Michigan Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
You can legally enjoy multiple types of online gambling in Michigan. This state features regulated online casinos, poker sites, and sports betting options.
The Wolverine State also offers a thriving land-based gambling industry, with casinos, sportsbooks, and more
We will discuss each form of legal MI gaming below. You can also learn about offshore sites that are available beyond the regulated options.
These sites do not hold MI licensing but have licenses in jurisdictions like Curaçao.
Highlights
The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in Michigan.
From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18-21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Yes
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Know about Gambling in MI
Is Online Gambling Legal in Michigan?
Key Takeaways
- Internet gambling is legal in Michigan.
- Michigan residents have access to in-state and offshore sites.
- Wagering sites are among many gambling options in the state.
- The state Gaming Control Board handles gambling regulations.
Online gambling in Michigan is legal, with sites based inside the state and offshore serving residents.
A 2019 law made Michigan one of a growing number of states in the US to allow gambling sites to be set up, regulated, and taxed within their borders.
Now, online casinos, sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports sites, and poker rooms join a long list of gambling options open to residents and visitors of Michigan.
The latest betting websites enter a competitive market that includes popular online sites based offshore. These are licensed and taxed in foreign countries but accessible to MI residents.
Welcoming internet wagering has made Michigan a full-fledged gambling state. In addition to the online operations that serve Michiganders, the state is home to land-based casinos, poker rooms, retail sportsbooks, bingo halls, a lottery, and a horse track for pari-mutuel betting.
All of that legal gambling means a lot of regulation, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board handles much of that.
The state’s 23 tribal casinos operate under provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act with some oversight from the state.
Best Online Casinos in Michigan 2024
Michigan approves a limited number of online casinos in the state. Here are some of the top online casinos we’ve personally tested.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: November, 2024
Our Recommended Online Casinos By Category
Players in Michigan enjoy online casinos for the variety and quality of games. Here are two gambling sites we recommend for the best play.
DuckyLuck – Top Site for Casino Games
DuckyLuck is a complete casino site that provides plenty of fun through a collection of nearly 400 real money slots.
The slots come from top software providers such as Dragon Gaming and Betsoft.
You’ll find 3-reel classic designs on up to innovative 6-wheel displays, all with high-paying features like bonus rounds, free spins, and cascading reels. Or go for the big bucks with life-changing progressive jackpots.
DuckyLuck Casino has a huge variety of games besides slots. Explore the site and find six blackjack games, five roulette wheels, and at least 12 video poker versions.
If you like something closer to the atmosphere of a real casino floor, go to the DuckyLuck Live Dealer section and stream a live table with a friendly dealer and other players to interact with.
The live dealer section has higher betting limits for blackjack, roulette, and other games you’d find at any Michigan casino.
✅ DuckyLuck has nearly 400 slots.
✅Progressive jackpot slots are available.
✅Their slots come in a variety of themes and displays.
Top Features
- Great bonuses for new and existing players
- 95 – 98% payout average
- Leading software providers
- Reliable and fast payouts
Bovada – Best Site for Sports Betting
Bovada has a wide variety of sports you can bet on – NFL, MMA, NBA, boxing, soccer, and more. That’s why it’s one of our favorite sites for sports betting in the Great Lakes State.
They also have live sports betting, esports, and even bets on politics with multiple daily odds and some of the best props in the industry.
This site is so complete that it also has slots, live dealer games, table games, poker rooms, and casual titles available.
✅ Bovada offers several gambling options like a sportsbook, an online casino, a racebook, and poker rooms.
✅ Reliable site with over 20 years of serving in Michigan.
Top Features
- 95 – 98% average payout
- Fast payout process
- Prop builder tool
- Top VIP rewards program
How We Choose Online Casinos
We know players have fun at the online casinos we recommend. But our choices of casinos weigh factors far above fun. Here are things we consider essential:
Reputation
We look for established online casinos that have proven their popularity and reliability to players.Fast & Reliable Payments
We take into account a site’s variety of popular, dependable, and swift-responding casino payment methods, including cryptocurrency.Security & Safety
Customers of a top casino should gamble worry-free. We consider state-of-the-art security measures like secure socket layering and security guarantees.Game Variety
Top games make the best online casinos, so we seek sites with multiple choices for any player.Quality Bonuses
A competitive Internet casino industry requires competitive offers that can pay off for you. We look for the best and most fair bonuses.
