Michigan Online Poker

Legal Michigan Poker Sites

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There are currently three Michigan online poker sites available to players:

  • BetMGM Poker
  • WSOP
  • PokerStars

State law requires all online gambling operators to partner with land-based Michigan casinos. For example, PokerStars partnered with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and BetMGM with MGM Grand Detroit for market access.

BetMGM Poker Michigan

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BetMGM Poker is the best choice for Michigan players for four reasons:

  • New players receive a $1,000 welcome bonus with favorable terms
  • BetMGM has an excellent promotional schedule and loyalty program
  • MGM Resorts International is a reputable and deeply experienced gaming operator
  • BetMGM Poker will soon launch shared tables between Michigan and New Jersey

New Michigan poker players should consider BetMGM first because its welcome bonus is an effective bankroll-building springboard. The BetMGM Michigan poker bonus combines a high cap with easily met clearing requirements to offer legitimate value.

In addition, BetMGM Poker participates in the MGM Rewards program. Players quickly accumulate BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits via cash games and tournaments to unlock increasingly valuable benefits.

BetMGM Poker launched in Michigan in March of 2021 as the product of a partnership between MGM Resorts International and Entain. It provides a full range of cash games, single table tournaments, and large multi-table tournaments.

From day one, BetMGM Poker has aggressively courted Michigan players with large guaranteed tournament series and frequent promotions. In addition, BetMGM Poker has completely overhauled its software and app to improve usability, navigation, and overall player experience.

Online poker options at BetMGM include a wide range of cash games at all stakes, daily $10K guarantees, a $20K guaranteed tournament every Sunday, SPINS tournaments with prize multipliers ranging from 2x to 1200x, and regular tournament series with main events promising at least $100,000 in prize money.

Entain also operates the Borgata Poker and Party Poker brands, but neither has launched yet in Michigan. In New Jersey, Entain operates BetMGM, Borgata Poker, and PartyPoker on a single network that shares players and tables. It remains a distinct possibility that Entain will follow a similar trajectory in Michigan by launching Borgata and PartyPoker to operate on a shared network with BetMGM Michigan.

Players can get started by visiting BetMGM to download the poker software for PC, Mac, iOS, or Android:

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WSOP Michigan

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WSOP Online Poker came to Michigan in March 2022 as the state’s third licensed operator. A generous welcome bonus and cashback VIP program instantly made WSOP one of Michigan’s more attractive options.

In addition, WSOP hosts frequent satellites to live events at the annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. It is also the only poker site that hosts bracelet events where players can win authentic WSOP bracelets.

Michigan applied to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) shortly before WSOP launched, and the timing was probably not coincidental. WSOP Poker operates in multiple states, meaning it will gain the ability to combine tables across state lines to significantly boost traffic to its cash games and tournaments.

That said, WSOP Michigan has been slower than other poker sites to take advantage of the opportunity to launch interstate poker tables. WSOP Poker uses its upgraded Poker 8 software in Michigan but hasn’t upgraded the older software it still uses in other MSIGA states. In all likelihood, WSOP Poker will launch shared tables in Michigan after upgrading its software in other states.

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PokerStars Michigan

Roughly two weeks after Michigan legalized online poker, PokerStars announced it would be coming soon to the Great Lakes State.

PokerStars’ launch in early 2021 was a win for Michigan players as it is one of the most recognized names in online poker and draws significant traffic. As a result, PokerStars Michigan suffers no shortage of cash games and large prize pool tournaments. In summary, PokerStars is home to a strong tournament scene and has a positive reputation in general among customers.

The Stars Group is partnered with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority to offer online poker, sports betting, and casino games in Michigan.

PartyPoker Michigan

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PartyPoker operates on the same platform that powers BetMGM Poker and may eventually join the Michigan market as well. In other states, Party Poker and BetMGM Poker share players on a single network to boost traffic for both poker sites.

Although PartyPoker Michigan would likely share tables with BetMGM, it would still benefit the market as a whole by increasing customer awareness through its own independent marketing efforts. In addition, its launch would give players yet another welcome bonus to aid in their bankroll-building efforts.

Other Michigan Poker Sites

GGPoker is also sitting on the sidelines for now, but it could join the Michigan market in the future. It’s a behemoth of a poker operator on the international stage and has already taken its first steps into the US market.

GGPoker was approved in Pennsylvania in 2021, marking its official entry into the United States online poker market. GGPoker has grown significantly since late 2019 to position itself as one of the premier international poker operators. It would be no surprise to see GGPoker continue its aggressive expansion strategy with a Michigan launch at some point.

