Michigan sports betting was legally launched in 2021 – and ever since, it has become one of the biggest betting markets in the US in terms of sports betting revenue and the volume of online sports betting apps available.
Now, there are over a dozen online sports betting sites in Michigan, all of which offer sports bettors very generous welcome offers and bonuses. So, without further ado, let’s look at how Michigan sports betting lies right now – as well as all the available legal sports betting sites and apps for punters…
List of Michigan Sports Betting Sites In 2022
Here is the current list of sports betting sites and apps available for Michigan bettors right now:
FanDuel online sportsbook launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Motor City Casino
BetMGM launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: MGM Grand Detroit
BetRivers launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Little River Casino and Resort
PointsBet launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Northern Waters Casino Resort
Caesars Sportsbook launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel
DraftKings Sportsbook launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Bay Mills Resort & Casino
WynnBET launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Kewadin Casino
Golden Nugget launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Ojibwa Casino Marquette
Barstool SportsbookJ launched on January 2021 – partner casino: Greektown Casino Hotel
TwinSpires launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino Island Resort & Casino
Parx launch date TBC – partner casino: Gun Lake Casino
Caesars Sportsbook launched on 22nd January 2021 – partner casino: Leelanau Sands Casino
FOX Bet (Stars Group) launched on 29th January 2021 – partner casino: Odawa Casino Resort
SG Digital launched on 12th July 2021 – partner casino: FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Four Winds launched on 15th February 2021 – partner casino: Four Winds
Michigan Sports Betting Now
- 12th January 2022: Bettors in Michigan wagered over $30 million – in commercial casinos and retail sportsbooks in Detroit. In the whole of 2021, the state retail sportsbooks handled over $310 in bets, which was up from $130.8 million in the previous year.
- 13th January 2022: Caesars Sportsbookpartnered with Michigan State University. The deal includes a premium seating area in the arena and more education on responsible gambling.
- 19th January 2022: Executives at BetMGM confirm that Michigggan was ‘contribution positive’ for half of 2021. With online sportsbooks in Michigan launching in January, joining New Jersey (which also has online casinos) as a positive contributor.
- BetMGM executives say Michigan was “contribution-positive” for half of 2021 during an earnings call. Online sportsbooks in Michigan launched in January 2021 and joined New Jersey, which also has online casinos, as a positive contributor.
- 2nd February 2022: Caesars Entertainment announced a partnership with Michigan Cornhole League. It will be the main sponsor of its weekly events and customers will be eligible to play in the league events.
- 15th February 2022: The three partner retail sportsbooks of the Detroit casinos took almost $36 million in bets for January. This is the second-highest total for retail sports betting – after October 2020s $46.1 million.
- 16th February 2022: Michigan sportsbooks announced a record $534 million in bets for January, with FanDuel sportsbook and Draftkingscontrolling around 27%.
The Best Sports Betting Apps in Michigan
The good news for sports bettors in Michigan is that there are plenty of options to bet on sports online. However, the site that works best for you very much depends on what you are looking for. So, before picking your preferred Michigan betting sites, you should make note of what are the most important factors for you. That’s why it’s best to compare the top sites… here are the best sites for some of the main areas:
Wagers on Major Games and Events
Here we go with DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbooks. These are excellent for Michigan bettors who prefer betting on major sports like NFL betting and NBA betting – as well as college sports betting and major events such as UFC and the Masters etc. These two sportsbooks usually attract the most bets of all Michigan online sportsbooks.
More Niche Sports and Bets
Here we go for BetRivers and BetMGM – as these two usually have an excellent selection of sports to choose from – just giving that little bit extra. They have in-depth menus to look through and a number of sports and events you won’t find elsewhere.
Great Odds
This goes to PointsBet and Caesar’s overall. Although odds vary from site to site, depending on the sport or event – simply due to market action. However, these are two that often take the higher spots.
Best Rewards and Loyalty Programs
This category goes to BetRivers and Caesar’s. They both offer punters simple and effective loyalty and VIP rewards programs, where you get points just for making a sports bet.
Ongoing Promotions and Bonuses
The winner of this category is BetMGM and Caesars. Although we love a good sign up bonus, we also put a lot of importance on promotions for existing players. These two sites usually have regular good offers and plenty of odds boosts etc.
Most Popular Michigan Sports Betting Sites
Let’s take a closer look at those sports betting sites that attract the most sports bettors in Michigan.
