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Legal sports betting is going full steam ahead in Michigan. The Wolverine State rolled out in-person betting at retail shops in March 2020, while online sportsbooks opened for business in the following year.
Most of the heavy-hitter brands have gained market access via partnership deals with commercial and tribal land-based casinos, with more operators lining up to enter the scene.
All of this means that Michigan sports fans are spoiled when it comes to betting possibilities. They can put a few bucks down on their favorite teams by using more than a dozen sportsbook apps from anywhere in the Upper or Lower Peninsula.
This guide goes over the best online sportsbooks in Michigan, state laws, betting regulations, and other things you should get the hang of before you start wagering.
Best Online Sportsbooks in Michigan
While having so many options is good for sports bettors in Michigan, it can make deciding which sportsbook to go with difficult.
In total, we've analyzed and reviewed 10 Michigan sportsbooks.
Our ratings are based on 8 categories including odds, intro promo, promotions & odds boosts, sports & bets offered, user interface, deposits & withdrawals, customer reviews, and education & statistics.
After analyzing each MI sportsbook, we narrowed our list down to the top 8 overall. Below you will see those sportsbooks ordered by overall rating. We also found which each sportsbook was “best” at so you can find one that fits your needs.
Best Online Sportsbooks in MI:
- FanDuel: Best Overall
- PointsBet: Best Odds
- BetMGM: Best Customer Reviews
- DraftKings: Best Deposit Match
- WynnBet: Best Low Deposit Intro Promo
- BetRivers: Best Odds
- Caesars: Best Rewards Program
- Barstool Sportsbook: Best Merch Giveaways
Best Online Sportsbooks in MI
1) FanDuel Sportsbook MI: Best Overall
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund it in bonus bets up to $1,000. There is only a 1x rollover requirement & you have 14 days to use the bonus bets. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.
FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated sportsbook thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.
The $1,000 No Sweat First Bet sign-up bonus on trails a few other sportsbooks in terms of total value. If you lose your first bet, FanDuel will refund it dollar-for-dollar in bonus bets up to $1,000. FanDuel's welcome bonus gives you the opportunity to build a nice bankroll to start off betting with.
FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.
Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of options, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.
Pros
- Competitive intro bonus for new customers
- Better odds than most competitors
- Pioneered Same Game Parlays
- Regularly offer great odds boosts & promotions
- Top notch user experience in app & site
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- App sometimes crashes during peak hours
- Some customers periodically have trouble logging in
>> Read More: FanDuel MI Promo Code & Review
2) PointsBet MI: Best Odds
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
PointsBet is offering 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 each for new customers. You receive one Second Chance Bet per day for 5 days after signing up. No promo code required—access here.
PointsBet comes in as tied with FanDuel and BetMGM for our #1 overall sportsbook in the nation.
The PointsBet sign up bonus of 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 each is unique in that it is split up over 5 days and is pretty valuable. Instead of just one risk-free or second chance bet, you receive 5 of them.
PointsBet also regularly offers many other generous promotions and odds boosts.
The unique PointsBetting system adds a unique twist to sports betting that is otherwise pretty much standardized across the U.S. With this, you win or lose more depending on how far off the result of your bet was from the line.
PointsBet has a nice user interface on both the app and website, and they allow you to bet on all majors sports and leagues. You can also bet same game parlays (called “Single Game Parlays”).
The only category that we don’t rate PointsBet as 5 stars is Deposits & Withdrawals. While we still rate them as 4 stars (or “Great”), they don't offer quite the same number of banking methods as some other books.
Whether you are new to sports betting or are a seasoned veteran, PointsBet is well worthy of your consideration, especially if you like the welcome offer and like the unique PointsBetting system.
Pros
- Regularly offer the best odds
- Generous odds boosts & promotions
- Offers same game parlays
- Unique PointsBetting system
- Unique sign-up bonus
- Offers partial cash outs
Cons
- No live streams of games available
- Some customers reported trouble verifying identity
>> Read More: PointsBet MI Promo Code & Review
3) BetMGM Sportsbook MI: Best Customer Reviews
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, receive bonus bets of equal value up to $1,000. You must use the bonus bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.
BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.
To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for bonus bets up to $1,000 if your first bet loses. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this promo—it's automatically applied to your account after you register.
BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.
Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.
Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.
On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.
Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.
