Michigan Sports Betting

Michigan Online Sportsbook List for September 2024

Michigan bettors have the choice of the best and biggest brands in US online sports betting. The sports betting apps Michigan sports fans can now use are excellent. The odds for your bets are finely judged and competitive. The Michigan online sportsbooks are all easy to use, safe, legal and reliable. But that does not mean they are all the same.

Each one of the new Michigan sportsbooks offers something different. Here's a quick rundown of who is in the market. Our detailed review pages will give you all the info you need to choose which is the best for you.

BetMGM

The MGM Grand Detroit has served Michigan for 22 years. As soon as sports betting became legal it opened a new luxury lounge with a retail sportsbook. MGM sports betting is a joint venture with global online gambling giant Entain. The BetMGM brand is now one of the top sports betting brands in the US state-regulated markets.

The BetMGM online sportsbook offers MGM's M Life rewards scheme. Points you earn while sports betting in Michigan can earn you benefits at the MGM Grand. The benefits on offer include free hotel stays, discount meals and entertainment. Sponsorship deals with the Detroit Lions and Detroit Red Wings add in team-specific promotions including match tickets. The BetMGM software is easy to use especially on mobile devices and BetMGM's valuable promotions come thick and fast. Special bonus codes for BetMGM are also very common not only for the sportsbook, but also for casino and poker. 

 

FanDuel

FanDuel started as a Daily Fantasy Sports operator. A new strategy took the company into the new online sports betting market where it is now the clear market leader. In March 2020, FanDuel launched in Michigan at the Motor City Casino in Detroit. Online sports betting followed in January 2021.

The FanDuel Michigan sports betting app is regularly rated the best in the market. Fully loaded with a wide range of sports and an excellent user interface it works well for beginners and experts alike. You can even follow the action while you make your bets; FanDuel live streams games from the major US sports leagues. Sponsorship partners include the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.

Read Our FanDuel Sportsbook Review

 

DraftKings

DraftKings is another company that began with DFS before adding real money sports betting. It was the first to launch a mobile sports betting app outside of Nevada. Now one of the top Michigan sportsbooks, DraftKings is partnered with the Bay Mills Indian Community.

The software includes a useful graphical live match tracker so you can follow the action. It also uses a unique carousel-style display so you can rapidly find the matches where you want to place your bets.

Read Our DraftKings Sportsbook Review

 

BetRivers

BetRivers built its sports betting software in-house with the assistance of Kambi. The proprietary platform has a distinctive appearance with larger text than average. You will also find betting tools that no other Michigan sports betting sites offer. The best of these are the alternate lines for spread betting and totals bets.

Based in Chicago, Rush Street Gaming which owns BetRivers operates a number of casinos in other states. In Michigan, it is online-only, in partnership with the Little River Casino Resort.

Read Our BetRivers Sportsbook Review for more

 

Caesars

The current Caesars sports betting software is completely new. It offers an elegant best-in-class experience without clutter or unnecessary features. The Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is Caesars' partner for sports betting in Michigan.

Michigan Sports Betting Promos

Michigan online sports betting operators must partner with a Michigan licensed casino or tribal casino. This benefits the Michigan economy and makes for Michigan-specific promotions tied into local casino partners. 

Our Top-Rated Michigan Sportsbook App

We rate Michigan online sports betting sites across several areas. We look at banking options and responsible gaming features. We look at software stability and the range of sports on offer. We look at betting lines and we look at promotions. In short, we go to town on reviewing Michigan sportsbooks to make it easier for you to find the Michigan betting sites that are right for you.

As legal sports betting is in its early stages in Michigan, a lot of new sports bettors are sports fans with little experience of real money online gambling. In choosing our top-rated Michigan sportsbook app we have gone for an all-rounder. A sportsbook that works for high rollers and for fans taking their first steps into this new legal entertainment activity. The sportsbook that best meets this specification is, in our opinion, BetMGM.
 

Bet MGM Sportsbook Michigan

BetMGM's software is great on your desktop or mobile device. Easy to learn and easy to use. New sports bettors will appreciate the plain language descriptions which minimize confusing jargon. On the mobile app, you get daily updates alerting you to promotions, bonus bets and odds boosts.

