Michigan Online Sports Betting – Best MI Sportsbooks
Michigan online sports betting has been legal now for well over a year, having gone live on January 23rd, 2021. The Michigan Gaming Control Board set the number of licenses at 15 and these have already been taken in this short space of time.
There are MI sportsbook apps from the largest names in the industry such as BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings. As well as tribal casinos that have launched their own sportsbooks such as Firekeepers and Four Winds.
So, everyone over the age of 21 in the Wolverine state can now legally bet on sports events. Keep scrolling to see our list of the best Michigan sports betting apps.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Michigan 2022
BetMGM
BetMGM sportsbook Michigan was one of three retail sportsbooks to launch first in the state in March 2020 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The Coronavirus pandemic had a big impact on this first year though and so their headstart wasn’t as significant as it would’ve been without it.
BetMGM’s online sportsbook was then one of the first out of the blocks when it came to online too in January 2021. The ease of being able to withdraw your online winnings at the cage in the casino is a nice plus.
The BetMGM sportsbook app has a lot to offer as there’s a generous welcome bonus and hundreds of events to bet on. It isn’t only new customers that get bonuses either, every week and month there will be special promotions on, especially during the football season.
FanDuel
FanDuel is the country-wide leader for a reason, it has arguably the best offering out of all sportsbooks in the US even if it’s not currently number one in Michigan. The FanDuel Sportsbook Michigan has the widest selection of sports to bet on and, for us, the best Same Game Parlay (SGP) option in the market.
All new players from Michigan can get a “no sweat free bet” up to $1,000 on the first real money wager. The minimum amount is $10 which is great for players with different budgets.
DraftKings
DraftKings isn’t a new brand due to its daily fantasy past, but its Michigan sportsbook is still relatively new. The DraftKings Sportsbook MI app has gone through a lot of changes since it launched and they’re now competing with the likes of BetMGM and FanDuel.
DraftKings currently allow Michiganders to bet on 17 different sports across a number of different leagues. The welcome offer is a generous $1,000 max deposit bonus. But, it isn’t as simple as at FanDuel or BetMGM as the bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount. So, to get the full $1,000 you’d have to deposit a whopping $5,000. The minimum deposit is $5.
BetRivers
BetRivers Michigan might not look as fancy as other MI online sports betting sites, but it is still a great option. The featured bets on the homepage needs adjusting as they don’t feature the most popular events to bet on that day. This is typical of the Kambi sportsbook platform which BetRivers Sportsbook MI uses. It just means you might have to go hunting around to find which games you want to wager on.
The welcome bonus is nice and straightforward offering all new players a 100% match deposit bonus up to $250. The minimum is $10 and no matter the amount you must use the bonus code 250MATCH. With only a 1x playthrough requirement it’s one of the most attractive of all legal Michigan sportsbooks.
Caesars
When Caesars acquired William Hill it had already launched in Michigan which is why they’re still using williamhill.com as the domain name. So, don’t worry signing up here will give you access to the Caesars Sportsbook Michigan. You’ll be able to continue racking up Caesars’ Rewards now by playing online.
They don’t have the same number of sports markets yet to wager on as DraftKings, but the Caesars brand is known across the world.
The new player welcome bonus is also the largest with up to a $1,500 risk-free bet available. To get this make sure to use the bonus code CZR15.
PointsBet
PointsBet Sportsbook is one of the newer sportsbooks to enter the US market. We mean that they’re not already household names like FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars and MGM.
That said, they have quickly established themselves as a good option for sports bettors in Michigan with a wide range of sports to bet on. One of the things that makes PointsBet stand out is their unique pointsbetting system. This allows bettors to win or lose more money based on how right or wrong they are about the outcome of a sporting event.
Another thing that makes PointsBet Sportsbook Michigan stand out is their excellent customer service. They have a team of knowledgeable representatives who are available 24/7 to help answer any questions you may have. Overall, PointsBet Sportsbook MI is a great option for anyone looking for another bookie to test.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget is firstly an online casino, but it also offers a sportsbook to its players. There are 13 sports that you can wager on which is more than at Caesars. As well as the regular new customer promotions, they also have daily odds boosts.
New customers at the Golden Nugget Sportsbook Michigan can get a free bet worth up to $250. The amount you receive will be the same as the amount you stake on your first bet.
Now that DraftKings has acquired Golden Nugget, we expect the sportsbook to keep improving. The same goes for DraftKings Casino too.
WynnBET
WynnBET Sportsbook Michigan is partnered with the Sault Tribe for its license. The betting site and app aren’t as fluid as the others on this list, so we rarely play here unless there’s a good promo on offer. This could change in this fast-paced online gambling landscape.
Wynn doesn’t have the same brand affinity in Michigan as others such as MGM and BetRivers so it’s not one of the top five bookies. That said, you can still find some good lines and it’s worth signing up for the extra promos you’ll get offered.
Sports Illustrated Sportsbook
The Sports Illustrated Sportsbook is the latest Michigan sportsbook to launch as they’ve taken over TwinSpires licence which is in partnership with the Hannahville Indian Community tribe.
