Michigan Online Gambling
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer formally legalized online casino gaming and sports betting in December 2019. This created safe and regulated marketplaces for all online casinos and sportsbooks available to bettors aged 21 and over.
In the financial year 2020/21 alone, the Michigan Gaming Control Board earned $88.9 million in tax revenues through online casino and sports betting. We’ve provided a complete guide to the legal gambling options available in Michigan, as well as a list of the best online casinos and sportsbooks in the state.
Best Michigan Gambling Sites
The Michigan online gambling market comprises both remote casinos and sportsbooks, with the Michigan Gaming Control Board licensing 15 operators. Here’s a complete list of the top Michigan iGaming sites.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Michigan?
Online gambling, including online casinos and sportsbooks, is entirely legal in Michigan. Governor Whitmer legalized both gaming options when she signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 (Act 152).
The state’s first online casinos and sportsbooks launched in January 2021. Subsequently, the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued 15 licenses, with most operators offering players both sports betting markets and online casino games.
Currently, licensed operators are required to pay a basic state tax of 4.25% on their total earnings and a 24% federal tax levy on the money they take across all gambling verticals. However, these levies may increase in the near term, following legislation proposed by Senator Sam Singh and Senator Jeremy Moss in December 2024.
Senate Bill 1194 proposes a 1% tax on all iGaming operators and verticals. This would include smaller betting sites with an annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) of under $4 million. The issue will be discussed further in the state’s next legislative session.
Michigan Gambling History
You can trace the history of gambling in Michigan back to 1933, when The Racing Act legalized and regulated pari-mutuel horse racing. Some 39 years later, in 1972, locals approved a constitutional amendment to authorize a state lottery, which was subsequently passed through Public Act 382.
In 1984, a Keweenaw Bay tribal member legally challenged the Michigan state’s right to regulate (or restrict) Indian gaming. However, it wasn’t until 1993 that the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe became the first to sign a gaming compact with the state. As of January 2025, there are now 23 Native American casinos open in Michigan.
The state is also home to three commercial casinos in Detroit. These were authorized by the Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act, which was passed in 1997 and subsequently signed into law. Thus, there are now 26 casinos operating in the state.
Below, we’ve taken a closer look at the history of Michigan gambling and how it has evolved through the years!
The History of Michigan Gambling – A Timeline
1933: Pari-mutuel horse racing is Michigan’s first gambling vertical to be legalized and regulated. The Racing Act also creates The Office of Racing Commissioner.
1972: Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment to authorize a lottery in the state with Public Act 382, which simultaneously enabled nonprofit organizations to raise funds through licensed bingo games, raffles, and charity game tickets.
1993: After various legal challenges, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe signed a formal gaming pact with the state’s authorities. This was the first such agreement in Michigan, while it required the tribe to pay 2% of all winnings to the local treasury.
1996: Michigan voters approved Proposal E. This authorized the construction of three licensed casinos in Detroit.
1997: The Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act was signed into law to formalize the authorization of licensed casinos in Detroit.
2014: Michigan launched its official iLottery. This included virtual games like instant keno and remote scratchcards, which could be accessed online and through smartphones.
2019: State Governor Gretchen Whitmer formally passed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act 2019. This comprehensive legislation covered Michigan sports betting and online casinos, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), and virtual poker. The act also allowed existing tribal and commercial casinos to apply for sports betting and online gambling licenses.
2024: Michigan senators Sam Singh and Jeremy Moss propose a 1% on all iGaming operators and betting verticals. This will be debated and discussed further in the state’s 2025 legislative session.
What are the Legal Gambling Options in Michigan?
Ultimately, Michigan is one of the most gambling-friendly states in the US. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act 2019 legalized various online verticals, including video poker and Daily Fantasy Sports betting. Some popular forms of land-based and in-person gambling have been legal for considerably longer. Here’s a summary of how you can lawfully wager in Michigan:
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | Yes | 2019 |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 1997 |
| Online Poker | Yes | 2019 |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 1997 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 2019 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 2019 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 2019 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1933 (Pari-mutuel) |
| Lottery | Yes | 1972 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | 1972 |
Sports Betting
After extensive lobbying in New Jersey, the US Supreme Court decided to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PAPSA) in May 2018. This had previously prohibited sports betting at a federal level in the US, and the move enabled states like Michigan to legalize, regulate, and tax the practice.
The Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act of 2019 outlines more precise rules and tax levies for sportsbooks. This enables you to wager safely on sports such as soccer, football, and basketball. The future for this vertical certainly looks bright, with November 2024 seeing a record $650.2 million wagered on sports in the state.
Online Casino
Michigan became the sixth state to legalize online casinos in December 2019, following Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Since the first operators launched in January 2021, Michigan has recorded more than $7.3 billion in lifetime gambling revenue.
The online casino market includes several different games, namely online slots, table games (such as roulette and blackjack), and live casino titles.
Poker
The Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 also made provision for online poker to be legalized in Michigan. This means licensed online casinos can operate virtual poker rooms alongside high-stakes tournaments and satellite games.
Land-based casinos in MI are also legally allowed to operate poker rooms. The current state law even allows for home or private poker games, so long as the host isn’t raking the pot, charging for entry, or selling food and liquor without the requisite license.
Daily Fantasy Sports
The comprehensive Lawful Internet Gaming Act also permitted licensed sportsbooks to offer Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) betting. This condenses the usually season-long DFS format into individual game weeks, enabling you to bet real money on selected fantasy sports outcomes and top performers.
