Sports betting is legal and up and running in Michigan. Thanks to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing into law two bills, S4916, and H4311, residents and visitors to the Wolverine State can legally place sports wagers and play at Michigan online casinos and Michigan online poker sites. All casinos in Michigan, including the three Detroit casinos and 23 tribal casinos across the state, have the ability or already have applied for a sports betting license.
In March 2020, two commercial casinos in Detroit began taking bets to coincide with the beginning of March Madness, also known as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Retail sports betting Michigan has been growing since that point. The online sports betting Michigan industry has taken longer to roll out as state regulators finalize details, but it is anticipated that it will launch in November 2020.
Numerous well-known sports betting apps are ready to go for the launch date, having already reached agreements with a land-based partner, and excitement is high in the state to see what they will offer. This page covers everything you need to know about sports betting online in Michigan, such as bonus offers, sports markets, types of bets, and more. Be sure to check this page for the latest Michigan sports betting news.
When Will Online Sports Betting be Live in Michigan?
Michigan is home to our major professional sports teams and several large college sports programs, so it is a fantastic setting for online sports betting. Initially, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) anticipated that online gaming would be live in the state by 2021. However, due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID 19, online gambling has become vital as land-based properties have been forced to close. This has accelerated the process to finalize the rules and regulations for online sports wagering as soon as possible.
The latest on Michigan sports betting is that the MGCB hopes to have online sports betting available in November 2020. Sports betting Michigan rules dictate that each online sportsbook must be partnered with one of the three commercial casinos in Detroit or one of the state’s 23 tribal casinos. Operators are only permitted to use one internet sports betting platform.
MI Sports Betting Apps
Michigan residents have a lot to be excited about when online sports betting arrives in the state. Operators in line to launch Michigan sportsbooks and betting apps include:
- DraftKings Sportsbook (Bay Mills Indian Community)
- FanDuel Sportsbook (MotorCity Casino)
- BetMGM (MGM Grand Detroit)
- Barstool Sportsbook
- William Hill
- PointsBet
- Fox Bet
Other legal MI sportsbooks are expected to launch as the industry grows and expands. Operators such as Bet365 and 888 have signaled their intention to launch mobile sports betting apps in Michigan.
Legal Sports Betting Regulations in Michigan
Sports betting in Michigan will soon arrive as the state will launch both live and online sports betting. While this may seem a straightforward choice, other states that have enjoyed success with online sports betting, such as New Jersey, have only allowed live sports betting.
Gov Whitmer signed the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act, which saw Michigan become the ninth US state to approve legal sports betting that year. As retail sportsbooks opened, Michigan became the 20th US state to have a legal and regulated sports betting industry. The Michigan sports betting bill allows operators to launch their mobile sports betting apps in the state.
To apply for a sports betting license, operators must pay a $50,000 initial application fee, a $100,000 license fee, and finally a $50,000 renewal fee, which needs to be paid annually. Additionally, operators are permitted to partner with outside entities to provide sports betting services but can only use one internet sports betting platform.
Michigan Sports Betting Tax
The Michigan Department of the Treasury has projected that with the launch of online casinos, sports betting, daily fantasy sports contests, and online poker, the state could generate $19million in new tax revenue. Often state politicians can exaggerate when projecting potential revenues from legalizing gambling. However, Michigan tax rates for sports betting are competitive.
The basic tax rate sports betting operators must pay is set at 8.4% on adjusted gross sports betting receipts. The three commercial casinos in Detroit will pay an additional 1.25% city tax. For the first five years of the sports betting industry being in operation, any money given to bettors for free-play promotions can be deducted from the gross receipts before taxes are levied.
Daily Fantasy Sports has also been legalized and will also be taxed at 8.4%. As a comparison, Nevada has a tax rate of 6.75%, so Michigan is around the same mark. New Jersey has higher rates, so Michigan, compated to other regulated markets, Michigan has reasonable tax rates, which will not deter operators from launching their mobile sports betting platforms in the state.
What Type of Sports Bets Can I Make in Michigan?
There are no restrictions on the types of bets that can be placed in Michigan. With advances in technology, bettors have access to more innovative and exciting betting features than ever. The most typical type of bets Michigan players will find include:
- Moneyline
- Totals
- Futures
- Over/Under
- Spread Bets
- Parlays
- Proposition Bets
Some of the bet types will depend on winning several bets in a row, such as a parlay bet. Michigan sportsbooks will have features such as a parlay calculator, which will calculate your odds and potential winnings as you add another leg to your bet.
The potential payouts on Futures bets are also high as players bet on the outcome of an event that has yet to occur. For example, you could bet on which two teams will make the Super Bowl before the regular season has even kicked off.
When online sports betting in Michigan is live, some unlicensed sportsbooks, such as Bovada Sports, may entice you with extremely generous odds. However, as they have not been approved for a sports betting license, your information is not safe, and you are not protected. Michigan residents should only bet at legal and regulated sportsbooks like those we mentioned on this page.
