Michigan Sports Betting

Michigan Sports betting offers a fun and easy way to add an extra level of excitement to your favorite sports games. Almost anyone in Michigan can bet on whom they think will win the game, how many points will be scored, and even which player will score the most points.

However, before you start, it's important to understand everything connected to Michigan sports betting action.

Licensing and Regulation

What is Internet Gaming?

Internet gaming is the act of playing video games online using a compatible device like a smartphone, tablet or laptop. It compasses both gambling and non-gambling games.

Online gambling games are further split into categories, such as casino games, racing, and sports betting.

Online gambling games have a lot of regulations, depending on the location of the operating site. For example, users must be physically present in Michigan to access all the state's licensed gambling operators. Furthermore, players must be above the minimum legal age for online gambling.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board controls the internet gaming industry within the state. It also issues licenses to eligible gambling operators.

Is Online betting legal in Michigan?

Online betting is legal in Michigan. The state's legislation passed the Lawful Sports Betting Act and Lawful Internet Gaming Act to legalize sports betting, fantasy sports, and online casino games in 2019.

What Sportsbooks are legal in Michigan?

As of 2022, Michigan is home to over a dozen licensed sportsbooks. Some popular options include:

• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Fox Bet Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• Gun Lake Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• PointsBet Sportsbook
• TwinSpires Sportsbook
• WynnBET Sportsbook
• Barstool Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• FireKeepers Sportsbook
• Four Winds Sportsbook

How Old Do You Have to be to Sports Bet in Michigan?

Players must be above the age of 21 to register and bet on an online sportsbook platform. Michigan Sportsbooks will require a form of identification for new players. Note that the age of eligibility may be lower for offshore betting platforms. Offshore betting platforms are gambling sites registered in other countries but are licensed to operate in the U.S. Players above 18 years old can sign up on offshore betting platforms.

Is it Okay to Bet on an Unlicensed Site in Michigan?

Betting on an unlicensed gambling site comes with risks. Players are likely to lose their financial and physical data when betting on unlicensed sites. Furthermore, unlicensed sites do not invest in premium security for their website, so hackers can easily obtain your information on these platforms.

There's also no guarantee of fair play when betting on unlicensed websites. So, your odds may be manipulated by these sites. The Michigan Gaming Control Board regularly audits licensed sites to determine if they follow the fair play rule.

Unlicensed betting sites may also withhold a large percentage of your earnings under the guise of "technical flaws" or terms and conditions.

How do I Identify if a Site is Licensed or Unlicensed?

You can identify if a betting site is licensed or unlicensed via these features:

Absence of an iGaming License

The Michigan Gaming Control Board issues iGaming licenses to licensed and approved betting sites. Unlicensed betting sites don't have an iGaming license.

Search the bottom section of getting sites to see the iGaming license. Sometimes, the license number is in the website's terms and conditions. So, take the time to look for that "license to operate" tag before depositing money on the betting site. You can also check the list of all licensed betting sites on the MGCB official website.

The Website's Security Feature

The MGCB requires betting sites to install premium security protocols. However, unlicensed sites often use below-par security features. To identify an unlicensed site, check if there's a padlock icon in your browser's taskbar. Furthermore, unlicensed sites have lots of spammy links and pop-ups.

Outrageous Bonuses and Offers

Unlicensed sportsbooks offer will often huge bonuses and offers. They use these offers to trap new users. Always compare the website's bonuses to other betting sites. It is probably unlicensed if the bonuses are larger than other betting sites.

Delayed Payment

Withdrawals take one to seven days on licensed sites. With unlicensed sites, withdrawal takes close to a month. Reputable payment platforms are reluctant to partner with unlicensed betting sites.

Absence of a Book to Book Transfer

You can transfer your funds from one Sportsbook to the other in a book-to-book transfer. Book-to-book transfers are quite common in licensed sportsbooks. However, unlicensed or fraudulent sites lack this feature since other licensed sportsbooks do not wish to liaise with them.

