Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Michigan became part of a growing number of US states to legalize sports betting in 2019 when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act. This made it legal for licensed operators in the state to allow people to place bets on a range of professional and college sports.
The Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act made the state the 20th in the country to legalize sports betting and only the second in the Midwest after Illinois. While betting in Michigan started out in the state’s tribal casinos, the first online sportsbooks later started taking bets at the beginning of 2021 after being licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Since then, multiple online sportsbooks have gone live, available to all bettors throughout the state. There are currently fifteen online sportsbooks available, as well as more than 20 retail locations where sports fans can place bets in person.
Timeline of MI Betting
- May 2018 – The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is overturned by the Supreme Court after being challenged by Michigan, meaning states are now free to regulate sports betting.
- December 2019 – Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act into law after it successfully passes the House and the Senate. It allows online and retail betting to be regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
- March 2020 – The first licensed retail sportsbooks started accepting bets. These were mostly tribal casinos, but since then, more in-person sportsbooks have opened their doors.
- January 2021 – The first online sportsbooks go live in Michigan, allowing players to sign up and start placing bets from their mobile or computers.
Betting in Michigan at a Glance
| Michigan retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Michigan online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Michigan online sports betting launch date | January 22, 2021 |
| Michigan sports betting regulator | Michigan Gaming Control Board |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | Fifteen |
| Total bets placed in first month | $300 million |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 8.4% |
Top MI Sportsbooks
Michigan is home to fifteen sportsbooks, and we’ve tested them all out to find out which ones are the best. Here are the results of our careful research and analysis of each legal MI betting site:
- FanDuel – Most intuitive betting experience
- DraftKings – Best beginner guides
- Caesars – Biggest welcome bonus
- PointsBet – Best market variety
- BetMGM – Easiest banking
- BetRivers – Best loyalty scheme
- FOX Bet – Fastest Withdrawals
- Barstool – Best live odds
Choosing a Sportsbook in Michigan
Before you can start betting on your favorite sports, you need to join a legal and licensed MI sportsbook. There are a lot of options to choose from, with fifteen sportsbooks currently available. Before you join the first site you find, it’s worth taking a look at all of the available options and choosing the one that’s best for you. Here are some of the criteria we recommend considering when you choose a Michigan sportsbook:
Reviews
Reading reviews is the quickest way to discover which sportsbooks offer the best betting experience. Instead of signing up and checking out all the features for yourself, our review team does it for you. You can check out our reviews on all licensed Michigan sportsbooks and get an accurate and unbiased view of what each site has to offer.
Bonuses
All of the Michigan sportsbooks we’ve tested out offer bonuses and promotions to incentivize betting and encourage more people to sign up. Before you join a sportsbook, it’s always worth taking a look to see the promotions on offer and whether they sound appealing to you. Common bonus offers you’re likely to come across include:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- Odds boosts
Odds and Lines
The odds at your sportsbook will make a big difference to how much you make from your winning bets. Higher odds mean more winnings, so it makes sense to find a site that consistently offers the best odds and lines. You can compare odds and lines between sites, and make sure you check the odds of the sports you prefer to bet on.
Sports and Markets
All major sportsbooks will offer lots of different sports for you to bet on. Major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB are always covered, but the best sites also offer loads of other sports and leagues too. More options means more variety, and even if you have a particular sport you like to bet on, it’s a good idea to check out the full range of sports.
Sports usually featured at MI sportsbooks include:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- MLS
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Golf
- Motorsports
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
- Boxing
Not only is the variety of sports important, but also the markets available on each event. Markets are the options you have to bet on, and more variety means more opportunities to find value and place winning bets.
Common markets you’ll find at Michigan betting sites include:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
Usability shouldn’t be overlooked when you’re choosing which sportsbook to use. The best sites make it easy to sign up and are simple to use, no matter what device you use. Ideally, you should be able to sign up and start placing bets within a few minutes, and the interface should be clean and well-designed. On top of that, it’s always good when sportsbooks have straightforward menus which let you find events quickly.
Payments
The payment process is an important consideration when you’re signing up to bet with real money. You need to be able to deposit funds safely and without any issues to start betting. In addition, getting your hands on your winnings shouldn’t take long. The best MI sportsbooks support a range of popular payment methods to make the process as hassle-free as possible.
Customer Support
While it’s rare to run into issues while betting, it’s good to have support options available should you ever need it. Before you sign up, check to see what level of customer support is available and how easy it is to get in touch. The best sites offer comprehensive guides and FAQ pages, as well as multiple contact methods such as:
- Email support
- Phone support
- Live chat
- Social media
How to Sign Up to a Michigan Sportsbook
Once you’ve chosen a site, all you need to do is sign up and create your account. Signing up to a sportsbook is pretty straightforward as you just need to follow these steps:
- Visit the site through your browser or download the app
- Choose the Sign Up option
- Enter your full details and agree to the site’s terms and conditions
- Verify your account by accepting the location check and uploading your ID
MI Sportsbook Deposits Explained
After creating your account, you’re still one step away from placing your first bet. You’ll first need to make sure you have funds available in your account. To add funds, you simply need to open up the cashier, choose one of the available payment methods and enter your payment details. Then enter the amount you’d like to deposit and confirm the payment to receive the funds in your account straight away.
