Michigan Sports Betting

When will Michigan Online Sports Betting Launch?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), which oversees the online market, estimates that internet sportsbooks will launch in late fall 2020. Its estimation represents the best possible scenario.

The MGCB must finish the regulatory framework for the online sports betting market. Then, betting sites will need time to prepare before launching.

Some brands will go live before others. Considering everything, we can’t give an exact prediction on when each internet bookmaker will open.

The following estimations represent our best guesses on launch points:

• BetMGM Sportsbook (partner: MGM Grand Detroit) - Nov/Dec 2020
• DraftKings Sportsbook (partner: Bay Mills Indian Community) - Nov/Dec 2020
• FanDuel Sportsbook (partner: MotorCity Casino) - Nov/Dec 2020
• PointsBet Sportsbook (partner: Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians) - Jan 2021
• Barstool Sportsbook (partner: Greektown Casino) - Jan/Feb 2021
• BetRivers Sportsbook (partner: Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians) - Jun/Jul 2021
• FOX Bet (partner: Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians) - Jul/Aug 2021
• BetAmerica Sportsbook (partner: Greektown Casino) - Aug/Sept 2021
• Golden Nugget (partner: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) - Late 2021
• Parx Casino (partner: Gun Lake Tribe) - Late 2021
• William Hill Sportsbook (partner: Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ) - Late 2021

Important Michigan Online Sportsbooks to Watch

Michigan is a large state with nearly 10 million residents. Therefore, it should feature plenty of betting sites.

Of course, some internet sportsbooks are more anticipated than others due to their brand name recognition. You’ll find detailed information on prominent future MI bookmakers below.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings made its name through daily fantasy sports (DFS). However, lately, it has become much better known for its bookmaking operation.

Partnered with Bay Mills Indian Community, DraftKings is the market leader in many other states. Its dominance will likely come to pass in the Wolverine State, too.

DraftKings is extremely popular due to its bonuses, competitive odds, and wide market coverage. This sportsbook is at the top of the class in terms of market variety.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel also became famous through DFS. Coincidentally, it followed DraftKings by becoming one of America’s premier online sportsbooks.

Aligned with MotorCity Casino, FanDuel boasts helpful website features, lucrative bonuses, and many markets. It should provide the same advantages to Michigan online gamblers soon, too.

BetMGM Sportsbook

Owned by the famed MGM Resorts International, BetMGM boasts plenty of name recognition. However, this bookmaker’s recognition doesn’t just come from its owner.

MGM is performing well in other markets due to its user-friendly website, frequent promotions, and competitive odds. BetMGM will undoubtedly give DraftKings and FanDuel a run for their money in Michigan.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers has slowly filtered into multiple states. Partnered with the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians, it’ll soon go online in Michigan as well.

This bookmaker provides an easy-to-use interface. It also features an iRush Rewards program, which generously comps gamblers on their betting action.

FOX Bet Sportsbook

FOX Bet makes its way into Michigan via a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. It also maintains a unique working relationship with Flutter Entertainment (formerly The Stars Group).

This betting site draws customers due to its name recognition alone. It retains these same bettors through competitive odds and a wealth of promotions.

Legality Behind Michigan Online Sports Betting

The Wolverine State has featured commercial and tribal gaming for decades. However, it didn’t get serious about sports betting until the Supreme Court struck down PASPA—a former federal ban on betting.

Rep. Brandt Iden introduced the Lawful Sports Betting Act in 2018. This bill easily passed the State House and Senate.

It landed on former Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk towards the end of 2018. Snyder surprisingly vetoed the legislation on his way out of office.

Iden reintroduced HB 4916 in 2019 with renewed hope. New Gov. Gretech Whitmer wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of internet sports betting or any other type of online gambling.

She worried that internet gambling could affect online lottery sales. The Michigan Lottery contributes almost $1 billion to the state’s public school fund each year.

Whitmer eventually got on board with online betting and gaming after seeing the proposed tax revenue. She signed both the Lawful Sports Betting Act and Lawful Internet Gaming Act (HB 4311) on Dec. 20, 2019.

Tax Rates on Operators

Each Michigan land-based and online sportsbook must pay an 8.4% tax rate. Detroit-based bookmakers need to cover an additional 1.25% city tax.

Operators can deduct free play (e.g., losses on no-deposit bonuses) from their taxes. This rule applies to a bookmaker’s first five years in Michigan.

Official League Data Mandate

Professional sports leagues have pushed for bookmakers to purchase official league data in every state with sports gambling. Michigan is one of the few states to agree with the leagues’ requests.

Therefore, each MI land-based and online sportsbook must pay major pro leagues to use their data when settling wagers.

However, the leagues must be reasonable with negotiating for data fees. Otherwise, the MGCB can give sportsbooks authorization to use alternative (non-official) data sources.

