The first Michigan sportsbooks began taking in-person bets in March 2020 and online sports betting will follow in January 2021.
If you want to bet online in Michigan, you can take advantage of a pre-launch offer at DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel or BetRivers. You can create an account now and then start wagering as soon as Michigan betting apps are allowed to go live.
Michigan online sports betting going live for 2021
Michigan sports betting apps are coming, and the only question is how soon. Apps are expected to be live by January 2021.
With the COVID-19 pandemic making an online option even more important to casino revenues, there is a concerted effort among all involved in the process to get the rulemaking and licensing for internet gambling and mobile sports wagering done as soon as possible.
A number of sports betting apps should be live at or soon after the initial launch, but how many is not yet known.
Best Michigan sports betting apps
Michigan online sportsbooks must be tethered to the three commercial casinos or 12 federally recognized Indian tribes that operate the state’s 23 tribal casinos. Operators are limited to using one internet sports betting platform.
PointsBet, which will provide online casino and sports betting for the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and retail sports betting at their Northern Waters Casino, became the first sportsbook with a Major League Baseball team sponsorship deal in July 2020.
Michiganders have a lot to look forward to when online sports betting arrives in Michigan. Expected operators lined up to have mobile sports betting apps in Michigan include:
- Barstool Sportsbook (Greektown Casino)
- BetMGM (MGM Grand Detroit)
- DraftKings (Bay Mills Indian Community)
- FanDuel (MotorCity Casino)
- FOX Bet (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians)
- PointsBet (Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians)
- William Hill (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians)
Here’s more on some of the sportsbook apps coming to Michigan:
DraftKings Sportsbook app
DraftKings gained access to the Michigan market via a deal with Bay Mills Resort and Casino in June 2020. The daily fantasy sports heavyweight has made great strides in legal sports betting and is among the market leaders in several states. Future plans with Bay Mills include the opening of a retail sportsbook.
Bonus offer: $25 free + 20% first deposit bonus up to $1,000. DraftKings Sportsbook review
FanDuel Sportsbook app
The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino was one of the first retail outlets to open its doors in Michigan in March 2020. The online and mobile platform has been a big hit in all markets entered to date. The retail book is a two-story venue with features including dozens of HDTVs and a dedicated sports ticker.
Bonus offer: Risk-free bet up to $1,000; FanDuel Sportsbook review
BetMGM Sportsbook app
The BetMGM retail sportsbook opened for business on March 11, 2020 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The company is aggressively building its presence in Michigan with exclusive sponsorship deals with both the Detroit Lions and Detroit Red Wings. BetMGM comes our way courtesy of Roar Digital, a joint venture of MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings.
Bonus offer: 100% deposit bonus up to $500; BetMGM Sportsbook review
William Hill Sportsbook app
UK-based William Hill continues to grow its presence across the US. The company has gained access to Michigan via a deal with the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Bonus offer: To be determined; William Hill Sportsbook review
FOX Bet Sportsbook app
Flutter Entertainment has teamed up with Fox Sports for Fox Bet, an online and mobile offering that has received significant attention. Fox Bet enters Michigan via partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Bonus offer: Risk-free bet up to $500; FOX Bet Sportsbook review
PointsBet Sportsbook app
Since debuting in New Jersey in early 2019, PointsBet has been continually working towards expanding its US presence with an online and mobile platform focused on sports bettors. The company entered Michigan off of a deal with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. PointsBet has inked an exclusive sponsorship deal with the Detroit Lions.
Bonus offer: $100 bonus with $50 deposit; PointsBet Sportsbook review
Barstool Sportsbook app
Barstool has built up a massive presence in the online sports media space. The company now has its sights set on doing the same in sports betting via a deal with Penn National. Barstool gains access to Michigan off of a deal with Greektown Casino. A temporary retail book is currently on site with a Barstool-branded outlet in the works.
Bonus offer: To be determined
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Michigan has three commercial casinos and 23 tribal casinos permitted to offer sports betting. MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown Casino opened their sportsbooks on May 11, 2020, with MotorCity following the next day. Soon after, the casinos were shut down as a result of the coronavirus, but the casinos and their sportsbooks are expected to open back up sometime in July.
