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Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Michigan launched its sports betting licenses in 2021 and has since become one of the largest sports betting markets in the nation. Here we have a look at how we got to this situation and all the best online sportsbooks and mobile apps available in Michigan.
Top 5 Michigan Online Betting Sites
Michigan residents are huge sports fans. With legendary teams like Michigan State and the Detroit Lions, there are few states as storied as Michigan. We take this into account when we recommend Michigan online sports betting sites.
Here are the top five sportsbooks available for bettors in Michigan. Even though sports betting is legal in Michigan, the best Michigan gambling sites tend to be licensed offshore.
Bovada
Bovada is a great sports betting site, as it has the largest userbase across the country. Even after the opening of locally-licensed sportsbooks, it remains a popular choice among Michigan bettors.
BetOnline
BetOnline has its lines out early in the morning, and thus tend to set the industry standard. If you are as obsessed with following odds as we are, this is where you need to be.
Sportsbetting.ag
Sportsbetting.ag will keep you satisferied for a long time. On top of their $1,000 welcome bonus, they also give you a 25% reload bonus on subsequent qualifying deposits.
MyBookie
MyBookie is great for Bitcoin bettors, as they will let you collet a welcome bonus three times if you use Bitcoin to make your initial deposit.
XBet
XBet has a great mobile betting platform. You do not even need to download an application, but you can save a shortcut to the website on your homescreen.
Legal Sportsbooks in Michigan
Sports betting is fully legal in Michigan, both in-person and online, since 2020. The list below features all the licensed online sportsbooks currently operating in the state.
| Sportsbook | Available in Michigan |
| FanDuel | β |
| DraftKings | β |
| Caesars | β |
| FoxBet | β |
| BetRivers | β |
| BetMGM | β |
| PointsBet | β |
| Unibet | β |
We cover the rest of the states in our guide to the legal sports betting situation across the United States.
Michigan Quick Facts
Hereβs a quick snapshot of everything you need to know about sports betting in Michigan. Since legalizing it in 2020, Michigan has built a strong online and retail betting market. From age requirements to mobile availability and legal casino partnerships, this overview covers the key facts bettors should know before placing a wager.
| State | Michigan |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | Yes βοΈ |
| Launch Date | November 3rd 2023 |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 βοΈ |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes βοΈ |
| Mobile Sports Betting | Yes βοΈ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Yes βοΈ |
| Tribal Casinos | No β |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes βοΈ |
| Online Casinos | No β |
| Horse Racing | Yes βοΈ |
| Dog Racing | No β |
| Esports Betting | Yes βοΈ |
Michiganβs Legal Betting Market β Solid Start, but Not Without Gaps
Michigan has quickly become one of the most active legal sports betting states since launching in 2020. With a strong lineup of mobile apps and major casino partnerships, the Great Lakes State offers a relatively smooth betting experience. But even here, restrictions still exist β from limited promotions to banned betting on certain events β leaving some bettors looking for more flexibility and value.
Why Some Michigan Bettors Still Turn to Offshore Sportsbooks
Despite the convenience of legal platforms, offshore sportsbooks offer an experience that many find more rewarding. There are no state-imposed limits, no geolocation blocks, and often better odds across the board. For users seeking full control of their bets and payouts, offshore options are hard to ignore.
What Offshore Betting Does Better
Hereβs why many experienced Michigan bettors explore offshore sportsbooks:
- No State Restrictions β Bet on in-state college teams, political elections, or entertainment events not covered by local sportsbooks.
- Higher Odds & Faster Payouts β With fewer overhead costs, offshore sites often offer more competitive lines and faster withdrawals.
- Full Mobile Freedom β No app store limitations, no geolocation requirements β just log in and bet from anywhere.
- Crypto-Friendly Banking β Deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, often with same-day processing.
- Simple Sign-Up β No forced ID uploads or multi-step verification. You can start betting in minutes.
Where Michigan’s Legal Sportsbooks Fall Short
Michiganβs regulated sportsbooks are safe and legal β but they do come with limitations:
- Banned Bets on Certain Events β Wagering on awards shows, political outcomes, and some local college events may be restricted.
- Taxed Winnings & Smaller Bonuses β Promotions and bonuses are often less generous due to tax and compliance burdens.
- Geolocation Locks β You must be physically within Michigan to place a bet; cross the border, and youβre locked out.
- Limited Payment Options β Fewer crypto or privacy-focused payment methods are accepted compared to offshore platforms.
Who Can Bet Legally in Michigan?
To bet legally through licensed operators in Michigan:
- Minimum Age: 21 years old.
- Location: You must be physically in Michigan.
- Residency: You donβt have to live in Michigan β visitors can bet too.
