Michigan Sports Betting: Best MI Online Sportsbook Sites April 2024

Michigan sports betting quick facts

Within the first 10 days of legal sports gambling launching in Michigan, bettors placed over $100 million in wagers. Here are some more exciting facts about MI sports betting:

Is sports betting legal in Michigan?

Yes, sports betting and online casino Michigan is legal in Michigan. On Dec. 20, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4916 into law, allowing for retail and online sports betting. The former kicked off in March 2020, while the latter began on Jan. 22, 2021.

Michigan sports betting promos and bonuses

With so many different MI online sports betting options, Michigan sportsbooks know they must offer the best sportsbook promos and bonuses to entice customers to try their websites and sports betting apps. Below, we've compiled a list of the best welcome offers for Michigan sportsbook promos.  

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Top Michigan sports betting sites

All Michigan betting sites and Michigan sports betting apps are worth considering for new and experienced sports bettors. Activating welcome bonuses, betting unique daily odds boosts, and shopping for the best price on your top plays are a few reasons why having an account at multiple sportsbooks in Michigan is a good idea. Below are some of the features each Michigan sportsbook is best known for.

Why FanDuel is the best sportsbook in Michigan 🔵

FanDuel was founded in 2009 and became a household name as a daily fantasy sports provider shortly after. Since legal sports betting began rolling out nationwide, FanDuel has successfully transitioned into the industry and emerged as the best option for sports betting in Michigan. It is an official sports betting partner of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Pistons.

New customers can't go wrong with FanDuel's outstanding sign-up promotion — no FanDuel promo code necessary — which rewards Michigan sports bettors with $150 in bonus bets win or lose after a $5 qualifying wager on any market. Existing customers have plenty of reasons to stick around, including same-game parlay promotions, profit-boosted odds, live betting, and weekly free-to-play contests.

FanDuel also sets the bar for MI sports betting with its intuitive online sportsbook and sports betting app interfaces, market variety, and quick and easy deposits and payouts. There are plenty of great Michigan sportsbooks to choose from, but FanDuel is a must-have option for anyone betting on sports in Michigan.

Other Michigan online sportsbooks

While FanDuel is our pick as the top sportsbook in the state, these four online sportsbooks and Michigan sports betting apps are also great options for sports gambling.

DraftKings Michigan 👑

Virtually all of the features that make FanDuel the king of sports betting in Michigan can also be found on DraftKings — which is why FanDuel vs. DraftKings is a consistently hot topic.

DraftKings is another popular brand that started in daily fantasy sports and has seamlessly transitioned into sports betting with a top-of-the-line user interface, bonus offers, and payout speeds. It's considered one of the best prop betting sites, making it a popular choice when football season starts every fall. DraftKings is a betting option that every sports fan should try, and they won't need a DraftKings promo code at any point for any offer.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 1-3 business days

Where to bet on sports in Michigan: DraftKings review

Caesars Michigan 🏛

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Terms and conditions apply

Claim $1,000

Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook betting site. 21+ and present in MI. Gambling Problems? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.

Caesars Entertainment is one of the most famous names in the gaming industry due to its popular casinos around the country, including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's also the only sportsbook in the U.S. that live-streams NFL games, making it one of the best NFL same-game parlay sites.

As the official sports betting partner of the Michigan State Spartans, Caesars Sportsbook offers Michigan sports bettors a rewarding experience with its crisp mobile betting app, quick payouts, and attractive loyalty rewards program. Make sure to use Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 upon sign up.

• App store ratings: 4.6 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 first bet on Caesars
• Payout speed: 1-5 business days

Where to bet on sports in Michigan: Caesars review

BetMGM Michigan 🦁

Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets

Terms and conditions apply. 

Claim $1,500

Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook betting site. 21+ and present in MI. Gambling Problems? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.

BetMGM owns one of the most popular sports betting brands in Michigan. In addition to its highly successful presence in Las Vegas, BetMGM also owns the MGM Grand Detroit, which serves as its retail partner. This popular MI online sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. It offers its users a wide range of odds boosts, betting options, and its highly-rated sports betting app.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets with BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS
• Payout speed: 2-7 business days

Where to bet on sports in Michigan: BetMGM review

BetRivers Michigan ⚡

Up to a $500 Second Chance Bet

Terms and conditions apply

Claim $500

Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook betting site. 21+ and present in MI. Gambling Problems? Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help.

BetRivers is an official sports betting partner of the Detroit Pistons, operating a club section at Pistons home games. This sportsbook caters to new Michigan customers with a low deposit and betting minimums, an easy-to-use interface, and excellent customer service. BetRivers is owned and operated by Rush Street Interactive. You can claim its $500 welcome offer with BetRivers bonus code SBRBONUS.

