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 located at most of the state’s casinos. Let this page be your guide to all the top sportsbooks, bonuses, and more!

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 casinos 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 just a few days later due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 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.

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Michigan sports betting today

Michiganders have one of the widest selections in the entire country when it comes to local sports teams, from each of the four major professional teams to the Wolverines to the Spartans. This means that there is hardly ever a shortage of action in the area. Let’s see what’s on tap:

Headlines

• Lions improve to 2-1 after their 20-6 win over the Falcons.
• The Tigers defeated the A’s 2-0.
• Spartans lose second-game in a row after being held to under 10 points again. Their lost 31-9 against Maryland over the weekend.
• Wolverines remain undefeated after their 31-7 win over Maryland.

Upcoming games/events

• The Detroit Lions face the Green Bay Packers on the road this Thursday at 8:15 PM ET. (09/25)
• The Detroit Tigers play the Kansas City Royals at home next. First game begins tomorrow at 6:40 PM ET. (09/25)
• The Spartans look to bounce back against Iowa this Saturday at 7:30 PM ET. (09/25)
• The Wolverines head to Nebraska to face the Cornhuskers this Saturday at 3:30 PM ET. (09/25)

Michigan bettors can place action on any of the events listed above and more at any of the fantastic sportsbook brands currently offering their services in the state:

List of Michigan legal online sportsbooks

Professional Michigan Sports Teams

Updated September 25, 2023 – Odds provided from FanDuel Sportsbook and they are subject to change:

Detroit Tigers

• League: MLB
• Founding: 1894
• Stadium: Comerica Park
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet

Since their founding, the Tigers have won four World Series championships. Their most previous win was nearly 40 years in 1984 – the Tigers have gone back to the World Series twice this century but fell short in both 2006 and 2012.

And it doesn’t appear the Tigers are on their way to breaking their drought anytime soon. The Tigers are amidst a roster overhaul, but there is certainly some promise. Despite his struggles at the plate, rookie Spencer Torkelson presents hope and optimism for the future.

Detroit Lions

• League: NFL
• Founding: 1929
• Stadium: Ford Field
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetMGM, WynnBET

The Lions are one of the oldest teams in league history, and there’s an argument to be made that no fanbase has undergone more torture and torment than modern-day Lions fans.

Despite having four world championships, the Lions are one of the twelve franchises never to have won a Super Bowl, and only one of four have never appeared in the big game. However, Lions fans should have plenty of excitement going into the 2023 NFL season. Under new head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions were the subject of the HBO series “Hard Knocks”, which will documented the Lions during 2022 training camp. The Lions became a darling of sorts around the league – they finished 9-8 on the year and have plenty of reason to be optimistic going into next year. Detroit has a lot of young talent to get excited about, including 2nd overall, in-state selection Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, and Kerby Joseph.

Detroit Red Wings

• League: NHL
• Founding: 1926
• Stadium: Little Caesars Arena
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet

The Red Wings have enjoyed plenty of success as an original six member. Detroit has the third most Stanley Cups in the NHL with 11 titles – their most recent coming in 2008 when the Red Wings topped the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Red Wings were one of the NHL’s greatest powerhouses in the late 1990s, winning two Cups in that decade and another in 2002. In addition, the Red Wings still hold one of the most impressive records in all North American sports: making the postseason in 25 consecutive years. The historic streak started in 1990-91 and ended in 2015-16. The Red Wings have not made the postseason since then but will look to end that streak this upcoming season behind the prowess of Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Detroit Pistons

• League: NBA
• Founding: 1941
• Stadium: Little Caesars Arena
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetRivers, DraftKings, PointsBet, WynnBET

The Bad Boys of Detroit were among the most hated NBA teams throughout the 1990s. Behind the stardom of Isiah Thomas, the Pistons won two titles in the 90s over the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Pistons returned to their roots in the 2000s when they reclaimed an NBA title in 2004 behind stellar defense. Convincingly, the Pistons won over the Lakers in a gentleman’s sweep. 

