Did you know that Michigan has some of the best online betting around? The state has quickly expanded its list of internet-based sportsbook providers, and it’s easier than ever to sign up.
Sometimes a wealth of choices can be confusing. Choosing the wrong sportsbook can dampen your betting experience. That’s why we’re here! We can help you find a safe and secure Michigan online sports betting provider so that you can have a comfortable betting experience.
We have everything you need to know about Michigan sports betting right here in one easy-to-follow guide – so let’s jump right in!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Find out how sports betting in Michigan works.
- Explore the best online sportsbooks.
- Discover the top MI physical sports betting sites for your next visit!
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Is sports betting legal in Michigan? Indeed, it is! In 2019, legislation passed making online Michigan sports betting sites legal. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple bills in December greatly expanding the gambling options in the state.
For mobile sports betting, Michigan launched it in 2021 in the state. 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 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.
When the bills were finally accepted, Governor Whitmer had the following to say:
My top priority in signing this legislation was protecting and investing in the School Aid Fund because our students deserve leaders who put their education first… This is a real bipartisan win for our state.
Governor Whitmer
10 Quick Facts About Michigan’s Sports Betting Laws
We discovered many cool facts about sports betting while writing this Michigan sports betting guide. Here are 10 of the most interesting:
- Michigan’s law: When did sports betting become legal in Michigan? In 2019, the governor signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916).
- Legal age: If you want to gamble in Michigan, you must be at least 21 years of age. Note that this is true across the state – it does not vary from city to city, though it is possible that laws on tribal lands might differ.
- State borders: Michigan shares its border with multiple states, though the majority of them (at least in the north) are water boundaries, hence the nickname the ‘Great Lakes State’. These borders include Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. Indiana and Ohio have legalized both online and retail sports betting, whereas Wisconsin only allows sports betting at one of the in-person sportsbooks or betting apps.
- Retail bookmakers: In addition to online Michigan sports betting, bettors in the state can visit any of five retail bookmakers. These include:
- Four Winds Casino
- Greektown Casino
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Gun Lake Casino
- FireKeepers Casino Hotel
- Taxes: Online sports betting taxes in Michigan are subject to a state tax rate of 4.25%. This applies to the amount of money you profit from any given bet.
Example: If you bet $1 and win $5, the 4.25% tax applies to $4 – the amount of money you profited. - Rules and regulations: The gambling law signed in 2019 not only made it legal for state residents to gamble on sports online, but it also set the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) in charge of licensing and regulating trustworthy operators.
- Online operators: While Michigan is steadily expanding the number of licensed internet-based Michigan sports betting providers, a few names have been mainstays since the industry was launched. These include DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel.
- Identity verification: Both online and retail sports bettors must verify their identity before they begin to wager. In retail locations, this is most often done via photo ID. Michigan sports betting apps will likely request the same, perhaps in addition to other information.
- Responsible gambling: Operators licensed and regulated by the MGCB are required to adhere to responsible gaming guidelines. This includes offering self-exclusion and providing resources to the state helpline designated specifically for people struggling with their betting habits.
- Benefiting charity: Michigan has a ‘Millionaire Party’ program that allows certain organizations to host events where bets typically associated with sports betting, Michigan casinos, and a few other kinds of games of chance can be placed. The proceeds of these events typically go to charity.
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.
As you can see, before you can dive into the world of online sports betting in Michigan, you must choose the right bookmaker. Licensed operators in the state can be found in several ways:
- Look online or to a trusted source to detail them for you, like TrustnBet.
- You can typically find the information on the MGCB’s website.
- We’ll also detail some of the best sportsbooks in the state a bit later in our guide.
Once you’ve found your ideal sportsbook, and you’re registered and ready to start betting, the next thing you’ll need to do is log in and place a bet. Take a deep breath!
This step is the most nerve-wracking, but certainly not the most difficult. I remember the first time that I was betting online – I must have stared at the screen for a solid five minutes before hitting the ‘Submit’ button, just to make absolutely sure that I put in the proper wager amount.
Just decide what event, team, and/or player you want to bet on and visit the sportsbook’s betting page. Input the information into your bet slip and submit the wager. That’s it!
Top Michigan Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Now that you know the basics about Michigan sports betting, it’s time to dig a bit deeper into the industry. In this section, we’ll outline the top three best Michigan online sportsbooks.
Don’t worry – we’ll also include information about the most lucrative Michigan sports betting promos.
DraftKings
- Welcome Offer: Up to $50 bonus bet
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Wagering Requirement: Bet $50 on any eligible sport
If you’re looking for a reliable online provider with some of the best Michigan sports betting bonuses around, look no further than DraftKings. Pair its excellent promotions with a user-friendly and full-featured mobile app, and you have all the makings of an incredible sports betting experience.
Speaking of excellent promotions, DraftKings Sportsbook offers a new user bonus of $50. New users will receive a $50 bonus bet to their account when they deposit at least $5. The bet can then be used on your favorite team or event. Lucky users also get to keep their winnings, should they place a winning bet.
