Michigan

Sports Betting

According to the Michigan Gambling Legislation, there is a total of 29 authorized sports betting alternatives. On the territory of the Great Lakes State, you can legally bet on football, baseball, basketball, billiards, snooker, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, and drone racing. Then, there is golf, hockey (ice), MMA, motorsports, NCAA, Olympics, rugby, soccer, and tennis wagering options. The MGCB authorizes onsite and online sports betting, but it’s not responsible for the same activities in tribal casinos. In Michigan, you can also participate in daily fantasy sports contests. You have to be 18 years old if you want to play virtual Football (NFL), Basketball (NBA), Baseball (MLB), or Hockey (NHL). The casino operators in Michigan are also offering some exclusive promotions for sports fans. Take advantage now, and you can access up to a $100 welcome bonus offer, plus free live streaming to events!

Licensing, Fees and Taxes

If you want to open an online casino venue in Michigan, you will have to apply and pay the $50 000 application fee. The MGCB will review your application for a license, approve it, collect fees, draft rules for the online gambling market, and ensure that you adhere to the state’s standards. If the MGCB authorizes you, there is a $100 000 licensing fee and a $50 000 annual renewal fee. After you open your online casino, you will have to pay an 8.4% tax rate on sports betting revenue. For online gaming operators, the taxes vary between 20% and 28%. Land-based casinos in Detroit have to cover an additional 1.25% city tax. You can choose from online casino games, online poker, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.

History of Gambling in Michigan

The origins of gambling in Michigan begin about 100 years ago, namely in 1933 when the Racing Act authorized the pari-mutuel horse races. At that time, the Office of Racing Commissioner was created. Later, in 1972, Michigan approved the state lottery – the revenue went to support Michigan’s public schools. There was also the launch of lottery tickets. The first winner in the state was Hermus Millsaps, who got a whole $1 million reward! In the same year, Act 382 allowed nonprofit associations to raise funds by organizing charitable games like bingo, raffles, and millionaire parties.
The 80s also marked an important period in Michigan’s gambling history. In 1984, the state starts to regulate Indian gaming, and later, the first tribally owned casino, Kings Club, opened doors to visitors. Almost 10 years later, in 1993, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe was the first one to sign a contract with the state – it agrees to pay a 20% tax on revenues from the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant.
A curious fact is that Mega Millions, the US lottery game, entered Michigan in mid-1996, after being authorized in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Virginia. In the same year, the Michigan Gambling Legislation also allowed the construction of three land-based casinos in Detroit, thanks to the approval of Proposal E. MGM Grand Detroit, one of the most famous land-based casinos launched in 1999, followed by the MotorCity Casino-Hotel.

Michigan Legal Gambling Summary

If you are a Michigan resident, then you have plenty of legal gambling alternatives. There are many land-based casinos in Detroit, where you can have fun with slot machines, table games, sportsbook, and live dealer games. And if you prefer online gambling to traditional brick-and-mortar casino venues, then you are lucky! In the state, online gambling is allowed for everyone the age of 21 and over. An exception to this rule is daily fantasy sports, which even accept players over 18 years old. There is a big number of online gambling platforms, where you will find immersive titles from industry-leading game providers, attractive bonuses, tournaments, VIP programs, a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, as well as excellent customer support. Now is the time to explore the many gambling opportunities authorized by the Michigan Gambling Legislation.