But Detroit has only made the postseason seven times since then. And in their last three appearances, they have been swept out of the first round each time. The Pistons are in the middle of a rebuild behind 2021 1st overall Cade Cunningham. Cunningham is unfortunately out for the season for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. They are a contender to land the 1st pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Michigan’s retail sports betting timetable

It was a tough start for sports betting in Michigan back when the global pandemic arrived. On March 11-12, 2020, 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 canceled and casinos were temporarily forced to close their doors, placing a hold on sports betting.

Retail casinos began reopening 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, 2020.

However, with the pandemic behind us, in Michigan, you can place bets in 20 of Michigan’s 26 casinos. Michigan has plenty of avenues for their residents and tourists to place sports bets.

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.

MI Sportsbooks

As of 2022, there are exactly 15 legal online sportsbooks available to bettors in Michigan, nearly reaching the maximum capacity under the state’s current betting law. The Michigan Gaming Control Board originally approved 15 different online brands, allowing one skin apiece from each of the state’s three commercial casinos, and likewise one skin apiece from each of the 12 federally-recognized Native American tribes operating casinos in the state, which collectively run 23 casinos.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees the 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 isn’t quite as expansive as it is in New Jersey or Indiana (where each property can run up to three online “skins” or brands), the current betting landscape in Michigan features plenty of popular sportsbooks. BetMGM (MGM Grand), FanDuel (Motor City Casino), and the Barstool Sportsbook (Greektown Casino) all have both retail and mobile operations in the state. Additionally, SI Sportsbook (Island Resort), BetRivers (Little River), DraftKings (Bay Mills Community), FOX Bet (Odawa), Golden Nugget (Ojibwa Baraga and Marquette), WynnBET (All 5 Kewadin Casinos), PointsBet (Northern Waters), and Caesars Sportsbook (Turtle Creek and Leelanau) are all partnered with casinos in Indian Country and also launched mobile apps in the state, with some of the locations also offering retail sports betting.

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

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 Sports for $163 million with the intentions of using the Barstool brand as their U.S.-facing sportsbook brand. The much-anticipated online sportsbook had a successful launch in Pennsylvania in September 2020 and followed it up by opening its first retail location in Colorado one month later in November.

On December 23, 2020, the Greektown Casino opened its brick-and-mortar Barstool Sportsbook to the public for the first time ever, featuring 40 betting kiosks, a 30-foot video wall, and more than 20 high-definition televisions scattered throughout the room.

2. 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 has been a leading operator in the Michigan online sportsbook market.

3. BetRivers — Little River Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

BetRivers does not own any properties in Michigan, but landed a deal with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in June 2020 to bring their popular brand of sports betting and iGaming to Michigan. The deal would make BetRivers the service provider for the Little River Casino’s in-house sportsbook, while also providing the company with market access in the state for their online sportsbook and casino offerings.

The River Rock Sportsbook and Grill opened its doors to the public on July 17, 2020, becoming the first location in northern Michigan to offer legal sports betting.

4. Caesars Sportsbook — Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

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

One of the industry’s most prominent brands, Caesars Sportsbook, originally 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.

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.

Despite going forward with an online launch through Bay Mills Casino and Kings Club Casino, DraftKings has yet to open a retail sportsbook at either location. Bay Mills Casino’s website says a live DK sportsbook is coming this summer, but no specific dates were provided.

6. Eagle Casino & Sports — Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

• Online Launch: April 18, 2022

In May 2021, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe revealed its plans to enter the online sports betting and casino market in Michigan after joining forces with popular tech provider GAN.

After a second deal, this time with Kambi, was announced in November 2021, it appeared that Michigan’s final online operator was ready to open for business.

Despite all of the positive momentum, both the online sportsbook and casino have yet to go live, along with any retail offerings at the Soaring Eagle or Saganing Eagles Landing casinos. The Soaring Eagle’s website claims that their Ascend Sportsbook Bar & Lounge is almost here, however it has also yet to open after being given a target date of mid-January 2022.