BettingUSA.com will continue monitoring developments and providing updates as additional Michigan poker sites reveal their plans.

Michigan Poker Bonuses

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Michigan poker bonuses welcome new users with cash and other perks in return for signing up for accounts and making deposits. New and existing players alike can leverage poker bonuses to build their bankrolls and pad the bottom line.

Even when PokerStars launched as the only legal poker site in Michigan, it offered all new players a generous welcome bonus. BetMGM Poker followed two months later with a similar offer worth up to $1,000.

Poker SitePromo CodeWelcome Bonus
BetMGM Poker Michigan Bonus CodeBUSABONUS$75 Free + 100% up to $1,000
WSOP Poker Michigan Promo CodeBUSA$25 Instant Bonus + 100% up to $1,000
PokerStars Michigan Bonus CodeN/A100% up to $600

One of the nice things about Michigan online poker bonuses is they tend to be easier to clear than promos offered by mobile sportsbooks and casinos. Clearing a poker bonus for withdrawal usually entails nothing more than playing real money cash games and tournaments.

In addition to other marketing promotions, Michigan poker bonuses tend to come in two distinct flavors:

  • Deposit Match Bonuses: Deposit bonuses offer additional cash to customers in return for signing up and playing, with the bonus amount determined by the size of the player’s first deposit. For example, a 100% up to $600 bonus essentially doubles each player’s first deposit for up to $600 in bonus funds. Players can typically withdraw deposit match bonuses after earning a minimum number of VIP points by participating in cash games and tournaments.
  • No-Deposit Bonuses: Registration bonuses give new customers a little cash for signing up and verifying their identities with no deposit required.

Michigan Interstate Online Poker

As a Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) member, Michigan allows licensed poker sites to operate shared player pools with other states.

Interstate player pools benefit players by increasing traffic, resulting in busier cash games and bigger tournaments. Those are just some of the immediate benefits to online poker Michigan players experience thanks to MSIGA. Longer-term advantages of interstate player pools include a more sustainable player economy (a better shark:fish ratio) and increased competition among operators.

PokerStars was the first poker site to launch interstate tables when it combined its Michigan and New Jersey player pools. BetMGM Poker and WSOP have confirmed they also intend to offer shared tables, but neither has specified a definitive timeline.

BetMGM Poker is the next-likeliest candidate to launch shared tables since it upgraded its old New Jersey poker client to match the newer software it runs in Michigan.

WSOP Poker should also follow suit soon since it already operates a shared network in several other states. But first, WSOP needs to upgrade its client in those states to the newer Poker 8 platform it uses in Michigan before it can launch shared tables.

Michigan has a large enough population to support a small online poker industry on its own, but joining forces with other states significantly boosts in-state operators and the US industry as a whole.

Michigan is the tenth-largest state in the country with a population of nearly 10 million, and its addition to MSIGA almost doubled the MSIGA members’ previous combined population total of around 13 million.

The Michigan online poker market could also receive a significant boost if it joins a partnership with Pennsylvania, whether that happens through MSIGA or via a separate agreement. With a population of nearly 13 million, Pennsylvania would be another powerful catalyst in expanding the US online poker market via interstate player-sharing compacts.

Interstate online poker came to Michigan as a result of legislation signed by Governor Whitmer in December 2020 authorizing the Gaming Control Board to join multi-state gaming agreements. Michigan formally joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in 2022, clearing the way for licensed poker sites to converge their player pools between Michigan and other MSIGA member states. Later, the Michigan Gaming Control Board published guidance for poker sites outlining how to prepare for multi-state poker.

Michigan Online Poker Games

Three poker sites operate in Michigan today, and it is likely just a matter of time before additional poker sites join the fray. In the meantime, Michigan’s current crop of licensed poker sites provides an adequate variety of cash games and tournaments.

Poker Variants

Cash game and tournament options in Michigan include no-limit Holdem, pot-limit Omaha, and their fixed-limited counterparts. Other game types include stud and draw variants such as Seven Card Stud, 2-7 Triple Draw, and 8-game mix.

Cash Game Stakes

Cash game players have access to a wide range of stakes ranging from the micro-limits of $0.01/$0.02 (no-limit and fixed) to as high as $25/$50 no-limit, and even higher at some fixed-limit tables.

Michigan Online Poker Tournaments

Michigan online poker tournaments are on the schedule all day, every day. Buyins range from free all the way up to High Roller events with $500+ buyins.

