Michigan
What is available in Michigan?
Michigan online gambling went finally went live with online gambling in January 2021. Like other highly populated states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Michigan allows operators to offer online casinos, online sportsbooks and online poker rooms. The market will foster plenty of competition with dozens of operators likely coming to the state, which will be a major benefit to players in the state.
Although the online gambling market will be brand new, Michigan was one of the first states to launch an online lottery, which came to the state in 2014. Players can enjoy instant games as well as purchase draw tickets through MichiganLottery.com. The state also has given its blessing to daily fantasy sports with the same comprehensive bill that regulated online gaming.
Michigan online gambling will be very competitive with around a dozen operators available at launch with more expected throughout early 2021. The chart outlines the operators that have launched so far and will be updated as the Michigan online gambling market evolves.
| Operator | When Opened | Partner Casino | Online Products | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstool Sportsbook | January 2021 | Greektown Casino | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| BetMGM | January 2021 | MGM Grand Detroit | Casino, Sportsbook, Poker | Review |
| DraftKings | January 2021 | Bay MIlls Indian Community | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| FanDuel | January 2021 | MotorCity Casino | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| Golden Nugget | January 2021 | Keweenaw Bay Indian Community | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| BetRivers | January 2021 | Little River Band of Ottawa Indians | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| Twinspires | January 2021 | Hannahville Indiana Community | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| William Hill | January 2021 | Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| Wynn | January 2021 | Sault Ste. Maria Tribe of Chippewa Indians | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| PointsBet | January 2021 | Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Sportsbook | Review |
| PokerStars | January 2021 | Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | Casino, Sportsbook, Poker | Review |
| FourWinds Casino | February 2021 | Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
| PointsBet | March 2021 | Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Casino, Sportsbook | Review |
Online Sportsbetting in MI
Michigan sports betting began in the state through in-person sportsbooks in March 2020 with online sports betting following in January 22, 2021. At launch, the online sports betting market in the state was very robust, with around a dozen operators offering betting lines and more to come.
Nearly two different sports have been authorized for wagering in the state including major sports such as baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer and most NCAA sports. This includes a variety of leagues within each sport (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, EPL etc) and allows Michiganders to bet on their Detriot Pistons, Lions, Tigers and Red Wings. The availability of college sports means you can also place your bets on the on the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines as well.
Of course, it’s not just the major sports that are available to sportsbettors. Michigan online sportsbooks have also been authorized to offer betting lines on Australian rules football, bowling, boxing, clying, golf, lacross, MMA, motorsports, Olympics, Rugby and Tennis with more set for approval.
Online Poker in Michigan
Michigan online casinos focused on online sportsbetting and online casinos at launch, but online poker rooms are coming!
In fact, the launch of Michigan online poker could be one of the best things that have happened to online poker in the United States in recent years. Not only will online poker be available in a heavily populated state such as Michigan — which allows for larger player pools — but Michigan could be a game-changer for other states as well.
This is because Michigan has entered into a “multi-state” agreement to share player pools with other states offering online poker including Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The merging of player pools will be a major boost for all states, increasing the size of the player pool more than if the states had operated independently. This is expected to come to fruition in the first half of 2021, and could coincide with the launch of online poker itself in the state.
PokerStars was the first online poker room to launch in Michigan, which did so in late January 2021. This was followed up by the launch of the BetMGM online poker room in March 2021. Borgata Poker utilizes the partypoker software.WSOP.com and partypoker, which is available in New Jersey, is also expected to go live at some point.
Due to the fact that online poker rooms such as PokerStars and partypoker are offered in multiple states, they could be the first poker rooms to share player pools across state lines.
Online Casinos in Michigan
Along with online sports betting, online casinos are expected to the most popular online gaming products in the state. The vast majority of online sportsbooks available in Michigan will also offer an online casino, which will allow for plenty of competition among operators among the dozen or so operators.
Online casino players can enjoy online versions of many of the same casino games they have come to know and love at brick and mortar casinos. This includes some of the following games:
- online slots (usually the most plentiful games at Michigan online casinos)
- online table games (blackjack, Caribbean Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em etc)
- video poker (Game King is the most popular provider)
- roulette (European, American) versions)
- live dealer (expected later in the year)
For most Michigan online casinos, you can play through a web browser and an app, available through iOS and Android.
Other Online Gambling In MI
Michigan has a track record of being relatively progressive when it comes to legal online gambling, including through the Michigan Online Lottery, which was one of the first of its kind in the nation. The state went live in August 2014 and allowed users to purchase lottery tickets online as well as virtual scratch off tickets.
Players can now enjoy over 200 different types of instant games and purchase tickets for 10 popular draw games online. The Michigan Online Lottery allows players to play through the MI Lottery app or website and enjoy “Fast Cash” games — progressive jackpots — pull tabs, keno and second chance games.
Though Michigan’s comprehensive bill that passed online gambling, the state also gave its official approval of daily fantasy sports contests. Offered through providers such as DraftKings and FanDuel, which also offer online sportsbooks in Michigan (players can use the same account for both products).
- Daily Fantasy
- Best Ball, Daily Drafts & Pick'em
- Legal in 26 states + Canada
