Best Michigan Online Casinos – Top Michigan Online Gambling Sites
Entering the online casino industry in January 2021, Michigan is now home to 14 legal online casinos that players can access anywhere in the state, providing access to excellent casino titles, including slots, table games, and live dealer titles.
Online gambling can be a great way to experience the thrill of playing at a casino in a much more accessible package. Additionally, online slots generally have much higher RTP’s than their land-based counterparts.
This page will cover the timeline behind online gambling in Michigan, how it became legal, and how you can get started! We will also list our picks of some of the best Michigan online casinos with great titles and solid welcome offers.
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1
4.8 /5
100% Up to $1,000 & $25 FREEPLAY®
Weekly updated promos
1,000+ slot games available
$25 bonus FREEPLAY with 1x WR
Earn $50 by inviting a friend to join
Some users report slow withdrawal processing times
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of Michigan. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 10x on slot games.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of Michigan. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 1x on all games.
Full T&Cs Apply. To be eligible, players must be at least 21 years old, playing within the state of Michigan. Players must make a single deposit of $10. The bonus money has a 5x wagering requirement for slots and 25x on table games and video poker.
Are Online Casinos Legal In Michigan?
Michigan is now home to 14 online casinos that have been fully licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), making available everything from table games, slots, video poker, and fully-fledged sports betting bookmakers.
Playing at licensed casinos ensures players are protected against shady offshore casinos and software providers, which may not properly care for your personal and financial information. Playing at legal Michigan casinos also gives you the peace of mind that all of the games you are playing are fair.
Players who are over the age of 21 will enjoy access to online casino games from their mobile devices and computers from anywhere in the state.
The legalization came thanks to a package of bills signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019, which allowed both the tribal and commercial casinos to apply for gaming licenses.
Richard Kalm, a former executive director of the MGCB, suggested the legalization of online gambling will allow local communities in the state to benefit from the taxes casinos and individuals who play there will bring to the budget.
This was swiftly taken advantage of, and in June 2020, the FireKeepers Casino launched the first online sportsbook, offering online sports betting through a partnership with Scientific Games.
Later, in January 2021, the first online casinos began emerging in the state, with record-breaking revenue numbers thanks to the high gaming demand generated by the success of previous states.
It is worth noting that the state dictates that gambling and lottery winnings are taxable and are included in adjusted gross income. Unfortunately, losses are not able to be netted against winnings, as there is no provision for it. However, players can exclude the first $300 won from their total household resources.
Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) – Mission, Goals, and Objectives
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is the governing body for issuing licenses to the internet gaming providers in the state, such as land-based casinos, online casinos, horse racing operators, and fantasy contests.
The MGCB is responsible for ensuring that all gaming providers, regardless of scale, are fully compliant with all policies that come with the license. They are also responsible for ensuring that each operator pays their licensing fees, which go towards the state budget, and is a significant reason behind the recent legalization of online casino gaming. The MGCB offers a variety of responsible gambling tools, including the Don’t Regret the Bet website and self-exclusion programs for commercial casinos and online gambling platforms.
The MGCB is currently led by the deputy director of casino operations, Henry Williams, who took over on May 17, 2021. Williams spent the first part of his career in social services and is now in charge of bringing fairness and dignity to the online gambling industry in Michigan.
How Are Online Casinos Brought to Market?
Each of the 12 tribal casinos around Michigan, as well as the three commercial casinos in Detroit, can apply for an internet gaming operator license.
The application process clearly states all the rules these online operators must follow, ensuring player protection through both encrypted data and fair, third-party auditing of gaming systems.
There are currently 14 licensed casinos in the state of Michigan. Each of these casinos has paid an application fee of $50,000, a license fee of $100,000, and continues to pay an annual license renewal fee of $50,000.
There are also supplier’s licenses that iGaming software providers must pay, which comes out to $5,000 per year.
Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act
In 1996, Michigan voters approved Proposal E (The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act). A year later, this act was expanded and turned into law, known as the Public Act 69. With its help, non-Native American casino gaming became legal in the territory of the Great Lake State. The act was passed with a majority of 51.51% of the voters.
Once Proposal E was approved, the new law allowed up to three land-based casinos in the City of Detroit. A year later, in November, the mayor selected three casino developers: MGM Grand, Atwater/Circus Circus, and Greektown/Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. But that’s not the only thing that makes this act important. With its help, the Michigan Gaming Control Board was established as the sole state body that takes care of gambling activities (both online and offline) in the State of Michigan. This body is part of the Department of Treasury.
Furthermore, it was decided to impose an 18% State tax on gross gaming revenues. This is within the country’s standards, which usually start with 10% and end with 20%. For instance, this tax is set at 15% in New Jersey. Furthermore, 45% of this State tax revenue is allocated to the School Aid Fund. That’s an excellent boost for the education budget under threat due to the financial crisis in the late 2000s. According to this act, the remaining 55% of the State tax revenue was allocated to the City of Detroit. In this case, the money is used for the hiring and training of police officers, public safety programs, neighborhood programs that support the creation of local jobs, youth development and/or anti-gang programs, and more.
The State of Michigan collected $2.5 billion in taxes in 2021 alone thanks to this law
Michigan Online Gambling: Historical Timeline
July 1984: Kings Club Opens Its Doors
The first fully-fledged casino opens its doors as Kings Club Casino, owned and operated by the Bay Mills Indian Band, becomes the first regulated casino in Michigan. This would be followed by a slew of other tribal casino openings for a total of 12 within the state today.
July 1999: Commercial Casinos Join In On The Fun
Some 15 years after the launch and success of the tribally owned Kings Club Casino, the MGM Grand Detroit opens its doors to bettors in the center of Detroit. Grand Detroit would later become one of three commercially owned casinos in the state, joined by MotorCity Casino and Greektown Casino and Hotel.
November 2014: It's the Closest Thing to Online Gambling Yet!
In 2014, Michigan state launched its iLottery platform, allowing players across the state to purchase instant keno and scratch-off tickets similar to the physical scratchers found in stores. As with everything, this was an attempt to drive funds into the state budget.
December 2018: Rick Snyder Steals Christmas
In December 2018, the Michigan legislature passed a bill set to legalize gambling within the state, only for it to be vetoed last minute by then-governor Rick Snyder, who was about to leave office.
December 2019: Michigan Legislature Successfully Sets The Stage
Another attempt to pass the bill to provide licensing infrastructure and the path to legalized online gambling in Michigan moves successfully. It was signed off by Gov Gretchen Whitmer, almost exactly a year after Rick Snyder vetoed the last attempt.
Jan 2021: Huge Numbers to Rival Retail
The first online casinos welcomed players in huge numbers, possibly thanks to the drawn-out process of legislation. These numbers translated well into revenue, as approximately $3.7 billion in online wagers were placed in the first year, rivaling the $3.97 billion taken in at retail locations!
How Can I Start Gambling at Legal Online Casino Without Stressing About It?
There are 14 Michigan online casino options to experience, which might look overwhelming at first. But don’t worry! Once you get into Michigan online gambling, you may find that it is often more rewarding and accessible than traditional land-based casinos.
Firstly, let’s check out some of the benefits:
You can play from anywhere in the state.
There are hundreds of online casino games available across Michigan’s various online casinos.
You can find exclusive slots.
You can easily track your statistics.
You will find tons of welcome offers.
Top Michigan online casinos are highly accessible, no matter where you live in Michigan. Follow these easy steps to get started:
Find a welcome offer that suits you.
Sign up for the casino you chose using your personal info and SSN.
Double-check the terms of the promotion and complete your bonus.
Continue to enjoy the benefits that come from playing online!
Legal online casinos that have been licensed by the MGCB have player protection and financial security measures at their core. These are some points to remember that may make you feel more comfortable:
The MGCB has stringent requirements and policies that online casinos must follow to ensure your safety.