The Michigan tournament scene has been vibrant from the beginning. Shortly after PokerStars launched as the state’s first poker site, the company announced its inaugural Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP) with $1,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools. BetMGM Poker has launched similar tournament series with large guarantees.

Michigan Online Poker Apps

All licensed Michigan poker sites offer mobile apps that function surprisingly well despite the limited screen real estate they have at their disposal.

Most noticeably, Michigan poker apps make the most of their screen space to make mobile poker feasible. Every licensed MI poker app today even supports multi-tabling via clever notification features and design elements.

Online poker does not translate to mobile devices as handily as sports betting or casino games. However, the nation’s major operators have developed innovative solutions that make it easy to see what’s happening, select bet sizes, and play at multiple tables. As a result, making the switch from desktop to mobile poker is not as jarring as one would expect.

BetMGM Michigan Poker App

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BetMGM Poker Michigan
  • Available for: iPhone and Android
  • App Store rating: 4.1 out of 5; 2.7K reviews

The BetMGM Poker app provides access to the full suite of cash game types and tournaments, including all daily guarantees, cash games, and fast-forward poker. Additionally, players can multi-table (up to four tables at a time) using the app’s mini-view option, a customizable bet slider, and various alert settings to be sure they never miss a hand. In short, BetMGM makes it convenient and intuitive to play Michigan poker online.

Players can download the BetMGM Michigan iOS app by pointing their mobile browsers to betmgm.com and tapping the download button or searching for it by name in the App Store.

Android users can visit BetMGM.com to download the app directly from BetMGM or search for it in the Google Play Store. If prompted, select “allow installs from this source” and follow the on-screen instructions to download the app and register.

WSOP Michigan Poker App

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WSOP Michigan app
  • Available for: iPhone and Android
  • App Store rating: 4.4 out of 5; 2.3K reviews

The World Series of Poker app operates on 888poker’s Poker 8 platform, which was redesigned from the ground up in 2021 specifically for improved mobile play. As a result, the WSOP Michigan app performs a step above the competition with a sleek lobby, dynamic table layouts, multi-table support, portrait mode, multi-flight tournaments, and much more.

The WSOP Poker app supports up to four tables at a time and organizes the lobby in a manner that makes it easy to find the types of tables or tournaments players want. Between the revamped software and sizeable welcome bonus, WSOP Poker Michigan makes a strong case for being any player’s first pick.

PokerStars Michigan App

PokerStars Michigan
  • Available for: iPhone and Android
  • App Store rating: 4.4 out of 5; 23K reviews

The PokerStars Michigan app has been well-received by players to date due to its sleek interface and intuitive features. For example, players can multi-table (up to five tables at a time) and activate auto-switching to automatically expand the appropriate table when the action is on them.

Players can download the PokerStars MI app by searching for it by name in Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store

Michigan Poker Deposits and Withdrawals

Fast and secure transactions are two of the biggest advantages of legal online poker. Players who have tried their luck at illegal offshore poker sites may recall deposits and withdrawals being two of the most prominent sticking points, with cashouts occasionally taking weeks.

In contrast, legal Michigan online poker sites offer near-instant deposits and swift withdrawals. Today, it is uncommon for players to wait more than 2-3 business days to withdraw any amount from poker sites in Michigan.

Michigan poker regulations allow licensed poker sites to accept deposits via:

  • Credit cards and debit cards
  • Cash deposits at the casino
  • Reloadable prepaid debit cards
  • ACH bank transfers
  • Wire transfers
  • Any other method approved by the MGCB

Credit and debit card deposits are convenient for obvious reasons, but some card issuers block transactions related to online gambling. Players who have problems depositing with their debit or credit cards should try a different card or select an alternative deposit method.

Cash at the cage deposits allow players to fund their accounts with cash at any poker site’s partner casino. PokerStars does not yet offer cash at the cage deposits, but BetMGM MI customers can visit MGM Grand Detroit to fund their accounts and withdraw cash.

Players can withdraw their winnings through the same methods they used to deposit, although credit and debit card withdrawals may be limited to an amount equal to the initial deposit. In that case, players can withdraw any excess winnings through an alternative method of their choice.

E-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill support deposits and withdrawals and are excellent choices for frequent players. For example, an account with PayPal makes it convenient to deposit, withdraw, and quickly move money from one poker site to another.

