Michigan Online Sports Betting Guide 2024
Online sports betting is legal and live in Michigan! With a rapidly expanding roster of internet-based sportsbooks, signing up has never been easier. However, navigating through numerous choices can be overwhelming, and selecting the wrong sportsbook might hinder your betting enjoyment. That’s where we come in! We’re here to guide you in finding a secure and reliable Michigan online sports betting site, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable betting experience.
Everything you need to know about sports betting in the Great Lakes State is right here in our comprehensive guide—let’s get started!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Understand the laws and regulations around sports betting in Michigan.
- Explore the best online sportsbooks available in Michigan.
Top Michigan Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Michigan has 11 legal and licensed bookmakers in the state for bettors to choose from. We’ve highlighted our top 5 favorites below based on several factors, such as competitive odds, user-friendly features, as well as generous Michigan sports betting promos.
Quick Facts About Michigan’s Sports Betting Laws
| Legal Sports Betting Launch Date | March 2020 (retail), January 2021 (online) |
| State Regulator | Michigan Gaming Control Board |
| Legal Age | 21+ |
| Number of Licensed Bookmakers | 11 |
| Retail Betting | ✅ |
| Horse Racing | ✅ |
| eSports Betting | ❌ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ |
| Taxes | Online sports betting profits taxed at a rate of 4.25% |
| College Sports Betting | Bettors can freely wager on college sports, including Michigan and Michigan State games |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Michigan and has been since 2019, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple bills, greatly expanding the gambling options in the state.
Meanwhile, mobile sports betting launched in the state in 2021. The state’s regulatory authority, the Michigan Gaming Control Board, spent all of 2020 refining the licensing requirements and rules that internet-based providers must uphold.
Today, Michigan’s online sports betting industry is one of the most successful among the US states where sports betting is legal.
This doesn’t mean that the road to legalization was an easy one, though. On the contrary, the state grappled with the idea of legal online gambling for years before the Lawful Sports Betting Act (Act 149 of 2019) was signed into law. In 2018, legislation reached the desk of then-governor Rick Snyder, only to be vetoed. It took another year to refine the bills enough to be approved.
The proceeds from sports betting in Michigan go into the state’s ‘School Aid Fund’, a fund designed to ensure that all students, regardless of family income, have access to a world-class education.
How to Bet on Sports in Michigan
Getting started with Michigan sports betting is easier than you might think. In general, there are only a few simple steps to take:
- Find an online sportsbook.
- Register at the Michigan sports betting site.
- Confirm your identity with the platform.
- Deposit cash into your online sportsbook account.
- Place a bet.
Popular Sports and Teams to Bet on in Michigan
When it comes to sports betting, Michigan bettors are some of the most active. This is thanks in large part to the state’s thriving professional and collegiate teams. Detroit, in particular, is known as a sports mecca in the state, with fans from all around the region converging on the city on game days.
The state has four major league sports teams:
- Detroit Lions (football)
- Detroit Tigers (baseball)
- Detroit Pistons (basketball)
- Detroit Red Wings (ice hockey)
All four of the professional teams above have large and robust fanbases. Sometimes celebrities even join the fray and stay up to date on Michigan NHL sports betting news.
In addition to wildly popular professional teams, Michigan is also home to a rousing collegiate sports industry. Two of the most well-known teams are both football teams:
- The Michigan State’s Spartans
- The University of Michigan’s Wolverines
While both teams are well-known and participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Michigan Wolverines are one of the most popular collegiate football teams in the US as a whole.
Are There More Gambling Options in Michigan?
Michigan offers a wide array of gambling activities beyond sports betting, catering to various interests:
- Retail Sports Betting: Visit retail sportsbooks located within Michigan casinos for a thrilling in-person betting experience.
- Horse Racing: Wager on live horse races at several tracks within the state, immersing yourself in the excitement and tradition of racing.
- Fantasy Sports: Enjoy participating in daily fantasy sports contests through major platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.
- Retail Casinos: Enjoy in-person gaming at both commercial and tribal casinos across the state, offering slots, table games, and more.
- Online Casinos: Experience internet-based gaming, allowing players to enjoy their favorite casino games from home or on mobile devices.
- Michigan Lottery: Participate in a variety of lottery games with tickets available at numerous retail locations, supporting state initiatives.
- Millionaire Parties: Engage in casino-style games, including poker, at fundraising events throughout Michigan, contributing proceeds to charitable causes.
Each of these gambling options is regulated to ensure a secure and fair experience for participants in Michigan.
Tips and Strategies for Michigan Bettors
To get the most out of your wagers, you need to know how to maximize your bets. We have some tips and strategies to help you on the way.
- Don’t pick a team at random, in other words, but rather spend some time looking into your best options.
- Are you interested in betting on the most yards covered in a football game? If so, look for teams with excellent quarterbacks.
- Be specific with your interests. When you narrow down the events, teams or factors upon which you want to bet, you will have an easier time staying up to date with industry and team-specific news.
- Another important tip revolves around odds. More specifically, you must understand how sports betting odds work to make smart bets that maximize your money. You’ll get detailed information about how odds are decided and what they mean for your bets.
- Finally, make sure that you keep your betting account in good standing. There’s nothing more frustrating than winning a wager only to be unable to withdraw your funds. Verify your identity completely before you start betting.
Michigan Sports Betting Taxes
Understanding how taxes on sports betting work is critical to maximizing your bets. If you fail to claim some of your winnings, for example, you might end up owing money to the IRS and losing all of your profits.
To ensure that you get to keep the money you win, you must properly claim your winnings on your tax return. See ‘Alimony and other taxable income’ on MI-1040CR, MI-1040CR2 or MI-1040CR7.
So, Will You Bet from Michigan Tonight?
By now, you should feel much more confident about sports betting in Michigan. Now that you have the basics down, you can explore the ins and outs of the Michigan gambling market, or you can directly gamble on our recommended sites.
Would you like to learn more about sports betting before the next Detroit Lions game? If so, visit our educative Betting 101 section.