BetMGM is pushing hard to increase its market share. The promotions the marketing team is using in this endeavor are just a little bit better and a little bit more frequent than most competitors. In particular, the M Life Rewards program provides generous benefits that you can exchange for comps locally at the MGM Grand in Detroit.

If you are interested in sports betting in Michigan, BetMGM will make starting out easy and stress-free.

 

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Online sports betting marketing depends heavily on promotions. Michigan sports betting operators must recruit new sports bettors and retain their existing customers. To this end, they invest a fortune in offering players financial incentives to stay loyal to their site. But this is as much art as science. Promotions are finely balanced to offer some entertainment value as well as bonus cash. The more entertainment, the less cash the marketing team has to invest.
 

The terms and conditions of promotions can be restrictive so that the operators control how much bonus cash they are handing out. This is why you will regularly see wagering requirements — which means you have to bet a certain amount before qualifying for the bonus — or bonuses given in bet credits, which you cannot cash out but must use to make more wagers.

When you start sports betting in Michigan you may be surprised at how many different types of bets are on offer. Here are a few of the most popular:

Moneyline

Moneyline bets are the simple bets on which team will win a match. The bookmaker sets odds on each team based on how likely they are to win. Negative odds are used for the favorite and positive odds are for the underdog.

In your online sportsbook, you might see the Detroit Lions -200 v the Pittsburgh Steelers +350. This means if you bet on the Lions you must bet $200 to win $100. Of course, you can bet what you want and the payout ratio remains the same; bet $100 and you could win $50. Or you might decide to bet on the Steelers. In which case, if you bet $100 you could win $350. In both cases, you get your original stake back as well as your winnings.

Spread Bet

Spread bets are still concerned with who wins and who loses a match. But this time you are betting on whether your team wins by more than expected or loses by less than expected. The bookmaker sets a betting line on what it expects the spread to be. You have to beat the spread to win your bet.

The NFL kick-off game on Sep. 9 this year is between the Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowl champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In your sportsbook you will see:

• Cowboys +5
• Buccaneers -5

The Buccaneers are the favorite so they get a minus sign and they are expected to win by five points. You can bet on either team. If the Cowboys win or lose by less than five points, you would win a spread bet on them. Or if the Buccaneers win by more than five points, you would win your bet on them.

The odds are quoted next to the points spread and are usually set at -110 on both teams. You have to bet $110 to win $100. That extra $10 is the vig — the margin the bookmaker needs to make a profit.

Totals Bet

Totals bets depend on the total points scored in a game by both teams. They are useful for games with lots of points such as football and basketball. They are less common for low-scoring games such as soccer.

Like spread bets, the Michigan sports betting site sets a line. You bet on whether the final total score will be above or below the line. Odds work the same way as spread bets to give the bookmaker a slight edge.

Parlay

Parlay bets are extremely popular because they provide the two key benefits of sports betting. First, you can win a lot of money for a small initial stake. Second, you have skin in the game for several games so you get a lot of entertainment time for your dollar.

In a typical parlay, you might decide to bet on four games over the weekend. The parlay ties those bets together into a single sports wager. If you lose any one of the bets you lose the parlay. The odds of each individual bet are multiplied together so you can win a lot of money for a small bet. Of course, it is a lot riskier than a single bet, but each match in your parlay now has added interest — especially if it is the last leg of your parlay!

Prop Bet

Prop bets are a lot of fun. Especially now that legal sports betting sites offer a plethora of live betting options. Prop bets are bets on events that happen independently of a match. You might bet on what the score will be at the end of the third quarter, or who will score the first touchdown. You can make prop bets on a huge range of events. The best sportsbooks offer as many as a hundred prop bet options during a live game. The odds are usually quoted exactly the same way as moneyline bets.

What You Can and Can’t Bet on in Michigan

Michigan bettors are fortunate that the politicians have opened up the online gambling market to sports betting, poker and casino games. Some Michigan sportsbooks offer all three activities from a single account. Nevertheless, there are still some restrictions on what bets the sports betting operators are allowed to offer.

What You Can Bet On in Michigan

You can bet on all of the major US professional sports such as the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB games. You can also bet on sports from around the world; the Euro soccer competitions and cycling events.

College sports are extremely popular. You may bet on any college sports event where all of the players are over 18. Real money betting on Daily Fantasy Sports is also legal. The FanDuel DFS and DraftKings DFS site even allow you to make your sports bets and DFS bets using the same online wallet.

