Michigan Betting Sites

Want to find out more about legal online betting in Michigan? Consider this page as your go-to resource for up-to-date details about Michigan betting laws. Better still, it also highlights the best Michigan sports betting sites, so you can find your perfect place to wager. Whether you’re an old hand at sports betting or placing a bet for the first time, Betting Odds has got you covered with what you need to know to start placing bets in the Great Lakes State.

Is Online Betting Legal in Michigan?

Absolutely! Governor Gretchen Whitmer legalized sports betting in Michigan through the signing of HB 4916 on December 20, 2019. The Lawful Sports Betting Act allowed each of the commercial and tribal casinos in Michigan, including the MGM Grand Detroit and the MotorCity and Greektown Casino Hotels, to open retail sportsbooks on their premises and launch a single online/mobile sportsbook. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) was assigned to oversee sports betting in the state. 

The arrival of legal online sports betting in Michigan came on January 22, 2021, when ten sportsbooks, including industry giants like DraftKings and Golden Nugget, went live. Today, there are around 15 different books operating in the state, giving bettors a wealth of options to choose from. To participate, Michigan bettors must be aged 21 or over and physically located within Michigan’s borders. Betting on college sports is allowed, including events involving in-state teams like the Wolverines and the State Spartans. However, prop bets on college players are prohibited. 

The changes to Michigan gambling laws don’t end with sports wagering. Alongside the sports betting legislation, Gov. Whitmer also signed HB 4311, The Lawful Internet Gaming Act, ushering in a new era for online gaming in the state. All 26 of the brick-and-mortar gaming venues across Michigan received the green light to offer online gaming options, with each casino permitted to operate a single online casino brand or skin and a single online poker site. As with sports betting, online casinos in Michigan are available to players aged over 21 and physically present within state lines. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Michigan

Michigan offers a wide range of sports to bet on. From the NFL and NBA to international sporting action, there’s no end to the excitement in store. Below, we take a closer look at some of the most popular sports to bet on in Michigan.

NFL

In Michigan, the NFL takes center stage, and betting on games featuring the Detroit Lions is a popular activity. Having joined the league in 1930, the Lions are one of the oldest NFL teams, playing their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit. Whether you back the Lions or take a chance on other NFL teams, a wide range of wagering options, including point spreads, over/under, and prop bets, adds to the excitement of NFL betting in Michigan. 

NBA

For basketball fans, NBA betting in Michigan centers around the Detroit Pistons’ games, hosted at Little Caesars Arena. Placing bets on the Pistons and other NBA teams certainly helps to heighten the thrill of the action on the court. From moneyline bets to player performance wagers, there are loads of basketball betting options to choose from, making game night an unmissable experience for Michiganders. 

MLB

In the Great Lakes State, baseball enthusiasts support the Detroit Tigers, a Major League Baseball team with a rich history dating back to 1894. For their home games, the Lions take to the field at Comerica Park, providing an exciting venue for fans to get their fix of baseball action. The option to bet on the game makes things more exciting still, with moneyline bets, run totals, and player props just some of the different online wagers on offer. 

NHL

Hockey holds special appeal for Michigan sports fans, with the Detroit Red Wings serving as both the local team and the pride of the state. As one of the ‘Original Six’ NHL teams, founded in 1926, they boast a remarkable legacy. The 11-times Stanley Cup winners compete at Little Caesars Arena, with bettors able to enjoy a wide array of NHL betting markets, including the ever-popular puck line bets and goals totals bets. 

Horse Racing

While some of the horse racing tracks in Michigan have unfortunately closed in recent years, betting on horses is still alive and well in the state, thanks to Northville Downs. Additionally, horse racing fans can take advantage of online betting options from popular operators like TwinSpires, NYRA Bets, and FanDuel Racing. Whether you prefer trackside or online betting, horse racing in Michigan serves up plenty of exciting options.

Betting Markets Available in Michigan

Michigan offers an exciting line up of betting markets, catering to the tastes of a wide range of bettors. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or new to the scene, there are options to suit. Below, you can find out more about some of the most popular ways to bet in Michigan. 

Moneyline

The moneyline bet is straightforward, involving wagering on the team or individual you believe will win the event outright. Moneyline betting odds are presented as positive or negative numbers, with positive indicating the potential profit on a $100 bet and negative indicating the amount needed to wager for a $100 profit. For instance, if the moneyline for a team is +200, a $100 bet would yield a $200 profit if the bet wins. 

Parlay

Parlay bets offer the chance to combine multiple bets into a single wager. Bettors must usually select two or more games or events and bet on their outcomes simultaneously. Some sportsbooks also offer same-game parlays, which allow you to make your selections from the same event. In parlay betting, the potential payout increases with each added selection, but all selections must win for the best to be successful. 

Over/Under

The over/under wager, also known as the totals bet, typically focuses on the combined score or total points scored in a game. Sportsbooks set a predetermined total, and bettors can wager on whether the final score will be over or under that number. For instance, if the over/under points total for a basketball game is set at 245.5, bettors can bet on whether the amount of points scored between both teams will be over or under that figure. 

Against the Spread (ATS)

ATS bets level the playing field by adding or subtracting points from the favored team’s final score. This creates a point spread that bettors can wager on, making the bet more competitive. For example, if the point spread is -6.5 for the favorite, they must win by at least 6.5 points for the bet to be successful. On the other hand, if the point spread is +6.5 for the underdog, they must win outright or lose by 6.5 points or fewer for the bet to win.

