Legal Michigan sports betting began in March 2020 when the state’s three Detroit-based casinos unveiled their retail sportsbooks. Coronavirus-related lockdowns stifled the industry’s early growth, but not for long. Ten online sportsbooks launched in January 2021, marking the beginning of mobile sports betting in Michigan. Additional sports betting sites have launched since to complement Michigan’s many land-based sportsbooks at commercial and tribal casinos. Under Michigan’s online sports betting and gambling law, licensed commercial casinos and tribal gaming properties may operate retail sportsbooks, mobile betting platforms, online casinos, and poker sites.
State of Michigan Sports Betting Overview
Mobile sports betting is legal in Michigan, and gamblers have many options to choose from, thanks to laws that foster competition and innovation. The MGCB regulates sports betting and ensures mobile sportsbooks treat customers fairly. The first Michigan betting sites launched in January 2021, and more have followed suit since.
State law establishes a minimum age of 21 or older to bet online in Michigan. Users may download mobile betting apps for iOS and Android devices from anywhere, but they must be located within state lines to place wagers. Most Michigan mobile sportsbooks also operate websites that users can visit from any desktop to bet online with no download necessary.
Alternatively, new BetRivers Casino players can make a first deposit to get an instant casino bonus. The casino bonus has a reasonable 1x rollover, which makes it significantly better than most other Michigan gambling bonuses that require customers to play through their bonus funds 10, 20, or even 30 times before withdrawing.
While many states outlaw the practice, sports bettors in Michigan are permitted to bet on in-state college sports teams. That makes teams such as the University of Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State University Spartans football and basketball teams some of the most popular teams to bet on in the state. Michiganders are, however, restricted from betting on high school sports.
Michigan sports betting is legal at retail sportsbooks and via mobile sports betting sites and apps thanks to a large online gaming package signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019. In addition to authorizing sports betting, the bills also legalized online casino games, poker, and daily fantasy sports.
Key points from the Michigan sports betting law include:
Commercial casinos in Detroit and Class III tribal casinos may apply for sports betting licenses. Each casino may contract with a third-party provider to launch one online/mobile sportsbook. It establishes the Division of Sports Betting to regulate the industry and adopt additional regulations as needed.
Sports leagues may request the Division to prohibit certain types of wagers or events if there are valid integrity concerns. Division has the authority to decide if official league data must be used to settle in-play wagers. It establishes hefty new penalties for acting as an illegal, unlicensed sports betting provider – a felony charge, up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000
The law sets a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports. There is an 8.4% state tax plus a 1.25% municipal fee in cities that host casinos. Michigan sports betting license: $50,000 initial application fee, $100,000 successful licensing fee, and an annual renewal fee of $50,000. The supplier license: $5,000 licensing fee and $2,500 annual renewal fee
State of Michigan Sports Betting Timeline
Dec. 28, 2023 — While Michigan’s sports betting handle hit a record high in November, the state collected just $1,180,415 in taxes, the third-lowest monthly total of 2023.
Dec. 20, 2023 — Michigan sports betting handle hit $584 million in November, up 6% from October and 17% year-over-year.
Dec. 8, 2023 — The Michigan Wolverines finished as the No. 1 ranked team in college football and will play Alabama in the Rose Bowl Game on January 1.
Dec. 4, 2023 — Workers at Detroit’s MGM Grand voted to ratify a new contract, ending a 47-day strike.
Nov. 22, 2023 — Michigan sports betting handle hit $551.1 million in October, up 20.3% from September to set a new record for the state.
Nov. 17, 2023 — PrizePicks is available again in Michigan. The daily fantasy app now offers free-to-play games after being shut down in the state in October for offering prop-bet style pick ’em games.
Nov. 14, 2023 — ESPN Bet is live in Michigan. ESPN replaces Barstool Sportsbook in all 17 states the new sportsbook launched in.