7. 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 has had great success in Michigan, consistently ending up in the top three of the monthly revenue charts.

8. FireKeepers Sportsbook — Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians

• Online Launch: July 12, 2021

On June 22, 2020, FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek became the first tribal casino in the state to launch a retail sports betting facility, Dacey’s Sportsbook. The retail location boasts numerous sports betting kiosks in addition to a fully-staffed window. FireKeepers ended up taking its sportsbook services online in July 2021, dropping the Dacey’s name in favor of FireKeepers Sportsbook. Both the retail and online books are powered by Scientific Games.

9. Four Winds — Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

• Online Launch: February 15, 2021

On July 1, 2020, Kambi announced that the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians struck a deal with the popular iGaming service provider to design and power their very own in-house and online sportsbooks. Retail books featured at their New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac locations began accepting bets in July 2020, and would later be followed by the launch of the Four Winds online sportsbook app and website on February 15, 2021.

10. 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.

On September 25, 2020, the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey announced the soft launch of its brand new retail sportsbook, which would be followed by its grand opening on October 8, 2020. While the tribe’s Mackinaw City location has yet to debut a brick-and-mortar sportsbook of their own, the location does offer retail sports betting via kiosks found on the gaming floor.

11. Golden Nugget  — Ojibwa Casino 

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

Golden Nugget is only live in Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia so far, but managed to partner with both the Ojibwa Casino Baraga and Ojibwa Casino Marquette to bring their online sportsbook and casino offerings to the Wolverine State. Both of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community-owned casinos are located in the Upper Peninsula, but have yet to open up an in-house sportsbook of any kind. Instead, players can wager from anywhere in the state at any time using the Golden Nugget sportsbook mobile app or website.

12. Play Gun Lake (Parx) — Gun Lake Casino

• Online Launch: August 2, 2021

Gun Lake Casino launched its first ever mobile sports betting app, Play Gun Lake Sportsbook, on August 2, 2021 in partnership with Parx Casino, one of the biggest casino gaming providers in Pennsylvania. After receiving approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the Kambi-powered online sports betting platform finally hit the open market, nearly one year after the Gun Lake Casino opened its retail book, 131 Sportsbook Lounge.

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

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

PointsBet entered into an agreement 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.

The Australia-based bookmaker 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.

14. SI Sportsbook — Island Resort Casino

• Online Launch: September 7, 2022

SI Sportsbook, powered by 888 and one of the largest sports publications in the market, is available for online betting throughout the state of Michigan. SI took over the licensing deal that was previously occupied by TwinSpires, through the Island Resort Casino in Harris, MI.

In late February 2022, Churchill Downs announced that it will be pulling the plug on all TwinSpires casino and sportsbook operations at some point in 2022, citing limited opportunity and profitability as the main reasons behind the decision. In September the extraction was made complete when SI officially took over their sports betting license in the tate.

For the time being, TwinSpires remains the name on the retail sportsbook located at the Island Casino.

15. WynnBET — Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

The Wynn name is synonymous with elegance and class, and that certainly doesn’t change when it comes to the WynnBET online sportsbook. Wynn first arrived in the Wolverine State through a partnership with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the owners and operators of each of the five Kewadin Casinos in the state. About one month prior to the legalization of mobile sports betting in January 2021, WynnBET began offering retail betting via kiosks at each of the five Kewadin locations.

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

• bet365 Sportsbook
• Bally Bet Sportsbook
• Unibet Sportsbook

The latest Michigan news

Michigan, Ohio State Big Ten Betting Favorites Entering 2023

by Bennett Conlin

August 7, 2023

The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes have a talent advantage over their league peers ahead of the 2023 season.

Source: ‘Pervasive’ Wagering From Colts Player Includes Bets On His Own Team

by Matt Rybaltowski

June 9, 2023

Allegations against a Colts player for placing hundreds of wagers may be the most substantial against an NFL player since the PASPA ruling.