Live Betting & In-Play Bets
In-play betting is rapidly growing in the US sports betting industry. Legal and regulated sportsbooks can access real-time sports data so customers can place bets on a game after it has started. With live betting, players do not have to pick the winner before the action kicks off; you can see how it starts and judge how the teams are playing before committing.
One of the significant reasons players enjoy in-play betting is that it offers far more fan engagement than traditional sports betting. Bettors can bet on a wide range of events, such as who will score the next touchdown, who will score the next three-pointer, and who will be leading at the next break in play. This adds to the excitement of watching a live game, and online sportsbook sites have recognized this and most now offer a comprehensive live betting section.
Standard betting options such as totals, point spreads, and moneylines are all available as in-play betting options. Additionally, online sportsbooks will offer several betting options that are specific to in-game betting. Players will be able to place live bets on Michigan sports teams, such as who will score the most points in a Detroit Lions game. The odds will continuously change throughout the game, which adds to the excitement.
Players in Michigan should be aware that in-game odds and prop bets for college sports are currently not allowed. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has yet to approve live betting on college sports.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Michigan?
The Michigan sports betting bill gives the power to the regulator to determine valid sporting events for betting. There is no specific list of sports in the law, so ultimately the final decision on if you can bet on any game will be down to the MGCB. The law does specify that you cannot place any wagers on sports events involving minors; however, we would expect most other major sports to be offered.
The list of sports available in other regulated markets typically include:
- Auto Racing
- Baseball (MLB)
- Basketball (NBA)
- Bowling
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Darts
- Football (NFL)
- Golf
- Hockey (NHL)
- Lacrosse
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Olympics
- Rugby
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
The three major US sports, football, basketball, and baseball, will have numerous betting markets available. Players will have the opportunity to bet on NFL betting lines and will have several futures bets options for each sport. Players can expect to see Vegas odds applied to major competitions, so it may be wise to check out Vegas Insider for some tips before placing your bets!
Regarding the retail sportsbooks in Michigan, the tribal casino sportsbooks have more markets available than Detroit’s three commercial casinos.
Michigan Sportsbooks & Casinos
Michigan is home to three commercial casinos and 23 tribal casinos, which can all offer sports betting. The Greektown Casino and MGM Grand Detroit opened their sportsbooks on May 11, 2020, followed by Motor City the following day.
The sportsbooks in Michigan currently open include:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Greektown Casino
- MotorCity Casino
- Firekeepers Casino
Many tribal casinos have stated their desire to open their own retail sportsbooks. They do not require approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to open sportsbooks on tribal land so they could be ready to launch at any time.
Michigan Sports Teams Agree to Sponsorship Deals With Sportsbooks
Michigan has fully embraced sports betting. The industry is growing all over the country as more states decide to legalize online sports betting and offer a regulated industry for bettors to enjoy. It is clear sports betting is becoming more prominent as you can now see commercials during games attempting to make people aware of operators. One of the most crucial breakthroughs for the sports betting industry is that professional sports teams have now started to enter into partnerships with operators. Michigan is one of the states to see this happen.
Detroit Lions Sign Deal With BetMGM
The Detroit Lions selected BetMGM to become its official sports betting partner. That means BetMGM can advertise their brand in the stadium, through TV commercials, and the Lions’ digital media channels. The deal is a multi-year agreement with both sides set to benefit.
Detroit Tigers Sign Deal With PointsBet
In July, Australian based company PointsBet partnered with the Detroit Tigers in a first for the MLB. The multi-year agreement will see PointsBet advertised on the team’s digital media channels as well as being integrated on the official app.
Other major Michigan sports teams, the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings have not signed any deals with sports betting operators, but this could change soon. Additionally, the University of Colorado has also joined forces with sports betting, which could accelerate similar deals with other colleges.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQ
Which sportsbooks will be available in Michigan?
Some sportsbooks will be ready to go when online sports betting launches in Michigan. Online sportsbooks which have already agreed to deals to launch their online gambling platform in the state include:
- DraftKings Sportsbook (Bay Mills Indian Community)
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Barstool Sportsbook
- William Hill
- PointsBet
- Fox Bet
Other sportsbooks will likely follow suit, and Michigan residents can expect to see operators such as 888, Bet365, and Wynn sportsbook all available by the end of 2020.
When will sports betting be legal in Michigan?
Sports betting is already legal in Michigan. Bettors can visit one of the retail sportsbooks in Detroit to bet in-person. Mobile sports betting is expected to launch in Michigan in November 2020.
Where can you legally bet in Michigan?
Players in Michigan can legally bet at one of the casinos in the state. These include:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Greektown Casino
- MotorCity Casino
- Firekeepers Casino
- Island Resort & Casino
- Little River Casino Resort
All casinos have the option to launch their own retail sportsbook. From November 2020, Michigan residents will be able to place legal sports bets online.
How much revenue is Michigan expected to make with sports betting?
State politicians have estimated that Michigan could generate $19million in new tax revenue. Of course, there are no guarantees, but The Great Lake State is in a great position to reach that figure with reasonable tax rates and famous sports teams.