Michigan Sports Betting
Is Sports Betting Legal In Michigan?
Technically, yes, once Whitmer signed the legislation it was legal in Michigan. But Michigan residents and visitors can’t place bets just yet in the state. The Michigan Gaming Control Board still need to finalize rules and regulations for Michigan’s gambling options, a process that can take months.
There is hope that this could be done in time for March Madness and the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. At the very least, bettors in Michigan should be able to place wagers before college football begins in 2020.
The casino infrastructure is already in place — all sportsbooks will be affiliated with, or “tethered,” to one of the 26 licensed casinos in Michigan. But rules regarding gaming, how long the licensing process takes and some technology upgrades could delay the implementation of sports betting.
In addition, Michigan’s new legislation requires the use of official league data during in-game betting. It will be the third state after Illinois and Tennessee with such a requirement.
Michigan Casinos And Their Partners
Here are the brick-and-mortar casinos. Check here for Michigan online casinos information and updates.
| Location | License | Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Mills Resort & Casino | TBD | TBD |
| FireKeepers Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Four Winds Dowagiac | TBD | TBD |
| Four Winds Hartford | TBD | TBD |
| Four Winds New Buffalo | TBD | TBD |
| Greektown Casino Hotel | TBD | TBD |
| Gun Lake Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Island Resort & Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Kewadin Casino Christmas | TBD | TBD |
| Kewadin Casino Hotel – Sault Ste. Marie | TBD | TBD |
| Kewadin Casino Hessel | TBD | TBD |
| Kewadin Casino Manistique | TBD | TBD |
| Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel | TBD | TBD |
| Kings Club Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Leelanau Sands Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Little River Casino Resort & Hotel | TBD | TBD |
| Motor City | TBD | TBD |
| MGM Grand Detroit | TBD | TBD |
| Odawa Casino Petoskey | TBD | TBD |
| Odawa Casino Mackinaw City | TBD | TBD |
| Ojibwa Casino Baraga | TBD | TBD |
| Ojibwa Casino Marquette | TBD | TBD |
| Saganing Eagles Landing Casino | TBD | TBD |
| Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort | TBD | TBD |
| Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel | TBD | TBD |
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RELATED: Get The Latest Details On Michigan Online Poker
Latest Michigan Sports Betting Numbers
The qualified adjusted gross receipts reported by the three Detroit casinos (the state has an 8.4% tax on adjusted gross receipts from sports betting; the casinos pay Detroit an additional 1.25% tax):
| Casino | Amount |
|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | $84,695 |
| Greektown Casino | $15,904 |
| MotorCity Casino | $4,949 |
**Based on March 11-16 because the casinos were closed because of the coronavirus. Updated April 8.
LATEST NEWS: Brief March Sports Betting Start In Michigan Posts $105,000
Gambling in Michigan
2019
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, signed a comprehensive package of gambling legislation into law before the end of 2019. The legislation from the Republican-led House and Senate touched on all forms of gambling.
2018
Outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Smyth unexpectedly vetoes a package of gambling bills in late December over concerns that funding for education will be affected by the Michigan Lottery losing revenue. The bills would have legalized real-money online casino games. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed by the U.S. Supreme Court in May, setting the stage for gambling expansion before the veto.
2017
The state legislature begins to looks at legalizing and expanding sports betting despite the federal ban.
1999
The first commercial casino in Michigan, the MGM Grand in Detroit, opens. Laws to ban online gambling are ratified by lawmakers, but subsequently get repealed.
1997
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is created to govern the new commercial casinos in Detroit.
1996
Three casinos in Detroit, which eventually become the Greektown Casino Hotel, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino Hotel, are legalized by the state legislature.
1988
The first Native American casinos open after the federal government allows expanded gaming options on tribal lands.
1972
Michigan adopts the modern state-sanctioned lottery, one of the first Midwestern states to do so.
1933
Pari-mutuel horse racing becomes legal and is seen as way to aid state revenues during the Great Depression.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from Michigan sports bettors and here’s what bettors need to know before signing up with an online sportsbook in Michigan:
How Old Do I Need To Be To Bet On Sports In Michigan?
Eligible Michigan bettors must be 21 or older in order to place a sports bet online or at one of the state’s commercial or Native American casinos. Mobile players can register online from anywhere within state lines without having to sign up in person at one of the brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Is Any Other Forms Of Gambling Legal In Michigan?
Michigan has online casino gambling and online real money poker, along with sports betting. It is one of the first states in the country to allow eligible residents or guests to play online digital casino games such as slots or blackjack as well as poker. There are also three commercial casinos in Detroit along with 23 tribal casinos spread across the state for in-person betting. Most of these casinos offer a full array of traditional casino games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, slot machines and poker.
How Do Michigan Online Betting Sites Know My Location?
Sportsbooks in Michigan know players locations thanks to technology known as “geofencing.” The state-of-the art tracking tech can see a player’s mobile device within feet of a preset boundary. That’s how an eligible customer in Michigan can place a bet but are prevented from doing so as soon as they cross into a state without legal betting. The data is secure and required by regulators.
Who Oversees Sports Betting In Michigan?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees all commercial gaming, regulations and revenue tracking for the state, most notably the three Detroit casinos (MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City and Greektown). The state’s 23 Native American casinos are not under direct purview of the MGCB but answer to federal-level tribal gaming agencies.
Who Can Apply For A Michigan Sports Betting License?
Only commercial and Native American casinos can apply for sports betting licenses in Michigan. These 26 entities are the only organizations that can offer online or retail sports bets. The Michigan Lottery and private companies (aside from the casinos) are not permitted to apply for sports betting licenses.
How Is Michigan Sports Betting Revenue Taxed?
Michigan’s Native American casinos are taxed at 8.4% of adjusted gross sports betting revenue receipts, slightly below the national median average of 10%. The three commercial casinos are taxed at an effective rate of 11.65%, which includes 3.25% in fees from the city of Detroit.
What Michigan Sports Teams Can I Bet On?
Sportsbooks in Michigan permit bets on in-state professional and college teams, including the Detroit Lions of the NFL, Detroit Tigers of MLB, Detroit Pistons of the NBA, Detroit Red Wings of the NHL as well as popular college football and college basketball teams such as the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.
How Do I Sign Up For A Michigan Sportsbook?
Eligible Michigan sports bettors can sign up with a mobile device, laptop, desktop or other internet-connected device from anywhere within the state’s borders. Bettors simply find a licensed sportsbook, download that site’s mobile app or use a browser, then follow the instructions under the site’s registration tab. Note that identification verification is required. Michigan residents and visitors to the state can play as long as they are 21 or older.
Who Can We Expect To Have Sports Betting Apps In Michigan?
Most top sportsbooks such as Unibet, 888sport, DraftKings, FanDuel, William Hill, PointsBet, BetMGM and likely a dozen more are expected to take bets in Michigan. Up to 26 online sportsbooks are permitted in the state, and many of Michigan’s casinos have already expressed interest in partnering with top sports betting operators to start taking sports wagers.
Are Sports Betting Sites In Michigan Safe?
Regulated, legal online sports betting sites in Michigan are safe for all players. The key is finding the regulated sites. There are literally hundreds of illegal, unlicensed offshore sportsbooks offering mobile sports betting in Michigan, but these do not offer the same consumer protections — and violate federal law. That’s why it’s critical to check with a trusted site such as Bookies.com to find the best, safe and regulated Michigan sportsbooks. You will never find illegal offshore sportsbooks here.