‘You Can’t Just Give Out Tom Brady’s Personal Information’

by Jill R. Dorson

May 10, 2023

Most pro leagues and the NCAA make some form of betting illegal, but they could do more to help operators identify prohibited players.

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 the 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 were crucial.

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 casinos 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 =15.were forced to temporarily close their doors just a few days later due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 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.

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Michigan bettors can place bets at any of the fantastic sportsbook brands currently offering their services in the state:

List of Michigan legal online sportsbooks

Professional Michigan Sports Teams

Updated September 25, 2023 – Odds provided from FanDuel Sportsbook and they are subject to change:

Detroit Tigers

• League: MLB
• Founding: 1894
• Stadium: Comerica Park
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet

Since their founding, the Tigers have won four World Series championships. Their most previous win was nearly 40 years in 1984 – the Tigers have gone back to the World Series twice this century but fell short in both 2006 and 2012.

And it doesn’t appear the Tigers are on their way to breaking their drought anytime soon. The Tigers are amidst a roster overhaul, but there is certainly some promise. Despite his struggles at the plate, rookie Spencer Torkelson presents hope and optimism for the future.

Detroit Lions

• League: NFL
• Founding: 1929
• Stadium: Ford Field
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetMGM, WynnBET

The Lions are one of the oldest teams in league history, and there’s an argument to be made that no fanbase has undergone more torture and torment than modern-day Lions fans.

Despite having four world championships, the Lions are one of the twelve franchises never to have won a Super Bowl, and only one of four have never appeared in the big game. However, Lions fans should have plenty of excitement going into the 2023 NFL season. Under new head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions were the subject of the HBO series “Hard Knocks”, which will documented the Lions during 2022 training camp. The Lions became a darling of sorts around the league – they finished 9-8 on the year and have plenty of reason to be optimistic going into next year. Detroit has a lot of young talent to get excited about, including 2nd overall, in-state selection Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, and Kerby Joseph.

Detroit Red Wings

• League: NHL
• Founding: 1926
• Stadium: Little Caesars Arena
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet

The Red Wings have enjoyed plenty of success as an original six member. Detroit has the third most Stanley Cups in the NHL with 11 titles – their most recent coming in 2008 when the Red Wings topped the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Red Wings were one of the NHL’s greatest powerhouses in the late 1990s, winning two Cups in that decade and another in 2002. In addition, the Red Wings still hold one of the most impressive records in all North American sports: making the postseason in 25 consecutive years. The historic streak started in 1990-91 and ended in 2015-16. The Red Wings have not made the postseason since then but will look to end that streak this upcoming season behind the prowess of Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Detroit Pistons

• League: NBA
• Founding: 1941
• Stadium: Little Caesars Arena
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Partners/Sponsors: BetRivers, DraftKings, PointsBet, WynnBET

The Bad Boys of Detroit were among the most hated NBA teams throughout the 1990s. Behind the stardom of Isiah Thomas, the Pistons won two titles in the 90s over the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Pistons returned to their roots in the 2000s when they reclaimed an NBA title in 2004 behind stellar defense. Convincingly, the Pistons won over the Lakers in a gentleman’s sweep. 

But Detroit has only made the postseason seven times since then. And in their last three appearances, they have been swept out of the first round each time. The Pistons are in the middle of a rebuild behind 2021 1st overall Cade Cunningham. Cunningham is unfortunately out for the season for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. They are a contender to land the 1st pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Michigan’s retail sports betting timetable

It was a tough start for sports betting in Michigan back when the global pandemic arrived. On March 11-12, 2020, 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 canceled and casinos were temporarily forced to close their doors, placing a hold on sports betting.

Retail casinos began reopening 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, 2020.

However, with the pandemic behind us, in Michigan, you can place bets in 20 of Michigan’s 26 casinos. Michigan has plenty of avenues for their residents and tourists to place sports bets.

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.

