Legal sports betting officially began in Michigan in January 2021, with online casino following shortly after. As a result, gamblers in the state have access to not only the best sports betting apps and promotions, but also the best casino apps and offers. This means anyone in the state can get a total bonus of over $2,000 with popular iGaming operators like Caesars and BetMGM.
Michigan bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help or visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/gambling.
There are pros and cons for every sportsbook available in Michigan, and finding the right one may come down to the features you value most. Use the table below to find our picks for the best overall sportsbook for each of the five features we know Michigan bettors value most.
Feature | Winner | Why it's Our Pick |
---|---|---|
Best Mobile App | ⭐️ FanDuel Sportsbook | FanDuel's mobile app offers the best overall betting experience among all Michigan sportsbooks. It looks great, is easy to use, and is loaded with features. |
Best Overall | ⭐️ DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings consistently offers the best bonus offers and they win our pick for best Michigan sportsbook. Their current promotion includes a Bet $5, Get $150 deal for new customers. |
Lowest Juice | ⭐️ BetRivers | Saving a few cents here and there on juice can be the difference between a winning season and a losing one. No one in Michigan offers lower juice than BetRivers! |
Best Rewards Program | ⭐️ Caesars | Caesars Rewards have long been the gold-standard in the gambling industry. Every new Caesars player is eligible to earn rewards across the sportsbook, casino, and poker apps. |
Best Customer Support | ⭐️ BetMGM | BetMGM has the highest rated customer service team in Michigan, and for good reason. They offer more ways to access the support team and each agent is always friendly and helpful. |
Mobile sports betting is officially available in the state of Michigan! While legal sports betting has been available in the state since March 2020, it was restricted to brick-and-mortar casinos. Online sports betting made its way to the state on January 22, 2021, and it's been a big hit with folks from The Great Lakes State.
With 15 different online and mobile sportsbooks already operating in the state, sports fans have a lot to consider when deciding which book deserves their business. This article will break down everything you need to know about legal sports betting in the state of Michigan. This includes a rundown of operators, laws, restrictions, and the best promotions available to new players.
Michigan's has only had legal sports betting for 3.5 years, but is already one of the largest markets in the U.S. Here are some of the key stats behind Michigan sports betting, and just how much money has flowed through the state's top sportsbooks since last year's launch. As you can see from the numbers below, folks in the state of Michigan love to bet on sports!
✅ Launch Date | January 22, 2021 |
📅 Legal Betting Age | 21 |
🏬 Number of Retail Sportsbooks | 20 |
📱 Number of Mobile Sportsbooks | 15 |
💰 Total Michigan Handle (2023) | $4.8 Billion |
📈 Total Michigan Handle (All Time) | $13.62 Billion |
💸 Largest Sportsbook Handle | FanDuel |
FanDuel is our pick for the best Michigan sports betting app, and bettors in the state clearly agree. FanDuel has the largest sports betting total handle amongst all Michigan sports betting apps, with a nearly 20% edge over DraftKings. This just goes to show that online betting is here to stay in Michigan.
We considered a wide variety of factors when making this decision, including overall betting experience, variety of sports and bets available, and new player bonus offers. Here are some of the key takeaways from our FanDuel rating:
Best Betting Experience from a Michigan Sportsbook - The FanDuel app looks great, is easy to navigate, and offers arguably the best variety of betting options including live betting and same game parlays.FanDuel has a lot to offer, which is a big reason why it is a giant in the sports betting industry. Every serious sports bettor in Michigan should have FanDuel in their arsenal of sportsbooks.
Great Bonus Offers - FanDuel not only offers great new player bonus offers, but they find unique ways to reward existing players as well. This includes odds boost offers, reduced juice, and bet insurance promotions. This is why lots of Michigan online sportsbooks are having a hard time luring customers away from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Plethora of Futures Betting Options - If you're a sports bettor who likes to bet on a lot of futures like season win totals or conference championship winners, you'll love all of the Futures options that FanDuel offers. They offer season-win totals on every college football and NFL team. This is a great way for sports fans to stay engaged with their favorite team all season long.
