Michigan Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in the Evergreen State

Land-Based Casinos in Michigan

Michigan has three commercial casinos in the Detroit area and 23 tribal casinos across the state, offering Class III gaming facilities.

While many players prefer to gamble online in Michigan, there is a reasonably even spread of casinos from Baraga to Detroit to keep land-based enthusiasts entertained.

Most Michiganders are, at most, two hours drive from their closest casino.

Horse & Dog Tracks

Horse racing betting is legal in Michigan, but there is only one racetrack in the state, at Northville Downs. However, online horse racing betting is legal and available at selected in-state and offshore betting sites.

It’s possible to access many bet types, including single bets, multi-horse, and multi-race wagers. Exotic betting like exactas, trifectas, and Pick 3s are also permitted in Michigan.

Dog racing is less popular and there are no dog tracks in the state.

Therefore in-state betting sites don’t operate dog racing odds, meaning players often head to offshore sites to bet on greyhounds.

Online Sports Betting

Michigan launched its own online sports industry in 2021, just in time for the Super Bowl.

There are now 14 sportsbooks operating in the state, and MI residents can access many more offshore sports betting sites.

There are also five retail sportsbooks in MI, four of which are in Detroit.

In 2023, Michigan state benefited from an average of $1.24 million a month in online sports betting tax generated from its regulated sportsbooks.

The average monthly handle was around $340m.

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

The Charitable Gaming Division of the Michigan Lottery oversees bingo, charity games, raffles, and other forms of charity gambling in the state.

Scores of weekly bingo games are held across the state, with progressive jackpots available up to $1,100. You can find your closest Michigan bingo game here!

Charity games are usually known as pull tabs or scratch cards and have a 75% payout rate for players. Organizers are permitted a 15% average profit.

They are typically sold at ticket dispensing machines or via volunteers of said charity organizations.

You’ll need a license if you want to hold a raffle in Michigan.

Social Gaming at Home

Michiganders cannot establish their own home casinos but are permitted to house games of chance so long as they don’t make a profit.

This rule is particularly pertinent for home poker players.

It is permissible for Michigan poker players to enjoy games at a private residence. However, said properties cannot profit from the activity.

That means no rake and no charging players for access to a game.

Prize pots are also restricted to $50 or prizes with a maximum value of $50.

Poker Rooms and Clubs

In-person poker is big business in Michigan, and in recent years, legal online poker has flourished in the state, too.

The World Series of Poker Online Series is now an annual event in Michigan, while residents can also play at many licensed offshore poker rooms and compete with players outside the state.

There are card rooms and poker clubs littered across the state. MGM Grand Detroit has more than 20 tables active daily, with Limit and No Limit Texas Hold’em the go-to games.

The Greektown Casino has a 24/7 poker table with weekly tournaments.

Michigan’s tribal casinos, like the FireKeepers, Gun Lake, and Soaring Eagle Mt. Pleasant, provide a range of buy-in options for in-person players.

At the same time, the state has several smaller poker rooms like Momo’s Poker Room in Taylor.

Casino Cruises

Riverboat and cruise ship gambling on the waters of Lake Michigan are only permitted in Indiana. No casino cruises are operating out of MI.

Online Slots

You can play online slots in Michigan at state-regulated and offshore licensed sites.

Random Number Generator (RNG) software is built into online slots that deliver a set Return to Player percentage, usually between 91% and 99%.

Online slots are the go-to option for many players seeking to win mega jackpots. They offer far bigger profit potentials than other games like roulette and blackjack, and no skill is involved in playing.

Slots also cover a far wider range of themes compared to other games. From animals and space-age themes to ancient history, Gold Rush, and vampires, there’s a slot type for everyone!

Real money slots also offer a variety of reel types such as 3, 5, 6, and cluster reels; paylines from 10 to more than 200,000; and unique bonus features.

Offshore sites often pay out bigger jackpots than state-regulated casino sites because they don’t pay state taxes on their house take.

