Michigan Sports Betting Betting Info And The Best MI Sportsbooks
Michigan is a full-service sports betting site as sports betting has been completely legalized. Michiganders and visitors to the state can now place sports wagers on their mobile devices, computers and in person by visiting the several retail sportsbooks around the two peninsulas. Michigan is a populous state, and it is therefore not surprising to see that some of the top sportsbook operators have launched in the Great Lakes State. Companies of the calibre of BetMGM, Caesars and BetRivers have all established their sports betting presence in Michigan, amongst several others.
Best Michigan sports betting sites & apps
| SPORTSBOOK | BONUS & FEATURES | OUR SCORE | PLAY |
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$1,000
Bonus Bet
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario. |
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Up To $1,250
On Caesars
New User Bonus. 21+; Valid Only NJ, NY, CO & IA, MI, IN) T&Cs Apply. |
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$500Â FREE BET
2nd Chance Bet
New User Bonus. 21+; Valid Only NJ, CO, MI , IN T&Cs Apply. |
Top Sports Betting Apps in Michigan
The online launch in Michigan was in January 2021, which completed a process of legalization that started in December 2019. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law two bills, S4916 and H4311, which legalized sports betting both in casinos and online. The two bills also legalized internet poker, online casino games, and fantasy sports. This has made Michigan one of the best destinations in the US for placing a bet. You will find all the latest news and information about sports betting in the Great Lakes State, together with the latest offers and promotions from leading Michigan’s legal sportsbooks.
Comparison Of Michigan’s Best Sports Betting Apps
Michigan is one of the states with the highest number of sportsbook app available. Many MI betting apps were live already in January 2021 as soon as online sports betting launched. Let’s compare the most popular ones:
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook has been one of the first online sportsbooks to establish its presence outside of Nevada. The company followed the same strategy also in Michigan, where it was one of the first online sportsbooks to operate legally. DraftKings closed a deal with the Bay Mills Indian Community to lunch in the state. When he first launched in New Jersey in 2018, DraftKings introduced several innovative concepts to American bettors, like the Cash Out option, which has become standard for the vast majority of US sportsbooks. Additionally, DraftKings also has a betting carousel on its app that suggests betting options to players based on their wagering history and personal preferences.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is one of the biggest casino companies globally. It has established its presence in Michigan with a partnership with the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Although their app isn’t flashy, it gets the job done solidly and reliably. Thanks to the integration with both the Caesars Online Casino and WSOP Online is a one-stop-shop for bettors looking for a reliable operator.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is the sportsbook arm of MGM Resorts International, one of the world’s largest gaming companies. Entering Michigan was straightforward for them as they had a natural partnership with MGM Grand Detroit. BetMGM’s offering is one of the best, as they have a vast range of betting markets and flexibility. BetMGM app also offers the Edit My Bet feature, where bettors can alter the terms of their wagers.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the country, and they have made their debut in Michigan after a partnership with MotorCity Casino in Detroit. There are a couple of main reasons that have allowed FanDuel to be so successful: firstly, their app is clean, fast and easy to navigate. Secondly, they tend to go the extra mile to reward players with promotional offers.
PointsBet Sportsbook
The Australian operator is one of the newcomers to sports betting, yet they are expanding pretty fast in the US. They have launched in Michigan thanks to the relationship with Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. A key reason for diversification for them is their unique type of wager. Point betting is a twist on the traditional spread bet, in which the difference between the spread and the outcome is a multiplier for wins and losses.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is the online sports betting arm of Rush Street Interactive, which owns several casinos around the midwestern and northeastern US. BetRivers has launched in Michigan on the back of a contract with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and they are offering relatively reliable yet straightforward sports betting service. One of the key plus of BetRivers is their loyalty program which rewards returning customers with points for their activity on the site and app. Points can be exchanged to gain perks and prizes.
Review of how Mobile Sports Betting Works in Michigan
Now that we have seen the sportsbooks available in Michigan, let’s take a look at how mobile sports betting works in the state. The first thing to say is that you can only wager on Michigan’s sports betting apps within state borders with your phone. As soon as you cross the state border, you won’t be able to place wagers with your Michigan account. This is because the operators use geolocation technology which is very accurate to figure out where the bettors are. However, you can wager freely from any location via mobile phone within the state borders.
