State of Play in Michigan
Sports Betting in Michigan
Michigan sportsbooks began launching mobile sports betting apps in January 2021. Online sports betting, casinos, poker, and daily fantasy sports (DFS) sites are all legal in the Wolverine State.
Sportsbooks in Michigan
Q&A
- Is wagering on college sports legal in Michigan? Yes, it is legal to wager on college sporting events in Michigan, including bets placed on in-state college teams. Michigan State University and the University of Michigan have become huge sports betting markets to target in the state.
- What is the tax rate for online sports betting in Michigan? All sports betting revenue in Michigan is taxed at a rate of 8.4%. This includes retail and online sportsbooks, and it is a tax revenue rate that is less than the national average.
- Who can apply to operate an online sportsbook app in Michigan? There are three commercial casinos in Michigan, and there are also tribal casinos. Those casino properties can all partner with an online sportsbook to offer an online sportsbook. Unfortunately, Michigan does not have any online-only licenses available for operators.
- Is the Barstool sportsbook app available in Michigan? Yes, the Barstool Sportsbook mobile app first launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021, along with the other top options in the state. Barstool was able to apply for online sports betting license in the state after partnering with the Greektown Casino Hotel in Detroit.
- Can I bet anonymously at Michigan legal sportsbook apps? No, there are specific rules in place in Michigan, and one of those rules is that you have to be inside the state borders. For the sportsbooks to track your location, you will have to be logged into your account each time. It's important to note that you have to create a separate account for each site that you intend to play at.
Methodology
Michigan Sports Betting Apps
The first wave of Michigan sports betting apps went live in January 2021. The Wolverine State immediately emerged as one of the biggest sports betting hubs in the U.S. This review offers an overview of the best Michigan sports betting apps.
Michigan Online Sportsbooks
Barstool Sportsbook
The Barstool Sportsbook betting app launched after partnering with the Greektown Casino in Detroit. Barstool is a sportsbook that targets a younger generation of sports bettors as Barstool Sports personalities are featured on the site.
BetMGM
BetMGM is a massive name in the online sports betting industry as it is a part of the MGM Resorts International company. The MGM Grand Detroit is already in the state, and it was a simple process to launch online betting. One thing that makes BetMGM stand out is the long list of available bonuses and promotions.
BetRivers
BetRivers is a product of Rush Street Gaming, and it is offered in Michigan through a partnership with Little River Casino and Resort. BetRivers is a pretty big name in the sports betting industry, and it’s an online sportsbook known for having plenty of promotions.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook made a big move in the industry in 2021 by purchasing William Hill. That purchase allowed Caesars to enter Michigan through a partnership with the Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel. Caesars has the biggest welcome bonus in the industry and other exciting promotions.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings has a pair of partners in Michigan as it has deals in place with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino and the Kings Club Casino. DraftKings is one of the biggest names in the online sports betting industry, and it does nearly everything well.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel leads all other sportsbooks in the United States, and that includes the state of Michigan. FanDuel was able to ink a deal with the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit to enter the state. FanDuel has some of the best odds in the industry and a long list of betting options.
FireKeepers Sportsbook
The FireKeepers Sportsbook first went live on July 12, 2021, and it is simply the online option of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel. This is a sportsbook that cannot compete with the biggest names in the industry.
Four Winds Sportsbook
There are three Four Winds Casino properties in the state, and they were able to launch online sports betting backed by Kambi. This Four Wins Sportsbook will not draw much betting action, but it’s still another sports betting option.
FOX Bet
FOX Bet is now in Michigan as well, and this sportsbook is king when it comes to the National Football League. FOX Sports helps power the sportsbook, and there are contests and promotions around the league. FOX Bet has partnered with the Odawa Casinos in Michigan to offer online sports betting.
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget has partnered with a pair of Ojibwa Casinos in Michigan, and it was ready to launch online sports betting on January 22, 2021. This operator is most known for online casino gambling, but the sports betting app is also highly rated.
Play Gun Lake
Play Gun Lake is the online sports betting option offered by the Gun Lake Casino. Online sports betting wasn’t offered through this partnership until August 2021, and it has not become a popular option.
PointsBet
PointsBet has been aggressive in the United States, even though this company is based out of Australia. PointsBet is known for offering points betting, and this sportsbook also has a long list of promotions available. In Michigan, PointsBet mobile betting is available through a partnership with Northern Waters Casino Resort.
WynnBET
WynnBET Sportsbook is backed by Wynn Resorts, a massive name in the gaming industry. WynnBET has partnered with the Kewadin Casino properties in the state to offer online sports betting. This sportsbook has a substantial welcome offer and some solid promotions.
How to Use Michigan Sports Betting Apps
Mobile App vs. Desktop Site
It doesn’t matter whether you are using the mobile app or desktop site to wager on sports in Michigan, as you will primarily get the same experience. However, there are some benefits to using the mobile app, with the most obvious being you can take a mobile app with you anywhere.
With a mobile app, you can fire up the sportsbook from anywhere in the state, and then you can quickly place bets. You can load a desktop site on a computer, but you are stuck in one location when trying to place a wager.
Mobile apps and the desktop site will look very similar, especially in how everything is laid out. You will be able to see everything better on the desktop site, but it might take longer to load.
The top sportsbooks will also offer unique promotions on the mobile app to entice customers to get all signed up.
Are Michigan Sports Betting Apps Available In The Apple App Store?
Apple sportsbook apps are available on the App Store, and you can see the rating of each app before deciding to download it. This is the easiest way to download the Apple app, as you will then install it directly on your phone.
Are Michigan Sports Betting Apps Available In The Google Play Store?
Michigan sportsbook apps will be available on the Google Play store, but you might not find every option. There is still an option to get the app for those sportsbook apps that you can’t find on the Google Play store.
Sportsbooks will also offer a link to download the apps on their sports betting site, and then you can install that app on a phone. This does add an additional step, but it’s still a relatively straightforward process.
Types of Michigan Online Sports Betting Bonuses
Deposit Bonus
A deposit bonus is the most common type of sports betting bonus you will find in the state, but this can come in a couple of different forms. This means that you will have to deposit before receiving any bonus.
Sportsbooks require a deposit before handing out an award to get you hooked on that website. Some deposit bonuses will need a promotional code, while others will be available.
Deposit Match
One of the most common types of deposit bonuses that you will find in Michigan is what is known as a deposit match. Sportsbooks that offer this type of bonus will all do it differently, but it always amounts to a pretty solid bonus offer.
Some of the top sites will offer a 100% match on your first deposit, while others will offer a lower percentage but a higher cap on the match. This extra money will be added to your account as either a free bet or simply sportsbook cash that you can use.
Risk-Free Bet
Another common deposit bonus is what is known as a risk-free bet. This is not a deposit match, but it’s an insurance policy on the first wager you place at the site.
This falls under the deposit bonus category because you will have to deposit to make a wager. However, it’s not uncommon for sportsbook apps in Michigan to offer a risk-free bet worth up to $1,000.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is generally considered the best bonus offered from a sportsbook because there is no commitment needed on your part. This type of bonus is available to anyone that creates an account at the site, and you won’t need to enter any unique code.
There is typically only one type of bonus offered as a no deposit bonus, but each sportsbook can change up what they want to offer.
Free Bets
A free bet is generally the bonus you will get if you take advantage of a no deposit bonus. This free bet is loaded into your account after you have completed the registration process.
This bonus is usually smaller than a deposit bonus because you have not yet made any commitment to the site.