This is an interesting year for online gambling in the state of Michigan. You can now go to any of the best Michigan online casinos, providing they are licensed, and play casino games online. Just sign up to any of the online casinos in our comparison lists, and start playing video slot machines or blackjack online. Playing at online casinos was not allowed in Michigan up until 2020. But that's all gone in 2023 - Online Casino games are now finally legal in Michigan!
Both state-wide lottery options and multi-state options are available and legal to play.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Yes
House Gambling
No
Minimum Gambling Age
18 or 21
18 for all gambling options besides some land-based casinos that offer alcohol within their establishments, where it is 21 years of age.
Why make sports betting legal first? - It's less risky
Sports betting is seen as a less risky type of betting. That's because the casinos themselves cannot control the outcome of a sports bet. When you bet on a team they either win or they lose. And that's what happens with your bet. The online gambling site is just an intermediary making money off of the transaction.
When it comes to online casino gambling including video slot machines and poker, there is the feeling that the online casino may have some ability to control whether or not you win or lose. They, after all, supply the games.
Therefore, additional controls need to be put into place to make sure the game is fair. It will take the state roughly a year to figure out the right type of controls so that the house edge isn't ridiculously high and gamblers can still have a good time.
Only then will Michigan give out licenses for companies to offer online casino gambling. So for the moment, if you want to gamble legally in Michigan you will have to stick to betting on sports teams.
Why are land-based casinos legal in Michigan? - Easier to monitor
Brick and mortar casinos have years of history in Michigan. The state was able to create all sorts of regulations to monitor the physical casinos. They have regulators watching every step of the way to make sure that they are running honest games. And they only give licenses out to those that can prove that none of their games are rigged.
This makes the state of Michigan feel comfortable legalizing these casinos and collecting taxes from them.
The Internet is still relatively new. And the state worries about how to monitor it. They want to regulate the industry to ensure the games are fair, but also avoid being overly intrusive with regard to what is being offered.
That's going to take a fair amount of time for them to get right. Not all of the regulations that apply to brick and mortar casinos will apply to online casinos. And online casinos will have to have some new rules that would not apply to brick and mortar casinos in Michigan.
So the bottom line is that brick and mortar casinos have had more time to prove themselves. Once online casinos start to open and the government has the ability to see how they operate, then they will be able to have the same confidence in online casinos as they do in the brick and mortar ones.
Here are some of the on-site casinos you can visit on Indian reservations throughout the state of Michigan.
FireKeepers Casino
Four Winds Casino
Turtle Creek Casino
Bay Mills Casino
Kewadin Casino
MGM Grand Casino
MotorCity Casino
Little River Casino
Soaring Eagles Landing Casino
History of gambling in Michigan - The story so far
Gambling in Michigan was something that didn’t become very popular until after the early 1970s. In the beginning, horse racing was a popular pastime, though this has become less common for the area.
In the 1990s, both Native American tribes and a few smaller casinos came together to open up and provide casinos in Michigan to those in the area. The smaller casinos were opened in Detroit and hoped to provide more income and revenue for the city that was quickly going downhill.
Now, the Native American tribes have become the biggest land-based casinos within the state, though Detroit has casinos for those in the area that want to spend their money. All of the money that goes into the casinos is taxed and put back into the economy. While this has shown improvement in the last few months, it doesn’t seem like enough to keep the city afloat.
Michigan online gambling isn't currently an option. Players continue to wait for online wagering to be released; meanwhile, local casinos continue to expand their services and try to bring in new customers throughout the state.
Will Michigan make an announcement when online casino gambling is legal? - It sure will!
Yes. When Michigan makes online casino gambling legal you can be sure they will tell you. After all, the state gets a fair cut of an online gambling site's revenue in taxes. They will want you to gamble there. You can be sure they will make an announcement.
In addition, the casinos that get licenses to operate online will also want to promote their product. You will see a ton of advertisements for the newest online casinos.
And you can be sure the media will be talking about it in all of your usual local outlets. You don't have to worry about missing when legal casino gambling comes to you. It will be everywhere and if you want, you can be one of the first to try it out.
What can I expect from the best Michigan online casinos? - Table games galore (probably!)
When online casinos open up in Michigan you can expect them to launch with table games first. These are the easiest games to regulate. They include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps.
What games will be available with online casinos in Michigan?
At first, they will all be simulated games – like playing a video game, except for money. Then you can assume that the live casinos will launch. These games are filmed in a real casino or on a set that looks like one. They give you the real feeling of being in a casino without having to leave your home.
After that, you will see video slot machines start to appear. Many of them will be based on classic brick and mortar slots. Then they will roll out video only slots with lots of mini-games.
The return to player on these games should end up being about 96%. That means that over time, for every $100 you bet, the house keeps $4. Some will have a slightly higher or slightly lower return to player ratio, but all of them will be in that range.
