisite draw games and scratch-off games, too. Multistate drawings like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto 47 are all available to residents of the Great Lake State.
Michigan Casino Locations
Michigan is home to 26 different casinos. Of the 26, all but three are tribal locations and are situated on tribal lands. The remaining casinos are Detroit-area properties and are commercial casinos.
Here are all of your casino options in Michigan:
Tribal
- Bay Mills Resort & Casino – Brimley
- Dancing Eagles Resort – Watersmeet
- Firekeepers Casino and Hotel – Battle Creek
- Four Winds Dowagiac – Dowagiac
- Four Winds Hartford – Hartford
- Four Winds New Buffalo – New Buffalo
- Gun Lake Casino – Wayland
- Island Resort & Casino – Harris
- Kewadin Casino – Christmas
- Kewadin Casino – Hessel
- Kewadin Casino – Manistique
- Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center – Sault Sainte Marie
- Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel – Saint Ignace
- Kings Club Casino – Brimley
- Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino & Golf Course – Watersmeet
- Leelanau Sands Casino – Suttons Bay
- Little River Casino Resort – Manistee
- Odawa Casino – Petoskey
- Ojibwa Casino – Baraga
- Ojibwa Casino – Marquette
- Saganing Eagles Landing Casino – Standish
- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mount Pleasant
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel – Williamsburg
Commercial (all in Detroit)
- Greektown Casino Hotel
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MotorCity Casino Hotel
Michigan Cardrooms
Michigan is one of the few states that allows for standalone poker rooms to operate in the state. Several bars, taverns, and other smaller facilities can host games of Texas Hold’em in their venues as part of charitable gaming in the state. A few of them also offer blackjack games and other light table game options.
Most of these locations are not very large or glorious. Generally speaking, they are sports bars or bowling alleys that host poker and other card games. If you’re looking for an experience that mirrors a Las Vegas poker room, you should stick to the casinos.
However, if you want a less-serious game that allows players to have fun and be friendly, these rooms might be just the thing for you.
Here are all the standalone poker rooms in Michigan:
- All Star Poker Room – Walled Lake
- Bora Bora’s Charity Poker Room – Warren
- Ciccarelli’s Sports Bar – Utica
- Doc’s Poker and Blackjack Room – Livonia
- Huron Poker Room – Oscoda
- Joey Armadillo’s – Niles
- Krazy Kops at Vision Lanes – Westland
- Live Action Poker Room at B Boomers – Allen Park
- Malarkey’s Poker Room – Westland
- Momo’s Poker Room – Taylor
- B’s Charity Poker Room – Royal Oak
- One Eyed Jacks Poker Lounge – Utica
- OverTyme Charity Poker Room – Waterford
- Owosso Poker Room – Owosso
- Prime Time Poker at 59 West – Highland
- Rosemack Charity Poker Room – Roseville
- Rosie O’Grady’s Poker Room – New Baltimore
- Roundtree Poker Room – Ypsilanti
- Shark Club Waterford – Waterford
- Sinbad’s Charity Poker Room – Madison Heights
- Sportsmen’s Poker Lounge – Utica
- Thompson Card Room – Ypsilanti
- Waterford Card Room – Waterford
- Winning Hand Poker – Trenton
- Wintergarden Poker Room Chesterfield – New Baltimore
- Wintergarden Poker Room Livonia – Livonia
Michigan Horse Racing
Michigan used to be home to several horse tracks throughout the state. The popularity of the “Sport of Kings” has waned in recent years, however.
At present, only one horse track venue (with simulcasting) remains active in Michigan. Northville Downs is the only location that will still offer a chance to see the ponies run.
Michigan Gambling and the Law
Clearly, Michigan is neither inexperienced nor hostile to the notion of gambling. With more than two dozen casinos in the state, Michiganders have a wealth of options to play their favorite games of chance.
However, gambling in Michigan is about to take a huge leap forward, thanks to the passage of a pair of laws in 2019. The Lawful Sports Betting Act and the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which were signed almost simultaneously by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are making online sports betting, retail sports betting, online casinos, and online poker a reality.
Any person who is inside the state and over the age of 21 is able to play these new games. All they need is a mobile device and an internet connection that can validate their presence in Michigan.
Here are a few other points of interest from the two laws:
- All casinos in the state can apply for licensure.
- The licenses will grant the ability to launch an online casino and an online poker site separately.
- Only one skin is allowed for online sportsbooks.
- In both cases, applicants must pay a $50,000 fee to apply for licensure.
- The licenses themselves require a $100,000 payment, and must be renewed each year for $50,000.
- Sports betting will only be taxed at 8.4% of gross revenues throughout the state. The three commercial casinos will have to pay an additional 1.25% to the city of Detroit.
- Online casino revenues will be subject to tax rates of 20% – 28% at the three commercial casinos. Tribal casinos remain subject to the rates on their compacts with the state.
Overall, the taxation and fees are reasonable in comparison to the systems in other states. With that in mind, expect to see many of the eligible properties throwing their hats in the ring soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online casinos legal in Michigan?
Yes! Thanks to a law passed in December 2019, online casinos are now legal in Michigan.
What online casinos are open for business?
None so far. After a law passes, there’s always a delay before the first site can open, due to the fact that regulators have to put together their rules for how things will work.
When will online casinos be available to me?
It’s not clear just yet, but our best guess is that the first online casinos will begin launching in mid-2021.
Are there any live casinos in Michigan?
Yes. Plenty. There are 23 tribal casinos and 3 commercial casinos scattered across the state. Online casinos went live on January 22, 2021.
Am I able to play poker in Michigan?
Yes. Several of the casino locations have poker rooms that will welcome you. In addition, Michigan is also home to 26 charity or standalone cardrooms, and these facilities spread poker, blackjack, and a few other table games on a limited basis.
Can I play online poker in Michigan?
Not yet, but you will be able to do so soon. Online poker became legal via the same law that allowed online casino play to become legal.
Can I bet on sports in Michigan?
Yes. Two of the three commercial casinos in Detroit have retail sportsbooks that are open for your business.
Can I bet on sports online in Michigan?
Yes! Online sports betting became legal in Michigan in late 2019.
What sites are available for sports betting?
None. Regulators are still getting their ducks in a row in terms of rules, regulation, and licensing.
When can I expect online sportsbooks to open?
It’s not certain, but there is good reason to believe that online sportsbooks will begin launching in Michigan in early-to-mid-2021.
Will I have to be a resident of Michigan to bet online there?
No. It is not necessary to be a Michigan resident in order to play on its online casinos and sports betting apps.
Will I be able to play on Michigan sites from out of state?
No. Regardless of your residence, you must be physically inside the state in order to play on its online gambling sites. Each site will use geolocation software to verify your location, and if there’s even a question about whether you’re in Michigan, you won’t be allowed to play.