Given the Michigan online sports betting market is only a little over two and a half years old, sportsbooks are still competing fiercely for new players and a larger market share. In fact, a recent report suggested the average bonus paid was nearly 100% for the majority of sportsbooks operating in the state. Sports betting sites are obviously still serious about acquiring new players.
This is obviously great news for Michigan sports bettors. Promotions are a great way to build your bankroll. However, not all bonus offers are created equal. Some books require a 25x rollover to withdraw your bonus funds, while some books choose not to even offer a bonus.
Find our top-rated sportsbook bonus offer in Michigan for December in the section below. Not only are these great bonus opportunities, but they come with minimal rollover requirements. This is fantastic news for hardcore Detroit Lions fans who want to put some money down on their hometown team.
Using feedback from Michigan bettors, we have determined that bonus promotions are a favorite amongst online sportsbook users. With that in mind, our top sportsbook offers include the Bet $5, Get $150 bonus offer from DraftKings, and the Bet $5, Get $150 deal IF your team wins deal from FanDuel.
MI only. 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.
MI only. 21+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.
Sports bettors in Michigan are blessed with tons of solid bonus offers but DraftKings takes the cake for the best one. Right now, folks in the Great Lakes State can get $200 in bonus bets after making their first $5 wager.
How often can you get a bonus 30-1 bet? That is by far the best bonus available to MI sports bettors this December!
DraftKings isn't a one-trick pony when it comes to bonus offers either. They're known for being the most generous in the industry with bonuses around all major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness. Michigan sports bettors will love playing at DraftKings, which is why we selected them as our top sportsbook in the state!
BetRivers makes it super-easy to get the best of the number when betting sports! Whether you're on the website or app, all you have to do is click the sport you want to see current wagering.
BetRiver's app and site are pretty basic but that's a good thing. Since there aren't too many bells and whistles like some other sites, sports bettors can quickly navigate between live wagering events.
Just how important is having a lower juice sportsbook? If you can lay -130 when everyone else is laying -140, that's a $10 savings on each wager you lose. That may not sound like a lot, but if you do that once a week, that's $520 saved over the course of a year in sports betting.
Caesars has had the best overall rewards program in gambling for quite some time. Each time you play with Caesars, you earn a certain number of Reward Credits and Tier Credits.
Depending on how often you play and the overall dollar amount you spend, Caesars will assign you a different status (Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Diamond Plus, Diamond Elite, 7 Stars). Rewards members can enjoy free or discounted hotel stays at any Caesars property.
Rewards members can also get discounts for eating, shopping, and shows. 7 Stars status members can even get their airfare paid for when traveling to a Caesars casino. If you're a sports bettor in Michigan, make sure you're signed up for Caesars Rewards!
Our pick for the best customer service from a Michigan sportsbook goes to BetMGM. The BetMGM Sportsbook offers a ton of different options when you have an issue. You can access their team via live chat, phone, or email.
No matter what your needs are, BetMGM wants to make sure you get the best possible solution. It's refreshing to see a sportsbook place such an emphasis on customer support.
Other than a minimum age requirement of 21, there really are no restrictions that you should be concerned with if you live in the state of Michigan. All sports and bet types are allowed to be wagered on in the state.
The only restriction currently in place by the Michigan Gaming Control Board is at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. Because the casino is owned by Marian Ilitch, who is a part-owner of the Red Wings, wagers on the Red Wings can not be placed at the casino. That's kind of understandable because they have to eliminate any conflicts of interest, but it's still a downer for hardcore Red Wings fans.
From an operator's view of things, the state's 8.4% tax rate (with an additional 1.25% for casinos located in Detroit) is in line with what you will find across the country. The licensing fees are somewhat higher with a $50,000 application fee, $100,000 license fee, and $50,000 annual license fee. Nevertheless, Michigan is still a very gambling-friendly type of state.
Given the size of the tribal casino industry in Michigan, getting the support of the tribes was crucial to getting any sports betting legislation passed. Lucky for Michigan residents, the tribal casinos were willing to cooperate in getting the legislation passed and bringing sports betting to the state. Fans of the Detroit Lions rejoiced throughout the state after this monumental event happened.
There are currently 26 licensed casinos in the state of Michigan, and online sportsbooks wishing to operate within the state must partner with at least one of them. Below is a rundown of the current casino/sportsbook partnerships in the state.
