Michigan Online Casinos

Legal online casinos came to Michigan courtesy of legislation signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019. Under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Michigan casinos may apply for licenses to offer online gambling to customers who are 21 or older and located within state lines.

The first Michigan online casinos launched in January 2021 following the implementation of the Act. In the ensuing two years, the number of online casinos swelled to 15, which is the maximum allowed under Michigan law.

Legal Michigan gambling sites may offer a full range of casino games, including real money slots, table games, live dealer games, and online poker.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) oversees online gambling throughout the state and is responsible for issuing licenses, implementing the law, and ensuring operators adhere to state regulations.

Legal Michigan Casino Sites

BetMGM Casino$25 On Signup + $1000 Deposit BonusBetMGM Casino Bonus Code: BUSABONUS Get Bonus
FanDuel Casino350 Bonus Spins + $1000 Loss RefundFanDuel Casino Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
BetRivers Casino$500 Deposit BonusBetRivers Casino Bonus Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Caesars Palace Online Casino$10 + $1000 Deposit BonusCaesars Palace Online Casino Promo Code: BUSA10 Get Bonus

21+ and present in MI. Gambling Problems? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.

Michigan Online Casino Apps

Each of Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes and three commercial casinos applied for a license to offer online gambling. Fifteen provisional licenses were awarded in December 2020, and by April 2022 all licensees had launched their online casino products.

Most Michigan casinos have partnered with name-brand third-party operators to run their internet gaming platforms. Major brands such as BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel are just a few of the larger companies that have partnered with local casinos for online gambling.

Michigan Online Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses and other promotions play a significant role in Michigan’s online gambling industry.

For one, Michigan is an open market state with no shortage of operators competing for new users to gain a foothold in the market. The number of Michigan online casinos looking for new users has already resulted in most of the state’s gambling sites launching bonuses and promotions galore.

MI Online CasinoPromo CodeWelcome Bonus
BetMGM Casino Michigan Bonus CodeBUSABONUS$25 Registration Bonus + 100% up to $1,000
BetRivers Casino Michigan Bonus CodeBUSA100% up to $500
FanDuel Casino Michigan Promo CodeNot NeededUp to $1,000 Back On First Day's Losses + 350 Bonus Spins
Caesars Casino Michigan Promo CodeBUSA10$10 No-Deposit Bonus + 100% up to $2,000

Additionally, MI online gambling law allows operators to deduct free play promotions from gross gaming revenue for tax purposes. Page one of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act states online gaming providers may deduct free play promotions from taxable revenue for the first five years as follows:

  • For years 1-3, operators may claim a free play deduction not to exceed 10% of gross receipts
  • For year 4, operators may claim a free play deduction not to exceed 6% of gross receipts
  • For year 5, operators may claim a free play deduction not to exceed 4% of gross receipts
  • For year 6 and each year thereafter, no deduction of free play is allowed

To put that in plain English, Michigan gambling law will give online casinos a tax break for offering free play bonuses over the first five years. Players are encouraged to capitalize on bonus opportunities early and often, as they may be few and far between once casinos are no longer incentivized.

Michigan Online Casino Deposit Methods

Michigan online gambling regulations authorize a standard variety of casino deposit methods and allow the Gaming Control Board to add additional options as needed.

Under state law, Michigan online casino sites may accept:

  • Debit and credit cards
  • Cash in person at casinos and other approved locations
  • Reloadable prepaid debit cards such as Play+ cards
  • ACH bank transfers
  • Wire transfers
  • “any other means approved by the board”

Michigan Live Dealer Casinos

Live dealer casino games came to Michigan in mid-2021 after the Gaming Control Board authorized Evolution Gaming to livestream staffed table games from a Southfield studio location. Evolution has also opened private live dealer studios for some of the state’s biggest brands, including BetMGM and FanDuel.

Later in 2021, Playtech launched its own live dealer studio in Michigan, and now provides the platform for several MI online casinos.