They can, therefore, pass on these savings to players through larger payouts.

You can also play slots at land-based casinos in Michigan, such as the MGM Grand Detroit, where almost 2,500 slot and video poker machines are available to players.

Online Poker

Michigan became the fifth state to legalize online poker in 2019, but due to COVID-19, it wasn’t until 2021 that state legislators began approving gaming operating licenses.

PokerStars was the first site to launch in Michigan, yet players had already been enjoying online poker at offshore sites before then.

Offshore sites are able to offer a far wider range of games that aren’t available in MI, as well as buy-in levels.

Texas Hold’em is naturally the most popular game but Omaha, Caribbean Stud, 7 Card Stud, and 5 Card Draw are all available.

In 2022, Michigan entered the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association, which means poker rooms can share player pools from sites in other states.

Blackjack

Online blackjack began to be available to MI residents in the early 2000s. Access to the internet meant players could play at offshore sites where blackjack tables were thriving.

These days, there is a good mix of blackjack options to suit everyone. Casinos like the MGM Grand and MotorCity have more than 40 blackjack tables apiece.

Most in-state online casinos offer standard blackjack, while offshore sites set up tournaments where players can win thousands of dollars. 

They also provide a wider range of blackjack versions, including Multihand, Single Deck, and Rolling Stack, and Double Deck.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games have become increasingly popular in Michigan as players who start out enjoying poker and blackjack look for alternate forms of entertainment.

Games like craps, baccarat, and roulette attract more players every month.

These games are often at the epicenter of land-based casino halls, and online operators are also beginning to see their value for players.

Live studio casinos are run by third-party operators and allow players streaming access to their lobby.

You can jump between games, interact with dealers, chat with fellow players, and assess tables before joining. The dealers even accept tips!

Is Online Gambling Legal in Michigan?

In Michigan, the law permits online gambling in many forms.

The state regulates sportsbooks and online casinos under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and, more recently, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.

In September 2023, the 15 operators offering online casino games generated $30m in state taxes.

Michigan does not actively block players from joining offshore sites.

Gambling Promotion

Licensed sportsbooks and gambling retailers in Michigan are not restricted to how they promote their products apart from:

(1) Advertisements must not target self-excluded individuals.

(2) Marketing affiliates licensed or registered by the board must not promote or market illegal online gaming sites to individuals located in Michigan. (MGCB)

Unlicensed Vendors

Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act outlaws unlicensed vendors from establishing public access to placing bets or playing Internet casino games.

(Lawful Internet Gaming Act: 432.304 (5)

License fees

Michigan, like many other U.S. states, charges a fee for gaming license applications. The current price is $50,000.

Approved operators pay an additional $100,000 when they obtain their license and a further $50,000 each year after that. (Lawful Internet Gaming Act: 432.306)

Find a Reputable Site

Only join a recommended site that has been independently reviewed and verified.
Read player reviews, explore potential sites, and only join a casino when you’re happy with its level of trust.

Seek Encryption

The best casino sites in Michigan and elsewhere in America use TLS encryption as standard. This means transactions between your device and the site are protected.

Set Limits

All gamblers are advised to set betting limits before beginning their casino journey. Have a budget in mind, and don’t exceed it. You can use limitation tools to self-exclude.

Find Help If You Need It

No one is immune from addiction or any other problems related to betting, and sometimes we don’t realize we have an issue.

Michiganders who need help with addiction should be active. Get Help for Problem Gambling here.

Double Check Payment Options

Many offshore sites accept bank card deposits but not withdrawals.
Ensure you look at the payment methods available to you and check that you’re happy with the options provided.

Take Your Time

You wouldn’t rush to buy a car, so why rush to place a bet? Whether you’re planning to play online slots or wager on the NFL, it’s essential to stop, think, and assess your bets.

Take your time when gambling, and you’ll likely have a more enjoyable experience.