Michigan Betting Sites: The Best MI Online Sportsbooks in December 2024

The legal online sports betting forms in Michigan

MI online gambling laws stipulate what types of betting and gaming are allowed. Sports betting has been lawful in Michigan since December 20, 2019, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4916 into law, which legalized all retail and online sports betting activities. Land-based sports betting kicked off in March 2020, while Internet sports betting in Michigan began on January 22, 2021.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is the state’s sports betting regulatory body. Currently, 12 online sportsbooks operate in MI. Each of these partners with a retail Michigan sportsbook that provides in-person betting services at state-licensed and tribal casinos.

• Mobile betting

  Thankfully, mobile betting on sports through a PC, mobile phone, and tablet is legal in Michigan. All 12 of the online sportsbooks that operate within the state offer mobile betting on their websites and via sports betting apps.

• Sports betting with remote registration

  If you are keen on online sports betting, you can freely sign up for an account in Michigan, deposit and withdraw, and bet on sports remotely, but only when you are within the state’s borders. There is no requirement to visit an in-person retail betting venue to participate in sports betting in Michigan on the Internet.

• Sports betting within the state borders

  As mentioned, placing bets via Michigan’s online sportsbooks requires a physical presence within the state. Every online sportsbook in MI usually uses geolocating software to confirm that you are in the state before granting you access to their platforms (both website and betting app).

  Michigan residents visiting another state will not have access to their MI online sports betting accounts. However, residents of other states who are currently visiting Michigan can use online sportsbooks within the state.

• Retail sportsbooks

  Twenty-six land-based casinos operate in Michigan, twenty-two retail locations of which currently offer sports betting. Some of them have dedicated sportsbook lounges, while others provide betting kiosks for placing sports bets only.

  The first physical sportsbook to start operating in Michigan was the BetMGM Sportsbook. Today, the MGM Grand Detroit is one of the three casino resorts located in Detroit. It offers a range of amenities, such as an on-site casino, top-notch dining places, an indoor infinity-edge pool, a luxury spa, and cool live events. Michigan bettors can choose among the over 90 table games and about 4,500 of the latest slots and video poker machines.

  Every online sportsbook must partner with a land-based casino to have the right to be launched in Michigan. Moreover, retail sportsbooks can only open at these locations. You must be 21 to visit and bet in sports betting venues in MI and may be asked to prove your age by providing a valid ID or driving license. Most retail sportsbooks offer the same range of markets and odds as online sportsbooks. Below are some of the betting locations you can visit in Michigan.

• Politics – not legal

  Placing bets on political events such as the United States presidential election has been immensely popular in Europe and has gained popularity in the USA in recent years. Unfortunately, Michigan law currently does not allow wagers on political events.

• Entertainment award ceremonies

  Michigan is the fourth state to legalize betting on entertainment award ceremonies on the Internet. MI bettors can place wagers on popular awards, such as the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards, and the Grammy Awards.

• eSports

  Some American states have embraced eSports betting, which spreads to popular games like League of Legends, Fortnite, Counterstrike: Global Offensive, etc. Sadly, betting on eSports in Michigan is not legal.

The most important sports betting laws in Michigan

The first form of legal sports betting was horse racing, which became lawful in 1992 with the signing of the PASPA by President Bush. Three commercial land-based casinos (namely the MGM Grand Detroit, Motorcity, Motorcity, and the Greektown Casino Hotel) were launched with the passing of the Gaming Control and Revenue Act in 1997.

The online sports betting industry’s legalization of Michigan in January 2021 marked a significant shift in the state’s gambling landscape. Thanks to this the options for sports wagering have become many more and the activity more available. MI bettors can use 15 legal online sportsbooks along with 22 out of 26 casinos that offer retail sports betting. The authority that oversees sports betting, internet gambling, and fantasy sports in the state is the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The MGCB ensures that the industry operates within a well-regulated framework.

Winnings from sports bets are subject to a 25% tax. The MGCB plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with taxation laws. Notable Michigan online betting sites include BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetRivers, each offering unique features and promotions. Payment methods for deposits and withdrawals across these platforms vary, as do processing times and transaction limits.

Michigan’s sports betting laws impose a daily purchase limit of $2,000 at Stake.us for buying coin packages. Users can monitor their spending through the ‘Buy Gold Coins’ tab. This limit is there to promote responsible gambling practices within the state’s borders.

What other types of gambling are legal in Michigan

There are various legal forms of gambling permitted under Michigan laws besides sports betting. These include commercial and tribal casinos, poker rooms, online gambling, horse racing, charity gambling, and the state lottery.

Gambling online has been lawful in Michigan since January 2021 and residents can use the services of licensed online casinos. They can play table games, slots, poker, live casino variants, scratch cards, keno, and many other options. The regulations imposed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board are strict, so Michigan online casinos need to adhere to them to operate by the law.

Land-based casinos are allowed in Michigan. They offer a wide range of gambling activities such as slot machines, table games, and poker rooms. Commercial casinos are subject to strict regulations set forth by the state gaming commission. Tribal casinos that offer similar gaming options to commercial casinos and are operated by Native American tribes under federal law are also permitted. Poker rooms with all kinds of poker games, are popular in Michigan and are available in many casinos and other gaming establishments.

Horse racing, a traditional form of gambling, is still legal in Michigan. Several racetracks operate in the state, so individuals can place bets on live or simulcast races. Legal are also live horse betting done at licensed race tracks, on-track pari-mutuel betting, and on-track simulcasting. Online sports betting is also lawful.

MI players can engage in charity gambling, such as bingo or raffles, which are all allowed in Michigan under the condition that they raise funds for non-profit organizations. Banned are pool setting, gambling in bonds, stocks, produce or grain, and registering bets.

The state lottery offers games of chance, selling scratch-off tickets and draw games that give residents the opportunity to win money prizes while contributing to the state education funding as well.

Michigan offers a diverse range of legal gambling options for residents and visitors to enjoy, with regulations in place to ensure fairness and integrity in the industry. Below is a table with a round-up of MI legal forms of gambling.