Bad Website Design

A wrong website design is also a tell-tale sign for identifying unlicensed sites. Licensed sites often invest in a professional and efficient UI/UX design. So, it's best to avoid placing bets if the website has a lot of spammy links, slow loading speed, and non-functioning pages.

Unresponsive Customer Care Service

It is a sign that you are dealing with an unlicensed site if you don't get a fast response after sending an email. Undoubtedly, most licensed betting sites have a well-equipped customer care department to attend to all complaints within a day.

Reviews and Customer Feedback

Always check review sites for information on betting sites. Unlicensed betting sites will always have many negative reviews. Type in and search "betting site+reviews" to get related reviews on a betting site.

Too-Long Verification Process

Unlicensed betting platforms have a lengthy verification process. Sometimes, they do this to withhold your payouts.

Large Withdrawal Fees

The standard withdrawal fee for most online banking transactions is within 1 to 3 percent of the total amount. However, unlicensed sites may charge as much as ten percent of your total earnings as withdrawal fees.

Is it Okay to Join more than One Betting Site?

You can sign up on more than one betting site as you become more experienced in gambling. Gamblers sign up on more than one betting site to compare the odds and take advantage of minor differences in odds.

You can follow these steps when signing up or betting on more than one betting site:

Research and fund your preferred betting sites

Sign up and deposit funds in at least two betting sites in Michigan for a start. You can check online reviews for Michigan's best online betting sites before picking your most preferred options.

Start Shopping Lines

Start comparing line odds for the same sports events and outcomes on different betting sites. Input the same wager for all your betting accounts to have a uniform baseline for comparison.

Compare Lines and Select the Sites with the Best Odds

Check the lines of different betting sites and select the ones with the best odds. Once you've identified the best odds, place your wagers and earn huge payouts through this strategy.

Can you bet on Horses Online in Michigan?

Players can place bets on horse racing online in Michigan. The state passed HB 4310 act to legalize all online betting on events, such as horse racing. TwinSpires and BetAmerica are some of the horse racing betting sites in the state.

Getting Started

How do I find the Best Sportsbook in Michigan?

Players can find and select the best Sportsbook in Michigan by considering various features. These features or criteria are:

The Site Reputation

Bet forums and review sites are a resource for getting the best Sportsbook in Michigan. There's a chance that your preferred betting sites have a lot of customer reviews. Players who lose money during betting may also leave bad reviews on forums.

Thus, you should avoid betting sites with largely negative reviews and consider those with a few bad reviews. Likewise, you may consider sites recommended by friends or those in your immediate social circle. These word-of-mouth recommendations are often the safest methods of finding the best Sportsbook in Michigan.

The Sports Events On the Platform

The best Sportsbook must cover a variety of sporting events. Check if your preferred Sportsbook covers major and minor leagues. Furthermore, check if it covers college games and leagues. Most sportsbooks in Michigan won't cover international sports events like Cricket or skiing. You may try international or European-based sites to access exclusive sports.

A Variety of Betting Options

You should also consider the number of betting options. Although most sportsbooks offer options like spread lines and total, it's difficult getting props bets on most platforms. Furthermore, you may not find all your betting options on a site. Your best bet is to select Sportbooks with the most betting options.

Mobile Betting Options

Mobile betting apps increase versatility and convenience for most gamblers. Find out if the best sportsbooks have a mobile betting app. This is not a deal-breaker if you're always using your desktop for most work functions.

Live Betting Options

Sportsbooks in Michigan offer live betting options on horse racing or games. Sometimes, you can place bets on live football events. You may also consider sportsbooks with live betting options. Remember, this feature is not a deal-breaker. It is an essential criterion for those interested in live betting.

Bonus, Loyalty Program, and Promotions

The best sportsbooks must offer competitive bonuses and promotions. However, avoid sportsbooks providing outrageous bonuses or promotions. Many unlicensed sportsbooks use huge incentives to entice and trap players. Therefore, search for platforms that offer competitive bonuses. For example, DraftKings Sportsbooks offer up to $1,050 in bonuses. Always check the terms and conditions attached to these incentives.