Top Online Casino Games for Real Money in Michigan
You will find the game variety as good – if not better – at the best offshore casinos. Here are descriptions of game types to expect.
Online Slots
Most of the best online casinos host over 200 real money online slots from respected game suppliers.
They are easily accessible, usually arranged by alpha or searchable through a search engine.
Scan the wide variety of themes, reel numbers, paylines, and bonus features.
Online Poker
The best way to practice online poker is through the low-limit games in online casinos.
You’ll find Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, Hi-Lo, and other variations in no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit tables.
You can even enter daily tournaments, from freerolls to big buy-in events.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack is a favorite at any casino because players like the game’s simplicity and solid returns.
The best online sites offer a wider variety of bet limits and more variations than most brick-and-mortar casinos in Michigan; plus, a table is always open.
Look for versions of online blackjack that offer side bets for unique card combos and multi-hand games.
Live Dealer Games
If you want to get the feel of a table game on a casino floor without leaving home, you’ll be impressed with how real the action is at an online casino live dealer section.
Click on Live Dealer and get a display of real blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other tables with friendly dealers awaiting.
The display makes it easy to play, and the bet limits are higher than on regular games.
Other Online Casino Games for MI Players
Online casinos offer game options you won’t find in many land-based operations in Michigan. Here are examples.
Michigan Online Casino Bonuses
One of the most profitable facets of playing online is the bonuses. Here are some examples of the categories you’ll find.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Recommended Offers
Bonuses are big attractions at online casinos because of market competition. That’s why top offshore casinos offer some of the best.
Below are some examples.
Up to $8,000 Welcome Bonus
RedDog Casino’s three-tiered bonus gives you as much as $8,000 in extra money to start.
It matches your first three deposits with a 40 times deposit playthrough plus the bonus amount.
The bonus is activated when you fill in the RedDog bonus code PATIO.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins
DuckyLuck Casino matches your three initial deposits for as much as $7,500 Welcome Bonus and adds 150 free spins at selected slots.
That’s 50 free spins on each of the first three days you play.
DuckyLuck requires a reasonable 30X rollover on your deposit plus a bonus.
Michigan Casino Apps
You may need an app to play at an in-state online casino in Michigan. You won’t need one at most offshore sites.
Just use your iPhone, Android, or any e-tablet browser to easily access the site and click on a game to play.
Try one of the top mobile casinos for mobile and see how easily your mobile device does the job.
Facts About Online Casinos for MI Players
The following facts will provide you with important info about Michigan online gaming.
- Online gambling in Michigan is legal, and sites operate within the state.
- Online casinos for Michigan players include sites located and licensed in foreign jurisdictions.
- Internet casinos offer a wider range of betting limits and a wider variety of easily accessible games than land-based casinos.
- Top online casinos don’t require an app to play. They are accessible through mobile browsers.
- Shopping for the best online casino requires researching reputation, reliability, and trustworthiness.
Gambling Laws Summary
Michigan has become a gambling hub in the Great Lakes, with most forms of wagering made legal over the years.
The state hosts casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms, a horse track, a lottery, bingo halls, and all types of online betting sites.
Online gambling is the latest on the Michigan bet parade with the passage of a 2019 law allowing internet sportsbooks and casinos to be set up in the state.
Michigan gamblers can also easily access top online casinos and sportsbooks based offshore.
