Online Gambling in Chippewa County, Michigan
Located in the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan, Chippewa County has a land area of 1,558.51 square miles (4,036.52km2). The county houses 36,816 estimated residents as of July 2021, a median household income of $53,079 and a median household size of 2.46 persons.
According to census statistics, 89.3% of households in Chippewa County own or use a computer, smartphone, or other computing devices, whereas 83.5% of households have access to the internet.
What is the Legal Age for Gambling in Chippewa County?
According to the Michigan Gaming Control Act/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-432-209) and the Lawful Internet Gaming Act/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-432-303), persons must be at least 21 years of age to gamble in a casino or on gambling sites online.
However, these laws apply to commercial casinos regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Native American tribes in Chippewa County can establish their minimum gambling age under the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act.
As of January 2023, most tribal casinos in Michigan allow persons 18 years and above to participate in Class I and Class II games. On the other hand, persons under 21 years of age are not authorized to play Class III games like roulette, keno, and craps.
In summary, the legal gambling age in Chippewa County is 18 years for playing Class I and Class II games in most tribal casinos and 21 years for Class III games, online gaming, and gambling in any commercial casino.
Illegal underage gambling is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year, a fine not greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.
Note: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) regulates tribal casinos.
When Was Online Gambling in Chippewa County Legalized?
Chippewa county online gambling was legalized on December 20, 2019, with the signing of the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-432-303). Under this Act, persons from the age of **21 years **can engage in internet gaming on licensed Chippewa online gambling sites. Violations of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-432-303) can lead to felony or misdemeanor charges.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Chippewa County, Michigan?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Chippewa County, Michigan, under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-432-303). However, only persons 21 years of age and older are authorized to own an internet gaming account or participate in Michigan online gambling.
The only exception to this rule is that persons 18 years and above can purchase lottery tickets online. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulates online gambling sites in Michigan.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Chippewa County, Michigan?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Chippewa County, Michigan. Sports betting was made legal in Michigan with the signing of the Lawful Sports Betting Act/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-149-of-2019) on December 20, 2019.
Under this Act, persons 21 years of age and older can engage in online sports betting on platforms with a valid sports betting operator license. These platforms are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
Is Horse Betting Legal in Chippewa County, Michigan?
Yes, horse betting is legal in Chippewa County, Michigan. The Horse Racing Law of 1995/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-279-of-1995) permits pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing results. Pari-mutuel wagering means that the odds are not fixed and depend on the betting actions at the time. The Horse Racing Law prohibits persons under 18 years of age from any form of horse betting. The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates horse betting in Michigan.
Can I play Daily Fantasy Sports Contests in Chippewa County, Michigan?
Yes, persons 18 years of age and older can play Daily Fantasy Sports Contests in Chippewa County, Michigan. Although fantasy sports contests already existed in Michigan beforehand, it was officially legalized in Michigan on December 20, 2019, with the signing of the Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Act-157-of-2019).
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is charged with enforcing this act and licensing fantasy sports providers and eligible casino apps in Michigan, excluding qualified home-based fantasy sports contests. Some of the best online gambling sites in Chippewa County include DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo DFS.
Responsible Gambling in Chippewa County, Michigan
Gambling responsibly involves setting limits, having control over gambling urges, and making good decisions on what to spend in terms of time and money. However, people can become addicted to gambling.
If you or someone you know suffers from a compulsive gambling disorder, call the 24/7 Gambling Disorder Helpline at 1-800-270-7117. The toll-free helpline is maintained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and helps provide professional counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to a gambling treatment program.
Additionally, persons with gambling problems can voluntarily register for the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Disassociated Persons Program, which lets applicants voluntarily ban themselves from visiting a licensed Detroit casino. To apply visit the MGCB website or call 1-888-223-3044.
The Disassociated Persons List will be sent to casinos, state police, and the department of the Attorney General. Persons who break their pledges are subject to disciplinary actions under MCL 432.225/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-432-225). Persons on this list can only change their status after five years or remove their names upon request.
Other support platforms available to gamblers and their loved ones in Chippewa County include Gamblers Anonymous and the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (MAPG).
To report possible fraud from illegal online gambling sites, contact the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office at:
325 Court Street
Sault Suite
Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 635-6355
Fax: (906) 635-6336
What has been the Impact of Gambling on Crime in Chippewa County?
According to the FBI summary crime report, there has been no notable spike in gambling-related offenses reported by the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office since gambling became legal on December 20, 2019.
The crime trend in 2018 and 2019 showed that there were no reported incidents of betting/wagering, operation/promotion/assisting gambling, gambling equipment violations, hacking/computer invasion, and wire fraud offenses. Similarly, there were no reported cases of these crimes from 2020 to 2021.
Furthermore, there was a decrease in related property crimes between these periods. From 2018 to 2019, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office reported four identity thefts, six credit card/ATM fraud cases, and 31 larceny-theft offenses. In contrast, there were four identity thefts, five credit card/ATM fraud cases, and 26 larceny-theft offenses reported from 2020 to 2021.
Therefore, there is no direct link that shows that the legalization of gambling in Michigan led to an increase in reported Chippewa County crime rates for these years.
