Online Casinos In Michigan
Posted : admin On 4/5/2022Online Casinos in Michigan. Anyone can’t just walk in and start running an online casino in Michigan. There’s more to it. First, online casino operators must pay a $50,000 non-refundable application fee to be eligible to obtain a license. Gaming suppliers will have to pay a $2,500 application fee. The short answer is yes. Online casinos and online poker games were legalized in the state of Michigan on December 20, 2019. The so-called Lawful Internet Gaming Act, or House Bill No. 4311, has effectively legalized all forms of online gambling, making online casinos fully legal. BetRivers is loaded with online casino promos & sports betting specials. Play more and earn more. This is Michigan online casino at its finest!
Are online casinos legal in Michigan?
Online casinos are legal in the Wolverine State thanks to the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. HB 4311 deems internet casinos, online poker, and daily fantasy sports legal.
This legislation sailed through both the State House and Senate. However, Gov. Gretchen Whitner was initially reluctant to sign.
She expressed concerns that internet gambling could cannibalize online lottery sales, which provide almost $1 billion annually to Michigan’s public school fund.
However, proponents won Whitmer over by imposing between a 20% and 28% tax rate on operators. She signed HB 4311 into law on December 20, 2019.
When will Michigan online casinos launch?
Gaming sites have officially been legal in the Wolverine State since December 2019. The regulatory framework and rules for the market aren’t in place yet, though.
Even when regulations are set, online casinos will need additional time to launch and work out potential kinks. We can’t provide an exact date on which Michigan online casinos will go live.
The MGCB estimates that gaming sites could launch as early as late fall 2020. Given that fall ends on December 21, the MGCB’s guess puts the market going live as early as November or December.
Of course, this estimation represents the best-case scenario. Gaming sites may not actually become available until early 2021.
Furthermore, not every internet casino will launch right after the MGCB gives approval. Some may wait several months or longer before they feel comfortable unveiling their casinos.
What MI online casinos will be available?
Before speculating on launch dates for specific internet casinos, we’d like to discuss which brands will be available in Michigan.
Each gaming site must partner with one of the land-based casinos in the state. Michigan features three commercial casinos and 12 tribal gaming interests, which collectively own 23 casinos.
You can see the likely MI online casinos along with their respective partners below:
Mgm Grand Online Casino Michigan
- BetAmerica - Partnered with Hannahville Indian Community
- BetMGM Casino - Partnered with MGM Grand Detroit
- BetRivers Casino - Partnered with Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians
- DraftKings Casino - Partnered with Bay Mills Indian Community
- FanDuel Casino - Partnered with MotorCity Casino
- Golden Nugget Casino - Partnered with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
- Hollywood Casino - Partnered with Greektown Casino
- Parx Casino - Partnered with Gun Lake Tribe
- PointsBet Casino - Partnered with Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
- PokerStars Casino - Partnered with Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
- William Hill Casino - Partnered with Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
- Wynn Casino - Partnered with Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Potential launch dates for internet casinos
As mentioned, the Michigan Gaming Control Board estimates that the first internet casinos will launch in late fall 2020.
Of course, we don’t know which casino will launch when. We can, however, look at other states for ideas.
Here are our best estimations on launch dates for Michigan internet casinos:
- DraftKings Casino - November or December 2020
- FanDuel Casino - November or December 2020
- BetMGM Casino - December 2020
- PokerStars Casino - January 2021
- Hollywood Casino - January or February 2021
- BetRivers Casino - February 2021
- Golden Nugget Casino - February 2021
- William Hill - July 2021
- BetAmerica Casino - August 2021
- Parx Casino - Late 2021
- PointsBet Casino - Late 2021
- Wynn Casino - Late 2021
What online casino games will Michigan offer?
Michigan is sure to feature a wide range of internet casino games that span from slots to table games. Below, you can see the main types of games to expect in this market.
Michigan online slots
Slots will no doubt rule Michigan’s online gaming market. They’re by far more popular than any other internet casino game.
Slots give developers a wide range of options regarding themes, formats, and bonuses. Therefore, Michigan will boast many types of online slots.
Here are the unique types of slots that will definitely be available in the Wolverine State.
- Three-reel: Although fewer in number today, these classic slots are still available in online casinos.
- Five-reel: Five-reel games are the most common type of slots in the industry.
- Bonus: These games offer unique bonus rounds that spice up the gameplay.
- Megaways: A Megaways slot provides a random number of winning “ways” on each spin.