Casinos Michigan online use advanced software to check for any unusual activity.
Deposit protection schemes are standard within the legal Michigan online casino industry, so your money is always protected.
Speaking of safety, there are things you should always consider when playing online to ensure you remain in control; try keeping the following in regard:
Stick to your limits. You can set deposit limits in the banking interface of your legal online casino.
Don’t give out personal information in the live chat, such as when playing live dealer games.
Recognize if you are developing a problem with gambling, and if so, seek help immediately from family, friends, or one of the support groups available in Michigan.
The MGCB licensing procedure ensures Michigan online casinos operate fairly and with the player in mind. Although offshore casinos do exist, here are some compelling reasons why they should be avoided entirely:
Offshore online casinos do not offer deposit protection.
Unlicensed online casinos are unlawful and therefore are not required to protect your information.
Online casino games are never audited and could be rigged in the casino’s favor.
Top MGCB-Approved Online Casino Operators
Below are the mini-reviews of four great online casinos in Michigan that are all licensed by the MGCB, which ensures your financial and personal information is protected.
Each of these top online casinos provides players with valuable welcome bonuses that intend to give players the ability to experience the casino with the less initial budget.
Additionally, we picked these best online casinos as they present an excellent collection of titles from software providers that have had global success with their games, including iGaming titans like NetEnt and IGT.
BetMGM
4.8/5
100% Up to $1,000 & $25 FREEPLAY®
Michigan’s best online casino list is only made better by the presence of BetMGM. With partnerships with iGaming giants like Everi Games, WMS, IGT, NetEnt, and Konami, you are sure to find something you want to play at BetMGM Michigan.
If that has you itching to play, new players will be happy to know they can grab themselves a 100% deposit bonus match of up to $1,000 that comes with wagering requirements of 15x.
In addition to the deposit match, all players are eligible for a $25 FREEPLAY no deposit bonus, which comes with wagering requirements of just 1x, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the legal online casino.
Every dollar you bet, including bonus cash from your welcome offer, will go towards your BetMGM rewards tier and credits, which players can use to unlock everything from free bets to discounted rooms at over 20 MGM resorts across the country.
Golden Nugget
4/5
100% Deposit Match Up to $1,000 + 200 Free Spins
If you are looking for the best Michigan online casino that has over 400 games, including 364 slot games, 40 table games, and five slot exclusives, then Golden Nugget online casino Michigan might just grab your attention.
Players wanting to experience this mammoth collection can do so with the addition of a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $1,000 that comes with effective wagering requirements of 20x. To add even more excitement to this offer, Golden Nugget is also offering players eligible for the promotion 200 Free Spins on the 88 Fortunes Megaways slot, the winnings of which come with wagering requirements of just 1x.
Note: To be eligible for the deposit match and Free Spins, players must deposit a minimum of $30. Players are also enrolled in the Golden Nugget Ultimate Rewards program, in which they can exchange reward points gained from playing slots and depositing money back into real, withdrawable cash.
There is also a tiered rewards club with everything from birthday offers, exclusive promotions, and invite-only events!
BetRivers
4.6/5
24h of Casino Losses Back Up to $500
Betrivers casino Michigan is home to titles from excellent providers such as Scientific Games, AGS, Big Time Games, Konami, NetEnt, IGT, and more, giving the player the opportunity to experience a whopping 378 slot titles, 12 live dealer table games, and 42 regular table games.
BetRivers also comes with a solid welcome bonus. Players can get a deposit match bonus of up to $250, but with wagering requirements of just 1x, meaning you can withdraw any winnings after just a single playthrough of your cash! Players at BetRivers are also iRush Rewards members, allowing them to use bonus points accrued by spending money on slots and table games in a bonus store with bonus prize wheel spins and other money-based prizes.
The iRush Rewards program also includes a tiered rewards system with tons of perks such as luxury gifts, exclusive events, and other VIP rewards.