Pros
- Competitive intro bonus for new customers
- Offers same game parlays
- Great customer reviews
- More odds boosts & promotions than other books
- Offers all major sports & bet types
Cons
- Can be difficult to get customer support
- No player statistics
>> Read More: BetMGM MI Bonus Code & Review
4) DraftKings Sportsbook MI: Best Deposit Match
Ratings
- Odds: 4/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.
DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to sports betting sites.
DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.
The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.
Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.
Though it isn't quite our highest-rated sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.
Pros
- Have better odds than almost every other sportsbook
- More odds boosts & promotions than other books
- Offers same game parlays
- Great user experience on the site & app
- Provide player & team stats for most games
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- 25x rollover requirement on intro promo
- Relatively long withdrawal wait times
5) WynnBET MI: Best Low Deposit Intro Promo
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
After making your first bet of $100+ on a market with -120 odds or longer, WynnBET will give you a $100 bet credit. NJ & MI players get a $50 sportsbook bet credit & $50 casino bonus. Bet credits expire 10 days after you receive it.
WynnBET is the online sportsbook arm of the legendary Wynn Resorts. While it may not be as recognized as FanDuel and DraftKings, it is a great option for those in states where it operates.
To start, WynnBET offers a competitive welcome bonus of a $100 bet credit after just betting $100. After you make your first bet of $100+ on a market with -120 odds or longer (-110, +200, etc.), WynnBET will give you a $100 bet credit.* While this promo isn't as high in value as others, it requires a much lower deposit to max it out.
Aside from the welcome bonus for new customers, WynnBET also offers many ongoing promotions and odds boosts that allow you to boost your winnings, earn bet credits, or insure bets.
Though the WynnBET app and website aren't my favorite in terms of user experience, they're easy enough to navigate and place bets with.
All in all, WynnBET is a great sportsbook and is worth adding to your stable of sports betting apps—especially considering the bet $100, get $100 free intro promo.
*Players in NJ & MI will receive a $50 bet credit for the sportsbook and a $50 casino bonus.
Pros
- Valuable intro promo
- Offer same game parlays
- Wide range of sports & markets
- Competitive odds
- Great customer service
Cons
- Somewhat dull interface
- Some app performance issues
>> Read More: WynnBET MI Promo Code & Review
6) BetRivers Sportsbook MI: Best Odds
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
BetRivers offers a second chance bet up to $500 in all states except NY where it's $100. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it and there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.
BetRivers Sportsbook checks in next on our list of the top sports betting sites/apps. It ranks as “best” or “above average” in every category we score.
The BetRivers intro promo is competitive with other sportsbooks. If your first bet loses, BetRivers will refund it with a bonus bet up to $500 in all states except NY where it's $100.
To make things even better, BetRivers regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NFL. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers often offers -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.
Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.
On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, BetRivers doesn't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.
If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers is a great option thanks to the industry-leading odds and well-founded betting experience.
Pros
- Industry-leading odds
- Easy deposit & withdrawals
- Great customer reviews
- Good ongoing promotions & odds boosts
- Just started offering same game parlays
Cons
- No team or player stats
- Some customers reported bets take a long time to settle
>> Read More: BetRivers MI Promo Code & Review
7) Caesars Sportsbook MI: Best Rewards Program
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.6/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 4/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, Caesars will refund it with a bet credit of equal value up to $1,250. You have 14 days to use the bet credit and there is a minimum odds requirement of -200.
Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.
Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best intro promos for new customers—first bet insurance up to $1,250. Like with many other sportsbook sign-up bonuses, if your first bet loses, Caesars will give you a bet credit up to $1,250.
The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.
Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.
There isn't much not to like when it comes to the new Caesars Sportsbook. While it isn't my favorite user interface of all the sportsbook apps, it's easy to navigate and place bets.
Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to betting. They have one of the best intro promos, great odds, regular odds boosts, and a decent user experience.
Pros
- One of the best intro promos available
- Better odds than most competitors
- Offer same game parlays
- Regularly offer great odds boosts & promotions
- One of the best rewards programs available
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- User interface is good but not great
- New app has less feedback than competitors
8) Barstool Sportsbook MI: Best Merch Giveaways
Ratings
- Odds: 2/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, receive site credit of equal value up to $1,000. You can use the site credit on multiple bets over the next 365 days and there is only a 1x rollover requirement.
