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The Michigan Gaming Control Board officially launched online casinos on January 22, 2021. By the end of January, 10 online casino apps launched in Michigan.

These are our editor’s 4 favorite casino apps to launch in Michigan, along with why our editors love them

The targeted 2021 completion of the online rules are based on the time it took to develop other rule sets in the past, said Mary Kay Bean, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Michigan’s officials warn of problem gambling after legalization of online betting News Posted: Jan 27, 2021 / 05:00 PM EST / Updated: Jan 28, 2021 / 11:31 AM EST. The Legality Of Online Gambling In Michigan The state does not currently have any state-licensed and regulated online casinos, however, the Legislature is fairly confident that a. Michigan Online Lottery Tickets - Play And Buy Michigan Lottery Tickets. Have you ever wondered how to play and buy Michigan lottery tickets from your home or phone? Many who like USA online gambling love to play the lottery. It’s something that has become ingrained in America’s culture, across nearly all of the 50 states in the union. The only locations permitted under Michigan law to offer online casinos are the three commercial casinos (MGM Grand, MotorCity, Greektown). The 23 tribal casinos in Michigan can apply under their own agreements with the state. Licensees must pay $50,000 to apply, $100,000 to receive the initial license and $50,000 annually to renew.

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List of Online Casinos In Michigan

Here is the full list of the 10 online casino apps that have launched in Michigan.

  • TwinSpires
  • Barstool Casino

Legalization Of Online Casinos In Michigan

Michigan legalized online gambling at the end of 2019. It took time, though, for state legislators to finalize rules and regulations and to audit casino apps before they were able to debut in the state. After the law passed, the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued a timeline that anticipated the process would take more than a year. That meant that legal online casino apps wouldn’t launch until sometime in 2021.

Seeing an opportunity to increase state revenue before the close of the year and to make up for lost revenue due to COVID-19 related casino closures, legislators did their best to speed up this process. In 2020, Richard Kalm, the director of the MGCB, said the state was making significant progress and launch was imminent. Unfortunately, they were unable to speed up the process to launch before the end of 2020.

On January 19, the MGCB officially announced that 8 online casino apps were ready to launch on Friday, January 22, 2021. Michigan players greeted the news with eager anticipation. Two more casinos launched a week later.

Launch Of Michigan Online Casino Timeline:

  • December 20, 2019: Online gaming legalized
  • March 11, 2020: Retail sportsbooks launch in MI
  • March 6-August 5, 2020: Detroit’s commercial casinos closed due to COVID-19
  • September 23, 2020: MGCB held public hearings
  • End of October 2020: Final economic impact statement expected
  • November 2020: MGCB hoped to launch in November but gambling rules still need to be approved by legislators who canceled their November session because of Covid-19.
  • December 2020: The Michigan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met on December 1, 2020, to move things forward. The MGCB had to cancel its December meeting due to COVID, meaning the next meeting was not scheduled until January 12, 2021.
  • January 19, 2021: The MGCB announced that online gaming apps would launch on January 22, 2021.
  • January 22, 2021: The first 8 online casino apps launched in Michigan.
  • January 29, 2021: The MGCB announced two more casino apps would launch along with online poker.

Included below are the 10 casino apps that led the way in Michigan as well as additional casino partnerships that were announced during 2020. It is unclear when these additional apps will launch. A few other online casino brands may also launch at some point in Michigan.

MI Online Casino Gambling Sites & Apps

Golden Nugget is a well-established name in gambling, with an iconic Las Vegas casino and the most successful online casino in New Jersey. Now, Golden Nugget is in Michigan, thanks to a partnership with Ojibwa Casino, which is owned and operated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Golden Nugget’s Michigan access granted through the partnership allowed the brand to ramp up its online gambling and sports betting business in Michigan.

See our full Guide To Golden Nugget Michigan Online Casino.

FanDuel Michigan Casino

FanDuel may be known for its sportsbook, but it also has an online casino. FanDuel’s online casino is available through its existing sportsbook app, and MotorCity Casino Hotel’s partnership gives FanDuel access to Michigan’s online gaming market.