MI Sportsbooks

As of 2022, there are exactly 15 legal online sportsbooks available to bettors in Michigan, nearly reaching the maximum capacity under the state’s current betting law. The Michigan Gaming Control Board originally approved 15 different online brands, allowing one skin apiece from each of the state’s three commercial casinos, and likewise one skin apiece from each of the 12 federally-recognized Native American tribes operating casinos in the state, which collectively run 23 casinos.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees the 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 isn’t quite as expansive as it is in New Jersey or Indiana (where each property can run up to three online “skins” or brands), the current betting landscape in Michigan features plenty of popular sportsbooks. BetMGM (MGM Grand), FanDuel (Motor City Casino), and the Barstool Sportsbook (Greektown Casino) all have both retail and mobile operations in the state. Additionally, SI Sportsbook (Island Resort), BetRivers (Little River), DraftKings (Bay Mills Community), FOX Bet (Odawa), Golden Nugget (Ojibwa Baraga and Marquette), WynnBET (All 5 Kewadin Casinos), PointsBet (Northern Waters), and Caesars Sportsbook (Turtle Creek and Leelanau) are all partnered with casinos in Indian Country and also launched mobile apps in the state, with some of the locations also offering retail sports betting.

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

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 Sports for $163 million with the intentions of using the Barstool brand as their U.S.-facing sportsbook brand. The much-anticipated online sportsbook had a successful launch in Pennsylvania in September 2020 and followed it up by opening its first retail location in Colorado one month later in November.

On December 23, 2020, the Greektown Casino opened its brick-and-mortar Barstool Sportsbook to the public for the first time ever, featuring 40 betting kiosks, a 30-foot video wall, and more than 20 high-definition televisions scattered throughout the room.

2. 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 has been a leading operator in the Michigan online sportsbook market.

3. BetRivers — Little River Casino

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

BetRivers does not own any properties in Michigan, but landed a deal with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in June 2020 to bring their popular brand of sports betting and iGaming to Michigan. The deal would make BetRivers the service provider for the Little River Casino’s in-house sportsbook, while also providing the company with market access in the state for their online sportsbook and casino offerings.

The River Rock Sportsbook and Grill opened its doors to the public on July 17, 2020, becoming the first location in northern Michigan to offer legal sports betting.

4. Caesars Sportsbook — Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

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

One of the industry’s most prominent brands, Caesars Sportsbook, originally 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.

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.

Despite going forward with an online launch through Bay Mills Casino and Kings Club Casino, DraftKings has yet to open a retail sportsbook at either location. Bay Mills Casino’s website says a live DK sportsbook is coming this summer, but no specific dates were provided.

6. Eagle Casino & Sports — Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

• Online Launch: April 18, 2022

In May 2021, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe revealed its plans to enter the online sports betting and casino market in Michigan after joining forces with popular tech provider GAN.

After a second deal, this time with Kambi, was announced in November 2021, it appeared that Michigan’s final online operator was ready to open for business.

Despite all of the positive momentum, both the online sportsbook and casino have yet to go live, along with any retail offerings at the Soaring Eagle or Saganing Eagles Landing casinos. The Soaring Eagle’s website claims that their Ascend Sportsbook Bar & Lounge is almost here, however it has also yet to open after being given a target date of mid-January 2022.

7. 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 has had great success in Michigan, consistently ending up in the top three of the monthly revenue charts.

8. FireKeepers Sportsbook — Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians

• Online Launch: July 12, 2021

On June 22, 2020, FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek became the first tribal casino in the state to launch a retail sports betting facility, Dacey’s Sportsbook. The retail location boasts numerous sports betting kiosks in addition to a fully-staffed window. FireKeepers ended up taking its sportsbook services online in July 2021, dropping the Dacey’s name in favor of FireKeepers Sportsbook. Both the retail and online books are powered by Scientific Games.