- Grid: These slots feature a grid (e.g., 7x7) and cluster payouts, where matching symbols just need to touch to deliver wins.
- Progressive jackpot: These games take a small percentage of each bet to fund a progressive jackpot.
Michigan online blackjack
Blackjack has ruled the American table game scene for decades. It’ll assuredly be popular in Michigan’s internet gaming market, too.
Every MI gaming site is set to offer multiple variations of this classic game. Some of the likely variations include:
- Blackjack Xchange
- Blackjack: First Person
- Blackjack Pro
- Multi-hand blackjack
- Premium Blackjack Pro
- Unlimited Blackjack
Michigan online roulette
Roulette is another highly popular online table game. Michigan gaming sites are likely to feature roulette in multiple variants.
The two main variations are American and European roulette:
- American roulette: 38 numbers on the wheel; zero and double-zero pockets; 5.26% house edge
- European roulette: 37 numbers on the wheel; zero pocket; 2.70% house edge
As you can see, European roulette is the more desirable option. Its 2.70% house advantage is among the lowest in casinos.
Other Michigan online roulette games will likely offer the same basic structure as American and/or European roulette. They’ll only differ by featuring option side bets.
Table games
MI internet casinos are set to provide a variety of table games beyond blackjack and roulette. Here are likely online table games that’ll be available in Michigan:
- Caribbean stud
- Casino hold’em
- Let It Ride
- Mississippi stud
- Pai Gow poker
- Three-card poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Depending on the individual casino, craps may or may not be available in Michigan’s market. For whatever reason, only a small percentage of gaming sites offer craps.
Live dealer casino games
Live dealer gaming allows you to enjoy authentic brick-and-mortar gambling through a smartphone.
Michigan will assuredly feature live casino games at some point.
As seen with other states, internet casinos initially only launch with slots and virtual table games. They wait for months or even years before adding live gaming to the mix.
Whenever live dealer games do roll out, Evolution Gaming will be the premier provider. This studio has already inked deals with BetMGM and PointsBet well in advance of launch.
Video poker
Video poker has been a staple in Michigan land-based casinos for years. It’ll also be one of the featured game categories at Michigan online casinos.
Video poker is just five-card draw poker. However, MI gaming sites are set to roll out multiplier video poker variations.
Here are the likely online variants that’ll be available in Michigan:
- Bonus Poker
- Deuces Wild
- Double Bonus Poker
- Double Double Bonus Poker
- Jacks or Better
- Joker poker
- Triple Double Bonus Poker
Game providers at MI internet casinos
Several software developers will serve Michigan’s iGaming market. Here are notable providers that’ll supply MI online casinos either right away or in the future:
- AGS: This long-time supplier of tribal casinos also develops internet casino games.
- Big Time Gaming: This Aussie developer is famous for its “Megaways” slots.
- IGT: Launched in 1975, IGT is an institution in both land-based and online casinos.
- NetEnt: A Swedish developer, NetEnt is responsible for some of the biggest slot hits ever.
- WMS: Williams Interactive has produced the Zeus trilogy and plenty of other popular slots.
Depositing at Michigan online casinos
The Michigan iGaming industry is sure to feature plenty of deposit methods. Here are the primary banking options that should be available in the Wolverine State:
- 7-Eleven: Purchase a voucher from a nearby 7-Eleven and use it to deposit online.
- ACH (e-check): Send an e-check from your linked bank account to an online casino.
- Casino cage: Visit an online casino’s land-based partner to deposit in person.
- PayPal & Skrill: These two e-wallets offer convenient ways to place casino deposits.
- Play+ card: Prepaid cards that are available through each online casino.
- Visa and Mastercard: Use one of these credit cards to instantly fund your account.
Using Michigan casino apps
Smartphones have become the primary online gambling devices across the world. Therefore, many Michigan internet casinos will feature Android and/or iOS apps.
The method for obtaining a Michigan casino app will vary based on your phone’s operating system. Here are the steps for each type of system:
Android
- Visit the casino’s homepage.
- Look for and select the Android button.
- Follow the instructions on the download page.
- Download the app right off the website.
iOS
- Visit Apple’s App Store.
- Search for the relevant casino app.
- Download the app from the App Store.
Not all MI online casinos will feature an Android and iOS app. In this case, they should offer “instant play” in place of an app.
Instant play lets you enjoy casino games directly through your browser. You need only register to begin playing free online casino games.
Bonuses at Michigan online casinos
You can expect a wide variety of bonuses when Michigan gaming sites launch. Probable bonuses include:
- Cashback: You receive a percentage of your losses back (e.g., 20%) over a specified period.