What You Cannot Bet On in Michigan

You may not bet on high school sports. Michigan allows some betting on esports but at present, your options are very limited.

How to Place a Bet in Michigan

Sports betting is a major business in Michigan so as you might expect the sportsbooks make it as easy as possible for you to place your bets. The basic steps to getting set up for online sports betting are:

Download and Register

If you use a desktop or laptop there is no need to download an app. All of Michigan's sportsbooks offer a browser-based sports betting platform. If you want to bet on your mobile device you do have to download the appropriate app for iOS or Android.

Registering your account is simple. At the registration screen fill in your basic personal details, choose a password and screen name and tick the boxes to confirm you are over 21 and have read the terms and conditions. The regulator demands that sportsbooks verify your age and identity so you have to give them the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Fortunately, the regulator also insists on comprehensive data protection measures.

Don't forget to enter one of the promo codes listed above when you register.

Account Funding

Unless there's a no deposit bonus in your account you will have to deposit some cash both to make bets and claim any welcome bonuses. We set out common deposit and withdrawal options below.

Claim the Michigan Sportsbook Promo

During registration, there is usually a space for you to enter a promo code to claim the bonuses that we promote here. If there is a promo code in the table above, enter it exactly as written. Some sites don't use promo codes or use them rarely. If we don't list a code for your chosen site then none is required to claim your welcome package.

Start Betting

When you do start betting, remember the terms and conditions of your introductory offer. When you make your qualifying bet, it's important to know what you must do to "earn" any bonus. Follow these conditions to the letter — there's no point in missing out on your share of the bonus money on offer!

Funding Your Michigan Betting Account

Even though online sports betting is now legal in Michigan some banks do not accept gambling transactions. If your bank is one of these you will not be able to deposit using your credit/debit card. Do not worry there are several other options available to you that are almost as fast and equally simple.

Play+

Play+ offers an account and prepaid debit card through the cashier in your sports betting account. The card is usually branded to your sportsbook and enables fast deposits and withdrawals. You fund the Play+ card online using your credit or debit card.

PayPal

PayPal is used for online shopping across the US and the rest of the world. You can even link it to your debit card or bank account to make automatic transfers. Only a few of Michigan's sports betting operators accept PayPal. Our reviews show you which sites offer the service. You can use PayPal for both deposits and withdrawals.

Visa/MasterCard

Typically you can only use your Visa/Mastercard to make deposits at Michigan betting sites. You will need to use another option to withdraw.

E-check

E-checks are extremely convenient for both deposits and withdrawals. They are a good option for withdrawals if your bank only allows deposits to your sports betting account. Using the data on your checkbook, you create an electronic check (the sportsbook cashier shows you how).

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers are a secure way to send larger amounts of money. Your bank will charge you to send or receive a bank transfer but the sports betting site will not. Allow three to five working days for the transaction to process.

PayNearMe

Local 7/11s and some other convenience stores offer the PayNearMe service. using a code from your sportsbook account you can use this service to deposit in cash. PayNearMe now offers withdrawals too but not many sportsbooks offer them yet.

NETELLER

NETELLER, also branded as Skrill, is another payment processor very much like the Play+ card. You can use your card for deposits and withdrawals as well as for buying goods on the internet or withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Major Sports Events to Bet on in Michigan - 2021

Regular league games make for a lot of betting action, but it is the flagship events in the most popular sports that take in the most betting money. Michigan sports betting will also skew toward matches where there is a local interest. Here are the top sites to bet on big events:

• Super Bowl Betting Sites
• March Madness Betting Sites
• Stanley Cup Betting Sites
• NBA Finals Betting

Features of a Michigan Sports Betting Site

If you have never used an online sports betting site before or if you have only used an offshore illegal site, you will be impressed with what you can now get in Michigan. Legal sites access near real-time official sports data. This means they can offer a sports betting experience that is many times better than anything available offshore.

Intuitive User Interface

Making sports betting software work well across all operating systems and devices is an expensive project. Some of the new Michigan sportsbooks have spent hundreds of millions of dollars making their software as easy to use as possible. We compare Michigan sportsbooks in our reviews, but in truth, every sportsbook apps is a very high-quality product.