BetMGM
- Welcome Offer: Up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets
- Minimum Deposit: $10
- Wagering Requirement: Bets must be made within seven days from registration
BetMGM is one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Michigan. It’s a fan favorite among bettors, thanks to its abundance of markets and the inclusion of fantasy sports and international sports in addition to popular domestic names. From the PGA Tour to the WNBA and everything in between, you’re certain to find something that interests you.
BetMGM Sportsbook welcome offer is quite impressive. New users receive a bonus bet offer worth up to $1,500 if their first bet loses. This is paid out in an amount equal to the initial wager amount. If you bet $50, for example, you will receive $50 in bonus bets.
FanDuel
- Welcome Offer: Up to $200
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Wagering Requirement: $5
FanDuel Sportsbook is a well-known and much-appreciated name not only in Michigan sports betting but also in locations around the globe. Like the other names on our list, FanDuel offers users a wide variety of betting markets across many categories. From tennis to basketball to soccer and everything in between, bettors are certain to find their ideal team.
New customers to FanDuel receive an exciting welcome promotion worth up to $200. Deposit at least $5 and make a cash wager of at least $5 and, if your wager wins, you will receive $200 in bonus bets. If your bet loses, however, you will receive nothing.
Popular Sports and Teams in Michigan’s Betting Scene
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.
Kristen Bell is a long-time Detroit Red Wings fan and had this to say about the team:
My high school career, nobody cared about Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise. As a young girl, I had posters of Darren McCarty and Chris Osgood and all those guys on my wall… They were all gods to me. I wore a tag on my shirt in high school that said ‘Mrs. Osgood.’
So, I was like really trying to live the secret and put it out there so, I was like 16 and like. Maybe if I just wear it on my heart, he will know we’re meant to be together.
Kristen Bell, in a 2017 interview
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. The Wolverines also have a few celebrity fans, including alumnus Tom Brady.
Brady went so far as to post a message on the University of Michigan’s Instagram in December 2023 pleading for fans to cheer loud and proud for the team at the Rose Bowl:
Be loud out there in the Rose Bowl. Make it feel like they’re playing in Ann Arbor. We got this. Huge win coming. Go Blue!
@tombrady
As you can see, Michigan has more than its fair share of talented sports teams. It’s really no surprise that the local betting community is one of the most consistent in the country.
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
When it comes to sports betting, Michigan takes its cue from both current and historical performance:
- If a team is doing well, in other words, more people will risk their money and bet on their success.
- If they are doing poorly, those same people might either avoid the team altogether or even bet against them.
But how do you know how a team will do in any given game without having a time machine to see the result?
Dave Birkett, one of Michigan’s most well-known and beloved sports pundits, goes out of his way to keep Detroit Lions fans updated with the latest Michigan sports betting news. His analysis of the team’s current state as they enter into training camp season, for example, puts fans and bettors on notice of potential difficulties in the coming season. Bettors will make their initial season bets accordingly.
Upcoming Events
Are you ready to jump into Michigan sports betting events? We’ve got your back! We’ve collected some of the most highly anticipated events of the season to help you stay up to date.
Are There More Gambling Options in Michigan?
Gambling fans in Michigan have quite a bit to keep them occupied. In addition to gambling in Michigan sports betting apps, they can keep horse racing and sports betting Michigan style in mind, as well as the following:
- Millionaire parties
- Commercial casinos
- Internet gaming
- Tribal casinos
- State lottery
We discussed millionaire parties briefly in an earlier section, but let’s take another look. Millionaire parties are events that host games and activities normally associated with casinos. Poker, for example, is a staple at parties around the state.
Tribal casinos are similar to commercial casinos and offer many of the same activities. The Michigan Lottery allows players to purchase tickets from many retail locations such as convenience stores and grocery stores.
Commercial casinos allow Michigan players to enjoy slots, jackpots, and table games alike. Thanks to the state’s large and impressive casinos, there’s plenty to occupy their time.
Many retail locations in Michigan also offer internet-based gaming. Much like online sports betting, online gaming allows players to enjoy their favorite games on a home computer or phone.
Maximizing Your Bets
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.
Tips and Strategies for Michigan Bettors
While there is no foolproof system for making winning bets, you can improve your chances by making well-informed wagers:
- 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.
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
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.
What About Physical Sports Betting Locations?
Fun fact: Did you know that Michigan is home to over 20 brick-and-mortar casinos?
Many of these locations also offer in-person sports betting. The top 10 MI retail locations include:
- Greektown Casino
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Little River Casino
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel
- Leelanau Sands
- MotorCity Casino
- FireKeepers Sportsbook (formerly Dacey’s Sportsbook)
- Gun Lake Casino
- Island Resort Casino
- Kewadin Casinos
Of these 10 retail locations, the MGM Grand, Island Resort Casino, and FireKeepers Casino are undoubtedly the top three operators. The MGM Grand, in particular, has attracted a host of positive reviews from happy customers.
I was pleased with the casino… I played craps on two different tables. Action and rules were good… It’s really amazing how much a difference a good dealer can make in an experience and she was it. Played some blackjack too. Good rules and lots of tables in the $50 min range…
Overall, I had a great time and would love to go back soon!
Review from Trip Advisor
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.