- Free spins: These free slots spins let you generate winnings that you can cash out after meeting terms and conditions.
- Loyalty rewards: Collect loyalty points based on your real-money play and exchange them for rewards.
- Match deposit bonus: A bonus that matches a specified percentage (usually 100%) of your deposit amount.
- No-deposit bonus: You receive a bonus just for registering at a new online casino.
Michigan Online Casino FAQ
When will Michigan online casinos be available?No definitive date exists on which when Michigan gaming sites will go live. However, the Michigan Gaming Control Board believes that some casinos could launch in November or December 2020.
Do I have to live in Michigan to play at online casinos?No. You can play at legal Michigan online casinos as long as you’re within state lines.
Each gaming site uses geolocation software to pinpoint your location. You’ll be able to play for real money as long as the software deems you to be in Michigan.
The MGCB oversees the state’s online gaming market. It vets applicants and only issues licenses to highly qualified entities. Therefore, you’re unlikely to deal with any unfair Michigan online casinos.
What’s the minimum gambling age in Michigan?You must be at least 21 years old to legally play online casino games in the Wolverine State.
Legal online casinos arrived in the state of Michigan in January 2021, bringing with them a bevy of lucrative bonuses, free money offers and site promotions. We’re here to provide some clarity on what kind of offers are available in the nascent Michigan market, and show you how you can get your hands on them via our exclusive promo codes.
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What is an MI casino promo code and why should I use one?
Why do you need a promo code? Simply put, if you’re not securing promotions and bonuses, you’re losing value. Our codes and bonus offers will pay out more money than the common, public offers. A promo code is how you tell the casino we sent you, and lets them know to hook you up.
It’s a pretty simple concept: enter promo code, receive bonus. While getting set up with an online casino you’ll need to be on the lookout for the designated promo code box – it will be well marked. You may find it while creating the account, or during the deposit process.
Either way, that box, and our promo code is the key to a lucrative bonus. Our individual Michigan casino reviews, and info across this website, will provide detailed instructions on which codes to use and where to find the promo code box for each specific casino site.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that not all casinos will use the same verbiage when asking for a code. You may see it referenced as a promo code, bonus code, offer code, etc. They’re all referring to the same thing. If you see a box asking for a code of some kind, that’s what you’re looking for.
MI online casino promo codes list – March 2021
MI Online Casino | Bonus Code | Bonus Offer |
---|---|---|
BetMGM | MIBETS | $25 No Deposit + 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 |
Golden Nugget | MIBETS | $30 No Deposit + 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 |
If a MI casino is not listed in the above table it doesn’t mean that they don’t offer their own bonus, just that we don’t have an exclusive code with them. In some cases all you need to do is to click on one of our exclusive links located on this site and you’ll become eligible for the site’s bonus.
How do I get the largest possible bonus?
When it comes to sign up bonuses there are often two choices. The first is the public offer that you’ll find displayed on a casino’s homepage or promotions page. This offer is available to everyone, and there’s no extra value attached. However, the second choice is the exclusive deal that we’ve arranged with the casino. Using our promo codes will often net you a bonus that is superior to the public offer, adding more valuable bonus dollars to your pocket.
Rest assured, we have used our contacts within the Michigan online casino industry to bring our customers the largest possible bonuses.
Casino bonuses seem too good to be true, is there a catch?
While not a catch, per se, casino bonuses do come with something called wagering requirements. You can find them within the terms and conditions section for the bonus, and they will indicate what you need to do in order to access the full bonus. Once cleared the bonus cash is 100% yours. However, until you’ve completed the play-through, you can’t cash it out.
Example – BetMGM Casino MI
To illustrate wagering requirements, we’ll use an example welcome offer from BetMGM Casino MI, which launched it’s site with a juicy two-part bonus: $25 Free + a 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000. Here’s how it works.
Part 1: $25 NoDeposit Bonus (free money)
The free, no-deposit $25 comes with a simple 1x play-through requirement, meaning you’ll only need to wager $25 in the casino before you can cash it out.
At just 1x, it’s an easy bonus to clear, just be aware that there is a 7-day expiration date. So, as long as you bet $25 in however big or small increments, any money you have left will be yours to keep.
Part 2: 100% up to $1,000 First Deposit Match
The Deposit Match bonus comes with a larger, 15x wagering requirement. So if you deposit the full $1,000, you’ll need to wager $15,000 (15x) in the casino to clear it.