The available payment options will depend on the sportsbook you use, but our research shows that most Michigan betting sites accept the following payment methods:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
Claiming Your Michigan Sports Betting Promos
Making your first deposit usually also means a chance to claim your MI sportsbook promo. Our data on Michigan sports betting shows that there are plenty of offers to claim. However, you’ll need to read through the terms and conditions before you try to claim any of these bonuses. The terms will affect how you can use each offer, and promo terms and conditions include:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
Michigan Sportsbook Payouts Guide
If you have enough funds in your account to cover the minimum withdrawal, you’ll be able to request a payout. The money in your sportsbook account is yours to use, and whether you’ve just won a big bet or you’d simply like to move some funds around, you can always start the payout process.
To begin your withdrawal, you simply need to follow these steps:
- Log into your account and go to the cashier section of the sportsbook
- Choose the withdrawal option and then pick a supported payment type
- You can usually only withdraw with a payment method you previously used to deposit with
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw and confirm your payment details
Once you’ve requested a withdrawal, you’ll need to wait for the sportsbook and your payment provider to process it. The time it takes to process will depend on the sportsbook, though most MI betting sites process withdrawals within 48 hours. Here are some common processing times for popular payment methods:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Mobile Betting in MI
Whether you’re using a desktop or mobile device, you’ll be able to sign up and start betting at licensed MI sportsbooks. Mobile betting means you can bet from anywhere within the state borders, giving you complete freedom over when and where you bet.
All of the Michigan betting sites we’ve tested are optimized for mobile, meaning you can sign up through your mobile browser or download an app if you prefer. The apps make the betting experience faster and more convenient, with all of the same features you can expect on the main site.
Popular Michigan Sports to Bet On
Michigan is big on sports, and now you can bet on a huge range of sporting events, including all your favorite teams. The state is home to teams in some of the biggest leagues in the country, and when the season begins, you’ll be able to follow all the action from your sportsbook account.
NFL
Football is by far the biggest and most popular sport in Michigan, as it is around most of the US. Fans in MI follow the trials and tribulations of the Detroit Lions, a franchise that has been based in Detroit since 1934. While the team won four league championships between 1935 and 1957, fans are still waiting for their first-ever Super Bowl victory.
NBA
Detroit is also home to the state’s second-favorite sports team, the Detroit Pistons. Competing in the Eastern Conference Central Division, the Pistons have won the NBA Championship four times in their history. With the NBA growing in popularity, more fans in Michigan have been tuning in to see how they do. However, the Pistons have been struggling lately, and fans haven’t had much to get excited about.
MLB
Baseball is known as America’s Pastime and is considered by many to be the country’s unofficial national sport. While its popularity may have waned in recent years, the MLB still attracts a huge following, including in Michigan. Fans in the state mostly support the Detroit Tigers, even if their team hasn’t won a World Series since the 80s.
NHL
Hockey is also wildly popular in Michigan, even if it may not be as widespread across the rest of the country. The NHL is the most popular hockey league to bet on, with an action-packed season featuring the world’s best players. In Michigan, fans follow the Detroit Red Wings, a franchise that has lifted more Stanley Cups than any other team based in the US.
MLS
Soccer and the MLS are growing rapidly across the country, with a growing number of franchises now playing in the country’s biggest soccer league. Although many fans still prefer betting on international soccer, the MLS is great for entertainment value. There isn’t an MLS franchise based in Michigan right now, although Detroit City FC play in the USL.
College Sports
Michigan allows you to bet on both professional and amateur sports, meaning that most licensed sportsbooks will also accept bets on college sports. You can bet on Michigan-based teams such as the Wolverines, Eagles, and Titans. However, you won’t be able to place prop bets on college games, though other markets are available.
Why Join Multiple MI Sportsbooks
While you may prefer to stick to a single betting site, we actually recommend that all bettors join as many sportsbooks as possible. Provided you’re taking care to only join the licensed and trusted books, you can get a lot out of having an account with multiple sites. Here are some of the main benefits you can look forward to:
More Bonuses
While every MI sportsbook offers a welcome bonus for new customers, you can only claim one per site. Sure, there are other bonuses that are available regularly, but they’re not quite as lucrative. By signing up to multiple betting sites, you can enjoy a welcome bonus from each, meaning more value and hopefully more profits too.
Better Odds
You can often find the best value on bets if you compare odds before you bet. While some sites might typically be better for odds than others, there’s always variation, and some sites change their odds faster than others. This is where it pays to have accounts with multiple sites, as you can ensure you always find the best odds no matter what.
More Features
The betting experience can be wildly different between sites, as some sportsbooks have very different features compared to others. From live streams to mobile apps and even the availability of different markets, signing up to multiple sites will let you try them all out. This way, you can see for yourself which ones are best and which ones to avoid.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQ
Is it legal to bet on sports in Michigan?
Yes, betting on sports in Michigan is fully legal both online and at licensed tribal casinos. The law was changed in December 2019, with the first online sportsbooks going live in 2020.
Where can I legally place bets in MI?
If you’re currently in Michigan, you can sign up to any of the legal and licensed online sportsbooks. In addition, it’s legal to place bets at specific retail locations such as tribal casinos.
How old do I need to be to sign up to a Michigan sportsbook?
To legally sign up to an online sports betting site in Michigan, you need to be at least 21 years old. All sites will ask you to upload a copy of your ID to verify that you’re of legal age.
Do Michigan online sportsbooks have welcome bonuses?
Yes, all of the Michigan sportsbooks we’ve reviewed offer promotions to new customers when they first sign up. You can find a list of the best sportsbook promos right here, with full details on each offer.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