Online Book | Casino Partner | Launch Date |
---|---|---|
ESPN Bet Sportsbook | Greektown Casino | November 2023 |
BetMGM | MGM Grand | March 2020 |
BetRivers | Little River Casino | July 2020 |
Caesars | Turtle Creek Casino | September 2020 |
DraftKings Sportsbook | Bay Mills Casino | January 2021 |
FanDuel Sportsbook | MotorCity Casino | March 2020 |
FoxBet | Odawa Casino | January 2021 |
Golden Nugget | Ojibwa Casino | January 2021 |
Parx | Gun Lake Casino | October 2020 |
Fanatics Sportsbook | Northern Waters Casino | May 2023 |
Michigan legalized sports betting over 3 years ago and there are already a number of great sportsbook options available to bettors in the state. With so many legal sportsbooks, finding the best app for you can be a challenge.
To help with this challenge, our staff has thoroughly reviewed every MI sportsbook, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each. Find the details for each sportsbook, the date they launched, current Michigan bonus offers, and more below.
Though online sports betting has exploded in Michigan, bettors in the Great Lakes State also have brick-and-mortar sportsbook locations across the state. There's just something unique about placing bets at an in-person sportsbook as opposed to an online sportsbook on your phone. At any of the following Michigan casinos, bettors can get their action down and have a great sports betting experience.
Barstool runs the sportsbook at this casino in the Motor City and they offer 40 betting kiosks, a 30-foot video wall, and 25 high-def TVs to serve all of your sports betting needs. Barstool's operating hours are impressive at this location, as they are open from 10 am to midnight each and every day! This is one of the best Detroit casinos!
Address: 1211 Chrysler Dr, Detroit, MI 48226
The Island Resort & Casino in Harris has partnered with TwinSpires, one of the most popular names in horse racing, to give Michiganders another sportsbook option. Patrons can place wagers at any of the sportsbook kiosks and watch their action at T. McC's Sports Bar.
Address: W 399 US 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845
For one of the best casino experiences in Michigan, you can't go wrong with the MGM Grand Detroit. The BetMGM Sports Lounge is a sports bettor's paradise, filled with recliners, 60 big screens, and plenty of beers on tap! There are also six betting windows and 35 kiosks to serve you. This is a great spot to watch the Detroit Lions!
Address: 1777 3rd Ave. Detroit, MI 48226
BetRivers runs the sportsbook at this location, which features River Rock Sportsbook & Grill and plenty of betting kiosks. They also have three live ticket writers onsite to help with any questions or concerns.
Address: 2700 Orchard Hwy. Manistee, Michigan 49660
This retail sportsbook isn't open yet, but it's expected to be ready to roll at some point this summer. Since DraftKings will be running it, you can expect a phenomenal experience. Until the retail book opens, casino guests can place wagers via the DraftKings app.
Address: 11386 West Lakeshore Dr. Brimley, MI 49715
This location is run by FanDuel Sportsbook, which provides 67 HD TVs, six betting windows, and over 50 betting kiosks. The book is open from 9 am to midnight each day. This is one of Detroit's go-to places to watch your favorite team.
Address: 2901 Grand River Ave. Detroit, MI 48201
FOX Bet has partnered with both of these locations to run their sportsbooks. At the Petoskey site, live ticket writers are only available Thursday through Sunday. The Mackinaw City location has live betting windows open each day. Both sites have 24/7 betting kiosks.
Addresses:
One of the top sportsbooks in Australia, PointsBet, has launched a first-class retail sportsbook in Michigan. The book is complete with a sports bar, plenty of TVs, recliners, blackjack tables, and slot machines. The betting counter is open 7 days a week and the self-service kiosks are open for extended hours.
Addresses: N5384 US 45, Watersmeet, MI 49969
Caesars operates the sportsbook at the casino, but there are no live betting windows. However, there are plenty of self-serve kiosks. There's nothing fancy about this site, but it gets the job done.
Addresses: 2521 NW Bayshore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682
This is a sister location of Leelanau Sands and the overall setup is similar. This is a kiosk-only sportsbook, at least for the time being.