A note on qualified games
It’s important to note here that not all casino game types contribute the same amount to the 15X requirement.
If you play slots, 100% of your play will contribute, but table games like roulette, baccarat and craps only contribute 20%. Video poker also contributes 20% while blackjack play only contributes 10%.
Putting it all together
So if you decided to deposit $600 at BetMGM, you’d receive an additional $600 in your account. To clear it for withdrawal you could play any number of games. However, to clear it the fastest, you’d want to choose slots.
Playing slots, all of your action would go towards the wager requirement, meaning you’d need to turn over $9,000 ($600 x 15) in order to fully clear the bonus.
If roulette is your game, you’d need to put in more action, since only 20% goes towards the requirement. In this case you need to wager a hefty $45,000 ($600 x 15) x 5 before the money is yours to keep.
Lastly, customers have 14-days from the time they deposit to clear the bonus – so make sure you finish up your play during that time or your bonus will be forfeited.
You can indeed make a nice profit with bonuses such as BetMGM’s, but you’ll need to jump through a few hoops before you can bank it.
Free cash bonuses are plentiful in the Michigan online casino market, and by familiarizing yourself with the wagering requirements of your chosen bonuses, you can develop a plan of attack and clear them quickly and efficiently while avoiding unwanted surprises.
How can you tell a good bonus from a bad one?
It’s all in the terms and conditions. We illustrated this in the previous section, but every casino bonus is going to come with a play-through requirement. It might be as small as 1x, or as much as 40x or higher. Whatever it is, you’ll need to wager the amount of the bonus in the casino “x” number of times before the funds are completely freed up and yours to withdraw.
Of course, the lower the wager requirement number, the better the bonus. A bonus that comes with a 10x play-through would be far superior to one with a 40x play-through.
Qualified games are another measure of the quality of a bonus. Some offers will require you to play specific casino games like slots, or even specific slots. Bonuses that can be cleared through table games are generally going to be more valuable, since table games like blackjack offer much better odds to the player than slots.
Last, make sure you take note of the expiration date. If you’ve only got a few days to clear a bonus, it’s not ideal. The longer you have, the better.
So keep an eye out for bonus offers with:
- Fewer qualified game restrictions
- Low playthrough rates
- Plenty of time for clearance
Michigan online casino bonus types
There are three primary types of bonuses that online casinos in the United States typically utilize, including the Wolverine State.
No Deposit Bonuses
Players love no deposit offers. Why? Because they get you to the tables, playing for real money, with minimal effort. It’s easy to claim a no deposit offer, you just have to create your account with an online casino site using the right promo code.
Once you’ve finished the registration process, the free cash is usually waiting in your account and ready for use. It will be a smaller payment, likely less than $30, but definitely worth claiming as there is no risk and no deposit necessary.
No deposit bonuses are great for new players or those with a smaller bankroll because they allow casino-goers to test out a site without opening their own wallet. Before you can withdraw the no deposit bonus it’s pretty typical to have to complete a playthrough requirement, but even still… free money is free money.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Deposit match bonuses are the real meat of a welcome offer, and are where experienced players are going to see the biggest return for their play. As the name implies, with a match bonus the online casino will match your first deposit with bonus funds.
For example, if a casino is offering a 50% up to $500 first deposit offer, it means the casino will toss you a bonus of 50% of your first deposit, up to a maximum of $500. Therefore, to claim the full value of that specific promotion you would need to deposit $1,000. It’s important to note that you don’t have to max out the bonus, though. Deposit what you can afford, and grab all of the value you can.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your match bonus, as there’s going to be a playthrough requirement. The easier it is, the better the bonus. It’s also not uncommon to see deposit match bonuses carry the ‘qualified games’ stipulation, where you have to clear the bonus in specific areas of the casino. If your favorite game is blackjack but the bonus only clears with slots, it won’t be worth as much to you.
Deposit match bonuses are ideal for customers capable of making a nice deposit, and who are both willing and able to put in the volume to clear it.
Cashback Bonuses
Cashback offers are less common, but they have made appearances in the legal U.S. online casino market. With a cashback bonus, customers are given a set block of time, like a day or a week, and will receive a refund for any losses they sustain during that time – up to the maximum amount of the offer.
For example, if you had a 24 hour, $200 cashback bonus, you could play as much as you wanted in the casino over the first 24 hours after your initial bet. If you post losses in that 24 hour period, the operator will refund those losses up to $200 after the day elapses. If you get off to a rocky start, cashback bonuses are great to have. However, if you win there’s no value to speak of– think of it as a safety net.