The first tribal sportsbook opened in June 2020 at FireKeepers Casino.
Here’s a look at the Michigan sportsbooks open thus far (and soon to be open):
MGM Grand Detroit
One of the biggest casino names in Las Vegas, MGM opened the BetMGM Sports Lounge on March 11, 2020, with 60 HDTVs providing wall-to-wall coverage of sporting events, six betting windows and 14 self-service kiosks.
- Address: 1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
- Telephone: 877-888-2121
- Sportsbook Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Greektown Casino
Operated by Penn National Gaming, Greektown opened its temporary sportsbook on March 11, 2020, but plans to build a permanent one branded by Barstool Sports. Once online sports betting gains approval in the fall, Greektown plans to launch a Barstool Sportsbook App with technology from Kambi.
- Address: 555 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
- Telephone: 313-223-2999
- Sportsbook Hours: Sun-Thu 9 a.m. to midnight, Fri and Sat 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
MotorCity Casino
MotorCity opened its FanDuel Sportsbook in style on March 12, 2020, with Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders placing the first bet. The sportsbook features 67 HDTVs and 54 self-service IGT PlaySports betting kiosks.
The casino is owned by Little Caesars Pizza co-founder Marian Ilitch, who also owns the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.
- Address: 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
- Telephone: 866-782-9622
- Sportsbook Hours: Mon-Thu 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Fri 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
FireKeepers Casino
FireKeepers became the first tribal casino with sports betting in Michigan when it opened Dacey’s Sportsbook on June 22, 2020. The sportsbook is part of Dacey’s Taphouse restaurant. There are three live-wagering windows and four self-service kiosks.
- Address: 11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014
- Telephone: 877-352-8777
- Sportsbook Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to midnight, kiosks 7 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Odawa Casino Resort (Petoskey)
Odawa Casino is partnered with Fox Bet.
- Address: 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, MI 49770
- Telephone: 877-442-6464
- Hours: Monday and Thursday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; kiosks open 24 hours a day.
Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel
Turtle Creek partnered with William Hill for sports betting.
- Address: 7741 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690
- Telephone: 231-534-8870
- Hours: Monday-Thursday: Noon – midnight; Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Leelanau Sands Casino
William Hill is the sports betting partner of the casino.
- Address: 2521 N West Bay Shore Dr., Peshawbestown, MI 49682
- Telephone: 231-534-8100
- Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino*
The tribal casino is partnered with DraftKings for sports betting
- Address: 11386 W Lakeshore Dr., Brimley, MI 49715
- Telephone: 888-422-9645
*Not yet open
Northern Waters Casino Resort*
Northern Waters is partnered with PointsBet.
- Address: N5384 US-45, Watersmeet, MI 49969
- Telephone: 906-358-4226
*Not yet open
How to start betting at Michigan sportsbooks
When online betting goes live, you’ll have to do a few things before you can start wagering. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll have to do:
- Get a sportsbook app: You can download the sportsbook app or apps that you want to use. Once you get to the sportsbook’s site, it will direct you where to go for downloads for iPhones and Android phones.
- Sign up for a sports betting account: Getting the app is step one. Once you’ve done that, you need to go through the registration process at the sportsbook you choose. You’ll have to give the sportsbooks some of your information, like name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number to complete the process.
- Deposit at a sportsbook: The last step before you start betting is putting money in your account. Most sportsbooks offer several ways to fund your account.
Banking options at Michigan sportsbooks
Legal and regulated sportsbooks in Michigan offer up a number of different funding options for customers. The exact offering will vary by operator, but here are the main methods available.
- eCheck/ACH Transfer: Once you verify your account, you can quickly transfer funds via bank account.
- PayPal: A popular eWallet provider on which users can make both deposits and withdrawals.
- Wires/Money Orders: These options can be accepted for large amounts by certain operators.
- Prepaid cards: Some books have their own branded options, while standard prepaid cards may also be accepted.
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are standard options with American Express and Discover accepted by some operators.
- Bill pay: Another option to process transactions via bank account, similar to an online bill pay function.
- PayNearMe: If an operator offers this option, users can pay with cash at 7-Eleven stores to fund their sportsbook account.