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
Firstly we have DraftKings, which offers Michigan sports bettors one of the smoothest betting platforms. It has all sorts of excellent features as well as a sound live betting program. However, a wider variety of promotions for existing players would add something extra. It has some excellent betting pools to enjoy plus a welcome bonus of up to $1,050.
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
This receives exceptionally high marks for offering bettors a smooth betting platform that works well and looks good, which makes it a firm favorite for new and experienced bettors alike. It also benefits from excellent innovations such as same-game parlays. It has also recently improved its prop betting layout, which has worked well. Again, we would like to see more recurring bonuses for existing customers. It currently offers new players a sign-up offer of up to $1,000.
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM benefits from an excellent variety of sports to wager on – from all the major sports leagues down to the more niche offerings such as lacrosse and snooker etc. BetMGM players can also enjoy plenty of recurring promos. However, the app can feel a little awkward at times. Our favourite option of the sports betting app was the Edit My Bet feature – and the $1,00 bonus offer for new players.
4. BetRivers Sportsbook
This is a sports betting site that is expanding in the US at quite an impressive rate. One of the reasons it stands out is because it offers an excellent rewards system – one of the best. Additionally, there is an excellent variety of sports and bet types. However, there are a few question marks over the platform’s overall performance. On top of a respectable $250 welcome bonus offer, we love the iRush Rewards system.
5. Caesars Sportsbook
Anyone who knows anything about gambling of any description in the US will be familiar with the Caesars brand. It is, however, going to great lengths to increase its presence in the sports betting realm. It offers competitive odds, regular promotions and a very good selection of sports. We found the platform a little bit basic and the customer service team does require some improvement. It offers new players a sign-up offer of up to $1,500.
6. PointsBet Sportsbook
In at number six, we have PointsBet which offers some decent competitive lines and odds and, as such, has become very popular for the more seasoned bettors. One of its biggest selling features is its PointsBetting system, which is unique. However, it has a pretty dull and uninspiring website appearance. New players can benefit from up to $2,000 as a sign-up offer.
New Michigan Sports Betting Apps
The Michigan sports betting law allows for up to 15 online sportsbooks. To date, there are already 14 casinos operating in the state, so there is room for one more. The favorite to nick that final spot is the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Also, the state’s Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is the licensee for the Mount Pleasant property and has plans to start work on both an online and retail sportsbook. Although there hasn’t been an exact launch date announced, it could be at some point in 2022.
Getting Started with Michigan Sportsbook Bonuses
There are all types of different sign-up bonuses for new players – from $1,000 risk-free bet to up to 250 in free bets. This makes getting started with sports betting in Michigan an exciting prospect. Here are our top five favorite sign-up bonuses:
- DraftKings: $50 free bet plus 20% up to $1,000.
- FanDuel: Risk-free first bet up to $1,000. on your first wager.
- BetMGM: Up to $1,000 risk-free bet for your first wager.
- Caesars: 100% up to a $1,500 free bet.
- BetRivers: First deposit match of 100% up to $250.
However, before you sign up and claim any of these bonuses, make sure that you read the terms and conditions carefully and fully understand them – and check whether or not a bonus code or promo code is required to claim the offer.
Here are some of the main types of bonuses – and what they are:
- Match Deposit bonus: This is where a sports betting site matches the first deposit you make up to a set amount – i.e. You make a first deposit of $100 and receive a bonus of $100. The bonus will be given in site credits which you won’t be able to withdraw until wagering requirements are met.
- Free Bet: The casino gives you a free bet worth a certain amount – and anything you win from that bet will be yours to withdraw, but the free bet credit is not withdrawable.
- Odds Boost Offer: A betting site gives new players the chance to boost home much they can win on specific bets by artificially increasing the odds.
Simply download the app, register for a new account and you can claim the bonus and get betting in just moments.
You’ll be able to download a Michigan sports betting app and have your account up and running in just a few minutes.
Top Facts about Michigan Sports Betting
- Sports betting in Michigan was officially legalized in December 2019.
- It was in March 2020 that the first retail sportsbook started taking bets.
- Online sports betting in Michigan launched the following year – January 2021.
- Over $100 million was wagered in the first ten days of legal sports betting.
- In December 2021, Michigan set a record for monthly bets, totalling more than $514 million
- You need to be over 21 years old to bet on sports in Michigan.
- The state law allows bettors to wager on college sports and professional sports.
- Michigan sports betting does not allow betting in high school sports or entertainment, with the exception of Oscars betting.
