The Wolverine State, with its population of just under 10million (9.966million per 2020 estimated data), has huge sports betting potential. Now that online and mobile betting are live in the state, it’s confidently expected to be one of the major players by the end of 2021.
There is plenty of elite sport played locally, with Detroit having an NFL franchise in the Detroit Lions, an NBA team in the Detroit Pistons, an MLB outfit in the Detroit Tigers and an NHL team in the shape of the Detroit Red Wings. All have storied backgrounds.
Away from the pro scene there are also major collegiate sports powerhouses in-state too. The University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans leading the way.
So the sports betting future for Michigan is very bright. The 21st Century is truly here at last.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
Sports betting is now legal in the state of Michigan. First came retail sportsbooks in March 2020, followed by online and mobile betting on January 22, 2021.
With mobile and apps now at bat, it’s expected the revenues Michigan gets from sports betting will soar. The state handle had gone as high as $46million in October 2020 before retail sites were hit by pandemic restrictions.
Expect that figure to be obliterated in 2021, as mobile betting really kicks in. Many states see 80-90% of bets being placed online or via apps.
The choice of retail sites with sportsbooks in MI relatively strong too, another reason to be very hopeful for a true betting explosion in 2021 and beyond.
Where can I bet in Michigan?
Online/Mobile
As stated, a string of operators opened up for business on January 22, 2021 – and more are expected to follow.
For now, here are your options in MI (click on the links for full online bookmaker guides:
- Barstool: A bi-product of the Barstool Sports media brand. Promising player.
- BetMGM: Credible and powerful, a major player in the U.S. market.
- BetRivers: Promising brand from Rush Street Interactive.
- DraftKings: A behemoth which was born in daily fantasy. Trusted.
- FanDuel: The U.S. market leader right now. Credible, absolutely legit.
- Golden Nugget: Sportsbook with Vegas roots. Naturally a big player.
- PointsBet: Originally from Australia but making a big noise in the U.S.
- TwinSpires: Owned by Churchill Downs. Nice brand.
- William Hill: Originally from the UK, recently acquired by Caesars.
- WynnBet: Another big player with roots in the Vegas scene.
NB: Remember you can sign up with as many sportsbooks as you want. This means you can shop around for great odds, and hoover up the many terrific promotions for new customers. Check out our sign-up offers page to get all the best deals.
In-person at a land-based site
There are plenty of retail options in Michigan right now. Only three of them are commercial operations which make up the monthly Michigan retail handle. They are:
- Greektown Casino Hotel
555 E Lafayette St
Detroit
MI 48226
- MGM Grand Detroit
1777 3rd Ave
Detroit
MI 48226
- MotorCity Casino Hotel
2901 Grand River Ave
Detroit
MI 48201
There are also a number of tribal casinos which have sportsbooks.
Do I need to be Resident in Michigan to Bet there?
You do not need to be a resident of Michigan to bet legally. You just need to be inside state lines to bet online or mobile. Or on-site at a casino to use retail sportsbooks.
What is the Legal Sports Betting Age in Michigan?
You need to be 21 years of age or older to bet legally on sports in Michigan.
How do I place a sports bet online in Michigan?
The process is relatively simple, and can be done in minutes:
- Be in the state of Michigan and of legal age
- Visit a sportsbook website or download its app to your smartphone
- Register for a sportsbook account on the website or app
- Deposit funds into your new sportsbook account
- Search the website or app for the sports and events you want to bet on
- Choose the event you want to bet on, and how much you want to bet
- You can now place your first bet
What type of sports bets can I place in Michigan?
- Moneyline: Yes
- Point Spread: Yes
- Parlay: Yes
- Teasers: Yes
- Futures: Yes
- Over/Under: Yes
- Round Robin: Yes
What sports can I bet on in Michigan?
You can bet on all major sports in Michigan, including:
- NFL Football
- NBA Basketball
- MLB Baseball
- College Football
- College Basketball
- NHL Hockey
- Soccer
- Boxing
- UFC
- Cricket
NB: As yet, in-game betting and props are not allowed in Michigan for college sports.
Legal Sports Betting near Michigan
While you are now allowed to bet on your smartphone in Michigan, you still might need to assess what the options are like out of state.
Remember, the laws around sports betting are based on location, not residency. So if you have to head out for work, vacation, or whatever, your best option nearby is probably Indiana. It has the full suite of options and the legal age is 21.
Meanwhile, though Michigan doesn’t directly border Illinois, they do share a water border. IL is another state that recently opened its doors to retail sports betting and online/mobile.
It too has online and mobile betting as well as retail options, and the legal age is 21.
Are Offshore Sportsbooks Legal in Michigan?
Our first answer to this is ‘no, offshore sportsbooks are not legal in Michigan’.
Our immediate question is ‘why would you even need to consider them?’.
Sports betting is live in your neighborhood, so our advice is don’t take risks signing up with offshore books. You have zero consumer protection if you do, which could be a huge problem down the road.
Nope, stick with the legal options closer to home.