- Skrill/Neteller: Other eWallet providers which function in the same fashion as PayPal.
- Casino cage: Certain operators have deals in place with casino license holders for on-site transactions.
Again, not all options will be available with every operator, but the top books generally have a good assortment to choose from. Also, some options may only be available for deposits while others will work fine for both types of transactions.
Live betting options at Michigan sportsbooks
Live betting is one of the fastest-growing segments of the sports betting industry. Also known as in-play or in-game betting, these are wagers that you can place in real-time as the action unfolds.
Online and mobile sportsbooks will provide updated odds every step of the way. There will be new lines on game results, as well as many opportunities which resemble what you would find in prop betting markets.
It’s a fast-moving marketplace, but leading operators have made major strides on this front and offer up platforms that are up to the task. Live betting can help to enhance engagement with contests as they play out while also providing additional chances to profit.
Information on sportsbook bonuses in Michigan
The Michigan sports betting market shapes up to be a competitive one. Leading operators will continually be battling for market share, and one of the tools they will use to help attract attention are sportsbook bonuses.
As online and mobile options go live in Michigan, we’ll have complete clarity on who will be offering what. For now, we can safely assume that you’ll see similar bonus offerings to what we have seen in other newly legalized states.
- Deposit match: Sportsbooks will match the first deposit for new users. The amount of the match will vary, but it can be up to 100% in some spots.
- Free bet: Operators will provide new users with site credits that they can use to place real money bets. If the wager is a winner, the user can withdraw the proceeds, but the free bet amount typically has a play-through requirement attached.
- Risk-free bet: After you make your first deposit, some sites will allow users to place their first bet in risk-free fashion. The amount of the offer will vary, but some books offer a maximum of $500-$1,000.
Bonus offers are a solid incentive that do the trick of attracting attention. They’re a great way for sites to bring in new users, while customers benefit from the chance to build up a bankroll.
Legal sports betting options in Michigan
Michiganders can bet on professional, collegiate and international sporting events at local casinos and, soon, at online sportsbooks in Michigan.
The only legal requirements are that you are over 21, physically located inside state lines when you bet, and not on a self-exclusion list. There is no requirement to be a permanent resident of Michigan.
There are also illegal offshore websites that offer sports betting in Michigan. Without regulation from the state, these offshore betting apps can’t be counted on to pay out winnings and have been known to disappear with people’s money. The safest option is to play with a reputable licensed sportsbook.
Most popular sports to bet on in Michigan
All major professional sports teams in Michigan are based in the city of Detroit. It is one of only 12 cities in the country to have teams from all four major North American sports leagues. Detroit is the only city ever to win three major professional sports championships in the same year.
The feat way back in 1935-36 gave it the nickname “City of Champions.” Michigan also features strong collegiate sports programs.
NHL betting in Michigan
There’s a reason Detroit is called Hockeytown. The Detroit Red Wings have won 11 Stanley Cup titles, most of any NHL franchise based in the US. However, it’s been a minute as the team’s last championship came in 2008. Founded in 1926, the Red Wings are one of the “Original 6” teams of the NHL.
NFL betting in Michigan
It says something about the popularity of the NFL that there’s an argument to be made for the Detroit Lions as the most popular team in the state. Although they did win four NFL championships from 1935 to 1957, the Lions are the only team in operation for the entire Super Bowl era never to play in one.
It’s not a streak likely to end anytime soon, but Michiganders will keep hope alive. The Lions signed a partnership deal with BetMGM prior to the 2020 NFL season.
MLB betting in Michigan
There’s something to be said for longevity. As by far the oldest professional sports team in Michigan, the Detroit Tigers have a passionate and loyal fanbase. The Tigers were founded in 1894 and became one of the American League’s eight charter franchises that went on to form one half of Major League Baseball in 1903.
Tigers fandom has passed down the generations since. The last of the Tigers’ four World Series titles came in 1984.
In July 2020, the Tigers announced a multiyear deal with PointsBet, the sponsorship between an MLB team and a sportsbook. As the official gaming partner of the Tigers, PointsBet will be featured on signage in Comerica Park and the team’s digital platforms.