- You don’t need to live in Michigan to bet on Michigan sports betting apps but need to be located within state borders when placing a bet.
- Important league and team personnel, including players, are not permitted to wager on their own sports.
Legal Michigan Online Sports Betting Sites
Legal retail sports betting in Michigan was launched in 2020 – and ever since its potential has been apparent.
Michigan sports bettors can wager in person or online and all sports betting is overseen by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. It has now become one of the most gambling-friendly states in the US – also allowing poker and online casino games.
Michigan Sports Betting Law
Since PASPA was overruled by the US Supreme Court in 2018, Michigan took a little time to start making any real progress. However, it was officially legalized in December 2019.
They started launching retail sportsbooks in March 2020, but things were put on a backburner due to the Pandemic, which caused closures. Online sportsbetting launched in January 20201 and there were some online sports betting sites straight out of the gate.
Michigan sports betting laws and regulations specify that you can only bet on sports if you are over 21 and are located within the state when placing a bet. Other key features of the sports betting law in Michigan include:
- Sports betting revenue is taxed at 8.4%, whilst commercial casinos in Detroit have to pay an extra 1.25% in city tax.
- A sports betting license costs $100,00 in total – a $50,000 fee to apply plus $50,000 per year to operate.
- Online sportsbooks are required to partner with land-based casinos to be eligible to operate in Michigan.
Most Popular Sports to Bet On in Michigan
There are Michigan professional sports teams in all of the major leagues.
Michigan boasts home clubs in all four major pro leagues, each of which has had its ups and downs through the years:
- NFL bettors can wager on the Detroit Lions
- NBA bettors can wager on the Detroit Pistons
- MLB bettors can wager on the Detroit Tigers
- NHL bettors can wager on the Detroit Red Wings
However, Michigan bettors are also partial to betting on college sports, especially during the college basketball and football seasons, when Michigan State and the University of Michigan attract lots of attention. There are also a number of smaller programs that have plenty of fans – so it’s a bonus that Michigan allows betting on in-state teams.
History of Michigan Sports Betting
The history begins back in 2015 when the legislature started taking steps towards legalizing internet gambling. As such, hopes were high when PASPA was overturned in 2018, but the state Governor, Rick Snyder, vetoed the bill that would have legalized sports betting in Michigan.
The discussion around sports betting carried through to 2019 – and this led to Governor Gretchen Whitmer signing off on the Lawful Sports Betting Act in December. This was part of a wider grouping of bills that addressed different aspects of lawful gambling.
The launch of retail sports betting was in 2020 – and Michigan online sports betting followed in January 2021, Since then, it has become one of the best markets in the US for legal sports betting. Here are the steps that were taken to get to this point…
- 2017: A committee in the Michigan Legislature passed through the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.
- 2018: Governor Rick Snyder vetoed the bill that would have legalized sports betting.
- 2019: Debate over legislation continued, culminating in the signing off of the Lawful Sports Betting Act by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December.
- 2020: Retail sportsbooks opened in March, but suffered temporary closure as a result of the pandemic. Business picked back up in August.
- 2021: Online sports betting was launched in January, with the state closing the year boasting two consecutive months that took over $500 million.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan sports betting is legal both online and in person. OnioneThe first Michigan retail sportsbook opened in 2020 and online sports betting launched the following year in January 2021.
Where Can I Bet on Sports in Michigan?
As Michigan sports betting law allows for both online and retail sports betting, you can bet wherever you want with an online sports betting app. However, if you want to wager in person, then you can do so at the following Michigan state casinos: FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Four Winds Dowagiac, Four Winds Hartford,m Four Winds New Buffalo, Greektown Casino Hotel, Gun Lake Casino, Island Resort & Casino, Leelanau Sands Casino, Little River Casino and Resort, MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City Casino Hotel and Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel.
What is the Legal Sports Betting Age in Michigan?
You need to be aged 21 or older to bet on sports in Michigan.
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in Michigan?
Yes, it is legal to bet on horse racing in Michigan. The state has only one operating race track, which is the Northville Downs.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in MI?
Yes, Michigan daily fantasy sports betting was officially legalized in 219 – at the start of their gambling expansion. Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer DFS services in the state.
Is Betting on College Sports Legal in Michigan?
Yes, Michigan has legalized sports bets on both professional and college sports – and sports betting operators don’t even place any restrictions on in-state college teams. So, when you open an online sports betting account, make sure you find one which will offer online sports betting on teams such as Michigan and Michigan State