Additional operators have gotten on board since, and today Michigan is home to 15 live dealer casinos:

  • BetMGM
  • BetRivers
  • Caesars Casino
  • DraftKings Casino
  • FanDuel Casino
  • Golden Nugget Online
  • PokerStars Casino
  • Hollywood Casino
  • FireKeepers Casino
  • Play Gun Lake
  • Soaring Eagle Casino
  • Four Winds Casino

How Michigan Regulates Online Gambling

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is responsible for regulating online gaming, issuing new regulations as needed, reviewing licensing requests, issuing licenses, and overseeing the conduct of licensees.

Additionally, the MI online gambling law directs the MGCB to adopt additional regulations as needed. Under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the MGCB has the authority to “do anything necessary or desirable to effectuate this act.”

Some of the MGCB’s key responsibilities include regulating the following:

  • Types of games Michigan online casinos may offer
  • Technical and financial standards for online gaming operators
  • Requirements, standards, and processes for issuing licenses under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act

Michigan Online Gambling Laws

Michigan approved multiple forms of online gambling in the final days of 2019. In addition to legalizing online casinos, lawmakers also approved online poker, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports during that same flurry of activity.

The key online gambling laws in Michigan are:

  • HB 4311: The Lawful Internet Gaming Act (online casinos and poker)
  • HB 4916: The Lawful Sports Betting Act (retail sportsbooks and mobile sports betting)
  • HB 4308: The Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act (daily fantasy sports)

Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act

Pro-gaming Representative Brandt Iden introduced The Lawful Internet Gaming Act in March 2019 to legalize and regulate online gambling.

The Act slowly made its way through the Michigan legislature over the course of the year as it passed through various committees, received the approval of the House, and then the Senate’s approval.

A similar effort had made it as far as the previous year, but then-Governor Rick Snyder vetoed it at the last minute over problem gambling concerns and worries that legal online gambling would detract from the Michigan Lottery.

Lawmakers sought to avoid a similar outcome the second time around and entered negotiations with Governor Gretchen Whitmer before approving a final version of the bill. Ultimately, pro-gaming lawmakers and Governor Whitmer compromised on tax rates and guaranteed funding for the School Aid Fund and First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund (assisting first responders who contract cancer while on the job).

A Look Inside the Lawful Internet Gaming Act

The Lawful Internet Gaming Act legalizes and regulates online gambling across Michigan. Under the law, land-based casinos may apply for licenses to launch up to two online gambling platforms for traditional casino games and player-vs-player poker.

The Act also includes a handful of baseline regulations but directs the MGCB to adopt additional rules as needed to handle the ins and outs of gaming regulation. See the “How Michigan regulates online gambling” section above for more information on the duties of the MGCB.

  • Tribal and commercial casinos may apply for online gambling licenses to offer casino games and poker
  • Each casino may launch up to two independent online gambling brands
  • Casinos may partner with third party suppliers for software and branding purposes
  • Sets a minimum age of 21 to gamble online in Michigan

  • Casinos that wish to offer online gambling must pay a $50,000 initial application fee. This is followed by a successful licensing fee of $100,000 and an annual renewal fee of $50,000
  • Third-party suppliers that provide technology and management services to casinos for online gaming must pay a $5,000 initial application fee. This is followed by a $5,000 successful licensing fee and an annual renewal fee of $2,500

Michigan taxes online casinos operators at the following rates based on annual adjusted gross receipts (AGR).

  • AGR of less than $4 million: 20%
  • AGR of $4 million or more but less than $8 million: 22%
  • AGR of $8 million or more but less than $10 million: 24%
  • AGR of $10 million or more but less than $12 million: 26%
  • AGR of $12 million or more: 28%
  • Cities may apply a municipal fee of 1.25% on the online gaming AGR of casinos located within that city that are authorized to conduct online gambling

Licensed online casinos in Michigan may offer a full menu of common gambling games. Slots, poker, blackjack, video poker, and other games “typically offered at a casino” are permitted under state law.