Availability in Other Locations

Can you access your preferred Sportsbook in other states? Frequent travelers must place much emphasis on this feature. So, consider sportsbooks that are licensed to operate in most U.S. states. For example, users can place games on the PointsBet state lines; you should consider sportsbooks in the following states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. Furthermore, BetMGM, TwinSpires, and FanDuel are available in at least ten states in the U.S.

What is the Legal Age for Betting in Michigan?

Only persons above 21 years old can legally place bets in Michigan. Betting sites require a valid government-issued photo I.D. from users during sign-up or registration.

Where Can you Bet on Sports in Michigan?

You place sports bets with these Sportsbooks in Michigan:

• Barstool Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• FireKeepers Sportsbook
• Gun Lake Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• TwinSpires Sportsbook
• WynnBET Sportsbook
• Four Winds Sportsbook
• PointsBet Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Fox Bet Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook

Do you have to Live in Michigan to Bet Online?

No. However, you must be physically present in Michigan to place bets on licensed betting sites. Michigan Sportsbooks use geo-location software to pinpoint the location of every user on their platforms. Persons outside Michigan will be unable to access these betting sites.

Withdrawals and Deposit

Which Banking/Deposit Methods are Available for Sports Betting in Michigan?

Available deposit/withdrawal methods for sports betting in Michigan are:

Credit/Debit Cards

Michigan sportsbooks allow credit/debit cards for depositing or withdrawing funds. Players can use credit/debit cards like MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover on most betting platforms.

Online Bank Transfer

Online bank transfers are a common deposits/withdrawal option in most betting platforms. This payment feature connects directly to your bank account through a bill-pay feature. Ensure your bank also has a bill-pay feature before you use this option. Santander, Capital One 360, the Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, are examples of banks with the bill-pay feature.

Instant eChecks

Instant eChecks enable you to move funds from your bank account to betting sites via a third-party payment processor. Most Michigan betting sites use VIP Preferred as a third-party processor. Register and save your bank details on VIP Preferred to use Instant eChecks on gambling sites.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most popular payment options on betting sites. It is a third-party payment platform that enables you to deposit funds into betting accounts. Furthermore, you request withdrawals from betting accounts into PayPal. Users can integrate PayPal with their betting account by creating an account on PayPal using the same email address on the betting account.

Don't use a different email for your PayPal to prevent issues when withdrawing funds.

Furthermore, you can deposit funds on your PayPal using bank deposit, person-to-person transfer, debit/credit card, and PayPal balance.

What's the Maximum Amount I can Deposit for Sports Betting in Michigan?

Betting platforms have different maximum deposit amounts. For example, BetUS has a $50,000 deposit limit.

What's the Maximum Amount Permitted for a Stake in Sports Betting?

Betting sites set different maximum staking amounts, depending on the sports event and other factors. Betting sites may set a low maximum staking amount for an odd if few players are betting on it. For example, most gambling sites set a lower stake limit for NFL games on Monday. However, the betting limit may increase to $50,000 if there are many players staking bets on the game.

Prop bets often have a lower staking limit, usually less than a thousand dollars. Sometimes, Michigan sportsbooks will raise the limit to six figures if players have fewer chances of winning the bet.

What's the Minimum Amount Permitted for a Stake in Sports Betting?

The minimum bet limit differs across different sports betting platforms. Most Michigan sportsbooks require a minimum stake limit of $5.

How long do Withdrawals take for Sports Betting?

Withdrawals on sports betting platforms usually take one to seven days from the request time. Your preferred withdrawal option will determine how long it will take. Visa or Mastercard withdrawals are generally faster than other options on betting sites. In contrast, PayPal and online banking often take 24 to 48 hours for withdrawal.