The online casino was only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, making Michigan its third state.

In New Jersey, bettors will see FanDuel’s online casino under the Betfair brand name. It has blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games ready to entice new bettors. For bettors who want a more realistic experience, Betfair’s (read: FanDuel’s) online casino has a thriving live betting section available for all sorts of table games.

Finally, this online casino is filled to the brim with slot games. Whatever brightly colored theme bettors are attracted to, their taste is catered to in this wide selection of games.

BetRivers Michigan

Little River Casino Resort in Manistee Michigan is partnering with Scientific Games and Rush Street Interactive to launch its BetRivers Online Casino.

The agreement, announced in June 2020, brings Rush Street Interactive, parent company to the BetRivers online gaming brand, to Michigan. Little River Casino Resort’s partnership with Rush Street Interactive also includes retail sports betting.

The big names backing the BetRivers Casino means some of the top online slots are now in Michigan. And BetRivers has a massive library of slots, including progressive slot jackpots. They also are offering blackjack, several varieties of roulette, and baccarat.

BetMGM Michigan

Roar Digital is currently providing a sportsbook to the MGM Grand in Detroit, but it has an online casino, too. It has several apps, including BetMGM and PartyCasino.

Bettors will find familiar table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. They’ll also find live dealers available who will deal cards and call wins and losses in real-time, just like a regular table. Roar Digital also has countless slot games that are just as colorful as anything on the Strip.

DraftKings is also known mostly for its sportsbook but is quickly gaining a reputation for a strong online casino in a handful of states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

DraftKings Sportsbook and Draftkings Casinolaunched in the state as a license partner of Bay Mills Resort & Casino.

William Hill Casino

William Hill is a world-renowned sportsbook based in the UK and available in several US states. And the launch of the William Hill Casino Michigan means this brand has an exciting opportunity to reinvent itself, which can only be a good thing for players.

Michigan is expected to be one of the most competitive online betting markets in the US, so you can look forward to a wide range of promotions at William Hill Casino. From the initial welcome offer to ongoing bonuses, both new and established members will have a lot of opportunities to win for free.

WynnBet Casino Michigan

The WynnBet Casino Michigan app is available for iOS and Android devices and offers around 150 different games. The same platform also offers sports betting, so you can do both using the same account.

You can find some of the most popular slots at WynnBet Casino, including Monopoly Megaways and 88 Fortunes. The full selection consists of the following games:

  • Classic and Video Slots
  • Progressive Slots
  • Casino Poker (Digital and Live Dealer)
  • Blackjack (Digital and Live Dealer)
  • Roulette (Digital and Live Dealer)
  • Live Dealer Baccarat
  • Live Dealer Dream Catcher

New players at WynnBet Casino in Michigan can receive up to 250 free spins on The Wild 3 when they wager $250 on the slots. Each free spin is worth $0.10, so this isn’t the most exciting welcome bonus that you’ll find in the state.

Really, the WynnBet Casino is an extra feature to complement the WynnBet Sportsbook. But for an add-on, there’s a lot to enjoy.

TwinSpires Casino Michigan

With over 400 different games, TwinSpires Michigan Casino has something for almost everyone. This includes progressive slots with over $1 million jackpots, digital table games, and Live Dealer rooms.

For those in Michigan, you can switch from your TwinSpires Casino account to the sportsbook or horse racing section, all through the same account. This makes it a true all-in-one online betting site and app.

The TwinSpires Casino Michigan welcome bonus is risk-free betting for the first seven days up to $500. That means if you win more than you lose, you can simply withdraw your winnings or keep playing. But if you lose more than you win, they’ll credit the difference back into your account.

You can also try out all the digital games for free in practice mode before you sign up as well, offering great transparency to those considering joining TwinSpires Casino Michigan.