What are taxes and fees for Michigan online sports betting operators?
One of the reasons why Michigan has been so popular when it comes to new sports betting launches is that local tax rates for sports betting are competitive. The basic sports betting tax rate is 8.4% on adjusted gross sports betting receipts. For the first five years, the money that are given to customers for free-play offers can be deducted from the gross receipts before taxes are charged. If you consider that Nevada’s tax rate is 6.75%, we can see that Michigan is close, and it is lower than New Jersey, for instance, which is taxing 8.5% live sports wagers and 13% mobile and online wagers. Taxes for online poker and casino games are significantly higher in Michigan, ranging from 20% to 28%, depending on the revenues.
How old must you be to place sports bets in Michigan?
Similarly to other states, Michigan’s minimum age limit to wager is 21. This is related to both online and retail sports betting.
How to download Michigan Online Sports Betting Apps?
The great thing about Michigan online sports betting is that you don’t have to visit a casino to place a bet physically. With internet sports betting, setting up a new account online can be done quickly. Setting up an account is very easy as just click on one of the links you will find on this page to be directed to the legal Michigan sports betting site of your choice. Ensure to copy any bonus codes that you see promoted here, then, once you have clicked on the green button, you will be given the option to download the Apple (iOS) or the Android app. For Apple users, it is pretty easy at this point as the installation will continue as normal. Android users, however, would have to modify the settings to allow downloads from unknown sources. As soon as they have done that, they can download the file and install the app.
Once the app has been installed, you would need to proceed to the registration area. It should be a large button in the top right of the display. Here, you would have to provide personal details legally required to avoid potential underage gambling. You will also be asked for a screen name and password, and you will be ready to go. If you are registering using your PC, your account will also work on your mobile device. All you would have to do is download the app and log in using your newly created user name and password. It is worth taking advantage of the many special deals offered to new customers by sports betting operators. Above, you will find the best one to get all the added value available.
How to deposit to a Michigan sportsbook?
Before you can place wagers, you would need to fund your account. All legal sports betting sites in Michigan accept several different deposits methods. The sports betting law dictates this, as it sets out a minimum number of deposit methods that casinos need to provide to their remote customers. When logging in, you will always be able to see the balance, and when you place bets, the money will be debited from your sports betting account. When you win wagers, the sportsbook will credit your account. The most popular deposit methods in Michigans are:
- Credit and debit cards – these are the most used to deposit funds online. Some banks do not still accept gambling transactions, despite being completely legal. In case of any issues, you can contact your bank or use one of the alternative methods below.
- Prepaid cards – several casinos and payment providers offer prepaid cards that can be used to transact with them.
- Bank transfers – Michigan law allows casinos and online operators to use ACH transfers (e-checks). They are easy to use, and you will avoid extra charges from third party providers. Wire transfers are the best option to deposit large amounts.
- E-Wallet – companies like PayPal, Skrill and NETELLER can all be used to fund your Michigan sports betting account. These services can also be used for withdrawals, and the waiting time is almost non-existent as transactions are virtually immediate.
- Cash – casinos will also accept deposits for your online account in cash if you visit their retail location. Services like PayNearMe can also be used at your local 7/11 stores.
- Checks – not many people are using checks anymore, but there are still one option that can be used to fund your online sports betting account if you wish.
How do I withdraw my winnings from Michigan sportsbooks?
With the only exception of paying cash at a PayNearMe service, you can generally use the same method to withdraw as you have used to deposit funds. Alternatively, you can get your cash out of your online account with an echeck. A key advantage of using regulated and legal gambling sites is that withdrawals are easy and fast. However, we have seen many stories of customers using black market offshore sites and never being able to recover their money as the operators went bust. Even if some offshore sites end up paying, the withdrawals are usually very slow. Surely, not worth the risk and the hassle.
Can I benefit from My Casino VIP Scheme with Michigan’s sportsbook?
It depends on which app you are using. Lots of Michigan’s bettors already have a VIP account at one of the casinos, and with the new law that requires online sports betting operators to have a partnership with a casino, the opportunities are there to merge online play and wagers made at the casinos. For instance, MGM does so with M Life Rewards, where online/offline sync. Casinos are seeing the benefit they get by working together with online operators. Thanks to the internet, they can attract bettors who won’t otherwise visit their retail.