• App store ratings: 3.8 (iOS), 2.9 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to a $500 bonus bet
• Payout speed: 1-14 business days

Where to bet on sports in Michigan: BetRivers review

Michigan sportsbooks honorable mentions

Outside the top five MI online sports betting sites, there are plenty of worthy options with strong welcome bonuses, unique features, and more. Click on any of the links below to learn more about these Michigan sportsbooks in our unbiased and in-depth reviews.

• ESPN BET
• Play Gun Lake (betPARX)
• Eagle Casino & Sports
• FireKeepers
• Four Winds
• Golden Nugget

Legal Michigan sports betting options

Sports betting in Michigan was officially legalized in December 2019, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board authorized land-based retail sportsbooks to start accepting sports bets in March 2020. Just under one year later, sports gambling in Michigan was launched online on Jan. 22, 2021.

There are currently 12 active online sportsbooks in Michigan. Each of those online sportsbooks is partnered with a retail location in the state that provides in-person betting at state-licensed and tribal casinos.

Michigan's online and mobile sportsbooks

Land-based MI sportsbooks

Who can bet on sports in Michigan?

You must be 21 years or older to place a bet on sports in Michigan at both in-person and online sportsbooks under all circumstances. Here are some other details to consider when dealing with the legality of sports betting in Michigan:

Legal age 🎂

To participate in any online gambling or sports gambling in Michigan, you must be 21 years or older. Some tribal casinos allow players aged 18 years or older to play slot machines and table games at their retail locations, but the online partners of these tribal casinos require you to be 21 years old to play casino games or bet on sports online.

Mobile betting 📱

Mobile betting on sports in Michigan is legal using a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. All 12 of the online sportsbooks operating in Michigan offer mobile betting through their websites and sports betting apps.

Remote registration 💻

Anyone interested in sports gambling in Michigan can sign up for an account, make deposits and withdrawals, and bet on sports remotely. There is no requirement to visit an in-person retail location to participate in MI sports betting online.

Within state borders 🌎

To place a bet using any of Michigan's 12 online sportsbooks, you must be physically located within the state's borders. Every online sportsbook in Michigan uses geolocating software to confirm that you are physically in Michigan before you can access the website or betting app.

Being a resident of Michigan has no impact on your eligibility to bet in the state. Michigan residents visiting another state will not be able to access their MI online sports betting accounts, and residents of other states visiting can use an online sportsbook in Michigan to place a bet.

Retail sportsbooks 🏢

Michigan is home to 26 land-based casinos, and 22 retail locations offer sports betting. Some of these physical locations have dedicated sportsbook lounges, while others only provide betting kiosks to place your sports bets on.

Taxable winnings 💸

Sports betting winnings in Michigan are taxed as income, with winning players required to pay 25% of their winnings to the IRS and an additional 4.25% in state tax. In 2021, Michigan passed a law to protect recreational gamblers that allow them to deduct gambling losses at the state level. This law enables players that are sports gambling in Michigan to deduct their losses from any taxable winnings earned in the same year.

What you can and can't bet on in Michigan

Each state that legalizes sports betting is responsible for constructing its laws on what sports bettors are allowed to bet on and what they aren't. The Michigan Gaming Control Board ironed out its decisions on these betting events before sports betting launched at retail locations in 2021.

Politics ❌

Betting on political events such as the United States presidential election is extremely popular in Europe and has been gaining popularity in the United States in recent years. Unfortunately for bettors interested in betting on politics, Michigan does not allow any wagers on political events.

Entertainment award ceremonies ✅

Michigan became the fourth state to allow betting on entertainment award ceremonies online when it launched online betting in 2021. Bettors in Michigan can bet on popular entertainment awards, including the Acadamy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the Grammy Awards.

eSports ❌

Some states have embraced betting on eSports, including wagers on popular games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Fortnite. Bettors in Michigan will have to look elsewhere, as betting on eSports is not currently legal in the state.

What about college sports in Michigan? 🎓

College sports around the nation are all legal to bet on in Michigan. This includes college football and college basketball bets on popular local teams such as the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans, who have an official sports betting partnership with Caesars Sportsbook.

How to start betting in Michigan

It has never been easier and safer to begin sports betting in Michigan than today. Getting started may seem overwhelming if this is your first time having an MI online sports betting account, so we are here to walk you through the process with these in-depth steps below.

1. Select a licensed Michigan sportsbook 

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has licensed 12 legal online sportsbooks in Michigan. Research the information on this page and the thorough sportsbook reviews that SBR provides until you select an MI sports betting provider you are interested in trying. Choosing one with an excellent welcome bonus and banking options you are comfortable with is a good place to start.

All 12 of the regulated online sportsbooks available in Michigan allow you to access their sportsbooks via their website or mobile apps. Use whichever format you are comfortable with on your selected sportsbook to start the process.

