Michigan is very much a newcomer to the online sports betting market but that doesn’t mean that it’s not placing itself firmly on the map. Since starting to allow punters to place bets in the state in 2021, operators have flocked to set up there. That’s why, at Profitsquad, we review all the businesses available to find the best options for users. Read on to find out more about how we rate these operators.
User-friendly interface Seamless transition from DFS to sportsbook with one wallet Promos and free plays for existing members FanDuel Sportsbook is a very good online sportsbook that seems to have a lot to offer every player. Players have a good range of sports to bet on, and some competitive odds to enjoy using. This is a sportsbook that seems to do what it can to beat the competition. It has a great level of security and some good deposit and cash out options.
Easy to use website and app Every game can be live streamed for free Wide variety of sports to bet on The BetMGM Sportsbook is potentially one of the best sportsbooks around. With a wide variety of sports to choose from and a good New Customer Offer, players are certainly in for a good time. Offering parlays and great odds compared to many other sportsbooks, BetMGM Sportsbook is well worth spending time on.
Good range of betting markets Excellent customer support Low minimum deposit This DraftKings Sportsbook review has been an interesting one to research. This online sportsbook has a lot to offer every player. From a good range of betting markets to some good bonuses and promotions, here is an online sportsbook that seems to offer it all. Players should seriously consider spending time on this exciting sportsbook.
When was sports betting legalized in the state? | |
How many online sportsbooks are there? | 14 |
How old do I have to be to bet on sports? | 21 |
How much is the MI sports betting revenue? | ~$1 billion (2021) |
What is Michigan’s annual handle? | $504 million (October 2022) |
Do I have to live in the state to bet? | You don’t need to live in the state but geolocation will check that you’re in state lines |
What is the base tax rate on online sports betting? | 8.4% |
Who licenses Michigan gaming? | The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
Which betting companies are available? | BetMGM and FanDuel are available in the Great Lakes state |
Can I register from outside the state? | Yes, you can register remotely from outside of the state |
If you’re already thinking about where you’re going to stake on your favorite sport, we’ve compiled our list of the top US sportsbooks and their best features and offers.
Rank | Sportsbook | Google Play Store Rating | Apple App Store Rating | Best Feature | Bonus offers | Link |
#1 | 4.8/5 ⭐ | 4.8/5 ⭐ | Secure payments and fast withdrawals | Free bet of up to $1,000 risk-free | ||
#2 | 4.5/5 ⭐ | 4.8/5 ⭐ | Daily fantasy sports with regularly-updated competitions | Potential $1,000 deposit bonus | ||
#3 | 4.4/5 ⭐ | 4.8/5 ⭐ | In-person payments and withdrawals | Risk-free first-time bet of $1,000 | ||
#4 | 3.7/5 ⭐ | 3.0/5 ⭐ | In-game betting on the biggest sports | $250 free bet for new sign-ups |
Note: Betway is not currently available in MI | |
#5 | 3.4/5 ⭐ | 2.7/5 ⭐ | Authorized MLB gaming operator | $100 risk-free bet for sportsbook users |
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Sports betting is very new to Michigan when compared with many other states in the US. However, since 2021, both land-based and online or mobile sports betting are legal, allowing anyone within the state boundaries to bet on a wide range of sports.
It might be the last thing on your mind when you’ve picked a winner but, as with any form of financial income, there are taxes you will need to be aware of.
Some of these are applicable at a federal level, but some are Michigan specific, so it always helps to be informed.
MI Casino Retail Sportsbook Tax | 8.4% |
MI Online Sportsbook Tax | 8.4% |
The tax rates may seem to be simple at first glance but you need to be aware of any extras that apply to your winnings, or even if you can offset losses against your existing tax liabilities. There may also be a sliding scale of taxes applying to your winnings based on how much you’ve received and your income outside of gambling winnings. It’s also important you know your city’s individual tax rate.
Detroit City Tax | 2.4% |
City Tax for 21 Cities, including Albion, Battle Creek, and Benton Harbor | 1% |
Grand Rapids and Saginaw | 1.5% |
Highland Park | 2% |
Federal Withholdings $5,000+ | 24% (Flat Rate) |
We know it can be daunting sifting through all the different companies available to Michigan customers, especially if you’re new to the game. That’s why we’ve taken the time and used our extensive expertise to find the best site for users in the state. Below are a few answers of where and what you can bet on:
What Kinds of Sportsbooks are Legal in MI? | All are! That includes track-side, casino and retail outlets, as well as online and mobile operators |
What Sports Can I Bet On? | You can bet on all major sports and in-state college betting is also permitted, unlike in a number of US states |
Who Can Bet On Sports in Michigan? | People 21 years old and over, who are verified as being within state lines by geolocation technology |
While most parts of the state are approved for legal online sports betting, there are some tribal lands where it is prohibited. Make sure to check for your exact location’s jurisdiction before placing a bet.
With that covered, it’s now time to look at some of the top sites we recommend that offer their services specifically to Michigan-based customers.
A company known across the US for its fantasy sports offerings, DraftKings is also one of the foremost names for sports betting in Michigan. The operator is obviously new to the state’s market, given that staking online is still new as a whole, but they are planning to open a new land-based retail sportsbook in the Bay Mills Resort and Casino to operate alongside their online site, cementing their place in the local area. For more information, check out our DraftKings sportsbook review.