Payment Options Available in Michigan Online Casinos
There are numerous payment options available for players in Michigan. Although each casino has different deposit and withdrawal measures, we have provided a general rundown of what you might expect to find.
VIP Preferred ACH is an e-check that tracks your transactions, allowing you to monitor your deposits and withdrawals across multiple legal online casino options if you so choose. This banking method is generally quite fast, allowing players to deposit instantly and withdraw in around two business days.
$20 minimum deposit.
$50,000 maximum deposit.
$20 minimum withdrawal.
$250,000 maximum withdrawal.
Online banking is a fast, secure deposit method. The exact procedure you will follow to deposit money via online banking will vary from bank to bank, but you should be able to transfer funds from your mobile banking app. Online banking deposits are usually instant, and withdrawals generally take 3-4 days.
$25,000 maximum deposit.
$100,000 maximum withdrawal.
Credit / Debit Cards deposits and withdrawals are available directly through your casino. They offer instant deposits, but credit cards may charge an additional fee of 3%. Withdrawals should be similar to online banking.
$20 minimum deposit.
$25,000 maximum deposit.
PayPal is a common deposit and withdrawal method that is an industry standard for electronic transactions. Players can use a PayPal balance or connect a visa/debit card and use the funds from that account. Deposits are usually instant, whereas withdrawals often take up to two days.
$20 minimum deposit.
$1,500 maximum deposit daily.
$10 minimum withdrawal.
$60,000 maximum withdrawal.
Proprietary cards such as the BetRivers Play+ or MGM Rewards MasterCard allow players to get a debit card that offers fast transactions for casino banking and can often be used at ATMs.
Varying limits.
Instant deposits and withdrawals are common.
Check withdrawal is ideal for those who don’t have the ability to withdraw through electronic methods. That said, it is generally relatively slow with a high minimum withdrawal. It can also take up to three weeks to receive a check in the mail.
$300 minimum withdrawal.
$10,000 maximum withdrawal.
What Online Casino Games Accessible in Top Michigan Online Casinos?
Michigan online casinos are host to some of the top slot developers available in the country. Players will find hit titles such as Starburst and Blood Suckers by NetEnt, Wheel of Fortune on Tour and Cleopatra by IGT, and 88 Fortunes by Scientific Games.
Among the available titles, players will find a range of table games and exciting variants. For example, roulette lovers will find French, European, and American offerings, while those who favor blackjack will find blackjack, Spanish 21, blackjack pro, and more!
Let’s take a look at some of the available titles in more depth.
Rainbow Riches by Scientific Games is a 5×3 video slot with an Irish Luck theme that has players hitting feature after feature!
The first feature is Road to Riches, which is triggered by finding three or more Leprechaun symbols. Players will spin a wheel that determines how many steps they can take along a path and continue spinning it until they land on ‘collect’ or reach the end of the path. After this feature is over, they take the amount displayed, multiplied by their total stake.
The game also features a ‘Pick Me’ feature for hitting three Wishing Well symbols, as well as another feature that has a multiplier of up to 500x the total stake!
Dragon’s Law Twin Fever by Konami is a 5×3 video slot with an Oriental theme that is also stuffed with features!
The game gives players the opportunity to win up to 20 Free Spins per spin and trigger the Dragon’s Law feature that sees two dragons smother the reels with super-valuable Wild symbols that helps players see some huge wins!
Cash Machine by Everi Games is a simple yet rewarding title in which players spin a 3×1 machine and win exactly what numbers show up, multiplied further by their bet level. For example, if a player sees 1 – 0 – 0, they win $100!
Furthermore, respins can be randomly triggered from both winning and losing spins, giving the player even more chances to win!
Best Brick and Mortar Casinos in Michigan – Based on Real Players’ Reviews
The first casino in Michigan opened its doors to players in 1984. The Kings Club Casino, owned and operated by the Bay Mills Indian Community, paved the way for many brick-and-mortar MI casinos, the vast majority of which were also operated by tribal communities.
