• Bookies
  • News
  • Michigan Begins Accepting Online Horse Racing Wagers

Michigan Begins Accepting Online Horse Racing Wagers

Ron Fritz for Bookies.com

Ron Fritz  | 3 mins

Michigan Begins Accepting Online Horse Racing Wagers

Bet And Get Up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets

Visit site
Used 47 Times Today
Popular in Ohio
21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, or WY only. Must apply this promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager with odds of - 500 or longer each day for 10 straight days. Your 10 days begin the day you establish your account. Wager must settle as a loss to qualify for Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets will equal the amount of the losing wager(s) (up to $100 in Bonus Bets per day) and expire 7 days from issuance. This offer is not available in New York. Terms apply- see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700, CT (888) 789-7777, IA 1-800-BETS-OFF, MA 1-800-327-5050, VA 1-888-532-3500

Northville Downs, the only horse racing track in Michigan, can now conduct advance deposit wagering under an order from the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

On its website, Northville Downs, a harness racing track about 30 miles west of Detroit, announced that “wagering online on horse racing is now available,” and provides a link to third-party facilitator TVG Network.


RELATED: More on Michigan Gaming and Sports Betting


MGCB executive director Richard S. Kalm issued the order Friday along with a second order granting a conditional 30-day license to TVG.

Mary Kay Bean, spokeswoman for the MGCB, said in an email Wednesday that wagers on pari-mutuel races can be placed as soon as TVG begins accepting bets through online or mobile devices in Michigan on simulcast races from other venues.

Northville Downs remains closed by the state but wagers can be placed on live races at the track once it is deemed safe to reopen the track under the “MI Safe Start Plan,” Bean added.

Bet And Get Up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets

Visit site
Used 59 Times Today
21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, or WY only. Must apply this promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager with odds of - 500 or longer each day for 10 straight days. Your 10 days begin the day you establish your account. Wager must settle as a loss to qualify for Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets will equal the amount of the losing wager(s) (up to $100 in Bonus Bets per day) and expire 7 days from issuance. This offer is not available in New York. Terms apply- see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700, CT (888) 789-7777, IA 1-800-BETS-OFF, MA 1-800-327-5050, VA 1-888-532-3500

First Bet Safety Net Up To $1,000

Visit site
Used 56 Times Today
Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. Must be 21+ and present in OH. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass

Visit site
Used 33 Times Today
Must be 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets Instantly!

Visit site
Used 19 Times Today
Must be 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Visit site
Used 53 Times Today
OH only. 21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,000; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Visit site
Used 23 Times Today
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

$1,000 First Bet Reset
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Visit site
Used 20 Times Today
Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA VA, WV). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org in MA. Call or text REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

Advance Deposit Wagering Order

On May 5, Kalm issued an order permitting third-party facilitators to acquire a license and offer advance deposit wagering.

The state's Horse Racing Law of 1995 was amended in December 2019 to allow bettors to create an account with a third-party facilitator and use a mobile device or computer to place bets online.

TVG is the first applicant to be approved. It’s a temporary license and “full licensure depends on TVG meeting the terms, conditions and suitability standards contained in the Michigan Horse Racing Act and the licensing order,” Bean said.

Although the Triple Crown schedule changed because of the coronavirus and the Belmont Stakes has already run, Michigan bettors still have the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 and the Preakness on Oct. 3.

More Michigan Online Betting Could Be Available

A partnership deal between DraftKings and Bay Mills Resort & Casino, announced in early June, showed how Michigan is trying to fast track online sports betting. It hopes to take bets by the end of the year and the Gaming Control Board began accepting online gaming supplier licensing forms in mid-May.


CHECK OUT: The top sportsbooks in New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Colorado | Indiana


The state is also looking to get online slots, table games and poker operational sooner than expected. Michigan would be joining other states that offer some type of online casino gambling — New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Michigan took its first retail sports bets at the three Detroit commercial casinos March 11-12, but all had to close soon after as the state and sports world were shut down by the coronavirus pandemic. No reopening date for the Detroit casinos has been announced by the state, but tribal casinos have reopened.

About the Author

Ron Fritz is a former editor at Bookies.com.