In December 2019 the Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer legalized internet gambling and sports betting in the state of Michigan. Since then regulators have been planning how to manage, regulate, licence and monitor the new gaming platforms.
Michigan residents have long been able to gamble online via offshore operators, and now residents of the state will be finally able to place legal online wagers and play online casino games via in-state licensed online sportsbooks and casinos – beginning at Noon on Friday.
The in-state licensed sites will not offer political betting, and will restrict play to customers over 21 (as opposed to the minimum age of 18 years of age which is adopted in most offshore gambling sites). Gamblers participating in sports betting will not need to be Michigan residents, but must be situated within the state’s borders when placing bets online.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Tuesday that it approved the first nine casinos and their online platform partners to launch at that time, with additional approvals expected in coming days.
The Board authorized nine casinos to begin online offerings starting January 22nd, 2021.
Michigan Online Gambling Platforms (and their associated operators) are:
- FanDuel (MotorCity Casino)
- BetMGM/Roar Digital (MGM Grand Detroit)
- Penn Sports Interactive/ Barstool Sportsbook (Greektown Casino)
- DraftKings (Bay Mills Indian Community)
- William Hill (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians)
- TwinSpires (Hannahville Indian Community)
- Golden Nugget Online Gaming (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community)
- Rush Street (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians)
- Wynn (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)
Michigan residents love sports and, judging by inquiries we’ve received, eagerly anticipate using mobile devices to place bets through the commercial and tribal casinos. Online gaming and sports betting will provide the casinos with new ways to engage with customers while the state and local communities will benefit from taxes and payments on wagering revenue.
– Richard S. Kalm, Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director
More operators are expected to be issued with licences in the coming weeks.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.