Barstool Sportsbook rounds out our list of the best online sportsbooks.
To start, Barstool's intro promo for new customers is competitive and can set you up for betting success from the get-go. If your first bet loses, Barstool will refund you in site credit up to $1,000. This is nice because you can spread the site credit out over multiple bets instead of just a single bet like other books do. You also have 365 days to use the site credit.
On top of the intro promo, Barstool offers a great user experience, a smooth deposit and withdrawal process, and attractive promos and odds boosts. You can even bet along with Barstool personalities such as Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy and Dan “Big Cat” Katz.
Barstool also recently introduced same game paralys (called Parlay+) that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from a single game in a parlay.
The biggest downside of the Barstool Sportsbook is that its odds are often worse than some competitors. We found that often, what is supposed to be the standard -110 odds, are closer to -112 on the Barstool Sportsbook.
Overall, the Barstool Sportsbook is a solid option when it comes to sports betting. We do recommend using at least one other sportsbook so you can shop around for the best odds.
Pros
- Competitive intro bonus
- More odds boosts & promotions than other books
- Offers all major sports & leagues
- Great customer reviews
- Now offers same game parlays
Cons
- Below-average odds
How We Rate Online Sportsbooks in Michigan
Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.
Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:
| Category | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Odds | 25% | How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports |
| Intro Promo | 15% | How competitive the intro promo for new customers is |
| Promos & Odds Boosts | 15% | How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are |
| Sports & Bets Offered | 10% | Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook |
| User Interface | 10% | How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are |
| Deposits & Withdrawals | 10% | Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed |
| Customer Reviews | 10% | How positive customer reviews across other platforms are |
| Education & Statistics | 5% | The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics |
We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:
- 5 Stars: Best in category
- 4 Stars: Above-average
- 3 Stars: Average
- 2 Stars: Below-average
- 1 Star: Worst in category
Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.
To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.
All Online Sportsbooks in Michigan
There are about a dozen online sportsbooks currently operating in Michigan, including several upper-echelon brands and a few upcoming stars of the industry.
All sites have teamed up with land-based casinos in Michigan. However, you don’t have to go to these venues in person to sign up. Still, you can go there to collect your winnings via the cash at cage option, which is typically the fastest withdrawal method depending on where you live.
Here’s the complete overview of the active sportsbooks apps in Michigan, along with their associated casino partners:
Sportsbook | Affiliated With | Tech Provider | Launch Date | Intro Promo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | Roar Digital | Jan 2021 | Up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets | |
| Bay Mills Indian Community | SBTech/Kambi | Jan 2021 | $1,000 deposit match | |
| Penn National Gaming/Greektown Casino | PNG | Jan 2021 | First Bet Insurance Up to $1,000 | |
| Little River Band of Ottawa Indians | Kambi | Jan 2021 | $500 Second Chance Bet | |
| Detroit Entertainment/MotorCity Casino | Flutter/IGT | Jan 2021 | $1,000 No Sweat First Bet | |
| Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | TSG | Jan 2021 | $500 risk-free bet | |
| Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | SBTech/Sci Games | Jan 2021 | $250 risk-free bet | |
| Four Winds | Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians | Pala | Feb 2021 | N/A |
| Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | Liberty | Aug 2021 | First Bet Insurance Up to $1,250 | |
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | PointsBet | Jan 2021 | 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 Each | |
| Sault Ste.Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | GAN | Jan 2021 | Bet $100, Get $100 |
Team Partnerships with Michigan Sportsbooks
In the fiercely competitive market that is the Michigan sports betting sector, some operators have gone to great lengths to establish a strong foothold in the state. That is why they have inked betting deals with local professional teams. This is a common practice in pretty much every state that has legalized sports betting practices.
- DraftKings with FanDuel with the Detroit Pistons: The two industry giants signed multi-year partnership deals with the Pistons in November 2020 to become official sports betting partners of the iconic NBA franchise. Under the agreement, FanDuel and DraftKings have gained access to a number of marketing assets, including in-arena signage, TV and radio advertisements, and more.
- PointsBet with the Detroit Tigers: PointsBet joined forces with the Detroit Tigers in July 2020, becoming the first sportsbook to land an MLB sponsorship. According to the deal, in-stadium branding will be visible throughout Comerica Park and the team’s official media outlets.
