Michigan

The Great Lake State did not waste much time getting a sports betting bill legalized once PASPA was overturned. Now, MI has over a dozen mobile betting apps and over 20 retail locations available to residents.

The Michigan Wolverines are the latest team to raise the College Football Playoff trophy, and thanks to MI sports betting rules, residents were legally allowed to wager on the Wolverines in the National Championship. Outside of betting on collegiate sports, there are also no restrictions when it comes to betting on professional sports in MI, which includes using daily fantasy sports apps.

When it comes to what is illegal to bet on in Michigan, the two biggest areas are politics and eSports. However, one tribal casino does offer odds on some eSports events. Greyhound racing is also illegal in MI, but horserace betting is fully legal.

Online sports betting in The Wolverine State

Michigan was one of the states that acted fast when PASPA was overturned in 2018. Discussions of legalized sports betting had already been discussed in the state prior to this ruling, but they never quite got the support they needed to be finalized. Most of 2019 was spent discussing what legal sports betting in MI would look like, and right before 2020, Gov. Gretchen Weimer signed off on HB 4916 and HB 4308.

Gambling was already a big part of Michigan prior to this bill, as commercial and tribal casinos had been in operation for many years. Thus, the launch of retail sports betting was ready to go by March 2020. As it stands now, Michigan has one of the biggest sports betting operations in the U.S.

However, due to the unforeseen circumstances caused by the coronavirus, online sports betting did not become available in MI until January 2021. Not only did online sports betting finally launch in January 2021, but Michigan residents were rewarded for waiting with some of the biggest online operators on the market. Right off the bat, BetMGM, BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and more were available to download or access on their web platforms.

As the sports betting scene has grown in Michigan, so has the number of operators. Heading into 2024, there are currently 13 online sportsbooks available, with the potential for more shops coming and going as the year rolls on.

In order for these mobile operators to obtain access to the Michigan market, they needed to partner with one of the many retail casinos in operation across the state. Additionally, a few of these operators have partnered with the state's professional sports teams. For example, WynnBet is the official sports betting partner of the Detroit Lions.

All legal MI sports betting apps in 2024 (from newest to oldest):

Sports betting & gambling legislation in MI

Michigan is pretty free and easy when it comes to what customers can bet on in the state, which is why wagers on in-state colleges are allowed. However, it is vital to remember that in order to place a legal wager on one of those colleges or any game in general, a bettor must be at least 21 years old.

While bettors do not need to be Michigan residents to place a legal wager in the state, they do need to be within state lines to do so, as mobile sportsbooks in MI utilize geolocation services. The Michigan Gaming Control Board enforces this rule, along with the age limit.

Not only do bettors have a nice selection of betting apps to choose from, but they do not have to pay a large tax for sports betting. All winnings in Michigan are subject to a tax rate of just 4.25%.

With online casinos, the lottery, and online poker also available in MI, the state has little else to discuss regarding gambling legislation moving forward.

Most recent updates from the MI sports betting scene

• May 16, 2024: Michigan Wolverines running back Dylan Edwards is one of the three players on the cover of the new NCAA Football video game.

• May 12, 2024: Despite having the worst record in the NBA this past season, the Detroit Pistons ended up with the 5th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft through the Draft Lottery.

• April 25, 2024: Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy, who led the team to a National Championship, has been drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He is (+1000) to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

• April 24, 2024: The Detroit Lions have signed wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year, $120 million extension. Detroit currently has the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at (+1200).

• February 19, 2024: ESPN Bet will soon receive retail treatment. The first brick-and-mortar version of the sportsbook will open at the Hollywood Casino in Greektown-Detroit, which is owned by PENN Entertainment.

• December 22, 2023: Casino game provider Play'n GO announces partners with PokerStars to create an exclusive Detroit Red Wings-themed game for PokerStars customers in Michigan.

• December 21, 2023: The total betting handle in Michigan reached a record high of $584.1 million in November, with online sports betting accounting for a significant portion of it at $533 million. This represents a 6.7% increase from the previous month.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Of the 26 casinos scattered throughout MI, 22 offer retail sports betting. These 22 casinos are a mix of commercial properties and tribal casinos. Each casino can partner with one online skin, which has helped bring 14 mobile sportsbooks to the state as well.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees all sports betting rules and regulations at commercial casinos, while the National Indian Gaming Commission regulates betting at tribal casinos.

• Bay Mills Resort & Casino (11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley)

• FireKeepers Casino Hotel (11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek)

• Gun Lake Casino (1123 129th Ave, Wayland)

• Island Resort & Casino (W 399 US-2, Harris)

• Hollywood Casino at Greektown (1211 Chrysler Dr, Detroit)

• Leelanau Sands Casino (2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown)

• Little River Casino and Resort (2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee)

• Motor City Casino Hotel (2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit)

• MGM Grand Detroit (1777 3rd Ave, Detroit)

• Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel (2690 Worth Rd, Standish)

• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort (6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant)

• Northern Waters Casino Resort (N5384 US-45, Watersmeet)

• Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel (7741 M-72, Williamsburg)

• Kewadin Casino – Christmas (N7761 Candy Cane Ln, Christmas)

• Kewadin Casino – Hessel (N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel)

• Kewadin Casino – Manistique (5630 W, US-2, Manistique)

• Kewadin Casino – St. Ignace (3015 Mackinac Trail, St Ignace)

• Kewadin Casino – Sault Ste. Marie (2186 Shunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie)

• Four Winds Dowagiac (58700 M-51 S, Dowagiac)

• Four Winds Hartford (68600 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford)

• Four Winds New Buffalo (11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo)

Sports betting in neighboring states

If Michigan Wolverine or Michigan State Spartans fans happened to venture into neighboring states to watch their team play in a Big Ten game, they would be able to find some form of legal sports betting.

With sports betting fully legal in both online and retail capacities in Ohio and Indiana, the legislation for sports betting for Wisconsin is a bit confusing. To find out more about why, you can click on the state in the box down below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Michigan's economy

An online operator must first partner with a casino in Michigan to obtain a license in Michigan. These licenses require an upfront $50,000 application fee and an additional $50,000 operating fee each year. The tax rate for sports betting in MI is 8.4%, and this applies to both retail and online operators.

The number of operators in Michigan has certainly helped the state turn in a large profit from sports betting. Aside from operators, though, the fact that MI is also the 10th largest state in the country in terms of population makes a big difference when it comes to sports betting handle.

Once sporting events resumed after the pandemic and the Michigan sports betting scene became fully established, the state consistently produced impressive monthly and yearly revenue numbers. In 2021 and 2022, MI surpassed over $3 billion in handle for the year, and they are well on their way to meeting that mark again in 2023.

Top 3 sportsbooks in the state in March 2024:

1. FanDuel (Handle: $186.2m, Revenue: $13m)

2. DraftKings (Handle: $126.6m, Revenue: $6.8m)

3. BetMGM (Handle: $65.9m, Revenue: $4.5m)

Michigan sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: December 2023 ($613,425,699)

• Revenue: December 2023 ($65,920,318)

• Tax income: December 2023 ($4,021,700)

MI sports betting revenue in 2024