The Lawful Internet Gambling Act orders the MGCB to promulgate rules detailing which games licensees may offer.

Sec. 10 (a) of the Act states the MGCB must determine “the types of internet games to be offered, which must include, but need not be limited to, poker, blackjack, cards, slots, and other games typically offered at a casino, but does not include pick numbers or other lottery games typically offered by the bureau of lottery…”

  • Operators must ensure all customers are at least 21 or older and located within state lines
  • Operators may not allow customers whose names appear in the statewide responsible gaming database to establish accounts or place wagers

The Executive director of the MGCB may add users to the responsible gaming database who have:

  • Been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony, crime of moral turpitude, or a crime involving gaming.
  • Violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act or another gaming-related law, or the individual
  • Performed an act or “has a notorious or unsavory reputation such that the individual’s participation in internet gaming under this act would adversely affect public confidence and trust in internet gaming”
  • Appeared on a valid and current exclusion list maintained by Michigan or another jurisdiction in the United States

Additionally, users may voluntarily add themselves to the responsible gaming database.

Individuals who offer online gambling in Michigan without licenses are subject to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

Individuals who commit the following offenses are guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year’s imprisonment or a $10,000 fine:

  • Knowingly make a false statement on a licensing application issued under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act
  • Knowingly provide false testimony to the MGCB or an authorized representative of the MGCB while under oath
  • Willfully fail to report, pay, or truthfully account for any license, fee, or payment imposed by the MGCB
  • Knowingly attempt to cheat, alter or manipulate any game, platform, equipment, hardware, devices, or supplies used to conduct online gambling
  • Open or use an online gambling account while under 21 or provide access to an online gambling account to an individual under 21
  • Defraud or attempt to defraud an online gambling operator to take an amount of money greater than the amount won

The MGCB evaluates online gambling license applicants for suitability according to financial ability, prior history in regulated gambling, and criminal record.

Michigan Problem Gambling Resources

Those who would like information about problem gambling or who believe they or someone they know may have a gambling problem can see the following resources for assistance.

  • Michigan Gambling Helpline: 1-800-270-7117 (available 24/7)
  • Voluntary Self Exclusion Forms: Use these forms to request the MGCB permanently bar entry to licensed Detroit casinos.
  • Gamblers Anonymous: National problem gambling group that holds frequent meetings all across Michigan
  • National Council on Problem Gambling: National problem gambling help provider; offers anonymous 24/7 help at 1-800-522-4700 (call or text) and live chat.
  • Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (MAPG): A non-profit organization funded by donations, grants, and membership fees; works in coordination with commercial casinos, tribal casinos, lotteries, and horse racing facilities.
  • List of Gambling Treatment Providers by County: Get local help by finding a problem gambling treatment provider in your area.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also maintains a database of problem gambling help resources here.

Michigan Online Casino FAQ

Michigan law enforces a minimum age of 21 to gamble online or in person.

Geolocation is the technology online gaming providers use to accurately determine each user’s physical location.

A combination of factors requires licensed gambling operators to restrict their operations within state lines. First, online gambling is not regulated at the federal level; it is regulated on a state-by-state basis. Additionally, there are concerns that the Federal Wire Act applies to online gambling to prohibit any wagers from crossing state lines.

No. You do not need to be a resident to play online in Michigan. You only need to be physically located within state lines and at least 21 years of age. Customers from bordering states may sign up for accounts and play online whenever they visit Michigan. However, geolocation technology prevents players from accessing real money games from outside the state.

Michigan law requires all gambling operators to verify the age and identity of every customer. Online casinos conduct verification by running each player’s account information against government and private databases, some of which require the last four digits of each user’s social security number. State law also requires operators to have systems designed to protect all confidential customer information.

All online casinos recommended at BettingUSA.com are legal and hold a license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Gamblers can also visit the “licensed internet gaming providers” link on this page at the MGCB website to view a complete list of licensed providers.