The global betting company 888 teamed up with the media giant SI to create a branded sportsbook and Michigan is the latest market its entered having already been live in Colorado, New Jersey and others. At this time, they haven’t taken over the casino license as well, but it’s expected that they will in the near future.
The sportsbook is powered by 888’s proprietary technology and is available through both desktop and mobile devices. All deposits and withdrawals at SI Sportsbook Michigan are processed through the 888 brand’s online gaming platform which is licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. New users can also take advantage of a generous welcome bonus offer of up to $500 on your first deposit.
Read more about it in our full Sports Illustrated Sportsbook Michigan review.
Barstool Sportsbook Michigan
Barstool Sportsbook Michigan is owned and operated by Penn National Gaming. It offers a wide range of betting options for Michigan residents including online, through its mobile apps, and in-person at select retail locations.
The site offers all the standard wagering options, including moneyline bets, point spread bets, and parlay bets. You can also bet on props and futures. The site is easy to use and offers a variety of different betting options.
They haven’t marketed themselves as heavily as the other sportsbook in Michigan so they don’t have the same market share. Also, the fact that they’re still using the Kambi sports betting platform means the offering is less tailored than others that have their technology stack in-house.
Available Sports to bet on in Michigan
There’s now a long list of sports that you can wager legally on in Michigan. Below, you can see which sports these are:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- MMA
- Lacrosse
- Cycling
- Motorsports (Formula One & NASCAR)
- Snooker
- Rugby
- Cricket
- Darts
- Aussie Rules
Not all sportsbooks will offer this number of sports to bet on and some may even offer more! There’s also betting on politics which is becoming increasingly popular as we saw with the last Trump vs. Biden presidential election in 2020.
Also, we want to mention what the restrictions our on collegiate sports. Although, college sports betting is legal in Michigan, the law states that you can’t bet on individual player outcomes. So, you won’t find the same player markets for a college football game as you do for a normal NFL game.
Different Types of Sports Bets
Now you’ve seen which sports are available to bet on in Michigan, we’ll now look at which types of sports bets are the most popular.
Same Game Parlay (SGP)
A Same Game Parlay, or SGP, is a type of bet that combines two or more wagers on the same game.
For example, you could bet on the Moneyline, point spread, and how many yards one of the quarterbacks will throw in total for the same game. If all of your bets win, you’ll collect a nice payout with the odds multiplying like each other like a normal parlay. However, if even one of your bets loses, the entire parlay will be a loser.
Because of this, same-game parlays are generally riskier than single-outcome bets. That said, they can also offer a lot of value if you’re able to correctly predict the outcome of multiple bets. Same-game parlays have become one of the most popular types of bets since online sports betting became legal in Michigan.
Moneyline
A Moneyline bet is a type of wager where the bettor picks a side to win outright. The Moneyline price assigned to each team indicates how much you need to risk in order to pick that team. The favorite will have a minus (-) Moneyline, while the underdog will have a plus (+) Moneyline.
Let’s take a look at an example, if the Detroit Pistons are -300 favorites over the Golden State Warriors, that means you would need to risk $300 to pick the Pistons to win the game outright.
If the Warriors were +250 underdogs, that means a $100 bet on them would payout $250 if they won the game. Moneyline bets are usually available for all major sports including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and more. It os also a popular option for betting on boxing and MMA fights.
Parlay
A parlay bet is a type of wager where you combine multiple bets into one, like a same game parlay, but on different games. For example, you could parlay a bet on the New York Yankees to win their game tonight with a bet on the New York Knicks to cover the spread in their game tomorrow. If both bets win, you collect both payouts.
Parlays offer the opportunity to win more money than you would by betting each game separately, which makes them riskier since all of your bets must win to collect a payout.
Whether a parlay bet is right for you depends on your appetite for risk and your assessment of the individual games involved. If you’re the type of bettor that enjoys putting $5 or $10 on a longshot bet parlays are the way to go.
Over-Under
Over-under betting is a type of wager where bettors predict whether the final score in a game will be over or under a certain number.
For example, if two football teams are playing and the over-under is set at 45 points, bettors can wager on whether the final score will be over 45 points (the over) or under 45 points (the under).
Over-under betting is a popular way to bet on sporting events because it offers an even money payout if the bettor correctly predicts the outcome. However, over-under bets can be tricky to handicap, as oddsmakers often set the line based on public perception rather than actual team strength.
Prop
A prop bet is also known as a proposition bet and it is a type of bet that is not directly related to the outcome of a game or event. Instead, prop bets focus on specific events that may occur during the game or event.
For example, a prop bet might be placed on whether or not a particular player will score a touchdown during the game. Prop bets can be placed on a wide variety of events, and they offer an opportunity for bettors to add an extra level of excitement to their betting experience.
There are many different types of prop bets available, and the possibilities are limited only by the imagination of the bettors. Prop bets are an important part of the betting industry as they offer bettors a chance to win big payouts. However, prop bets can also be risky, and it is important to carefully consider all the factors before placing a prop bet.
