Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

Michigan online sports betting is officially here! After launching on January 22, 2021, bets can now be placed anywhere you can get an internet connection within the borders of the state or at one of the many retail sportsbooks options located at most of the state’s casinos. Let this page be your guide to all the top sportsbooks, bonuses and more!

MI Sportsbook Bonuses

1

Caesars Sportsbook

$5K Risk-Free Bet

4.4

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• Promo Code: HANDLERF
• Rock solid software
• Loaded promotional schedule

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T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

2

FanDuel Sportsbook

$1000 Risk-Free Bet

4.8

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• Best Odds, Prices in Industry
• Tons of Props on 16+ Sports
• Speedy Withdrawals, Deposits

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T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

3

BetMGM Sportsbook

$1000 Risk-Free Bet

4.5

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• Tons of Promotions
• Fast Withdrawals and Deposits
• Good Media Integrations

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T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

4

FOX Bet Sportsbook

$500 Risk-Free Bet

4.3

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• PayPal Deposits, Withdrawals
• Offers Custom Bets
• Backed by FOX Sports

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T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

5

BetRivers Sportsbook

$250 Match

4.2

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• Generous 1X Playthrough Bonus
• Unmatched Loyalty Program
• Excellent Teaser Pricing

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T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies

Sports betting was one part of a three-fer iGaming package in late 2019. Another bill formally legalized daily fantasy sports (HB 4308) and established certain rules and consumer protections, while an iGaming bill (HB 4311) allowing for online casino and poker also passed.

The first sports bets were placed in early March 2020 at a trio of Detroit casinos, MGM Grand, MotorCity Casino and Greektown Casino, but the excitement was short-lived. Retail casinos were forced to temporarily close their doors due to the COVID-19 global pandemic just a few days later. Online sports betting came next. Late November 2020 was the original goal, but Michigan lawmakers knew that would be quite the undertaking. Eventually, all necessary procedures and regulations were in line and the state officially launched online sports betting on January 22, 2021.

List of Michigan legal online sportsbooks

Michigan’s retail sports betting timetable

It was a tough start for sports betting in Michigan. On March 11-12, MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown Casino and MotorCity Casino all took their first retail sports bets, with plenty of additional books ready to follow. March Madness 2020 was going to kick off the state’s fledgling industry, but due to public health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic the tournament was cancelled and casinos were temporarily forced to close their doors, placing a hold on sports betting.

Retail casinos began opening their doors for customers in mid-summer 2020, but at severely reduced capacity, and many other health and safety restrictions. Regulated by their own gaming commission instead of the state, tribal casinos did not fall under the governor’s stay-at-home order. Some facilities welcomed guests, with increased precautions, as early as May 29. Additional safety measures include decreased capacity, mandatory temperature checks, additional cleaning, plus all staff are required to wear masks and gloves.

Online Sports Betting officially arrives in MI

Michigan lawmakers had been hoping to fast track the launch of online sports betting from early 2021 to a possible new start date of Fall 2020. But a requirement for legislative review of the final rules is part of the process, which was completed in mid-December. The MGCB on Jan. 19, 2021 announced it would launch the first round of approved operators on Jan. 22, 2021. The first round of sportsbooks all launched on January 22, 2021 including most of all the big names in the US market such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and BetRivers.

Sportsbooks and possible MI sportsbooks

There may some day be 15 or even more legal online sportsbooks available to bettors in Michigan: one apiece from each of the three commercial casinos, and likewise one apiece from each of the 12 federally-recognized Native American tribes operating casinos in the state, which collectively run 23 casinos. As of July 2021, 13 were live in the state.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees implementation of the state’s sports gambling operations, both online and for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at each of the state’s 26 total casinos.

While the market won’t be quite as expansive as in New Jersey or Indiana (where each property can run up to three online “skins” or brands), this setup opens the door to plenty of popular sportsbooks. BetMGM (MGM Grand), FanDuel (Motor City Casino), and Penn National/Barstool (Greektown Casino) all have both retail and mobile operations in the state. Additionally, TwinSpires (Island Resort), BetRivers (Little River), DraftKings (Bay Mills Community), FOX Bet (Odawa), Golden Nugget (Ojibwa Baraga and Marquette), Parx (Gun Lake), PointsBet (Northern Waters), and Caesars Sportsbook (formerly William Hill) (Turtle Creek and Leelanau) are all partnered with casinos in Indian Country and also launched mobile apps in the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook are also offering daily fantasy games in the state due to a bill that’s part of the iGaming package.

