Michigan Sports Betting

As of January 22, 2021, Michigan online sports betting operators are live and taking bets!

This page will cover everything you need to know regarding sports betting in the newly founded Michigan market. We’ll go over who can sign up, how to create an account, and the kinds of bets you can now make in the Great Lakes State.

Michigan Sportsbook New Player Bonuses

Michigan Online Sportsbooks

Online sportsbooks officially launched in Michigan in January 2021.

The Michigan landscape began actively taking shape in 2020 as online operators paired with brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. Each casino is permitted to house one online skin on its sports betting license.

While online sportsbooks eagerly awaited launch, retail sports betting opened its doors as MGM Grand Detroit and the Greektown Casino both officially entered the market on March 11th, 2020. The following table will break down all of the active or announced partnerships in the state. Below are more details on the biggest sportsbooks currently operating in Michigan.

BetMGM

• License Partner: MGM Grand Detroit
• Casino Partner: MGM Grand Detroit
• Tech Provider: BetMGM
• Online Launch: January 2021

The BetMGM Sports Lounge at the MGM Grand Detroit was the first legal sportsbook to open in the state of Michigan, accepting in-person wagers on March 11, 2020. One of three non-tribal casinos in the state, the MGM Grand Detroit offers online sports betting through the BetMGM platform which also operates in numerous states like New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arizona, and Nevada.

BetRivers

• License Partner: Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
• Casino Partner: Little River Casino Resort
• Tech Provider: Kambi
• Online Launch: January 2021

BetRivers and its parent company, Rush Street Interactive, reached a partnership agreement for the state of Michigan with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. BetRivers accepts in-person wagers at its retail sportsbook at the Little River casino, and online via its stellar mobile app and sports betting website.

DraftKings Sportsbook

• License Partner: Bay Mills Indian Community
• Casino Partner: Bay Mills Resort, Kings Club Casino
• Tech Provider: SBTech
• Online Launch: January 2021

While the story of regulated online sports betting in the United States is just beginning, it’s DraftKings that has dominated the early pages. After specializing in Daily Fantasy Sports for years, the company has grown its business to encompass sports betting and casino products and is among the most active operators in the country.

DraftKings Sportsbook accepts online bets in the state of Michigan through a licensing partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community and the tribe’s two in-state casinos.

FanDuel Sportsbook

• License Partner: Motor City Casino
• Casino Partner: Motor City Casino
• Tech Provider: FanDuel
• Online Launch: January 2021

DFS giant FanDuel looks to continue its sportsbook success in Michigan through its partnership with the Detroit-based Motor City Casino. Its brick-and-mortar sportsbook opened with great fanfare on March 12th, 2020, with Lion’s great Barry Sanders placing the ceremonial first bet. FanDuel has established itself as a sports betting leader across the nation that is known for exceptional pricing and promotions.

Fanatics Sportsbook (formerly PointsBet)

• License Partner: Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Casino Partner: Northern Waters Casino
• Tech Provider: Fanatics
• Online Launch: January 2021 (as PointsBet)

An exclusive agreement between the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and PointsBet was announced in January 2021. After Fanatics purchased PointsBet in 2023, it began phasing out the brand in favor of its own Fanatics Sportsbook. On February 22, 2024, Fanatics Sportsbook replaced PointsBet in Michigan.

This also means that Fanatics Casino is now available in Michigan, making it the second state to feature the brand-new casino app.

Caesars Sportsbook

• License Partner: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Casino Partner: Turtle Creek, Leelanau Sands (satellite)
• Tech Provider: William Hill
• Online Launch: January 2021

William Hill, one of the UK’s largest bookmakers since the 1930s, announced its intentions to set up shop in Michigan in February 2020. They helped open the market in the state through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians who provide the sports betting license. Retail sports betting facilities are also available at the Turtle Creek Casino with an additional satellite location available at the Leelanau Sands. Following a high profile acquisition, William Hill rebranded as Caesars Sportsbook in August 2021.