9. Four Winds — Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

• Online Launch: February 15, 2021

On July 1, 2020, Kambi announced that the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians struck a deal with the popular iGaming service provider to design and power their very own in-house and online sportsbooks. Retail books featured at their New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac locations began accepting bets in July 2020, and would later be followed by the launch of the Four Winds online sportsbook app and website on February 15, 2021.

10. 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.

On September 25, 2020, the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey announced the soft launch of its brand new retail sportsbook, which would be followed by its grand opening on October 8, 2020. While the tribe’s Mackinaw City location has yet to debut a brick-and-mortar sportsbook of their own, the location does offer retail sports betting via kiosks found on the gaming floor.

11. Golden Nugget  — Ojibwa Casino 

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

Golden Nugget is only live in Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia so far, but managed to partner with both the Ojibwa Casino Baraga and Ojibwa Casino Marquette to bring their online sportsbook and casino offerings to the Wolverine State. Both of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community-owned casinos are located in the Upper Peninsula, but have yet to open up an in-house sportsbook of any kind. Instead, players can wager from anywhere in the state at any time using the Golden Nugget sportsbook mobile app or website.

12. Play Gun Lake (Parx) — Gun Lake Casino

• Online Launch: August 2, 2021

Gun Lake Casino launched its first ever mobile sports betting app, Play Gun Lake Sportsbook, on August 2, 2021 in partnership with Parx Casino, one of the biggest casino gaming providers in Pennsylvania. After receiving approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the Kambi-powered online sports betting platform finally hit the open market, nearly one year after the Gun Lake Casino opened its retail book, 131 Sportsbook Lounge.

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

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

PointsBet entered into an agreement 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.

The Australia-based bookmaker 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.

14. SI Sportsbook — Island Resort Casino

• Online Launch: September 7, 2022

SI Sportsbook, powered by 888 and one of the largest sports publications in the market, is available for online betting throughout the state of Michigan. SI took over the licensing deal that was previously occupied by TwinSpires, through the Island Resort Casino in Harris, MI.

In late February 2022, Churchill Downs announced that it will be pulling the plug on all TwinSpires casino and sportsbook operations at some point in 2022, citing limited opportunity and profitability as the main reasons behind the decision. In September the extraction was made complete when SI officially took over their sports betting license in the tate.

For the time being, TwinSpires remains the name on the retail sportsbook located at the Island Casino.

15. WynnBET — Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• Online Launch: January 22, 2021

The Wynn name is synonymous with elegance and class, and that certainly doesn’t change when it comes to the WynnBET online sportsbook. Wynn first arrived in the Wolverine State through a partnership with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the owners and operators of each of the five Kewadin Casinos in the state. About one month prior to the legalization of mobile sports betting in January 2021, WynnBET began offering retail betting via kiosks at each of the five Kewadin locations.

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

• bet365 Sportsbook
• Bally Bet Sportsbook
• Unibet Sportsbook

The latest Michigan news

Michigan, Ohio State Big Ten Betting Favorites Entering 2023

by Bennett Conlin

August 7, 2023

The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes have a talent advantage over their league peers ahead of the 2023 season.

Source: ‘Pervasive’ Wagering From Colts Player Includes Bets On His Own Team

by Matt Rybaltowski

June 9, 2023

Allegations against a Colts player for placing hundreds of wagers may be the most substantial against an NFL player since the PASPA ruling.

‘You Can’t Just Give Out Tom Brady’s Personal Information’

by Jill R. Dorson

May 10, 2023

Most pro leagues and the NCAA make some form of betting illegal, but they could do more to help operators identify prohibited players.

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 the 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 were crucial.

Michigan Sports Betting Revenue

Online sports betting officially went live in Michigan in January 2021. Since then, the state has opened up retail sports betting locations in 20 of their 26 casinos.

There was a time when outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder surprisingly vetoed a bill that would bring sports betting to the Great Lake State. Well, Michigan residents have nothing to worry about as revenue has produced some solid output since its legalization.

Here are some important figures accumulated over the last few months.

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.