Do MI casinos offer bonuses after the initial welcome offer?
After you’ve cleared your welcome bonus you might be asking: what’s next? Don’t worry, the gravy train’s not over. Michigan online casinos offer an assortment of creative promotions and bonus offers to players.
Why? To keep you coming back. Now that things are rolling in the Great Lakes State, there are numerous online casinos to choose from. This means customers, like you, have plenty of options. If an online site isn’t offering valuable promotions, you can move on to a competitor and play there.
To stop that from happening, online casinos will regularly roll out valuable promos to keep their members happy. Reload bonuses are a common offer where you can deposit again and receive another match bonus. They aren’t usually as large as the welcome bonus, but will still add to your bottom line. Keep an eye on your chosen casinos rewards program as well, you’re likely to see offers that award nice extras like free slots spins.
What’s the best way to clear a bonus?
You’ve created an account, made your deposit, and have a nice bonus waiting for you. However, you’ve still got the playthrough requirement to contend with. So what’s the best way to clear it?
First, we mentioned this above but it’s always important to check and see if there are “eligible games”. If there are, you’ll have to focus on that specific area to work through the bonus. It’s not uncommon to see slots, or other games that offer a relatively low return on the required games list. It may not be ideal, but at the end of the day the casino is giving you free money, so they get to set the terms.
If table games are an option, they’re a great choice.
- Blackjack: Pretty much every version of blackjack will offer excellent bang for your buck if it’s a game that works toward playthrough requirements.
- Roulette: Roulette players should look for European or French versions of the game, because having just 1 zero on the wheel makes your chances of winning a lot higher.
- Baccarat: Another option where the house edge isn’t huge.
If you’ve got to play slots, pick a game that has a high return to player percentage (RTP) that offers low volatility. You can often find info on RTP on the casino website. Some slots, by NetEnt for example, will offer RTPs in the high 90s, so look out for those and be sure to bet small so you don’t risk busting your entire bankroll trying to clear the wager requirement.
Also, it’s not uncommon for sites that also offer sportsbook or daily fantasy sports to include those products in a sign up bonus. If that is the case, it makes clearing the bonus a little easier since you can venture outside of the casino.
How do sportsbook bonuses differ from casino bonuses?
Thanks to HB 4917, otherwise known as the Lawful Sports Betting Act, sports betting is legal in Michigan. So how are casino bonuses different from those offered with online sportsbooks?
Generally speaking sportsbook welcome offers will lean heavily on “risk-free” bets. You make a deposit, place your bet, and if it loses you’ll get refunded with a bonus. Deposit match bonuses aren’t unheard of with sportsbooks though, and will generally operate similarly to how they would with a casino.
As we touched on earlier – there’s a chance your sportsbook and casino bonus might be one in the same. If a site offers multiple products like sportsbook and casino, you may be able to clear the bonus using both. Always be sure to check the T&C for your bonus!
MI online casino bonus FAQ
Can I claim bonuses at multiple online casinos?
Absolutely. Check out our online casino reviews and return to this page to see a list all of the best bonuses and promo codes available. Stay tuned and we’ll help you bag your bonuses.
Am I guaranteed to come out ahead with a bonus?
If it’s a no deposit offer, you can’t lose money if you didn’t deposit any. However, if you take advantage of a deposit match bonus there is a possibility you could lose your original stake. It’s also possible that this could happen before you’ve completed the wagering requirement to clear the bonus.
Is there a time limit for casino bonuses?
Yes there is. It will be listed within the T&C of the bonus, but its usually somewhere between 14 – 90 days.
New Online Casinos In Michigan
Do I have to live in Michigan to get a bonus?
Nope. Michigan residency isn’t required for any aspect of online casino gaming in the state. You can actually sign up with a casino and deposit from anywhere. However, in order to actually claim the bonus by playing online for real money, you will need to be inside of the Michigan state border.
Is there an age requirement to claim a casino bonus in Michigan?
There is, you must be at least twenty-one (21) years or older to open an online casino account, claim a bonus, or play online.
Mgm Casino Online Michigan
Can I create a second account and claim the bonus again?
Definitely not, welcome offers are in place to do just that… welcome new players. Once you’ve created an account and claimed the initial offer, you cannot do it again. You can, however, keep an eye out for reload bonuses and other promotions for existing players. Plus, you’re always able to move to a different online casino, create an account there, and take advantage of their welcome promotions.