Here’s a look at the deals between operators and tribes for sports betting and iGaming:

1. Barstool Sportsbook – Greektown Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

The much anticipated online sportsbook had a successful launch in Pennsylvania in September and recently opened its first retail one in Colorado. Penn National purchased the Greektown Casino in May 2019 to enter the Michigan gambling market, and just a short time later acquired 36% of Barstool for $163 million with the intentions of using the Barstool brand as their U.S.-facing sportsbook brand.

2. TwinSpires — Island Resort Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

Twinspires (formerly BetAmerica), owned and operated by Churchill Down Inc (CDI), partnered with Island Resort Casino in Harris in order to bring its online sportsbook and online casino to the state. TwinSpires also operates the casino’s retail sportsbook. TwinSpires is known for loading up its retail books with self-serve kiosks which, in these times, will play well in the wake of health and safety concerns.

3. BetMGM — MGM Grand Detroit

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

BetMGM is the online gambling wing of MGM in the U.S., and Michigan will be no different. The retail sportsbook took its first bets in early March 2020, with their online sportsbook launching less than a year later. BetMGM brings years of experience and will be a strong competitor for top spot in the Michigan online sportsbook market.

4. BetRivers — Little River Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

BetRivers does not own any properties in Michigan, but has struck a deal with Little River Casino and Resort in order to bring their popular brand of sports betting and online casino to Michigan. BetRivers has seen a ton of success in Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Jersey, and Illinois and is among the first wave of online sportsbooks in Michigan as well.

5. DraftKings — Partnered with Bay Mills Community

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

DraftKings struck up a deal with the Bay Mills Community, located on the Upper Peninsula, in June 2020, and both sides say the partnership is about matching cultures. Bay Mills, a small, remote tribe, sees itself as an upstart that has to think outside of the box, and believes that DraftKings has done just that on its way dominating the sports betting space along with rival FanDuel. DraftKings now has a DK-branded retail sportsbook on-site as well as online sports betting and casino throughout the state.

6. FanDuel — Partnered with MotorCity Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

Among the first wave of retail sportsbooks opening their doors in March 2020, FanDuel now operates both the online and retail sportsbooks for MotorCity Casino in Detroit. FanDuel seems to dominate any market it enters and have seen great success in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Colorado and Indiana.

7. FOX Bet — Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority

• Online Launch: January 29, 2021

FOX Bet is the sportsbook offered by Canadian-based The Stars Group (TSG), probably best known for its PokerStars brand. The company pulled the plug on BetStars in favor of FOX Bet following a May 2019 partnership agreement between the broadcasting and gaming companies. The FOX Bet sportsbook that originally launched in New Jersey as BetStars, got a facelift after the FOX Sports deal and now features promos with Colin Cowherd and other FOX Sports figures’ faces on it.

8. Golden Nugget  — Ojibwa Casino 

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

Golden Nugget is only live in New Jersey and Michigan so far, but has partnered with both the Ojibwa Casino Baraga and Ojibwa Casino Marquette in order to bring not just their online sportsbook, but their online casino to Michigan as well. Both retail casinos are located in the Upper Peninsula, but is available online throughout the state, giving them access to a larger customer base than ever before.

9. Parx – Gun Lake Casino

• Online Launch: Coming soon

Parx may not be a household name in Michigan just yet but is the top retail casino in Pennsylvania. It was one of the first to go live in PA and has since brought its popular Kambi/GAN powered sportsbook and casino over the border into New Jersey as well. Parx has partnered with Gun Lake Casino in order to go live in Michigan.

10. PointsBet Sportsbook — Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

PointsBet entered into an agreement “to provide online and mobile sports wagering and gaming to be rolled out statewide,” in conjunction with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, which owns and operates the Northern Waters Casino Resort on its reservation in Watersmeet.

PointsBet has brought its exciting unique style of spread betting called PointsBetting to the Wolverine State along with an online casino to pair with its online sportsbook.

11. Caesars Sportsbook (formerly William Hill)– Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

• Online Launch (as William Hill): January 22, 2021

One of the world’s largest sportsbooks, Caesars Sportsbook, has landed in Michigan through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The primary Caesars Sportsbook retail location in the state is located at the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Williamsburg, with a secondary satellite location at the Leelanau Sands in Suttons Bay. Caesars phased out the William Hill brand in August 2021, replacing it with its brand new Caesars Sportsbook.

12. WynnBET — Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

The Wynn name is synonymous with elegance and class, and that doesn’t change when it comes to WynnBET online sportsbook. Wynn partnered with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians in order to bring their online gambling site to the Wolverine State.

Other sportsbooks that are likely to seek market access the state through similar partnerships:

• Bet365
• Bally Bet
• theScore Bet
• Unibet

On June 22, 2020, FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek became the first tribal casino in the state to launch a retail sports betting facility. Its Dacey’s Sportsbook offers betting kiosks in addition to a staffed window. FireKeepers ended up going solo, taking its Dacey’s Sportsbook online in July 2021. Both the retail and online sportsbooks are powered by Scientific Games.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians struck their own deal with Kambi to design and power their own in-house and online sportsbooks. Their three retail books began accepting bets in July 2020. The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians struck a deal with GAN in order to power their own proprietary sportsbook software and in person betting.