Michigan's sportsbook have achieved a remarkable balance; sports fans trying sports betting for the first time will find the software intuitive and easy. Experienced bettors will delight in digging deeper to find extra features that create a comprehensive sports betting service.

Range of Sports

One way sportsbooks differentiate themselves is in the range of sports that they offer. All offer the most popular US sports. It is in the less popular sports where the differences arise. Do you have a secret love of Cricket? Well, there is more than one Michigan sportsbook that will offer you the chance to bet on runs and wickets and innings totals! Check out our gambling reviews to see what each sportsbook offers.

Live Betting and/or Live Streaming

Live betting is the term used to refer to bets placed during a game. The range of live betting options is driven by the quality of the data the sportsbook can access. Offshore books can't get official data so they cannot compete with Michigan's legal sport betting operators. When live betting sites are available with official data, it is one of the most popular ways to bet on sports.

Many sites also offer live streaming. This can be live video streams of matches or a graphical representation of the action as it happens. Both live betting and live streaming make modern legal sports betting much more enjoyable and entertaining.

Great Customer Service

Big casino companies live or die on keeping demanding customers happy. Their online partners in Michigan know well that it costs a fortune to replace a customer lost through bad customer service. as a result, you can expect the highest standards of customer service from Michigan sports betting sites.

Cash Out

It is also official data feeds that allow early cashouts. If you've never heard of this before you might be surprised to learn that many sites offer the opportunity to close a bet before the result is known. This works because the sportsbook can calculate to the second how the odds of you winning your bet have changed since the match began.

If you took a long shot and it looks like paying off you can use the cashout facility to lock in a partial win. Last-minute upsets are exciting but they can ruin your day if you have money riding on the outcome! Similarly, if your bet is going wrong you can reduce your losses and get some of your stake back.

How to Stay Safe at a Michigan Betting Site

Legal online sports betting sites offer a safe environment to wager on sports. Your funds are safe; not routed through offshore banks and you have legal redress if anything goes wrong. Even better, you have a state regulator who is on your side and easy to contact. Some rules for keeping safe are:

Stick to Regulated, Licensed Michigan Sites

Michigan licensed online sports betting operators are simply better in every respect than offshore operators. Why take the risk when you can now bet legally in Michigan. If you are unsure about whether a site is licensed, check for the MGCB logo on screen or check our reviews.

Know Your Budget

Sports betting takes some skill but it is still gambling. The old rules are still the best: never chase your losses and never bet more than you can afford. This should be healthy entertainment but for some people, it can turn into problem gambling. Keep an eye on your budget and you will know if you are moving outside your comfort zone.

Read the Fine Print

All of the Michigan sportsbook promotions look generous. The MGCB makes sure that they do not mislead you. But even so, there are always terms and conditions to satisfy. Check these whenever you accept a promotion and you won't miss out on the benefits you expect.

Educate Yourself on Betting

The most entertainment from sports betting comes when you are confident about what you are doing. The sportsbooks have FAQ sections, glossaries and often sports betting guides. It is worth the time to read some of these so you know how things work and what the different bet types offer.

Sign Up with Multiple Operators

Don't feel that you must stick with the first sportsbook that you try. Welcome promotions mean that it can be very cheap to check out several sportsbooks. You might find that it makes sense to do most of your betting at a sportsbook with a great loyalty program. Or you might find that spreading your betting across several sportsbooks gives you more access to promotions. It is up to you.

Who Regulates and Oversees Michigan Sports Betting Sites?

The new gambling laws give the responsibility for regulation of Michigan sports betting sites to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). It also regulates any Michigan online casino. Contact details are:

• Address: 3062 West Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700, Detroit, MI 48202-6062
• Phone: 313-456-4100 Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Email: [email protected]

The MGCB also maintains local offices inside each of Detroit's three licensed casinos: the MGM Grand, MotorCity Detroit and the Greektown Casino.

Responsible Gambling

You will find guidance on problem gambling on every Michigan licensed sports betting site. There is information to help identify if you have a problem and links to resources to help.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) operates a 24-hour free helpline. The number is 1-800-270-7117. The line is manned by trained counselors who will give you appropriate advice on any aspect of problem gambling — whether you are calling for yourself or for a friend or family member. Their website is here.

Michigan Sports Betting, May vs. April

Updated June 17