Players now have the opportunity to play at 26 land-based casinos, including three excellent commercial Michigan casino offerings in Detroit.
Legalizing Michigan casinos online has naturally had a ripple effect on land-based casinos, as their online counterparts have the significant advantage of being played anywhere within the state. Furthermore, they cost much less to run, meaning players usually benefit from higher RTPs on games such as slots and common valuable welcome offers.
That said, land-based casino Michigan options still have an appeal to those who want to gamble in a resort-style environment. They will continue to have unique aspects over online gambling, although, given the apparent advantages that online casinos have, we could expect growth to slow down significantly.
Below we have listed a few of our top land-based casino picks for those who want to scratch the itch of playing in a classic casino environment in real life!
MGM Grand Detroit
Sporting a whopping 2,800 slots and over 160 table games, MGM Grand Detroit is an incredibly popular casino boasting 4.2 stars across 17,000 Google reviews.
Greektown Casino
This Detroit-based Casino & Hotel has over 13,000 reviews with an average of 4 stars. Players seem to like the authentic Greek food, wonderful staff, and excellent choice of games.
MotorCity Casino Hotel
MotorCity Casino Hotel has a huge collection of 2,500 slots, with denominations from a single cent to 100 dollars, including progressive linked jackpot slots! No wonder they have garnered an impressive 19,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 stars!
Four Winds Casino New Buffalo
Clocking a cool 4.3 stars across over 8,000 reviews, The Four Winds Casino has over 2,200 slots for players to enjoy, including progressive jackpots with massive starting prizes of $100,000! Players will also find 48 table games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker.
Get Help for Problem Gambling
Gambling should remain a fun way to pass your time and should never be considered as a method of earning money or solving problems.
There are many organizations available to those who feel they have a problem, each with information on how to get help or a referral to a specialist. These organizations also offer support to those who believe a family member or friend may be at risk of problem gambling.
Anyone who feels as though they are at risk of problem gambling should consider consulting the organizations below for information on getting help.
Michigan Association of Problem Gambling
The MAPG is a non-profit organization created to assist those who have or are developing gambling problems. The MAPG is neutral to gambling in the state and serves only to help, not judge.
The NCPG is a vast national support network for gambling and gambling-related issues across the US. They offer programs, help, and treatment for problem gambling. They also deliver certifications for those who want to provide support in this space.
The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services offers all kinds of support to Americans in Michigan, including advice on problem gambling. They are a potential resource to find referrals to specialists in Michigan.
FAQ
Is online gambling legal in Michigan?
Yes! Online sports betting and gambling became legal in December of 2019, but the first online casino to launch in the state was in January 2021, with the state seeing record-breaking numbers in terms of revenue for the first month of operation. Since the legalization of online casinos, various land-based tribal casinos in the area have partnered with casino software providers to bring exciting experiences to players.
How many licensed MI online casinos operate in the State?
Since the state legalized online gambling, a total of 14 online casinos have entered the market, each with its own mix of exciting slots and table games from providers all around the world. It’s important to note that these casinos are licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and are regularly audited by third parties for fairness.
What is the legal age for gambling in Michigan?
The legal gambling age in Michigan for online casinos is 21 years old. The legal gambling age for the three Detroit casinos is also 21. However, tribal casinos in Michigan set their individual in-person age limits. For instance, you must be 18 and up to gable at Bay Mills Casino, 19 and up to play at Odawa Casino in Petoskey, and 21 and up to gamble at any of the Four Winds Casinos. Please note that online casinos will verify your age through your SSN, and land-based establishments will require proof of age via a government-approved photographic ID.
Do MI online casinos have welcome offers?
Many of the current online casino offerings in the state offer players a welcome bonus of some sort. The most common welcome bonus tends to include a 100% deposit match, with some offering a free cash MI no-deposit bonus, among other promotions. You are not limited by the number of casinos you can sign-up to and experience.