On January 22, 2021, Michigan became the latest state in the US to legalize online gambling sites. The public embraced it in record numbers as Michigan was the busiest internet betting state in the Union during the first weekend of action.
Here’s a rundown of the Michigan’s new online gambling scene.
News Highlights
- Michigan launched online gambling in January 2021
- State to rake in more than $30 million annually
- Ten sites go online and five more will launch soon
Michigan Online Gambling Goes Live
Before the launch, Michigan had several gaming outlets, including horse racing, land-based casinos, and the state-sponsored lottery. For online gambling, people turned to offshore sites, which are still an option too.
The long-awaited launch came from legislation passed and signed into law in 2019. Former State Representative Brandt Iden (R) and Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed it into law.
It took more than a year for Michigan’s Gaming Control Board to set up new rules for the online betting sector. David Tsai, the President of MGM Grand Detroit, noted the meaning of the new gambling landscape.
Not only can we grow the market, but now we can contribute more tax dollars, and we’re proud of our ability to do that.
I worked for it.David Tsai
Online Casino Games Portfolio
The new setup brings state-based sports betting and casino games to Michiganders wherever they have an internet connection. They can play games such as real money online slots, blackjack, and roulette on their PCs and smartphones.
Ten sites are up and running, and more will go online in the coming weeks. The following are the approved online gambling operators that have launched so far:
- DraftKings
- Barstool
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- TwinSpires
- BetRivers
- PointsBet
- Wynne
- William Hill
- Golden Nugget
These five websites have also been approved and will launch soon:
FireKeepers Casino
Four Winds Casino
Fox Bet
Parx Casino
Soaring Eagle Casino
US States With Legal Online Casino Gambling
Michigan joins the list of US states that have legalized gambling. Let’s take a look at what wagering activities are allowed in each state.
Colorado
The state-approved online sports betting in 2020, but internet casino gamblers must still use offshore sites.
Delaware
State-based online casinos and sportsbooks have been running since 2012.
Illinois
Online sports betting went live from Illinois sites in 2020, and there are proposals for online casinos.
Indiana
The state has hosted internet sports wagering since 2019. Lawmakers introduced a bill to allow online casinos in there, too.
Iowa
Website sports wagering has been allowed since 2019, but it requires players to download a specific app to participate. Plans for online casinos are in the works.
Montana
Sports betting went online in Montana in 2020 through a state lottery app. There are no plans to host online casinos.
Nevada
Internet poker and sports betting sites are legal in Nevada, but casinos are still exclusively land-based.
New Hampshire
This state has allowed sports gambling since 2019 and hosts more than ten sites. But residents have to go to offshore sites for casino games.
New Jersey
New Jersey has had all sorts of online gambling since 2013, and it is now one of the largest internet wagering markets in the US.
Oregon
In 2019, Oregon introduced internet sports betting sites, but there is nothing in the pipeline regarding online casinos.
Pennsylvania
In-state sports betting and casino sites were allowed in 2017. The state’s casino sites finally launched in 2019.
Rhode Island
Sportsbooks in Rhode Island began taking internet action in 2019, but there are no plans to host casinos online.
Virginia
The state launched its sportsbooks the same week as Michigan. But they don’t have land-based or online casinos yet.
West Virginia
Internet sports betting and casinos have been in the state since 2020.
What The Future Holds for Legal US Online Casinos
Fifteen US states now host wagering websites, and five of them are home to internet casinos. As states begin to see the revenue potential for real money online casinos, the trend should continue.
The US online gambling industry is just beginning. But for now, the vast majority of US players need to turn to offshore websites for their favorite casino games.