ESPN BET

PENN Entertainment’s situation is one of the more interesting ones at this time, as the company has announced a partnership with ESPN. ESPN BET will soon be available in this state

The most recognizable sports entertainment brand in the United States is one of the biggest moves we’ve seen in an era with sports betting legal.

Golden Nugget

• License Partner: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
• Partner Casinos: Ojibwa Casino Baraga, Ojibwa Casino Marquette
• Tech Provider: Scientific Games
• Online Launch: Est. 2021

The Golden Nugget sportsbook and casino have been killing it in New Jersey, and are ready for more. The famous retail betting brand brings its online business to Michigan with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. The Ojibwa casinos in the state, located in Baraga and Marquette, will serve as its retail base. The Golden Nugget sportsbook app is powered by Scientific Games, and offers a clean overall experience that all Michiganders will appreciate.

BetPARX

• License Partner: Gun Lake Tribe
• Casino Partner: Gun Lake Casino
• Tech Provider: Kambi
• Online Launch: Est. 2021

Parx Casino is located just north of Philadelphia and has been a prominent online casino and sportsbook figure in both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey markets. Michigan is its third state of operation. Parx operates in the state on the Gun Lake Casino’s license, where it also has a retail sportsbook.

Coming Soon to Michigan?

While the above partnerships have already taken form, there are still a few casinos in the state that have yet to reach an agreement for online gaming. We expect to see more online gaming providers enter the Wolverine State in the near future. Potential additions include:

• Tipico
• bet365
• Hard Rock

Michigan Sports Betting General Information

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act on December 20th, 2019. Otherwise known as HB 4916, the law gave Michigan the green light for legal, regulated sports betting in both retail and online settings. Commercial casinos in the Detroit area, in addition to the many tribal gaming establishments in the state are now able to host in-person and online betting.

So now that sports betting is legal in Michigan as of January 2021, whose eligible to place a bet? There are two principal restrictions – your age and location:

Age: You need to be at least 21 years old to bet on sports. If you’re not old enough, that’s that, you’ll need to wait until your 21st birthday.

Location: While you can’t change your age, it is possible to change your location. Michigan’s online sportsbooks will only accept bets from customers located within the state. To be clear, you don’t have to live there – you just need to be present anywhere in the state of Michigan to submit a wager.

Registration

Some states like Iowa and Illinois launched with an in-person registration requirement, meaning customers had to physically visit a retail casino to set up an account. Both states eventually changed their rules to allow for remote registration. Not in Michigan. Michigan online sportsbooks have always allowed remote registration.

You can create your account, deposit, or even withdraw winnings from anywhere in the world… but to place a bet you need to be in Michigan.

Licensing: Taxes + Fees

It’s relatively cheap for operators to get set up with an online sports betting license in the state of Michigan. It costs $50K to apply for a license, and if approved, $100K to officially purchase it. There’s also a $50,000 renewal fee that’s due each year. In addition, licensees will have to cough up 8.4% of their adjusted gross sports betting receipts for taxes. Detroit area casinos will also need to tack on an extra 1.25% on top which will go to the city.

It may seem like a lot, but if you compare it to other states – Michigan is downright affordable. For example, a certificate for sports betting in Pennsylvania costs $10 million, with a whopping 34% due in taxes.

Michigan Sportsbook Betting Options

Michigan Sportsbooks are able to offer a full betting sheet without notable restrictions. All sports bets you’ve come to know and love are at your disposal – including wagering on in-state collegiate athletics. Popular bets include:

• Moneyline
• Totals
• Point Spreads
• Parlays
• Props
• Futures
• Live Betting

Your chosen online sportsbook will actually have a better selection of available wagers than local retail sportsbooks. Online sites are simply able to keep track of more bets, far faster than their brick-and-mortar partners. Live betting will be available with odds that are accurate to the second.