Here are the withdrawal timeframes for some Michigan sportsbooks:

1. William Hill sportsbooks have limited withdrawal options. Players may pick their winnings at William Hills Sportsbook in Ocean Resorts Casino.
2. SugarHouse sportsbook processes withdrawal immediately for players using the SugarHouse prepaid card. However, withdrawals via eChecks take three to five business days.
3. FanDuel Sportsbook may process instant eCheck withdrawals within four to six business days. However, it takes them two days to send your earnings into a Betfair prepaid card or PayPal.

Other Details

What is Live Betting?

Live betting refers to gambling or wagers on live sports events. It is also referred to as in-play betting. Thus, players can place bets during live sports games and predict outcomes. Live betting odds fluctuate based on the current activities in a live game.

Overall, live betting makes you a better gambler; it allows you to pay attention to the action and watch how it affects the odds. Not all Michigan sportsbooks offer live betting for soccer matches. You'll mostly find live betting options for horse and dog racing events in Michigan.

DraftKing, Caesar's, and BetMGM Sportsbooks offer live betting options to players in Michigan.

Can an Online Account be Limited, and for What Reasons?

Michigan sportsbooks may limit or restrict your gambling accounts due to these reasons:

• Misuse of promotions and bonuses on the betting platform;
• Players who win too frequently. Betting sites will flag down these accounts;
• Using arbitrage on the platform;
• Opening and running more than one betting account;
• If you ignore promotions and bonuses;
• Betting unlikely amounts like 20.67 or 12.28 instead of round figures.

What are Bonuses and Promo Codes, and Why Should I use One?

Bonuses and promo codes are incentives that improve your earning potential on betting sites. Michigan sportsbooks will offer sign-up bonuses to new users or deposit bonuses after making the first deposit. There are also loyalty programs and exclusive access to favorable odds.

You must use bonus codes and promotions to increase your payout. Furthermore, betting sites will flag down users who avoid bonus codes and promotions.

Are the Winnings from a Bet Taxable in Michigan?

All bet winnings are taxable under the Michigan Income Tax Act. The state adds all bet winnings to your adjusted gross income. Sometimes, earnings from gambling are added to payments for Alimony.

The IRS requires players to report their winnings on a W-2G page. Furthermore, federal income tax withholds 25 percent of earnings above $5,000.

What Online Sportsbook offers Risk-Free bets in Michigan?

PointsBet, FanDuel and BetMGM provide risk-free bets up to $1,000 as a welcome bonus offer. If you lose, these platforms will refund first deposits from $10 to $1,000.

Is PointBet Sportsbook in Michigan?

PointsBet Sportsbook is fully licensed to operate in Michigan. It has an extensive catalog of sports events and attractive sign-up bonuses for new players. You can get five risk-free bets up to $100 each.

BarStool Sportsbook in Michigan?

Barstool Sportsbook has a license to operate in Michigan. It provides two welcome offers to new users. Users will get a $10 bonus to wager on any sports event for a start. Then, players will get a 2-in-1 risk-free bet if the first bet losses.

Is FanDuel Legal in Michigan?

FanDuel Sportsbook is legal and licensed to operate in Michigan. Through FanDuel sportsbooks, you can place bets on major U.S. sports like motorsports, golfing, basketball, and food. It offers risk-free bets up to $1,000 to new users.

Is TwinSpires Legal in Michigan?

TwinSpires is legal in Michigan. It started with premium kiosks for in-person betting before moving to online betting options.

Is MyBookie Legal in Michigan?

MyBookie Legal is an international sportsbook based in Costa Rica, and it is licensed to operate in Michigan.

Is BetUS Legal in Michigan?

BetUS operates out of Costa Rica, and it is fully licensed to operate in Michigan. The platform offers betting options to all bettors above 18 years old.

Is Ceasars Sportsbook Legal in Michigan?

Caesar's Sportsbook is legal in Michigan. Players must be physically present in the state to place bets on the platform. Caesar's Sportsbook covers all major sports events and leagues, from basketball to golf to football and horse racing.

What Gambling is Illegal in Michigan?

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, engaging in betting pools based on sports events is Illegal. Furthermore, it is also illegal to allow other persons to organize or participate in betting pools on your property.