Can I use my Michigan sports online account outside the state?
Michigan sports betting laws operate only inside the state borders, so when you are crossing over into another state, you can’t wager legally with a Michigan licensed operator. Similarly, you can’t use a sports betting account that you have opened in another state in Michigan. Limitations, however, usually are only on wagering, which means you can almost certainly access your account and banking details even from outside Michigan.
Are Michigan Sports Betting Odds competitive?
As mentioned earlier, the new law has made it easy for casinos and online sports betting to offer competitive odds to Michigan’s sports fans as they have kept tax provisions low. With several operators all competing for Michigan’s sport fans, odds tend to be good and shouldn’t be different from those offered in Vegas. However, it is essential to remember that odds vary between Michigan operators, so it is good practice to shop around a bit before committing to a price. Having accounts with several legal Michigan’s sportsbooks will allow you to pick, bet by bet, the operator with the best odds for the wager you are keen to make. Checking it costs nothing, so if you want to get the best returns over time, establish several online accounts and use this to your advantage.
What are the sports that can be wagered on in Michigan?
The Michigan sports betting laws set up that the regulator is in charge of determining valid sporting events for wagering. However, the law does say that bets can’t be placed on sports where minors are involved, so high school football wagering is forbidden. Apart from this, almost all other sports are offered, and the list you will find in Michigan’s sportsbooks will be something like this:
- Auto Racing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Darts
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Olympics
- Rugby
- Sailing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
You will typically find odds on major competitions for less popular sports, like the Olympic Games or the Rugby World Cup.
Sports Bets types available in Michigan
Similarly to the above, the betting law in Michigan doesn’t place restrictions on the types of bets that can be placed. Sports betting world is constantly in evolution, and modern technology offers some innovative options. The most popular wagering types you will find are:
- Moneyline bets: are the most simple form of bet, and you will need to predict which team will win a specific game
- Totals bets: with this bet, the winners don’t matter. The wager here is on the total score of the game. It is also called over-under as you are predicting if the total points will be higher or lower than a number that the sportsbook has set
- Spread bets: with this wager type, you are betting that the gap between one team’s score and their opponent is bigger than a specific number. Since spread bets act as a type of handicapping, despite the teams’ skills, each team will have an equal chance of winning. Spread betting is popular because it allows wagering on events where the teams’ strengths are unbalanced and still receive decent odds. If you back the favourite, they would have to win by more than the spread for your bet to be successful. If you back the underdog, you will win if they lose by less than the spread.
- Futures bets: futures bets focus on the outcome of an event that won’t be happening for some time. A typical futures bet would be to wager on which team will win the Super Bowl or win the NBA.
- Parlay Bet: a parlay wager links together several individual bets. To win, you need to predict all the bets included in the parlay correctly. Since a parlay has multiple legs, the odds can become very long and allow you to win, if successful, big amounts even with a small initial wager.
- Round Robin: as we have seen a parlay bet chains together several bets. A round robin is similar, but it links together several parlay bets. You start by creating a list of the teams you want to include in the parlay, and then you choose how many legs you want each parlay to have. Unlike a parlay, you don’t have to win each leg of the Round Robin to win, as if one of your combinations wins, you will get paid those winnings regardless of the outcome in the other parlays.
- Teaser – a teaser bet is similar to a parlay, but the legs of the bet can only be totals bets or spread bets. The main advantage here is that the bettor can move the points spread or over/under certain points. This does reduce the odds, making the teaser bet more likely to win with a lower pay-off.
In-Play wagering and live betting
Since legal Michigan sports betting sites operator have access to real-time sports data, they can offer wagers even when a game has already started. This adds more flexibility, as you won’t have to necessarily predict the winner before the game begins, but you can wait and see how the teams are performing before placing the wager. The odds are updated in real-time, depending on how the game develops, and you can also use in-play betting to hedge a position you had taken before the match started. Of course, you would try to double down or minimize your losses. It goes without saying that this type of wagering makes watching a game more exciting, and it has become trendy now that it is entirely legal.
Is cash-out available in Michigan Sportsbook apps?