Another name more closely linked with fantasy sports, FanDuel is fast becoming a leading operator across the country, built on strong word of mouth and an impressive online and mobile offering. On their Michigan site, they advertise that new players in the state can get up to $1,000 in free bets, meaning it’s a good choice for anyone getting started.
We doubt there are many people who haven’t heard of BetMGM or one if its sister brands. An established name, MGM casinos are a big part of the gambling culture in the States. The BetMGM sports lounge will be familiar to most in Detroit, and it’s this, as well as it offering odds on NCAA Division I college sports involving Central Michigan Chippewas, that makes it a good choice for local players. Read our BetMGM Sportsbook review to find out more about their full services.
Here at Profitsquad, we believe that transparency is key when it comes to recommending operators to customers. When we’re looking for the best betting companies in Michigan, we make sure to be thorough in ensuring that they provide the best customer experience possible. That means finding sites that offer a combination of comprehensive customer service options, great bonus offers, and competitive odds on the widest range of sports markets available.
Take a look at our guide on finding the best sportsbooks in the US; for a more in-depth look at what you should keep an eye out for when assessing the best operator for you.
The first thing you should do is make sure that the site you’re looking to use is licensed to operate in the state; Gambling sites in Michigan will usually include the details of who they’re licensed with, and often a link to the relevant authority. In this case, that would be a link to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. If the site doesn’t have any information relating to its licensing, you can also check on the MGCB site and search for the operator in question in their licensed betting company files – if they’re not listed, you should avoid them, as they may not be a legitimate business and could put your data at risk.
A good sportsbook is one that allows you to set your own boundaries and limit your playtime, should you want to. Remember, if you’re no longer having fun gambling and it becomes something that affects your life, you should be able to take a step back from it and many companies will help you do that.
If an operator has a small logo with the letters RG or RP on display on their site, this means they’re committed to assisting their users look after themselves when it comes to gaming with them. This will usually be in the form of enforced self-exclusions, as well as deposit and gaming time limit.
FanDuel is committed to ensuring the safety of its users and enabling responsible gambling. You can set limits on how much you can deposit within specific sets of time and, while you can change this limit, it must be kept for a minimum of three days, to discourage rash decisions.
Once you know that an operator is licensed, it’s best to be certain that the actual website hasn’t been compromised. The key to making sure of this is looking for whether the site employs URL encryption. If a URL begins with https and there’s a padlock icon at the left of the address bar, this means it is encrypted, which means that your data isn’t easily visible to anyone off your network.
One thing that many people don’t think of when looking for their favorite sites to play at is the payment methods that these operators accept. Whether a player prefers to use bank transfer, Apple Pay, or debit card, convenience is king when it comes to making a deposit or withdrawing at a sportsbook.
The best sites will offer a combination of the following:
While there are no Michigan-specific payment or withdrawal methods, there are some that have more of a local link than others. For example, certain sites will allow you to visit casino cages to make deposits or withdrawals. Specifically, FanDuel and BetMGM offer in-person services in Detroit at MotorCity Casino Hotel and the MGM Grand respectively. That means, if you’re in the city, you no longer have to wait for your winnings or deposits to be processed by whatever remote service you use.
Everybody likes getting something for free. Because of that, we place a lot of importance on the bonuses that operators offer customers, whether they’re new sign-ups or existing members. If a company gives back to its users, it shows that they’re more likely to care for their experience when using the site or mobile app.
The table in this section shows the most common bonuses that sportsbooks across the US offer. They may not be state-specific but some businesses will often tailor the conditions based on the location.
Bonus | What Is It? |
No-deposit and risk-free bets | A bet where you don’t have to stake your own money, or will receive your stake back in credit if it loses FanDuel offer a Michigan-specific $1,000 risk-free bet |
Matched deposits | An operator will provide credits on top of what you deposit, often matching up to a certain amount. |
Profit boosts | Often, companies will lengthen odds on particular events by a percentage to boost the profits available |
Michigan is as mad about sports as the rest of the United States and Detroit alone has four teams in the major leagues. That means there’s plenty of local flavor when it comes to betting on sports in the state. You can regularly stake on the action taking place at Little Caesars Arena, Ford Field, and Comerica Park.
Now that we’ve shown you the different ways to evaluate the best sports betting sites in Michigan, you should be able to see some of the pros and cons that different companies offer. Things are always changing in this market, though, especially given its young age in the United States. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for updates and developments, so that you are the most informed you can be.
With all that covered, you now have what it takes to find your favorite site!
You can bet on any pro sports league and any in-state college teams from Michigan.
Yes! Many operators will offer in-play betting on most of the major sports, meaning you can keep the action going, even when it’s kicked off.
With many operators, you can collect your winnings at connected retail outlets or casinos. Just check on their website first.
Yes, you can bet in-person at casinos, as well as at track-side kiosks and online or on mobile.
Not all online operators will be available in the state at this time. Many will be looking to move into the market, though, so make sure to check for updates regularly and always play with legal, licensed businesses.
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