- Restrictions: Athletes, officials, or those on exclusion lists cannot participate.
Bottom Line: Legal Betting Is Great β But Offshore Offers More Freedom
Michigan gives sports bettors a reliable legal platform, but offshore sportsbooks unlock greater betting variety, better odds, and total mobile convenience. For those who want fewer limits and more flexibility, offshore options remain a powerful alternative β especially when paired with the top-rated platforms we recommend below.
Michigan Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- February 9, 2024 β Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmerβs latest budget proposal allocates $4 million for the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund and additional funds to target illegal offshore sportsbooks.
- January 31, 2024 β Michigan sports betting handle reached a new record high in December at $613.4 million, reflecting a 4.7% increase from the previous record set in November.
- January 23, 2024 β Golden Nugget sportsbook is no longer available in Michigan. However, Golden Nuggetβs casino app remains active, redirecting sports bettors to DraftKings.
- January 17, 2024 β The Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit deploys six more security robots equipped with audio and video recording, intercom updates, facial recognition, and more.
- January 9, 2024 β The Michigan Wolverines secure the College Football National Championship, defeating No. 2 Washington 34-13.
Four Reasons to Bet on These Michigan Online Betting Sites
Our review process is serious business. We look carefully at a number of factors to make sure we are only offering the best Michigan sports betting sites. We evaluate many features on the sites and make sure to try the banking options, the live betting platform, and contacting customer service.
Here are the most important factors we consider when making our final recommendations.
Available to Michigan Bettors
We make sure these sportsbooks are legally available for Michigan bettors. Even though there are spoertsbooks license dby Michigan, the best ones tend to be licensed offshore.
Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses are an important part of what makes a sportsbook great. You can make quite a nice sum of money or free bets right off the bat.
Website Design
Website design is important for all online bettors. We need to be abler to naviate the sites smoothly in order to make the bets we want. This si doubly important for mobile bettors.
Helpful Customer Service
Customer service agents should be friendly and professional. They should also be prompt and able to solve our problems. We contact customer service during our review process.
Casinos in Michigan
Michigan has 26 casinos operating in the state. The large majority, 23 to be exact, are tribal casinos. Here is a full list of retail casinos operating in Michigan.
- Bay Mills Resort & Casino
- FireKeepers Casino Hotel
- Four Winds New Buffalo
- Four Winds Hartford
- Four Winds Dowagiac
- Greektown Casino-Hotel
- Gun Lake Casino
- Island Resort & Casino
- Kewadin Casino – Christmas
- Kewadin Casino – Hessel
- Kewadin Casino – Manistique
- Kewadin Casino, Hotel, and Convention Center
- Kewadin Shores Casino – St. Ignace
- Kings Club Casino
- Leelanau Sands Casino
- Little River Casino and Resort
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MotorCity Casino Hotel
- Northern Waters Casino Resort
- Odawa Casino Resort
- Ojibwa Casino – Marquette
- Ojibwa Casino Resort – Baraga
- Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
- Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel
Michigan Sports Betting Timeline
2023
Detroit Lions players faced suspensions for NFL gambling rule violations, while the Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit deployed advanced security robots. The Michigan Wolverines won the College Football National Championship by defeating Washington, and despite a record-high sports betting handle in November, the state collected only $1,180,415 in sports betting taxes in December, the third-lowest monthly total of the year.
2022
Michigan’s sports betting saw fluctuations in handle, with a peak of $532.7 million in January, a dip in July to nearly $225 million, and a rebound in September to $383.1 million. Notably, Caesars Sportsbook became the official sports betting and iGaming partner of Michigan State Athletics in January.
2021
2021 saw the arrival of online sports betting being officially licensed by the state of Michigan. Just in the first month, January, Michigan sports betting had a handle of $150 million. Both November and December brought in more than $500 million each month.
2020
Michiganβs first retail sportsbooks open for a brief period in March. They are forced to close due to coronavirus-related restrictions. They were able to reopen in August.
2019
Late in the year, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act, setting up the regulatory system for sportsbooks in Michigan.
2018
Following the Supreme Courtβs PASPA decision which opened up the possibility for each state to license sportsbooks, Governor Rick Schnyder vetoed a bill that would have legalized sports betting in Michigan.
List of Michigan Sports Betting Resources
Enhance your understanding of Michigan sports betting by exploring these trusted resources:
- Michigan Gaming Control Board: The official regulatory body overseeing all gambling activities in Michigan, including sports betting.
- The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline: Provides 24/7 support and resources for problem gamblers and their families in Michigan.
- Lawful Sports Betting Act: Comprehensive information on the Michigan law that legalized sports betting.
- Michigan Legislature: Stay updated on the latest gambling-related bills and legislative actions in Michigan.
Best Betting Sites 