NBA betting in Michigan
The Detroit Pistons might be the least popular of the major teams in Michigan, but when they win they do so with style. The “Bad Boys” with Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman played the villain role to perfection in 1989 and 1990.
Then the Pistons beat a Lakers lineup in 2004 that featured four future Hall of Famers. The Pistons haven’t won a playoff game in a dozen years, but they always seem to come back around.
NCAA betting in Michigan
After all that talk of the four major sports teams in the City of Champions, the most popular sports team in Michigan has to be Michigan Wolverines football. The Wolverines have 11 national titles and the most all-time wins in NCAA college football history.
The rivalry with Ohio State is one of the biggest in college athletics. Though there’s been some lean years of late, they’ve got a coach in Jim Harbaugh who shouldn’t be counted out to bring them back to glory.
The Wolverines have a legitimate in-state rival in the Michigan State Spartans, which have won six national titles in football. Amazingly, the Spartans have made the last 22 NCAA Tournaments while the Wolverines have made 8 of 9.
Sports betting deals in Michigan
As operators work towards establishing a strong foothold in new locales, some have made big splashes by inking deals with popular local teams. This is a trend that has continued to grow in the legal states, including here in Michigan.
- PointsBet + Detroit Tigers: PointsBet became the official sportsbook sponsor of the Tigers in July 2020. It’s a multi-year deal which calls for PointsBet branding to be visible on official Tigers media outlets and throughout Comerica Park.
- BetMGM + Detroit Lions: BetMGM joined forces with Lions as the team’s official sports betting partner in Sept. 2020. MGM Resorts International, one half of the Roar Digital team which controls BetMGM, already had a multi-year deal in place with the Lions.
- BetMGM + Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings extended an existing deal with BetMGM in Oct. 2020. Features include an on-ice logo at the Little Caesars Arena, branding throughout the arena and on Red Wings media properties, and a presence on the District Detroit mobile app.
- DraftKings and FanDuel + Detroit Pistons: The two biggest companies in US sports betting have signed up to be partners of Michigan’s NBA team. Both teams get in-arena advertising as well ad digital and television promotion.
Michigan sports betting law
Michigan sports betting got off to a slow start as the three commercial casinos in Detroit opened their sportsbooks the same week in March 2020 that sports leagues began shutting down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Soon after, the casinos and their sportsbooks were forced to shut down as well.
The state’s gambling laws are laid out in the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act of 1996. That Act authorized gambling in three casinos on non-tribal land in Detroit. Appetite for passage was partially driven by the construction of a new casino in Canada, just across the river from Michigan’s largest metropolis.
The measure was narrowly approved by 51.51% of the state voters and enacted into law the following year. It defines many forms of permitted “gambling games,” but there was no mention of sports betting.
That changed in December 2019 when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed sports betting into law. The law allows for mobile sports betting as well as at the physical commercial and tribal casinos throughout the state. Online gaming was also legalized.
Sports betting revenue is taxed at 8.4%. The commercial casinos in Detroit will pay an additional 1.25% city tax.
The state currently has an online lottery, 23 tribal casinos, three commercial casinos, and two race tracks that host pari-mutuel horse betting.
Michigan sports betting revenue
Michigan sports betting handle and revenue remain fairly small while it is confined to retail sportsbooks. That will change when online betting goes live.
Michigan is one of the largest states with online sportsbook apps, which will mean it be one of the top markets in short order. In a mature market, we could see Michigan sports betting hit the high single-digit billions of dollars in annual wagers, if not even in higher.
More on Michigan and US sports betting revenue and handle here.
Michigan sports betting timeline
2020
The first retail Michigan sportsbooks opened just days before the beginning of shutdowns statewide and nationwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most casinos in and around Detroit really did not have a chance to launch sports betting in earnest prior to the closings.
In June, Michigan gaming regulators signaled a willingness to advance their timeline for online sports betting from early 2021 to late 2020. They began pursuing this path as a response to the pandemic and could bring mobile sports betting sites to the state much sooner than first anticipated.
2019
In December 2019, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of gambling expansion bills into law that included legalizing online sports betting and fantasy sports contests.