Using Michigan Sports Betting Apps

Smartphones are the most popular devices for placing bets. Every Michigan betting site will ensure that it’s compatible with major mobile operating systems (e.g., Android & iOS).

Not every bookmaker will provide apps for Android and iOS, though. Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) feature separate rules on sports gambling.

The download process (if any) varies based on which device you’re using. The following information explains what to expect from Michigan mobile betting.

Instant Betting vs. Apps

Google Play doesn’t allow gambling apps in its US-based store. Therefore, most online sportsbooks provide Android apps through their websites.

Apple is sure to allow Michigan betting apps in its App Store. However, it demands that all apps be coded in Apple’s native programming language.

Not all MI internet sportsbooks will comply with this demand. As a result, some won’t feature an iOS app.

In such cases, they’ll provide “instant betting” to iPhone/iPad customers. Instant betting refers to wagering that takes place directly through a mobile browser.

Downloading Android and iOS Apps

To download a Michigan Android betting app, you’ll need to:

1. Visit the relevant online sportsbook.
2. Look for the Android icon.
3. Select the Android button.
4. Follow the download instructions and get the app.

You’ll obtain a Michigan iOS betting app as follows:

1. Visit the App Store.
2. Search for the relevant online sportsbook.
3. Download the app from the App Store.

Register for an Account

After downloading an app, you’ll need to complete registration. This process begins with choosing the “Sign Up” or “Register” button on the homepage.

This action takes you to a separate page with a registration form. You must fill out all required fields and submit the form for approval.

Internet sportsbooks commonly ask for the following information:

• Username
• Password
• First name
• Mailing address
• Email
• Phone number
• Social Security number
• Bonus code (optional)

How to Deposit at Michigan Betting Sites

You can’t place online bets until you have funds available. Luckily, Michigan online sportsbooks should make depositing easy by offering several funding options.

Likely banking methods that’ll be available in the Wolverine State include:

• Visa & Mastercard: These credit/debit card brands provide instant funding to your betting account.
• PayPal & Skrill: These popular e-wallets let you send money from a linked bank account to the sportsbook.
• E-check (ACH): An e-check transfers money from your bank account to a betting site.
• 7-Eleven: You can purchase a payment voucher at 7-Eleven and use the voucher to place an online deposit.
• Play+ card: Many MI online sportsbooks will offer branded Play+ prepaid cards.
• Cage deposit: You’ll even be able to visit land-based sportsbooks and deposit in person.

After selecting an option, you must ensure that there are enough funds available. From here, you input the amount you’d like to deposit at the betting site and confirm.

In some cases, you need to use the same method for withdrawals, too. If you deposit with PayPal, for example, you must also cash out with PayPal.

Available Bets at MI Betting Sites

The Michigan online sports betting market will most likely be filled with different wagering opportunities. Bet types to expect include:

• Moneyline: You bet on which team will win a game.
• Point spread: You either wager on the favorite to win by a specified point margin (e.g., -3.5) or on the underdog to lose by a specified margin (e.g., +3.5).
• Totals: A bet on whether two teams’ combined point total will be over or under a specified amount.
• Live betting: These wagers spring up throughout the course of a game.
• Prop bet: A wager on an outcome that’s not tied directly to the final score.
• Futures: You place these bets well in advance of an outcome. For example, you might bet on which NFL team will win the Super Bowl before the season starts.
• Parlay: A parlay requires you to successfully choose and win multiple outcomes to win the bet.
• Teaser: This wager is similar to a parlay. However, it allows you to “tease” a point spread associated with each outcome either up or down.

Sports Markets in MI Online Betting

The MGCB will have final say over which betting markets are offered in Michigan. More controversial markets, such as esports, may not make the cut.

However, the MGCB will likely approve most sports that you can find in other states. Likely MI betting markets include:

• Auto racing (NASCAR, Formula 1)
• Baseball (MLB)
• Basketball (NBA)
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Darts
• Football (NFL)
• Golf (PGA)
• Hockey (NHL)
• Mixed martial arts (UFC)
• Olympics
• Rugby
• Soccer (MLS & Premier League)
• Tennis
• Volleyball

Online Betting Bonuses in Michigan

Internet sportsbooks will undoubtedly offer bonuses to stand out in the Wolverine State. Likely bonuses include:

• Risk-free bet: You can earn back potential losses stemming from your first wager.
• No-deposit bonus: You qualify for a bonus after completing registration.
• Deposit bonus: The sportsbook matches your deposit up to a specified amount (e.g., $500 max).
• Odds boost: A sportsbook reduces its vig/juice for a specified wager.
• VIP rewards: You accumulate rewards based on your betting volume.

You’ll need to satisfy terms and conditions associated with any Michigan betting bonus. That said, you should read T&C behind any offer before pursuing it.

Michigan Online Sports Betting FAQ