Addresses: 7741 M-72 East, Williamsburg, MI 49690
FireKeepers runs their own book called Dacey's Sportsbook and Taphouse. Three betting windows are open 11 am to 11 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to midnight on the weekends. The restaurant can seat up to 125 people, which gives it a great game-like atmosphere. We highly recommend giving these guys a shot if you are near Battle Creek.
Addresses: 11177 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
Gun Lake Casino runs their own sportsbook called 131 Sportsbook & Lounge. This location offers a full-service bar as well as a huge video wall to watch all the action. They offer a betting counter and some kiosks as well. This could be a great option for folks who want to take in some of the NFL games in 2024.
Addresses: 1123 129th Ave. Wayland, MI 49348
If you're new to online sports betting, you may be worried that signing up with betting apps in Michigan will be a tiresome process. Thankfully, that's not the case because the best Michigan sportsbooks have gone to great lengths to streamline the entire registration process. Simply follow these steps to get started with Michigan sports betting.
Michigan sports betting had a great year in 2022, and the state followed that up with a gigantic 2023. As a result, the majority of bettors in the state are new to legal sports betting and as a result have a lot of questions surrounding the sportsbooks, rules, and regulations in the state.
We address the majority of these issues in the FAQs found below. If you have a question that is not addressed, feel free to contact us today.
Yes, the first bet was placed in Michigan in March 2020. The state saw under $4 billion in bets in the first year of legal wagering.
Yes, online sports betting has been legal in Michigan since January 2021. Today the state has over 15 mobile sports betting apps for bettors to choose from and is one of the largest markets in the U.S. This is largely because Michigan has dedicated fan bases of the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Lions.
Yes, there are 20 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in the state of Michigan. Every big-name operator in the US has a sportsbook location in the Great Lake State. Check out our above section for every in-person sportsbook in the state.
The majority of tax dollars from sports betting in Michigan (65%) goes to the Michigan Internet Sports Betting Fund, which supports Michigan schools. 30% goes to the city of Detroit. Seeing a state putting sports betting revenue to good use is nice.
Michigan sports bettors have as wide a selection of sports betting apps to choose from as any state in the U.S. There are over ten operators in the state, each with its own sets of pros and cons. At the moment, we have DraftKings rated as the best online sportsbook in Michigan, followed closely by BetMGM and FanDuel Sportsbook.
Of the online sportsbooks operating in Michigan, the best odds and lowest juice can consistently be found at Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and DraftKings Sportsbook. Our recommendation to new players is to open an account with each sports betting app, take advantage of their bonus offers, and shop every bet before they place it. This will increase your winning percentage considerably throughout the whole season.
Yes! Online casinos have been legal in Michigan since January of 2021. As you might imagine, the popularity of online gambling has risen substantially in Michigan since then. Online poker was legalized in Michigan shortly after online casino games were.
Yes, The Great Lakes State folks can enjoy daily fantasy sports without worries or concerns. DFS players must be 21 years old to play.
Yes, there are no restrictions in Michigan when it comes to betting on college sports! This is outstanding news for fans of the Spartans and Wolverines, especially since it is almost college football season.
The best promo code for Michigan sports betting depends on which operator you are signing up with. We recommend that new players take advantage of the bonus offers from each operator and shop around for the best deal. Caesars has one of the best with their $1,000 second chance bet. You bet up to $1,000; if it loses, you get your money back as bonus bets. You can't beat that.
Bookmakers offer a bonus bet as an incentive for players to sign up with their sportsbook. Bonus bets often come in the form of bonus funds or second-chance bets. Most sportsbooks require you to meet certain conditions before withdrawing any winnings from your bonus bets.
Yes. Although you don't have to be a Michigan resident, you do need to be present in the state at the time of your bet. All online sportsbooks require geo-location tracking software to verify that you are indeed within Michigan's borders when placing a bet. This is also true of online casinos and daily fantasy sports sites.
Chris Lollis is a sports betting expert that has covered the industry for more than a decade. Over that time he has covered everything from the repeal of PASPA to the state-by-state legislative changes. Chris serves as the Head of Content at EatWatchBet, and is responsible for tracking latest news and updates from every U.S. sportsbook.