Our most frequently asked questions - Your questions, answered
❓ How old do I have to be to gamble online in Michigan?
As in other states, you will have to be at least 21 years of age to place a bet at an online casino. If they find out that you are not at least 21 years of age, the casino can seize all of the profits in your account. In some cases, they can also contact the authorities.
🥇What is the best online casino in Michigan?
Reading our guides can give you an excellent indicator of the best Michigan online casinos, However, ultimately the choice boils down to the individual. Some players prefer sites that have a huge range of games. Some players look for specific games, whilst others prefer to use operators who have a wide array of bonus offers.
📱 Can I gamble online in Michigan using a mobile device or tablet?
Yes, providing the operator you are using has a mobile app and providing you have a compatible device.
💰 What is the process for regulating online casinos in Michigan?
The state regulatory board has to decide who to license to provide online casino services in the state. They do this in order to protect you and make sure your gambling experience is as safe as possible.
🎾 Is sports betting less risky than casino betting
That's up to you. It all depends on what type of gambler you are and how you want to bet. One option is to only bet on short odds options, which have a relatively low risk. Or you can bet on long shots, which can lead to bigger wins but your risk is elevated.
One risk we have to acknowledge is that when gambling becomes legalized either at the brick and mortar or online level, there is a risk of becoming addicted to it. Some people are simply more susceptible to addiction than others. But for most people, as long as they know the signs of a potential gambling problem approaching, they can avoid it. Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure that a gambling problem does not arise when you are placing bets online with MI online casinos.
Set a budget and stick to it. Only gamble what you can afford to lose. So make out a daily, weekly and monthly budget. If you find yourself tempted to go beyond your budget, it's time to take a step back from online gambling for a few days until your head is clearer.
Don't drink and gamble. Getting drunk while gambling is when you will make mistakes that will cost you money. It alters the way you think about risk and that can end up costing you a ton of money. It's also when you will be the most tempted to go beyond your budget.
Make sure gambling isn't taking the place of your normal interactions with your friends and family members. Online gambling is supposed to be a fun pastime. If it starts becoming more important than your usual social interactions, there is a problem you need to address.
Don't gamble when you are angry. During a losing streak, it's easy to become frustrated and angry at a game. This is when you may be tempted to keep playing to break your losing streak. Don't do this. Walk away from the machine, clear your head and don't come back until you can play rationally again.
Make sure online gambling doesn't begin to feel like an obligation. Betting at casinos is supposed to be fun and exciting. If it just becomes a grind then there are issues that you have to address. At this point taking a week or two break from placing bets will restore the sense of fun you had when you first started gambling. It will also give you a sense of perspective.
Those that are dealing with gambling issues should reach out to one of these offices for help. They can provide therapy and further support to those that want to overcome their gambling addiction.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Association on Problem Gambling
National Council on Problem Gambling
In addition to these organizations, there are also private therapy offices that provide additional help for those that are dealing with gambling addictions. They welcome everyone who requires guidance but maybe don't want to reach out to the organizations.
Social casinos in Michigan - Not available in MI, unfortunately
Unlike other states, Michigan has weird rules when it comes to social gaming. Social gaming, though oftentimes doesn’t have to do with money, is something that is not allowed. This is because there is no proof that those sitting at the table are not betting cash while playing.
MI online casinos allow players to go to the site to play, but it is important to know that house gaming and gambling with others in a social setting is not allowed. This includes those poker runs or charity events that offer gambling to raise money.
The right casino in Michigan along with entertainment can provide the fun people are looking for, without having to worry about putting on a poker game within a home.
Daily Fantasy Sports is legal throughout the state of Michigan because there are currently no laws that state that this is something that is illegal within the state or any other state in the area. With many of the top DFS names such as FanDuel and DraftKings providing DFS and other sports betting for those that wish to take advantage of the fun that comes with building out your own team, you have many options to choose from.
DFS is considered a game of skill rather than luck, which is what reduces the chances of making this illegal. Gambling, in general, is thought of as being luck-based. DFS requires that the player choose players in sports that they feel are strong and going to do well in the sport they are playing for the season. If they do not, the player does not win anything.
In addition to this, they may not even offer money but prizes or points that can be traded for prizes from the DFS site. Gambling in Michigan is thought of when there is a transfer of money between the player and the site. They put money down to play the game and become a part of the club.
If you want to learn more about Daily Fantasy Sports that can be played in the area, then click on the link below. This provides more information about the sites that welcome players while providing quality gaming.
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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Brick and mortar casinos have years of history in Michigan. The state was able to create all sorts of regulations to monitor the physical casinos. They have regulators watching every step of the way to make sure that they are running honest games. And they only give licenses out to those that can prove that none of their games are rigged.