Gambling in Michigan is covered through provisions of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allows for tribal casinos, the state penal code, and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, which encompass other types of gambling.
| Michigan Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-based Casinos in Michigan | There are 26 land-based casinos in the state. Most are tribal casinos regulated federally. Three commercial casinos in Detroit are licensed and regulated by the state. |
| Online Gambling | Online gambling is legal in Michigan, and there are more than a dozen sites based locally. |
| Sports Betting | Michigan has legal sportsbooks both online and at land-based casinos. Some casinos offer online betting. |
| State Lottery | The Michigan Lottery helps fund public education. It offers more than 300 games, including Powerball and Mega Millions. There are online lotto ticket sales and online instant games. |
| Charitable Gambling | Charitable bingo is popular in Michigan. Qualified charities may also offer raffles and events such as “millionaire parties” with casino games. |
| Poker | Michigan hosts 9 poker rooms with cash games and tournaments. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | The state has one pari-mutuel horse track, a harness-racing facility that has races eight months of the year. There are no dog tracks. |
| Fantasy Sports | Daily fantasy sports betting is legal, with major services like FanDuel and DraftKings available. |
| Social Gambling | By law, social gambling is allowed as long as the winnings are no more than $50. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Gambling winnings are subject to state income tax in Michigan as part of gross income. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Michigan Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
Michigan is one of the most liberal states in the union when it comes to legal gambling. Players can find any form of betting.
At the same time, gambling is heavily regulated through the penal code and the state Gaming Control Board.
Land-Based Casinos
There are 26 land-based casinos spread across the Wolverine State, 23 owned and operated by 12 Native American tribes. The other three are commercial casinos in Detroit.
The tribes have engaged in compacts with state governors since 1993 to open new casinos under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
While the tribal casinos are regulated under IGRA, the games they house and the income generated are overseen by the state Gaming Control Board.
The Gaming Control Board licenses and regulates commercial casinos in the state, made legal in 1997.
Casinos in Michigan, many of which are resorts with hotels, offer typical casino games such as slots, video poker, and table games. Some have sportsbooks, and others have poker rooms.
You can gamble at some tribal casinos at age 18, and others require you to be at least 21.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Michigan legalized pari-mutuel race betting in 1933 but is not an actual horse-racing state. There is just one track, Northville Downs, near Detroit.
Northville is primarily a harness racing course that hosts races on Fridays and Saturdays for eight months of the year.
It also hosts simulcasts of thoroughbred races in the US and Canada, with off-track betting available.
A 1995 law covers pari-mutuel race betting. The legal betting age at tracks and OTBs is 18.
There are no dog tracks in the state.
Bingo, Lottery and Charitable Gambling
Michigan was one of the first states to sponsor an official statewide lottery with the passage of Act 239 in 1972.
The state Lottery offers over 300 games, including numbers draws, keno, scratch cards, and pull tabs.
Michigan is also part of nationwide draws such as the Powerball and Mega Millions. The lottery has contributed more than $27 billion to public education.
Bingo is big in Michigan, with charities holding games at hundreds of halls spread throughout the two peninsulas. The bingo rules come under Act 382, which was also passed in 1972.
It calls for three levels of licenses with corresponding limits on the frequency of games and prize amounts. You can win a prize of up to $1,100 in a single game.
Michigan charities can also hold raffles and events such as “millionaire parties,” which are casino-type events. Licenses for small raffles limit prizes to $500, while large raffle licenses call for limits above $500.
Millionaire parties are events where players purchase imitation money or chips to gamble on typical casino table games such as blackjack or roulette.
You can play the lottery or any charitable games at 18.
Social Gaming at Home
Michiganders can play any kind of small-stakes game, such as poker, if they don’t win more than $50.
No one is allowed to operate a game at home for profit. Any profitable gambling operation requires a license.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
There are 9 legal poker rooms in Michigan, primarily located in casinos. The poker rooms are licensed and regulated by the state Gaming Control Board.
Poker rooms in Michigan offer a variety of games, including the popular Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, hi-lo games, and seven-card stud.
You can get in tables with stakes as low as $1/$2 blinds, usually up to $8.
There are no-limit, limit, and pot-limit games. Most rooms host daily tournaments with buy-ins of up to $140.
Some of the casino poker rooms are open 24/7. Some allow 18-year-olds, but others require you to be 21.
Sports Betting
Online sports betting sites in Michigan are legal through the Internet Gaming Act and are regulated by the Gaming Control Board.
