Michigan Sportsbooks

Michigan legalized online sports betting and retail sportsbooks at casinos in 2019. Under state law, each of Michigan’s 26 land-based casinos may apply for a license to accept wagers in-person and online through mobile sports betting apps/websites.

The first Michigan sportsbooks opened in March 2020, just in time for that year’s March Madness. Online sports betting began in January 2021 with the simultaneous launches of ten sportsbook apps.

Best Michigan Betting Apps

Tribal and commercial casinos alike may apply for mobile sports betting licenses from the MGCB. Total initial licensing fees of $150,000 and a tax rate of 8.4% (+1.4% municipal tax for Detroit’s commercial casinos) should encourage most to apply for licenses.

Each licensed casino may partner with a single online betting provider to manage its in-person and online betting operations. With 26 casinos in total, that should leave plenty of opening for most of the nation’s biggest sports betting brands to enter Michigan. The MGCB issued its first licenses in December 2020 and mobile betting got underway one month later.

Below is a list of Michigan betting apps and websites that are now open for business to customers 21 or older and located within state lines:

Other online betting providers that are likely to enter the Michigan market include:

  • Parx Interactive (licensed)
  • Unibet
  • Bet365
  • Betfred
  • Caesars Sports

List of Retail Sportsbooks in Michigan

It is likely all 26 of Michigan’s casinos will move to open retail sportsbooks, although the timeline for each individual sportsbook will vary. Some MI sportsbooks have launched and more are in the process of doing so.

As each casino’s sports betting plans become known, we will add information regarding proposed launch dates and sports betting partnerships.

Penn National Gaming, parent company of Greektown Casino, is partnered with Barstool Sports and launched an unbranded retail sportsbook just ahead of 2020’s March Madness college basketball tournament. The sportsbook at Greektown Casino formally rebranded itself as Barstool Sportsbook in December 2020.

The deal came as a result of Penn National and famed sports media company Barstool Parts forging a multi-year partnership to pursue sports betting opportunities across the country.

Where to Bet:

  • Four betting windows
  • 40 self-serve betting kiosks throughout casino property

Address:

555 E Lafayette Ave
Detroit, MI 48226

MGM Grand Detroit opened the BetMGM Sports Lounge in March 2020 with HD TVs in every direction, lounge seating, table seating and a full-service bar.

MGM Resorts International is partnered with international gaming giant GVC Holdings to run Roar Digital, which is focused entirely on pursuing US sports betting opportunities. This partnership includes online betting under the BetMGM brand.

Where to Bet:

  • Six betting windows
  • 14 self-serve betting kiosks throughout casino property

Address:

1777 3rd Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

The two-story FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino features comfortable seating, a full-service sports bar and special events for major games. Nearly 70 HD TVs offer a good view from anywhere inside and a VIP area offers a more intimate experience for groups.

Where to Bet:

  • Six betting windows
  • 54 self-serve betting kiosks throughout casino property

Address:

2901 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Little River Casino offers sports betting at the River Rock Sportsbook & Grill with plans to offer mobile betting in partnership with Rush Street Interactive, parent company of BetRivers.

Address

US 31 & M-22
2700 Orchard Highway
Manistee, MI 49660

Bill Mills Resorts & Casinos is partnered with DraftKings to launch a retail sportsbook on casino property and statewide mobile betting. In an announcement issued in June 2020, DraftKings stated it will launch in-person and online betting after the Michigan Gaming Control Board issues all necessary approvals.

Neither Bay Mills nor DraftKings have confirmed where the retail sportsbook will be located or provided a firm launch date.

Address:

11386 West Lakeshore Drive
Brimley, MI 49715

Northern Waters Casino has confirmed it plans to launch a retail sportsbook and mobile betting app in partnership with PointsBet. Under the terms of the deal, PointsBet and Northern Waters will work together on sports betting and online gambling for at least the next 20 years.

This is a particularly interesting partnership as PointsBet offers traditional sports betting as well as a unique form of wagering not seen elsewhere. PointsBetting wagers allow customers to place bets with payouts that vary based on how right or wrong the prediction is.

For example, if a customer bets $1 per point on the total and the game’s actual total exceeds the total by 20 points, the customer would win a $20 payout.

Address:

N5384 US 45
Watersmeet, MI 49969

Caesars Sports Book at Turtle Creek Casino lauched in September 2020. The sportsbook offers a combination of teller windows and self-serve kiosks plus 20 HD TVs, a full bar and menu, complimentary games such as Golden Tee and an outdoor patio.

Address:

7741 M-72 East
Williamsburg, MI 49690

William Hill has placed self-serve betting kiosks throughout the Leelanau Sands property. Customers may also head over to Onyx Sports Book at Turlte Creek for the full in-person experience and banks of HD TVs.