When Rep. Brandt Iden introduced H 4916, he couldn’t get the governor to discuss the gambling expansion package with him. It seemed like partisan politics could derail the bill as Whitmer, a newly elected Democrat, warred with the Republican-controlled legislature.
The governor even opposed the bills when they passed the House in October. But Iden was able to tag team with Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., who was able to use his longtime connections with the governor to broker an agreement between Whitmer and industry stakeholders.
2018
Iden thought he had an internet gambling bill passed in 2018 that included one line that could have led to legal sports betting in Michigan.
The bill gave the Michigan Gaming Control Board authority to permit internet gambling operators to accept sports betting wagers.
Iden and Sen. Mike Kowall worked hard to get all stakeholders on board with H 4926 only to have Gov. Rick Snyder veto the bill.
2017
Iden began his efforts to pass internet gambling legislation in 2017. His first version of H 4926 prohibited sports betting, but a substitute version flipped the script and Iden included provisions for legalization.
Late in 2017, Iden’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act became the first with sports betting language to pass through the Committee on Regulatory Reform.
2015-16
Well before the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA, Rep. Robert Kosowski started off efforts to legalize Michigan sports betting.
In 2015, he introduced the state’s first two pieces of sports betting legislation. H 4669 moved to allow casinos to conduct sports betting. H 4670 would have extended the permissions to include wagering on simulcast horse racing, too.
Rep. Kosowski re-introduced his 2015 bill once again in 2016. This time, H 5828 included language that would permit third parties to offer sports betting, in addition to the commercial casinos.
The bills never made it out of committee, but they did start the conversation for MI sports betting.
The future of Michigan sports betting
Michigan is primed to be a huge sports betting market.
One of the biggest things the state has going is that it legalized all forms of online gambling alongside sports betting. Michigan online casino and online poker will also be live soon; we know from the example in New Jersey that all these forms of gambling have a complementary effect.
Michigan has a competitive marketplace for sportsbooks with lots of brands going live and a large population. All of it adds up to the state being one of the biggest states for sports betting revenue and wagers, eventually.
Michigan and daily fantasy sports
In addition to legalizing online sports betting and internet gambling in 2019, Michigan tagged on daily fantasy sports.
Michiganders already were able to participate in fantasy contests on sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo! and Fantasy Draft. But now they can do so in a regulated environment.
With oversight from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, DFS sites paid $20,000 for an initial license, a $5,000 annual fee and are taxed at 8.4%.
Michigan sports betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Michigan?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Michigan. In-person betting started in March 2020 with online expected to follow in 2021. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law in late December 2019 despite it looking like a dead-end for the majority of the year.
Who oversees Michigan sports betting?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulates sports betting in the state. It sets and enforce the rules and regulations under which casinos and sportsbooks operate.
Where can I bet on sports in Michigan?
Retail sports betting went live in March 2020. Mobile sports betting eventually will be available throughout Michigan via smartphones, tablets, and computers. You need to be physically located in Michigan to use any of the options.
Who can apply for a Michigan sports betting license?
All commercial and tribal casinos would be allowed to apply under the approved bill.
These are the three commercial casinos in Detroit:
- Greektown Casino
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Motor City Casino
Who can bet on sports in Michigan?
You have to be 21 in order to place a sports bet in Michigan. Otherwise, only certain key personnel associated with sports teams and leagues are restricted from betting.
Will mobile sports betting be available in Michigan?
Yes, mobile sports betting is on the way. Rules are being written to govern mobile sports betting in Michigan and the state is aiming for a launch in early 2021.
Is horse racing legal in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan has one horse racetrack with simulcast betting. The package of gambling bills passed in December 2019 also added online horse betting.
Michigan began offering parimutuel betting on horse races back in 1933 and added simulcast racing in 1995.
There is only one racetrack left standing in Michigan, Northville Downs located just outside Detroit. People can bet on live thoroughbred racing at Northville and also watch and bet on races around North America.
Following the law to permit online horse betting, TVG became the first third-party facilitator to launch legal advanced-deposit wagering in June, just ahead of the last two legs of the Triple Crown. TwinSpires also is going through the regulatory process and is expected to be approved shortly.