- BetMGM with the Detroit Lions: In September 2020, the Lions named BetMGM the team’s official sports betting partner. The exclusive agreement includes digital marketing assets and in-stadium promotion and signage, among other things.
- BetMGM with the Detroit Red Wings: Only weeks before the launch in Michigan, BetMGM re-upped its partnership with the infamous NHL team. As part of the multi-year extension, the BetMGM logo will be featured in the Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings fans can use the BetMGM Stats Module on the District Detroit mobile app to access betting lines and stats for the current season.
- BetRivers with the Detroit Pistons: Just one day ahead of the launch, BetRivers teamed up with the Pistons, becoming the team’s fourth betting partner in Michigan.
>> Read More: Lions Sportsbook Promo Codes & Cash Bonuses
Michigan Sports Betting Timeline
The initiative to legalize sports betting in Michigan was in the pipeline even before the Supreme Court lifted the PASPA ban. But it wasn’t until Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills in December 2019 that those plans came to fruition.
Let’s rewind the clock and check out the most notable milestones in the history of Michigan’s legal gambling:
- December 2018: Michigan Senate passed House Bill 4926 that would legalize online gambling, but Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed it due to “largely unknown budgetary concerns.”
- March 2019: Rep. Brandt Iden introduced HB 4311 to the House of Representatives, while Senator Curtis Hertel filed the same proposal to the state Senate.
- December 20, 2019: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills (4311–12, 4916–18, 4307, and 4308) into law, legalizing sports betting and internet gambling in Michigan. HB 4311 created the Lawful Sports Betting Act, which legalized sports betting in Michigan casinos, both online and mobile.
- February 1, 2020: The Michigan Gaming Control Board, the main gambling regulatory body in the state, initiated the rulemaking process for online sports betting.
- March 11, 2020: Greektown, BetMGM, and MotorCity launched their first retail outlets and took the first in-person bets in Michigan, but the facilities were shut down shortly after due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This propelled regulators and lawmakers to expedite the online gambling launch.
- December 10, 2020: The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved 15 provisional licenses to online gambling brands that would operate in collaboration with commercial and tribal casinos.
- January 22, 2021: Ten online sportsbook brands (the first round of approved operators) went live in Michigan. The highly-anticipated launch came a few days before the AFC and NFC Championships in the NFL Playoffs. Online sports betting operators collected a $115 million handle over their first ten days.
Michigan Sports Betting Rules and Regulations
As per gambling regulations, up to 26 gambling venues are eligible to apply for Michigan sports betting licenses and affiliate with online sportsbook brands. This includes three commercial casinos in Detroit and 23 tribal casinos scattered across the state.
Each licensee is allowed to launch one platform or one “skin,” which means avid bettors will have plenty of options to choose from.
Let’s go over the most relevant regulatory components you should be aware of before tackling online sports betting in Michigan.
Who Can Register with Michigan Sportsbooks?
All individuals over the age of 21 are allowed to place real-money online bets in the Wolverine State, provided that they’re located within the state’s borders. Note that you don’t have to be a resident of Michigan, just physically present within the state’s lines at the time when you’re attempting to place the wager.
In-person registration at retail facilities is not required, which means that you’ll be allowed to bet remotely via your desktop and/or mobile devices.
Individuals that are registered in the national self-exclusion system are prohibited from signing up with Michigan-facing sportsbooks.
While registering, users will have to provide basic account and personal information like:
- Full name
- Address
- Username and password
- Last four digits of their Social Security number
Is Geolocation Required?
Yes, all sports betting apps will utilize location validators to ensure that their patrons are in compliance with state laws and are indeed located in Michigan. To that end, bettors will have to install a geolocation tracker, which will verify their exact whereabouts whenever they attempt to facilitate any monetary transactions on the site — place a wager or make a deposit, that is. Some brands will insist that you verify your location at all times while you’re online.
Most native iOS and Android betting apps have in-built geolocation software. However, desktop users will have to download an app via the operator’s website.
The books are pretty adamant about this requirement, so don’t even try to sidestep the location checks. They would face severe fines if a user was caught betting out-of-state, so don’t expect them to cut any corners when it comes to these matters.
What Types of Markets Can I Bet On?
You can place bets on pretty much any market under the sun, including international, professional, and collegiate events. You will get to bet on all the major professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. What’s more, Michigan is one of the states that permits betting on in-state collegiate teams.