Address:

2521 N West Bay Shore Drive
Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Firekeepers Casino is partnered with Scientific Games for a retail sportsbook, mobile betting and online gambling. In June 2020, Firekeepers Casino transformed Dacey’s Taphouse into Dacey’s Sportsbook and Taphouse. Visitors may place wagers in-person via several betting windows or through any of the numerous betting kiosks installed throughout the property.

Address:

11177 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, Michigan 49014

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has a partnership in place with The Stars Group, a major online operator and parent company of FOX Bet. A press release announcing the agreement specifically mentions online sports betting and gaming but makes no mention of any retail sportsbook plans.

Address:

1760 Lears Rd
Petoskey, MI 49770

Odawa Casino Mackinaw is included in the broader partnership between The Stars Group and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, but it is unclear how the partnership will pan out in practice among the two Odawa casinos.

Address:

1080 S Nicolet Street
Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701

Island Resort & Casino is partnered with Churchill Downs Inc., parent company of TwinSpires to operate a retail sportsbook, mobile sports betting and online gambling. The retail sportsbook opened for business in September 2020.

Address:

W 399 US 2 & 41
Harris, MI 49845

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has a partnership in place with Golden Nugget for online sports betting and casino gambling, but it is unclear if that partnership will extend to the operation of a retail sportsbook at either location.

Ojibwa Casino Marquette Address:

105 Acre Trail
Marquette, Michigan 49855

Ojibwa Casino Baraga Address:

16449 Michigan Ave
Baraga, MI 49908

Partnerships and Launch Dates

Casino Sports Betting PartnerGrand Opening Date
     
Commercial Casinos    
   
MotorCity Casino FanDuelMarch 2020
Greektown Casino Barstool SportsbookMarch 2020  
MGM Grand Detroit Roar Digital (BetMGM)March 2020
   
Tribal Casinos  
   
Northern Waters Casino PointsBetTBD
Turtle Creek Casino William HillSeptember 2020
Soaring Eagle Casino    
Saganing Eagles Landing Casino  
Ojibwa Casino Marquette Golden Nugget Online TBD
Ojibwa Casino Baraga Golden Nugget Online   TBD
Odawa Casino Mackinaw The Stars Group (FOX Bet) TBD
Odawa Casino Resort The Stars Group (FOX Bet)TBD
Little River Casino Resort Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers)July 2020  
Leelanau Sands Casino William HillSeptember 2020  
Kings Club Casino    
Kewadin Shores Casino St. Ignace    
Kewadin Casino Manistique    
Kewadin Casino Hessel    
Kewadin Casino Christmas    
Kewadin Casino    
Island Resort & Casino Churchill Downs Inc. (TwinSpires)September 2020  
Gun Lake Casino    
Four Winds Dowagiac    
Four Winds Hartford    
Four Winds New Buffalo    
Firekeepers Casino Hotel Scientific GamesJune 2020
Bay Mills Resort & Casino DraftKingsTBD  

Michigan Sports Betting Law

Useful links:

  • HB 4916: Authorized retail sportsbooks and online betting

HB 4916, the Lawful Sports Betting Act, was approved as a part of the large gaming expansion package signed into law in December 2019.

The MI sports betting law allows land-based casinos to apply for licenses to operate retail sportsbooks on casino grounds in addition to online betting via web platforms and mobile apps.

According to the law, each casino may offer in-person betting and launch a single online and mobile gambling platform. Each casino may operate everything in house or partner with experienced operators to manage their sports betting operations.

The law allows licensed operators to offer a wide range of wager types. A provision in the law explains that “sports betting includes, but is not limited to, single-game bets, teaser bets, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools, exchange betting, in-game betting, proposition bets, and straight bets.”

Licensing considerations for sports betting operators are identical to those seeking to offer sports betting. This includes requiring license applicants to demonstrate character, integrity, financial suitability, clean criminal background and the technical ability to comply with all regulations.

The initial license application see is set at $50,000 to be following by a successful licensing fee of $100,000. After that, sports betting licensees are required to pay an annual renewal fee of $50,000.

The law also directs the Michigan Gaming Control Board to oversee the conduct of sports wagering. These duties include adopting rules and requirements for operators, establishing responsible gaming and consumer protection standards, establishing fines for violations of the sports betting law, conducting annual audits and developing additional rules governing how wagers may be accepted, how records must be kept and more.

In a concession to sports leagues, the law allows sports governing bodies headquartered in the US to petition the board to require all licensed operators to purchase official data for the purpose of settling in-game wagers. If such a request is made, the MGCB will order operators to rely on official data if such data is “offered on commercially reasonable terms.”

Retail and mobile sportsbooks in MI are required to verify the identity of every customer and prevent access to anyone under 21 years old.