Banking with Michigan Online Sportsbooks

Getting cash to an online sportsbook in Michigan is easier than you’d expect. Available choices are slightly different for each operator, but generally speaking, they all rely on industry staples, including:

• Credit Cards
• Bank Transfers
• Bank Wire
• eWallets like PayPal
• ACH/eCheck
• PayNearMe (pay with cash at participating retail stores)

A big plus for regulated online sportsbooks is that you can deposit and withdraw from an online account in-person, at your chosen sites retail casino partner. For example, you can head to the MGM Grand Detroit, drop some cash at the cage, and have it promptly show up in your BetMGM online account.

Michigan Online Sports Betting Platforms

Customers can engage with sports betting through the three main platforms:

• iOS Apps: Available for phones and tablets, you can find designated iOS apps right in the Apple App Store.
• Android Apps: A simple search within the Google Play store should yield results. Online sportsbooks often provide direct download links for Android apps, too.
• Web Browser: Pull up your preferred web browser and load your favorite sportsbook. You will have to download a separate geolocation plugin to confirm your location. Remember, if you’re not in the state – you can’t bet.

Customers can sign up, deposit, and place bets from every platform. If you don’t have a computer you can still get the full sports betting experience right from your phone. Notably, when using an app you need to grant it access to your location services so that it can confirm your location.

Legal Sportsbooks: The Way To Go

For avid sports bettors, a licensed and regulated online sportsbook is the clear choice. They offer security and other benefits that your local guy or an offshore site simply can’t match.

Safety

All licensed Michigan online sportsbooks have been approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. You know the odds they’re offering are legit, fair, and that your money is safe. Unlike with offshore sites, you never have to fear that your book is going to shut down overnight, taking your bankroll with it.

More Promotions

Michigan is one of the most competitive online sports betting markets in the U.S., which means there is plenty of competition for your action. Use this page to compare lucrative welcome perks, reload bonuses, and rewards programs for Michigan online sportsbooks.

Easy to Deposit / Withdraw

Michigan bettors can fund their sports betting account or withdraw with just a couple of clicks. Bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, checks – there are plenty of choices. See a line you like? It’s easy to add money to your account and place the bet. Decide you want to withdraw? You won’t have to wait for weeks to receive a payout or learn about cryptocurrency.

Michigan’s Gambling History

Michigan is currently home to 26 brick-and-mortar casinos that support a lush gambling community within the state. However, this wasn’t always the case – it took decades for the industry to take shape. Horse racing was the only form of gambling permitted until the early 1970s when legislation was eventually expanded to include the lottery.

Native American tribes were the catalyst for the next innovation. Their popular bingo halls gained a substantial following and eventually led to the state issuing official gaming licenses. While not fully-fledged casinos, the tribes could offer some forms of electronic gambling, like bingo machines.

Michigan’s first retail casino didn’t arrive until 1999 when the MGM Grand Detroit became the first casino in a major U.S. city outside of Las Vegas. The Native American tribes were originally left out of the state’s casino rush but lobbied intensely for the right to get in the game. It took a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, but they eventually won the right to open tribal casinos.

In December 2019 the state took things to the next level with the passage of three online gaming bills. The aforementioned HB 4916 covered sports betting, while HB 4311 legalized casino games and poker. Previously operating in a bit of a gray area, HB 4308 formally gave the go-ahead to the Daily Fantasy Sports industry. Online sports betting, casino, and DFS are all approved under Michigan law, and all are live markets.

FAQ

Is it legal to bet on sports in Michigan?

Sports betting is now legal in the state of Michigan – both live and online. The law only permits licensed sports betting operators to accept wagers, though.

Who oversees sports betting in Michigan?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is in charge of regulating the online sports betting industry within the state.

What’s the legal age to bet on sports in Michigan?

21 years old. MI online casinos will let you set up an account and bet on sports as long as you are at least twenty-one.

Is online sports betting allowed in MI?

Yes, it is. The Lawful Sports Betting Act approved both retail and online sports betting in the state.

Which casinos offer retail sports betting in Michigan?

Michigan has a lot of casinos, which means there are plenty of retail sportsbooks. Check out the table further up this page for a complete breakdown of where you can place bets in person.