DraftKings and FanDuel pioneered DFS betting, and both continue to lead the market and are active in Michigan. Interestingly, these brands were among the first to launch in the state on January 22nd, 2021, offering locals an array of DFS betting markets.
Lottery
As we’ve touched on, Michigan locals voted to authorize a state lottery in 1972. This successfully launched later in the year, while Hermus Millsaps from Taylor became the state’s first $1 million prize winner in February 1973. The iconic Big Game (Mega Millions) started to sell tickets in the summer of 1996.
The MI lottery has continued to evolve during the 21st century. As a result, you can now bet on a wide range of high-stakes lottery games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto 47, and Fantasy 5. You can also wager on the iLottery, which unlocks a further range of games such as Cashword and Pot O’ Gold and is accessible online.
Retail Sportsbooks
You can also bet in person in Michigan. There are 20 retail sportsbooks located throughout the state, including popular locations like Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Gun Lake Casino, and the Hollywood Casino at Greektown. These entities are open 24/7 and feature sportsbooks operated by DraftKings, ESPN Bet, and 131 Sportsbook & Lounge, respectively.
Other sportsbooks represented in person in Michigan include Four Winds Kiosks, Caesars, and BetMGM Sports.
Land-Based Casinos
Currently, there are 26 land-based casinos in Michigan, including 23 Indian locations and three commercial entities.
Each commercial casino is located in Wayne, Detroit, and includes the MGM Grand, MotorCity Casino Hotel, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. However, you’ll find tribal resorts in various cities, such as New Buffalo, Bark River, and St Ignace.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos let you play casino games like slots and table games without spending any money. You can play for free and with no chance of winning anything using Gold Coins, or you can compete for prizes with Sweeps Coins. Many sweepstakes casinos accept players in Michigan, with over 50 brands available.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Michigan?
When Michigan voted to approve the aforementioned Proposal E in November 1996, the foundations were laid for three commercial casinos in Detroit. The proposal was signed into law the following year, triggering the creation of the Michigan Gaming Control Board as the market’s regulator.
The MGCB now oversees most of all iGaming markets and verticals in Michigan. In fact, it regulates all commercial casinos and horse racing in the state, as well as iGaming, remote sports betting, and fantasy sports.
Operators who want to offer these verticals must apply for a license to trade in MI. They can apply for one of three different categories of license: Operator Licenses, Supplier Licenses, or Vendor Licenses. However, the state is limited in how many licenses it can offer, while sportsbooks must always adhere to strict terms and conditions.
The only gambling verticals the MGCB doesn’t regulate are tribal casinos and the state lottery. The former operates outside of the regulator’s authority and is instead overseen by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Michigan Lottery is managed by the recently appointed commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, who was appointed to her post in early 2024.
Responsible Gambling in Michigan
Interestingly, one of Michigan’s most essential licensing terms compels operators to prioritize responsible gambling. It’s crucial that operators safeguard potentially vulnerable players, especially as more than 4,400 calls pertaining to problem gambling were made in the year after legalization.
To operate legally in MI, online betting sites must offer access to customizable deposit limits and time-outs. At the same time, they must enable customers to self-exclude from all betting activities for a predetermined period, usually between six months and five years.
If you do start to wager outside your means or spend an excessive amount of time gambling, you can also seek out help from several charitable organizations. These can provide practical help and support while they include the following:
Your Michigan Gambling FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Michigan?
Yes, online gambling is fully legal and regulated in Michigan. This includes remote sports betting and online casinos, video poker, daily fantasy sports betting, and sweepstakes. You can also bet on pari-mutuel horse racing and play the state lottery in MI.
Can I bet on sports in Michigan?
Yes, you can! Sports betting is entirely legal in MI, with the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act initiated as part of a much broader legislative effort in 2019. This allows you to wager on many sports and disciplines at any licensed sportsbook, including international disciplines like soccer, tennis, and the Summer Olympic Games.
Does Michigan have any online casinos?
A total of 15 operators have received licenses to promote their betting verticals in Michigan. Most of these entities offer online and live casino verticals, which enable you to bet on virtual iterations of slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker. The number of licensed online casinos in the state may increase in the future.
Is DFS legal in Michigan?
Daily Fantasy Sports betting was made legal as part of the 2019 Lawful Internet Gaming Act in MI. This vertical allows you to bet on daily fantasy sports outcomes, usually during a particular matchday or game week. Currently, DFS betting is the most popular form of betting among NFL and NBA fans, while DraftKings and FanDuel are the leading players in this marketplace.
Are Michigan online gambling sites safe?
Thanks to the efforts and oversight provided by the MGCB, all licensed Michigan gambling sites are safe and secure. To this end, you should be able to verify an operator’s licensing credentials through their website. At the same time, sportsbooks will also boast 128-bit SSL encryption to help safeguard your financial data and transactions.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan state law dictates that all gambling and lottery winnings are subject to individual income tax. Winnings must be declared as part of your adjusted gross income, while the Michigan Income Tax Act currently has no provision to subtract losses.
References
- https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/news/2022/07/14/mgcb-silver-anniversary
- https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/michigan-sports-betting-igaming-records-november/#:~:text=Record%20online%20sports%20betting%20handle&text=In%20terms%20of%20handle%2C%20the,December%20last%20year%20by%206.0%25.
- https://www.michiganpublic.org/2022-02-25/calls-to-the-michigan-gambling-problem-helpline-nearly-tripled-last-year
- https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/questions/iit/accordion/taxable/are-gambling-lottery-winnings-subject-to-michigan-individual-income-tax-1#:~:text=Yes.,Michigan%20individual%20income%20tax%20return.