Betting Apps Available in Michigan

In Michigan, bettors have a fantastic selection of mobile sports betting apps at their fingertips, offering a unique and convenient way to wager on sports. These mobile apps grant access to an incredible range of betting options on various sports, enabling users to place bets on the go while staying updated with real-time game scores and betting odds. Some apps even go the extra mile, offering live streaming, in-play betting, and push notifications for exclusive bonuses, all while ensuring watertight security. Powered by leading sportsbook operators, and available for both Android and iOS, Arizona’s mobile sportsbook apps can be downloaded and enjoyed with complete confidence. You can find out more about three of the best Michigan betting apps below.

DraftKings

DraftKings has joined forces with Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley to offer an exciting sports betting experience in Michigan, comprising a retail sportsbook, a user-friendly online platform, and a slick mobile app. The DraftKings sportsbook app is extremely popular, welcoming new bettors with $150 worth of bonus bets in return for betting just $5, while also offering an extensive selection of sports to bet on. Users can also look forward to regular profit boosts, thrilling competitions, and engaging social interactions. Referring a friend to DraftKings adds to the excitement, with $50 in bonus bets and $50 in casino credits each up for grabs. With thousands of betting options and quick, hassle-free withdrawals, DraftKings ensures a top-class mobile betting experience for Michigan residents. 

Play Gun Lake

Parx Interactive partners with Gun Lake Casino in Wayland to offer an exclusive online sports betting and casino gaming option in Michigan. New sports bettors can kick off their experience with a generous welcome bonus, offering $125 in bonus bets for a successful $10 initial wager. The platform offers an extensive selection of sports, covering major leagues, niche sports, and international events. Engaging features such as same-game parlays, spread bets, and live betting keep users entertained throughout. Deposits are quick and hassle-free, with options like Visa, Mastercard, and Play+ available. And when it’s time to cash out, bettors can expect straightforward and speedy withdrawals.

Golden Nugget

Golden Nugget has teamed up with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Ojibwa Casino to bring online sports betting to Michigan. Its well-designed mobile app offers sports fans an unmissable betting experience, featuring the exclusive ‘Golden Lines’ — daily updated odds boosts on specific bets — and a parlay boost promotion to maximize winnings. As a special welcome treat, new users are greeted with a matched bonus bet worth up to $250. Plus, Golden Nugget makes it easy to get involved with a wide range of banking options to suit all bettors. These include Visa, Mastercard, Online Banking, and VIP Preferred, and you can even sign up for a Play+ account to enjoy a free $10 credit, making it even more enticing to take the Golden Nugget sportsbook app for a spin.

Payment Methods Available at Michigan Betting Sites

Michigan online sportsbooks offer a wide range of trustworthy payment methods, allowing bettors to fund their accounts in confidence. Here are some of the options you’ll find on the cashier page:

Bank Cards

Debit and credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted at Michigan online sportsbooks, providing quick and easy deposits without the need for additional accounts. Despite the widespread acceptance of bank cards at Michigan sports betting sites, not every bank will authorize gambling transactions. For this reason, it’s worth having an alternative payment option to turn to. 

e-Wallets

Popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller offer enhanced security for bettors. Using an e-wallet, you can deposit and withdraw funds at online sports betting sites with ease, using only your email address to confirm transactions. While e-wallets don’t always qualify for sportsbook bonuses and promotions, they provide faster processing times than many other banking options, allowing quick access to your winnings. 

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards like Play+ and Paysafecard offer convenience and flexibility to bettors. Play+ is reloadable, accepting funds from various sources, suitable for both deposits and withdrawals, and sometimes available as a sportsbook-branded card. On the other hand, Paysafecard is ideal for bankroll management, using fixed denomination vouchers to help bettors avoid spending over their budget. 

Wire Transfer

A more traditional banking option, wire transfers suit larger transactions and are often preferred by high rollers. Although they may involve longer processing times and higher minimum and maximum amounts, wire transfers offer a secure and reliable method for transferring significant sums, making them suitable for sports bettors who want to place bigger than average bets on the action.

Michigan Betting Timeline

Michigan’s journey towards legal online betting has been marked by several key milestones over the years. Here’s an overview of how online betting has developed in the state:

2018 – The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), authorizing individual states to decide whether to legalize sports betting.

2019 – In December, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the state’s new sports betting legislation. The Lawful Sports Betting Act allows Michigan’s commercial and tribal casinos to operate retail and online/mobile sportsbooks. Separate legislation introduced at the same time legalized online casinos in Michigan.

2020 – In March, the three commercial casinos in Detroit opened retail sportsbooks, though each one closed again almost immediately due to the onset of the Covid pandemic. In December, the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued provisional licenses to online sports betting and casino operators.

2021 – Michigan officially launched legal online sports betting in January. Several online sportsbooks, including DraftKings and Golden Nugget, go live in the state. 

Compare Michigan Betting Sites and Sign Up

If you’re excited to start betting on sports in Michigan, you can begin by comparing the state’s top online sportsbooks. When you’ve found your favorite, simply click through to the site to sign up for your new online betting account and place your bets. 

Frequently Asked Questions