Another great advantage of operators having access to real-time data is that they can offer cash-out functionality. You can cash out your wager with this tool before the final outcome is known at the latest available live odds. By watching the game, you might realize that things are about to change and want to protect a partial profit, or you might want to limit your potential losses. Everything is possible with the cash-out functionality available with the best Michigan sports betting apps.
Is live sports betting and mobile sports betting allowed in Michigan?
Michigan didn’t do things in step like some other states but immediately authorized both live and online sports betting. This was, in our opinion, a good decision as without the online offering, there wasn’t probably the right incentive for bettors to abandon their offshore betting sites and start playing with legal operators. As a result, state gambling tax revenues will be significantly lower, and many customers will continue to wager without protection. State regulation of sports betting also allows funds to help protect vulnerable punters against problem gambling by offering them treatments. With several tribal casinos likely to enter the sports betting market, we can expect the competition to increase in Michigan shortly. This will all go to the local bettors’ advantage, which will benefit from more competitive odds, better promotions, and generally a much healthier commercial environment.
Where can you bet on sports in Michigan?
In addition to online sports betting, you will also find licensed casinos with sports betting in Michigan. At the moment, there are only three state-licensed casinos, all situated in Detroit. They all offer luxury high-end casinos experience that can be easily compared with Las Vegas. These casinos have opened retail sportsbooks and are:
Greektown Casino Hotel
The Greektown Casino Hotel is a 30-story building with 100,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino also has a 400 bedroom hotel and a massive conference center. Penn National Gaming operates the casino business and has already sports betting at several of its locations in other states, most of which are branded Barstool Sportsbook.
- Address: 555 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: 313-223-2999
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.-midnight; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-midnight
- Sportsbook app: Barstool Sportsbook
MGM Grand Detroit
The MGM Grand Casino has been part of the Detroit skyline for more than 20 years. It was opened in 1999, and it was the first luxury casino resort hotel situated outside Las Vegas. Similar in size to Greektown, it has 401 bedrooms and a 30,000 square foot conference area. Not surprisingly, the online partner is BetMGM, with the BetMGM Sports Lounge that opened at MGM Grand in 2020 and has six betting windows and 60 HDTVs.
- Address: 1777 3rd Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: 877-888-2121
- Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-midnight
- Sportsbook app: BetMGM Sportsbook
MotorCity Casino Hotel
The Motorcity Casino Hotel is the third luxury casino resort in Detroit situated on Grand River Avenue. It is owned by Marian Ilitch of IH Gaming (Detroit Entertainment, LLC). The resort also has 100,000 square feet of casino space, even if there are fewer slots than MGM Grand. The casino has partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook, which has opened here in 2020. It has a VIP area, 67 HDTXs and 54 kiosks.
- Address: 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
- Phone: 866-782-9622
- Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-midnight
- Sportsbook app: FanDuel Sportsbook
Sports betting at Michigan tribal casinos
In Michigan, 23 licensed casinos are operated by the 12 Native American gaming tribes. Not all the casinos offer sports betting, but things are likely to change soon since almost all of the tribal operators in the state have made some partnerships with online casinos, sportsbooks and poker sites. For example, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians have done a 20 year deal with PointsBet. The Australian operator is already up and running in states like New Jersey and Iowa. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians have made a deal with The Stars Group, which will operate under its FoxBet brand here. Despite tribal casinos are not reporting to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, their online partnership will, so all the sites active in Michigan will be under the supervision of the MGCB.
In addition to sports betting, what other forms of gambling are allowed in Michigan?
Michigan’s new laws have also allowed online poker, online casino and online fantasy sports in the state. The online lottery was already available. In being so liberal, Michigan’s regulators wanted to reduce the opportunities for the black market. A problem we have seen elsewhere is that players and bettors with too many restrictions on their gambling are likely to take their business offshore. By offering the games players want, they don’t have any incentive of switching to the illegal system. So players in Michigan will not only have a great sport betting choice, but they will also be able to play poker, for instance, with the biggest and most prestigious operators, and the same goes for online casinos. Everything will be regulated and legal with no risks for the bettors and higher tax revenue for the Michigan state, which will be able to invest in gambling problems prevention and treatment and fund other community projects.