More than a dozen sportsbooks based in the state and other offshore sites are accessible to people in Michigan.
Online sportsbooks offer bets on all major sports in various betting options, including point spreads, money lines, futures, and in-game or live betting.
In Michigan, some tribal casinos with sportsbooks take bets from 18+. However, all apps require you to be at least 21.
There are also retail sportsbooks in casinos, and some casinos have either created their online services or partnered with major internet books.
Tribal casino sportsbooks are regulated federally. The land-based sportsbooks are more limited than their online counterparts in wagering options.
Land-Based Casinos in Michigan
Most of the 26 land-based casinos in Michigan are owned and operated by Native American tribes and regulated federally and by the state under the State Gaming Control Act.
Many casinos are the resort variety with entertainment, hotels, and other activities. Here’s the location of all of them.
Top Michigan Casinos
- MGM Grand – Detroit
- Soaring Eagle Casino – Mt. Pleasant
- Kewadin Casino – Lansing
- Four Winds Casino – New Buffalo
- Firekeepers Casino – Battle Creek
MI Gambling Summary
- Total Casinos: 26
- Poker Rooms: 9
- Tribal Casinos: 23
Michigan Gambling Vs. Neighboring States
Here is how Michigan compares to its geographical neighbors regarding gambling laws.
| State | Is Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Ohio | Yes | 16/18/21 | Legal | Offshore Only | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Wisconsin | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Offshore Only | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Indiana | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Offshore Only | Legal | Legal | Legal |
States and Canadian provinces with tribal casinos surround Michigan. But, the bordering states have fewer casinos than Michigan, so cross-border competition is not an issue.
It is the only state among its neighbors to have legalized online casinos.
A Brief History of Michigan Gambling
No doubt, early settlers and Native Americans in Michigan gambled as surely as they traded. But Michigan law didn’t extensively address gambling until nearly a century after statehood.
That came in 1931 with the adoption of Act 328 of the Penal Code, which included provisions for various forms of illegal gambling.
The first legal gambling in the state came with the passage of the Racing Act of 1933, which set out rules for pari-mutuel race courses.
Michigan took its next major step in legal gambling in 1972 when voters approved a state lottery. Act 382 was signed into law that same year, allowing nonprofit organizations to hold bingo games, raffles, and other charitable games.
Native American tribes began setting up high-stakes bingo operations in the 1980s as charitable games, not under state control.
The first tribal casino opened in 1984, but the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 paved the way for more tribal operations.
In 1996, Michigan added a law allowing commercial casinos, which opened in Detroit in 1999.
The state’s foray into online gambling came in 2019 with the adoption of the Lawful Internet Gambling Act, which led to the opening of 19 sportsbooks, racebooks, casinos, fantasy sports, and poker sites in the state today.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The Michigan Gaming Control Board encourages responsible gambling through its Don’t Regret The Bet website and several other resources to prevent and treat problem gambling.
They include self-exclusion programs and cooperate with organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Tribal and commercial casinos devote sections of their websites to problem gambling and its remedies.
Online gambling sites also include responsible gambling sections and links.
Summary: Michigan’s Gambling Journey
Michigan has blossomed into one of the top gambling destinations in the US.
The casinos are not as geographically concentrated as in traditional gambling cities such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. But no matter where you are on either peninsula, you are a short drive away from great gambling.
Michigan has legally addressed every form of betting, making the state much like the gambling hubs of Nevada and New Jersey regarding regulation.
The early financial returns for online gambling look good in the Wolverine State, and the state and its gambling industry will likely continue to prosper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to questions routinely asked about gambling in Michigan.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in Michigan?
Tribal casinos operate under federal regulations by the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Commercial casinos work under state regulation of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Are there real money online casinos in Michigan with no deposit bonuses?
Most online casinos require a deposit, which they match by a percentage. But some casinos give out cash, credits, or free spins, usually as special promotions.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Michigan?
There is little risk to playing at online casinos regulated outside of Michigan. But you should check the background of any online casino you consider.
Who regulates online casinos in Michigan?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates online casinos based in Michigan. Offshore sites are regulated in foreign countries.