Michigan Online Poker Law

The Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 regulates online poker and gambling in Michigan. The Act sets the groundwork for online poker in Michigan by addressing overarching issues such as licensing considerations, tax rates, the minimum age to play online, and more.

After lawmakers legalized online poker, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) began work on additional regulations and establishing a licensing process.

It took just over a year for the MGCB to adopt supplementary regulations, review licensing requests, and authorize the state’s first poker sites. Michigan was the fifth state to launch legal online poker, and the industry hit the ground running.

Michigan online poker law requires all operators to partner with land-based casinos to become eligible for licenses. With more than two dozen casinos statewide, Michigan has plenty of room for a competitive online poker market.

Michigan law enforces a minimum age of 21 to participate in online poker and gambling. Licensed operators must employ geolocation technology to confirm all customers are physically located within state lines before letting them play for real money. Additionally, Michigan poker sites must verify the age and identity of every customer.

Here are the key things to know about legal online poker in Michigan:

  • Players must be 21 or older to participate
  • Customers do not need to be residents of Michigan but do need to be within state lines to play online
  • Licensed poker sites must verify the age, identity, and location of every player
  • The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulates online poker and issues licenses

State law requires online poker sites to verify all players are at least 21 years of age and located within Michigan state lines when playing. Additionally, operators must ensure they restrict access to customers whose names appear on the responsible gambling database.

Poker sites must also verify the identity of each customer and take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access to online gaming accounts and detect fraud, money laundering, and collusion.

All online poker operators in Michigan pay various licensing fees:

  • $50,000 application fee
  • $100,000 fee upon successful licensure
  • $50,000 annual fee thereafter

Additionally, online poker licensees are subject to a graduated tax rate ranging from 20% to 28% of adjusted gross receipts.

The Act also outlines how tax money collected from online gaming operators is distributed to various state and municipal initiatives:

  • 30% of tax revenue goes to the city in which the gaming operator’s casino is located to support: Job development in blighted neighborhoods, public safety programs such as EMTs and fire departments, anti-gang and youth development programs, other programs designed to improve the quality of life in that city, capital improvements, and road repairs and improvements
  • 65% of tax revenue goes to Michigan’s general fund
  • 5% goes to the Michigan Agricultural Equine Industry Development Fund; any amount in excess of $3 million per year goes to the internet gaming fund

Sec. 9 (1) of the Act grants the Michigan Gaming Control Board significant powers to regulate online poker moving forward. The Act serves as the foundation for legal online poker, but the MGCB also plays a prominent role in shaping the industry.

As the Act states, the MGCB is responsible for overseeing the conduct of online gaming in Michigan and “may do anything necessary or desirable to effectuate” the Act.

Among other duties, MGCB responsibilities include:

  • Developing qualifications, standards, and procedures for issuing licenses to online gaming operators and their software suppliers
  • Approving, denying, renewing, and revoking online gaming licenses
  • Conducting hearings related to violations of the Act
  • Collecting and managing all licensing fees and taxes paid by licensees
  • Developing testing and auditing requirements for online gaming operators
  • Establishing responsible gambling, privacy, and safety standards for consumers

Michigan Online Poker FAQ

Yes. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple online gambling bills into law in December 2019, including one legalizing online poker. The first Michigan poker sites launched in January 2021.

Customers must be 21 or older to play online poker in Michigan. Licensed poker sites must confirm every customer’s age and identity before allowing them to sit at real money tables. As a result, poker sites may ask players to upload pictures of their photo IDs and provide the last four digits of their social security numbers.

No. State and federal laws prohibit poker sites from offering online poker to customers not physically present within state lines.

PokerStars combined its Michigan and New Jersey player pools on January 1st, 2023. Additional poker sites will likely network their Michigan player pools with other states in the future.

All the most common forms of online poker are legal in Michigan. Players may participate in cash games, tournaments, sit-n-go tournaments (SNGs), and other formats approved by the MGCB.

Yes. All Michigan poker sites are subject to the same strict regulations as their land-based casino partners to ensure safety and fair games.

No. State law only requires customers to be 21 or older and physically located in Michigan while playing.

Michigan poker regulations require operators to verify the age and identity of every customer, and poker sites request the last four digits of new users’ social security numbers for identity verification.

Yes. Michigan regards poker profits in the same manner as sports betting or other forms of casino gambling and taxes its residents accordingly. Operators must automatically report all net wins of $5,000+, and players must report all long-term winnings. As always, BettingUSA recommends players seek qualified tax advice to ensure compliance with state and federal law.