There are no restrictions when it comes to eligible bet types. Consequently, you’ll find extensive betting options at Michigan sportsbooks that include:
Physical Casinos & Sportsbooks That Allow In-Person Betting
Here’s a recap of Michigan casino sportsbook properties where you can place in-person bets:
- FireKeepers Casino: 11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014
- Four Winds Casino: New Buffalo, Hartford, Dowagiac
- Greektown Casino: 555 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
- Gun Lake Casino: 1123 129th Ave., Wayland, MI 49348
- Island Resort & Casino: W 399 US 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845
- Leelanau Sands Casino: 2521 N West Bay Shore Dr., Peshawbestown, MI 49682
- Kewadin Casinos: Christmas, Hessel, Sault Ste. Marie, Manistique, St. Ignace
- Little River Casino Resort: 2700 Orchard Highway, Manistee, MI 49660
- MGM Grand Detroit: 1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
- MotorCity Casino: 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
- Odawa Casino (Mackinaw City): 1080 S. Nicolet St., Mackinaw City, MI 49701
- Odawa Casino Resort (Petoskey): 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, MI 49770
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: 7741 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Licensing Details and Taxing Rates
As of December 2019, Michigan has become the 11th state to legalize sports betting in the US. Fast forward to today and Michigan now has the seventh-highest total sports betting handle, according to our sports betting statistics.
Both commercial and tribal casinos are obliged to pay a licensing fee to gain regulatory approval by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Their revenues are subject to a fixed state tax.
Here’s the scoop:
- Licensing fee is set at $100,000 plus a $50,000 annual fee after the license has been issued.
- The tax rate stands at 8.4% on gross revenue. However, commercial casinos in Detroit have to pay an additional 1.25% in city taxes.
- The legislature mandates Michigan sportsbooks to use official league data. Individual operators can negotiate usage rights directly with their data partners via a private agreement. Illinois and Tennessee are the only two other states that have such regulatory requirements in place as of the time of this writing.
- Revenue from sports betting will bolster the School Aid Fund (which covers public schools) and First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund (FRPCF).
- Online sportsbooks can deduct a percentage of their free bet costs from their gross gaming revenues. The remaining sum will serve as their tax base.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Michigan?
Yes, sports betting officially became legal when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer passed bills H4311 and S4916 in December 2019.
Do I have to be a Michigan resident to bet?
No, but you have to be located within the state’s borders to place real money bets with Michigan online sportsbooks. The operators will use a geolocation tracker to verify your location.
Who can bet at Michigan sportsbooks?
Anyone aged 21 or above who’s not listed in the national self-exclusion program can place bets at Michigan sportsbooks.
Are there any retail betting outlets in Michigan?
Yes, there are several betting shops located across the Wolverine State that accept in-person bets. These include MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown Casino, and Firekeepers Casino Hotel, to name a few.
Is there a maximum bet limit with Michigan sportsbooks?
Yes, there is, and it hovers around the $2,500 – $50,000 range, depending on the market and sportsbook in question.
Do I have to pay taxes if I win anything?
Yes, sports betting winnings in Michigan are taxable, just like any other source of income. It’s worth mentioning that only profits are taxed and not the stake used to place a bet.
Is Bovada legal in Michigan?
Michigan residents can typically access Bovada but it is unclear whether offshore sportsbooks like these are actually legal in Michigan. They don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s laws and, therefore, aren’t regulated like the sportsbooks mentioned above.
Is horse racing legal in Michigan?
Yes, state lawmakers legalized horse racing and other forms of sports betting and online gambling with HB 4310 in December 2019.
Are there Daily Fantasy Sports in Michigan?
Yes, DFS also became legal with the introduction of the Lawful Sports Betting Act in 2019. You can sign up with Daily Fantasy Sports juggernauts DraftKings and FanDuel, provided that you’re of legal age and physically present in Michigan.
Other Sports Betting Resources
- Sportsbook Comparison Tool
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- Best Sports Betting Strategies
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- How to Read Betting Odds
- How to Make an Online Sports Bet
- Sportsbook Free Bets & Betting Offers
- Best Promo Codes & Promotions
- Sportsbooks That Offer Same Game Parlays
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- Sportsbooks That Accept PayPal
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