Stars Casino

Michigan Lottery Online Gambling

Thanks to a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian Gaming Authority, The Stars Group is in two casinos:

  • Odawa Casino, Mackinaw
  • Odawa Casino, Petoskey

The Stars Group is probably not as well recognized a brand in the online gaming group as its branded apps are. Stars Group operates FOX Bet Sportsbook, PokerStars, and the Stars Casino, which all launched in Michigan at the end of January 2021.

Barstool Casino

Barstool is most known for its Barstool Sportsbook app and its dedicated group of sports fans. On Februrary 1, 2021, though, Barstool launched Barstool Casino in Michigan in partnership with Greektown Casino in Detroit. Barstool Sportsbook was one of the first sports betting apps to launch in Michigan, with the casino app launching just days later.

The Barstoool Casino app is supported by casino gaming brand Penn National Gaming, which players might be familiar with through its Hollywood Casino brand in Pennsylvania. It will be interesting to see how online gamblers find the Barstool Casino app, or if it will mostly attract traditional sports bettors.

Michigan Online Casinos Announced

In addition to the casinos that launched on January 22, 2021, there are several additional casino brands that announced partnerships with local casinos. It is unclear when these apps will launch.

PointsBet

PointsBet joins forces with the Lac Vieux Desert Public Enterprise and Finance Commission (LVD) to offer online casino gaming and sports betting under the license of Northern Waters Casino Resort.

The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians owns Northern Waters Casino Resort. Per the agreement, it appears that both the online sports betting and casino products under this license will function as a collaboration between PointsBet and LVD.

FireKeepers Casino

Scientific Games is currently providing its technology to power the live sportsbook at FireKeepers Casino and Hotel. A FireKeepers online casino is slated to launch in Michigan, also in collaboration with Scientific Games.

Online casino sites powered by Scientific Games technology in other states include blackjack, slots, roulette, and baccarat. There are also live dealers available for bettors looking for a realistic casino experience.

Scientific Games offers so many different games because of its content aggregation service. It uses its vast web of partnerships to provide access to many different games. When online casinos come to Michigan, BetRivers will have a massive selection of games to offer their customers.

Online Casinos That Could Come To Michigan

Unibet

Unibet does business as a well-established international gaming brand that’s beginning to expand into the legal US sports betting and online casino industry. Unibet started its US business plan with online gaming platforms in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.

Unibet has an agreement with Caesars Entertainment (now owned by Eldorado Resorts) to launch online gaming in states with Caesars-owned properties. Caesars/Eldorado Resorts doesn’t own any casinos in Michigan, however.

The Pennsylvania and New Jersey versions of the Unibet platform operate in agreements outside of the Caesars partnership, however. A similar arrangement could bring Unibet online casino to Michigan.

Caesars Online Casino

With the success of Caesar’s online casino app in New Jersey and Michigan, we anticipate that they will launch in Michigan as well. If not in partnership with Unibet, they could seek a partnership with a local Michigan casino to launch in 2021.

Michigan

Commerical Casino Partnerships

Michigan’s casino industry includes three Detroit-area commercial casinos, as well as 23 tribal casinos located throughout the state. Online partnerships for the three commercial casinos are as follows:

SiteCommercial CasinoLive Dealer Available?Launch Date
FanDuel CasinoMotorCity Casino HotelTBD1/22/21
BetMGMMGM Grand - DetroitTBD1/22/21
Barstool Casino GreekTown CasinoTBD2/1/21

Tribal Casino Partnerships

In a situation unique to Michigan, both tribal and commercial casinos can partner with technology companies to offer legal online casino gaming. Several of the state’s tribal casinos already announced agreements to launch online sports betting, and those partnerships are as follows:

SiteTribal CasinoLive Dealer Available?Launch Date
Golden NuggetOjibwa Casino, Baraga & MarquetteYes1/22/21
BetRivers CasinoLittle River Casino ResortYes1/22/21
DraftKings CasinoBay Mills Resort & CasinosYes1/22/21
William HillGrand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Turtle Creek & Leelanau Sands Casinos)Yes1/22/21
Wynn CasinosKewadin Casino (Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Sainte Marie, St. Ignace)Yes1/22/21
TwinSpires (formerly BetAmerica)Island Resort & Casino Bark RiverN/A1/22/21
Stars CasinoOdawa Casino Resort, Petoskey & MackinawYes1/29/21
FireKeepers FireKeepers Casino & Hotel, Battle CreekYes
Parx CasinoGun Lake Casino, WaylandN/A
PointsBetNorthern Waters Casino Resort, WatersmeetN/A
Four WindsFour Winds Dowagiac, Hartford & New BuffaloN/A
N/AKings Club Casino, BrimleyN/A
N/ASaganing Eagles Landing Casino, StandishN/A
N/ASoaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. PleasantN/A

What Are Online Casinos And What Do They Offer?

Online casinos are apps and websites that offer casino games from the comfort of players’ homes. Some of them involve real money, while others are free-to-play social games. They offer the kinds of card games bettors would expect to find at a casino, including blackjack, roulette, and on some websites, baccarat. But there are also slot games and games with live dealers available for those who want a real casino experience.

Even better, many of these online casinos offer bonuses to new bettors.

Online Casino Bonuses

One of the ways that online casinos–and most online gaming products–entice new bettors is by offering bonuses on the first few bets. There are two major types of bonuses. The first is a welcome bonus that puts money in a bettor’s account (with strings attached). The second offers risk-free bets, which act more like insurance than truly free bets.

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are what they sound like. When bettors sign up and verify their accounts, online casinos will deposit a little extra money. Some bonuses arrive in customer accounts upon sign up and verification, like this $25 deposit from Hollywoodcasino.com. These are called no-deposit bets, because bettors don’t have to deposit their own money to earn a bonus. They also tend to be small amounts.

Michigan Lottery Online Gambling Website

Deposit bets on the other hand require bettors to put money into their account before getting anything back. Take this $500 bonus from Hollywoodcasino.com that matches deposits up to $500. That means for every dollar a new bettor deposits into his account, Hollywood.com will add one dollar, until it pays out $500.

This matching makes it easier for bettors to pour money into their accounts and make larger bets. Online casinos want bettors to make multiple wagers and learn to enjoy them. Based on how widespread welcome bonuses are, this tactic seems to work quite effectively.

Risk-Free Bets

Despite the name, risk-free bets do require bettors to risk some money before receiving a free bet. This Golden Nugget Casino welcome offer spells the deal out pretty clearly. Bettors must place a wager, then get up to $100 back if they lose. It’s more of a refund for a lost bet than a risk-free bet. Some bettors may not think much of a small refund for a losing bet, but it can make anxious new bettors willing to give online casinos a try.

What’s The Difference Between Legal And Illegal Online Casinos?

Like online sportsbooks, online casinos have tell-tale signs that indicate their legitimacy. There are a few signs that bettors can watch for when they’re looking for legitimate online casinos in Michigan next year.

First, all online gambling websites must display the compulsive gambling hotline on their websites. It’s required by law in Michigan, and bettors will be hard-pressed to find any legitimate online gambling websites without it.

However, Michiganders will have a particularly easy time identifying legitimate websites. All online casinos must be partnered with eligible land-based casinos. These sites must also display proof of their license reasonably clearly.

These are important signs of quality to watch for. Missing them could lead bettors to risk funneling money into an account that will never pay out.

How Online Casinos Are Regulated

Commercial online casinos must be licensed by their state gaming boards before they’re allowed to go live in any given state. Michigan’s online casinos will be regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board–pending written regulations, of course.

However, tribal casinos have their own regulatory body. The National Indian Gaming Commission writes and enforces regulations on tribal casinos across the country. Tribes run casinos themselves, but the National Indian Gaming Commission must review and approve each tribe’s gaming compacts.

And to top it all off, all these regulatory bodies require casinos to pay bettors their winnings. Legitimate online casinos will not only pay winnings, but they will also have processes to resolve customer disputes. The same cannot be said for offshore scam sites accountable to no one.