The latest Michigan news

Ohio Lawmakers Now Say They’ll Legalize Sports Betting In September

by Jill R. Dorson

June 30, 2021

Ohio legislators continue to make promises and talk, but can't find common ground on issue of sports wagering.

DraftKings Expects 2021 Revenue To Top $1 Billion Following Strong First Quarter

by Matt Rybaltowski

May 7, 2021

DraftKings increased its forward guidance for 2021 on Friday as it prepares for the migration to an in-house betting engine by year's end.

New Era For Compulsive Gambling Aid In U.S.?

by John Brennan

February 2, 2021

Expert gives thumbs up to new sports betting laws in Michigan and Virginia that include money earmarked to treat compulsive gambling.

Sports betting bill particulars

Lawmakers worked with the governor and industry participants to ensure HB 4916, the sports betting portion of the approved iGaming package, laid the groundwork for a successful and profitable sports betting operation. This includes an acceptable tax rate for all parties.

Key components of the Lawful Sports Betting Act include:

• An 8.4 percent tax rate on adjusted gross of sports wagers; three commercial casinos in Detroit will pay the city an additional 1.25 percent tax.
• Betting operators are allowed one internet sports betting platform or “skin” apiece
• A $50,000 application fee; $100,000 for license and $50,000 annual renewal
• Lion’s share of state tax revenue will go to the School Aid Fund; $2 million will support the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund, which funds cancer treatments for firefighters.
• Under this legislation, Michigan becomes the third state, behind Tennessee and Illinois, to require use of “official league data.” Beyond the cost, sportsbook operators also can challenge having to use so-called “official data” because of other factors including the nature and quantity of data. This includes the quality and complexity of the process to collect it, if a sports betting supplier license was not obtained.
• The Michigan measure allows one “skin” for mobile betting with approximately 15 skins available statewide. As many tribes own and operate multiple casinos, skins will overlap venues with the same owner.
• Another key element of Michigan’s sports betting bill is the critical support it reportedly received from tribal interests which operate nearly two dozen casinos across the state. The state has compacts with the tribes and regulates finances, but tribes have the ultimate say regarding what occurs regarding their casinos due to the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In this case they were willing to act.

The tribes’ participation in negotiations makes Michigan unique, whereas in other states, such as Minnesota, lawmakers have found their attempts at legal sports betting thwarted by tribes standing by long-held compacts and concerns over exclusivity.

In 2018, the tribes in Michigan paid $53.4 million in gaming proceeds to the state which is substantially more than the $20 million in fees and taxes sports wagering is projected to bring in annually. Because of that, their participation and cooperation in negotiating the final legislative package was crucial.

Michigan Sports Betting FAQ

Michigan sports betting journey

Just as many states did, Michigan got serious about legalizing sports betting soon after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act. With that reversal in May 2018, states beyond Nevada could make sports betting available to its residents.

In late 2018 a package of iGaming bills hit the desk of then-Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. In one of the last acts of his administration, ending because of term limits, he vetoed the legislation that would have brought sports betting and iGaming to Michigan sometime in 2019.

Snyder said he rejected the bills mostly due to “unknown revenue implications.” In a news release, he said that he believed sports betting needed more study and comparison with other states with similar legislation before it should be legalized.

Next governor

Snyder was succeeded in office by Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, on the record as being supportive of wagering on sports. Despite that, she, too, threatened to veto sports betting and other iGaming legislation in October 2019, fearing the legislation would seriously impact and diminish the state’s lottery revenues which support the state’s education fund.

Rep. Brandt Iden and State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing) pressed forward with revamping the iGaming package, expressing frustration over Whitmer’s suggestions to double taxes and license fees on gaming and sports betting. Late into the legislative session, Whitmer and her staff agreed to come to the negotiating table, reaching a compromise on the iGaming measures that included setting taxation rates and assurances the school fund would be viable and protected.

In this case, taxes on sports betting went down and iGaming taxes increased. In the internet gaming legislation, House Bill 4311, taxes are tiered from 20 percent to 28 percent depending on a venue’s gross receipts.

After overwhelmingly passing both chambers, Whitmer signed on Dec. 20, 2019. On March 11, 2020, the first retail sports bets were taken at MGM Grand Detroit and the Greektown Casino. MotorCity Casino opened its sportsbook the very next day. Online sports betting launched on January 22, 2021.

Be sure to check back often with SportsHandle for all the latest news and information on Michigan sports betting.