1972: Michigan Legalizes Lottery Betting
Michigan Gambling Laws: Legal Landscape and Key Regulations
Michigan’s gambling laws are in flux, as the state recently passed a major online gambling and sports betting bill. Michigan has 13 different tribal casinos, along with a handful of commercial casinos like MGM Detroit and Greektown Casino.
Michigan’s lawmakers passed the new gambling laws in order to bolster the land-based casino industry. Thus, the residents of Michigan can play at a growing list of licensed online casinos, poker sites, and sports betting. Meanwhile, residents can play at offshore sites.
Best Casinos in Michigan
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Michigan Gambling Laws
The gambling laws in Michigan have changed a lot in the last two years alone. In December 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act and Lawful Online Gambling Act, thus passing sports betting and online gambling into law.
The past decade has seen a sea change in gambling for Michigan. As late as 2010, the Grand Rapids law enforcement raided an illegal poker tournament held in a hotel. Now, Michigan has embraced most forms of gambling.
Michigan Land-Based Casinos
Michigan has more than its fair share of land-based casinos. Detroit is home to three commercial casinos: Motor City Casino, Greektown Casino, and the MGM Detroit.
At one time, Greektown was named Jack Casino Detroit. That was during the time that Detroit entrepreneur Dan Gilbert — best known as the founder of Quicken Loans and the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers — owned the property. Gilbert sold Jack Casino Detroit to Penn National Gaming, which renamed the venue the Greektown Casino again.
12 different Native American tribes own casinos in Michigan. In all, 26 tribal casinos operate. Tribes that own multiple casinos include the Ojibwa Tribe, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
Michigan Online Gambling
Michigan passed a law in 2019 that allows Michigan residents to play at licensed poker sites. In January 2021, many online gambling sites launched. Online sports betting also is legal.
Beyond that, Michigan residents can play at offshore sites. These don’t have consumer protections, so read reviews and deposit money only in safe, trusted casino sites.
Michigan Legal Betting Tracks
Michigan is home to Northville Downs, the state’s only horse racing tracks. Bettors can engage in pari-mutuel wagering and simulcast betting at the track outside Detroit.
Michigan Charitable Gambling
Michigan also allows charitable gambling at bingo halls. Nonprofits throughout Michigan can host bingo nights, including church, police, fire, civic, and veterans’ organizations.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board also licenses nonprofit organizations for Millionaires Parties. This is a local term given to charitable poker nights that include raffles and select casino games.
Michigan Social Gaming
Michigan bans social gaming outright — with anti-social gaming laws among its statutes. PlayMGM is illegal, though it would give players rewards they could use at MGM Detroit.
Residents shouldn’t play at Slotomania, Big Fish Games, Double Down Casino, and Zynga. It might seem strange that Michigan bans social gaming, but states with many forms of licensed gambling often ban the competition. For instance, Nevada bans lottery gaming.
Michigan Bona Fide Gaming
Michigan is one of about a dozen US states that allows “bona fide” gaming.
Bona fide gaming is betting on games of skill — which is legal in Michigan. The specific law states that players can bet on a “contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength, or endurance or the bona fide owners of animals or vehicles entered in such a contest.”
Michigan Gambling Laws: Timeline and History
Here’s an overview of Michigan gambling laws, including a timeline of Michigan online gambling’s red-letter days.
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November 13, 1972: Michigan Lottery Goes Live
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July 4, 1984: Bay Mills Blackjack Casino Opens
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September 6, 1996: Michigan Joins Mega Millions Lottery
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July 29, 1999: Michigan Commercial Casinos Open
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January 20, 2010: Grand Rapids Police Raid Poker Tournament
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January 31, 2010: Michigan Joins Powerball Lottery
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December 20, 2019: Lawful Internet Gaming Act Signed into Law
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December 20, 2019: Lawful Sports Betting Act Signed into Law
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December 29, 2019: Multistate Online Gambling Act
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2019: Michigan Officials Active in Gambling Enforcement
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January 22, 2021: Online Gambling and Sports Betting Goes Live in Michigan
Latest Online Gambling News
Online Gambling Michigan FAQ
Yes, Michigan passed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019. Multiple licensed online casinos, cardrooms, and sportsbooks launched on January 22, 2021 — the first day gaming sites could launch. Both tribal casinos and commercial casinos have gaming portals. In each case, they partner with a major online casino gaming group for tech support.
Beyond that, Michigan residents can play at offshore online casinos. While Michigan officials want you to play at the licensed gaming sites, they don’t prosecute invididuals who play online.
Yes, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 approved license online gambling in Michigan. Sites began launching in January 2021.
Michigan gamblers also can play for real money at offshore casinos. These don’t have consumer protections, but offer bigger welcome bonuses and a different set of games. If you play at offshore casinos, read honest gaming site reviews so you pick safe and trusted casinos.
Yes, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 legalized online poker sites tied to the land-based casinos and race tracks. Online cardrooms began launching in January 2021.
Michigan online poker players also can play at offshore online poker rooms. These sites don’t have consumer protections, but offer bigger welcome bonuses, large poker communities, and events that might work better for Michigan card players. If you play at an offshore online poker site, read casino reviews so you plat at a legit site.
Yes, the Lawful Sports Betting Act of 2019 legalized sports betting, while the Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 gave the land-based sportsbooks the right to launch online bookmaker sites and mobile sports betting apps.
Michigan sports bettors also can play at offshore online sportsbooks, too. You won’t play with consumer protections, so it’s important you pick trustworthy online bookmaker sites. Read legitimate online sportsbook reviews before depositing cash.
Yes, Michigan has race track and pari-mutuel wagering. The recent sports betting law even earmarks 5% of all sportsbook tax revenues for the “agricultural equine” industry’s development. Michigan’s leaders hope this assures the health and well-being of the state’s horse betting industry for decades to come.
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Our pick for the best online sportsbook in Michigan is Bovada Sports. New depositors receive a $250 welcome bonus for sports betting, though Bitcoin users receive a $750 Bitcoin bonus.
Bovada sports has a huge range of sports bets, including NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, MMA, boxing, golf, and tennis bets. Mobile sports bettors can make a full range of bets using their Android or iPhone devices.
The legal gambling age for land-based casino gambling is 21 years or older. Licensed online gambling sites also have a 21 year old age limit. If you play at the offshore online casinos, the minimum age is 18.
Most other forms of gambling have an age limit of 18. If you buy lottery tickets or scratch cards, the age limit is 18. If you make pari-mutuel wagers on horse races, play at a charitable bingo hall, or participate in a Millionaires Nights, then you’ll need to be 18 or older.