How Bettors Collect Their Winnings From Online Casinos

Bettors get paid from online casinos by withdrawing from their gaming accounts. For example, FanDuel will process withdrawals through:

  • PayPal
  • Bank Transfer
  • Check in the mail

It’s just a matter of bettors checking the option to withdraw in their online accounts. Remember though, non-cash bonuses don’t count toward cash withdrawals. A “free spin” worth $100 isn’t a free $100. Unless it’s hard-won cash, it doesn’t count toward a bettor’s withdrawals.

Everything Else Bettors Need To Know About Online Casinos In Michigan

Online casinos are already in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and a few other states. They offer familiar staples like:

  • Roulette
  • Baccarat (albeit not universally)

Many, but not all, online casinos also offer live dealers for many of these games.

Although online gaming is legal, the regulations governing licensing and online operations still need to be written. Those regulations won’t be ready until 2021, but that hasn’t stopped Michigan’s casinos from preparing.

Every Michigan casino with a sportsbook deal has partnered with a company that also offers an online casino. PointsBet is the only sportsbook operator without an online casino, but its partnership with Penn National Gaming could give its partner casino access to online casino products in 2021.

As industrious Michiganders explore the online casino landscape, they should watch for signs that the online casino they’re browsing is legitimate. State-licensed online casinos will:

  • Partner with licensed land-based Michigan casinos
  • Display the compulsive gambling hotline number on its website
  • Show clear evidence of its license per Michigan state law

The online casino landscape is dense, but it’s part of the ongoing evolution of the gaming industry. It began with sports betting legalization, but the wave of innovation sweeping the country’s gaming industry will bring online casinos to Michigan next.

Michigan Online Casinos

There’s a lot to digest about the impending arrival of online casinos to Michigan. Here are a few questions that either come up often from new bettors or which may need clarification on their own.

Who Can Apply For An Online Gaming License In Michigan?

There are only two entities that can apply for an online gaming license:

-Casino licenses holders.
-Eligible tribal casinos.

Michigan is keeping tight control over its gaming industry by only allowing online gaming to come from licensed casinos. It’s a way for Michigan to stave off scam sites that accept bets but never pay out winnings. It’s also probably how lawmakers appealed to gambling opponents to assure them that gambling would be a respectable industry in Michigan.

Who’s Eligible To Participate In Online Gaming In Michigan?

Only people 21 and older and who are not in the online casino’s self-exclusion database. The age requirement is straightforward, but the self-exclusion database may not be.

The self-exclusion database is a voluntary measure to protect problem gamblers from themselves. Bettors can register themselves so gambling outlets will refuse to let them gamble. Unless a bettor struggles with a gambling problem, it’s not a list that most bettors have to worry about.

What’s The Tax Rate For Online Casinos In Michigan?

Anywhere from 20% to 28%, depeding on how much revenue the casino produces. It’s on page nine of the bill legalizing internet gambling in Michigan.

Will DraftKings’ Online Casino Be Available In Michigan?

DraftKings announced a partnership with Bay Mills Resort & Casios to operate its online sportsbook as well as its online casino. Both apps launched on January 22, 2021.

FanDuel was one of the first online casino apps to launch in Michigan. They opened their retail sportsbook at Motor City Hotel & Casino in Detroit in 2020. FanDuel launched its online casino and sportsbook as well for Michigan bettors.

Are Sportsbooks And Online Casinos The Same Thing?

No. Sportsbooks are specifically for betting on sports games. Online casinos offer casino games. The reason sportsbooks came up so often in this article is that the Michigan Gaming Control Board created rules governing sportsbooks first. Retail sportsbooks started opening in Michigan in early 2020 whereas online casinos and online sportsbooks have not yet launched.

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.

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 Gambling Bill Update

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.

Michigan Lottery Online Gambling Sites

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.

Michigan Lottery Online Gambling Site

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.

Michigan Lottery Online Games

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?

Michigan Lottery

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.

Gambling

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.