In-Game Betting
In-game betting is a growing trend in the world of sports gambling, and now bettors in Michigan can enjoy placing bets mid-game.
It allows bettors to take advantage of live odds that change as the game unfolds. In addition, in-game betting offers a more immersive experience that can add excitement to watching a game.
With in-game betting, bettors can feel like they are part of the action especially if you’re round at a friends house and are all watching the same game together.
Online Sportsbook Bonuses
As you’ve seen, Michigan sportsbooks offer bonuses to new and existing customers to try to keep them playing with them rather than a competitor. Some MI betting sites offer a bonus for signing up as well as another when you make your first deposit.
Unless the conditions of the bet restrict you, generally, you can bet on any sport that you like with the bonus money.
Sportsbooks in Michigan offer a variety of welcome bonuses to new bettors. The most common type of bonus is a match bonus, where the sportsbook will match your first deposit up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit $100 and the sportsbook offers a 100% match bonus, you’ll have $200 to bet with.
Another common type of bonus is a free bet bonus, where the sportsbook will give you a free bet when you create an account. A typical example is if you create an account and the sportsbook offers a $10 free bet bonus, you’ll have $10 in free bets to use and this will usually require a playthrough requirement.
Welcome bonuses are a great way to get started with sports betting in Michigan. Be sure to shop around and compare bonuses before creating an account.
In-person sports betting
As all online sportsbooks in Michigan require a license via a physical casino, there are now many retail locations where you can bet across the state too. These are the three commercial casinos in Detroit as well as the 12 tribal casinos in Michigan state.
It’s great that all of these retail locations now give you the chance to place your sports bets in person. We get it some people prefer wagering and collecting their winnings in cash. However, the simplicity of online betting is hard to overlook. Plus, sports betting outlets at the casinos typically have a smaller selection of bets than you’d find on the betting app.
That said, a night out at the casino is great fun, the MGM Grand in Detroit is our favorite in the city. With its glamorous setting and wide range of gaming options, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to the MGM Grand to try their luck. This is also a reason as to why BetMGM is the top sportsbook in Michigan at the moment for market share.
Illegal Offshore Sportsbooks in Michigan
We’re going to take a quick look at illegal offshore sportsbooks in Michigan because they’re still around even after the MGCB regulated the market. Plus, while offshore sportsbooks are illegal in Michigan, that doesn’t stop many residents from placing bets with them.
Some of the illegal bookies names that you should avoid are:
- Bovada
- MyBookie
- BetOnline.ag
- Everygame
- BETNOW
- BETUS
You don’t have the same player protection at these offshore bookies compared to legal Michigan sportsbooks.
Best MI Sports Betting Sites Summary
Michigan online sports betting has gone from strength to strength ever since it launched in January 2021. There are now 15 different betting sites in Michigan that you can pick between, hell, you can even sign up to them all if you want to get the bonuses for each one.
The great thing about betting in Michigan is that there is a wide selection so you’re not restricted to only one or two sportsbooks like some states are limited to. As long as you’re 21 or over you can get started placing bets on your favorite sports team.
For us, BetMGM and BetRivers are two of the best MI betting sites so check them out if you haven’t done already! Or, try one of the others as you might prefer the app of one of the other 12.
Michigan Sports Betting FAQs
How old do you have to be to bet online in Michigan?
Like all US states, you need to be 21 to bet online in Michigan. You won’t be able to sign up if you’re not old enough and don’t lie as you’ll be found out. Every legal MI sportsbook is required to verify your age via ID-checks.
What is the tax rate on sports bets winnings in Michigan?
The tax rate on sports bets winnings in Michigan is 28.25%, this is 24% federal tax and 4.25% state tax. This is on all gambling winnings in Michigan, not just sports betting.
How can I legally bet on sports in Michigan?
One option is to visit one of the state’s many casinos, which offer both traditional and electronic sports betting. Alternatively, you can place your bets through one of the 15 online sportsbooks in Michigan.
Whatever you do, don’t bet online with an offshore sportsbook as that’s against the law.
Can you use Bet365 in Michigan?
One question we get asked a lot is whether bet365 is legal in Michigan or not. At this time, it’s not as it doesn’t have a license due to the Sports Illustrated sportsbook (with 888) taking the last available license when TwinSpires gave its up.
That said, if other licenses become available we can expect that bet365 will throw its hat in the ring to try to get market access in Michigan.
Can you bet on horses in Michigan and how?
Yes, you can place bets on horses via tvg.com. We’ll answer more about this in the next FAQ.
Is TVG legal in Michigan?
TVG is a horse racing TV channel that is legal in most states, Michigan included. You can bet on horse races through tvg.com, an online horse betting site, or through the TVG app. You must be 21 years of age or older like normal.
If you are to bet on horse races through tvg.com, you must be physically present in the state of Michigan. There are a variety of types of bets that you can place on horse races through TVG including win, place, show, and exotic bets.
You can also watch live horse races on the TVG channel if you have a cable or satellite tv subscription that includes the TVG channel.
Can you bet on sports in Michigan casinos?
Yes, you can place sports bets at any of the 15 licensed Michigan casinos.