2. Register online

To register for your new online account at the Michigan sportsbook you selected, follow the sign-up process provided by the sportsbook after you click or tap "Sign Up." You will be asked for personal information such as your name, address, contact information, date of birth, and social security number. All this information will be secure if you use one of the legal and regulated online sportsbooks listed on this page.

Once you have entered your information, you will be prompted to choose a username and password. Be sure to select a secure password that you can remember.

3. Deposit and claim a bonus

Once you have provided the necessary information and signed up for an account, you can access the MI sports betting app or website you selected and click around to see betting odds, promotions, and other features. To make your first wager with the sportsbook, you must click or tap "Deposit" in the cashier section to fund your account.

Choose the payment method you would like to use and provide the required information. This first deposit will also be where you opt-in for any welcome bonus that the sportsbook offers, so be sure to understand this process or type in your bonus code before finalizing your deposit. Contact customer service if you have questions about your deposit or welcome bonus.

4. Select and finalize your bet

Now that you have signed up for an account and added money to it using your preferred deposit method, you officially have access to sports gambling in Michigan. Browse the website or the sportsbook mobile app to familiarize yourself with the interface. If you are brand new to sports betting, research how to read odds and how different bet types work before placing any bet to ensure that you are betting on the right thing.

Also, consider your welcome bonus. Most welcome bonuses apply to your first bet with the sportsbook, so make sure you get the most out of it. When ready, make a selection that pops up on a separate bet slip. Review the bet one last time before hitting submit to make it official.

5. Withdraw your winnings

Whether you grind out a profit slowly but surely or spike a big win all at once on a big parlay or future bet, nothing beats reaping the rewards of your victory with a cashout. You will also have the "Withdraw" option in the cashier section you used to make your initial deposit.

Click the "Withdrawal" button to choose the amount you want to take out of your MI online sports betting account and the banking method you want to use. Once you have made your selections, you should receive your first payout via most digital withdrawal options between one to five business days. Luckily, many of the best MI betting sites are also the fastest payout sportsbooks on the market.

How we rate and review Michigan sportsbooks

Our sports betting professionals around the country critique and independently review all of Michigan's legal online sportsbooks.

Choosing a new online betting site or sports betting app poses challenges for beginner players. Our experts weigh these factors and components before presenting our findings.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

Michigan sports bettors have a wide range of options to choose from, and for most bettors that stick to betting on major sports with standard bet types, you'll want to odds shop to get the best available price. One key factor that also separates the various MI online sports betting providers from each other is their bonuses. We strive to highlight the Michigan sportsbooks offering the best value on welcome bonuses and existing customer promotions.

User experience

It's not all about the money — the user experience encompasses everything you do, from opening your online sportsbook website or app to closing it. Day-to-day features like how an app looks and feels or how easy it is to find and place a wager go into this rating, as do other factors that can come into play as customer service, the deposit/withdrawal process, and technical issues.

Sports bet variety

In Michigan, players interested in sports gambling will never have trouble finding betting lines and options for an upcoming NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB game. The sports world extends far wider than just major sports, though. The variety of sports bets offered by different sportsbooks in Michigan makes a big difference to experienced bettors and fans of less popular sports. These bettors will want to pay close attention to the variety of sports bets each book provides.

Banking options

Fortunately, the legalization of sports betting in Michigan has made making deposits and withdrawals safe and easy for customers across these regulated sportsbooks. With that said, not all sportsbooks offer the same banking options for these transactions. Sports bettors should research banking options beforehand to ensure that their preferred payment method or one they have easy access to is available.

Payout speed

Most MI sports betting providers can process your withdrawals within 24 to 72 hours. Payout speeds can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook depending on the processing speeds of a particular book and the payment option selected. We understand how important quick and efficient payouts are to sports bettors and keep track of this process in our reviews.

Security and customer support

The security of your personal information and banking details is critical. This information is far safer in the hands of sportsbooks that the Michigan Gaming Control Board officially licenses than those that operate illegally offshore.

Bettors seeking customer support can access multiple options, including live chat, phone, and email. Live chat is usually available 24/7, while phone hours and email response times can vary depending on the sportsbook.

Michigan sports betting handle

A sports betting handle refers to the total amount of money bettors wagered on sports over a specific period. The Michigan sportsbooks recorded a $4.8 billion handle in both 2022 and 2023, across online sports betting and sports betting at retail locations. The main difference is the way in which both years arrived at the same handle. The last four months of 2023 saw a $2.2 billion handle whereas that same span in 2022 yielded just under $1.9 billion.

Michigan sportsbooks cleared $434 million in revenue from that $4.81 billion handle in 2023, which was a slight increase from the $418 million in revenue during 2022. The tax revenue from sports betting in Michigan also increased in 2023, settling at just over $23 million which is up significantly from the $15 million figure from 2022.

MI sports betting handle 2023

Michigan sports leagues and teams to bet on

There's nothing wrong with backing your favorite local teams. Keep in mind, however, that the most successful sports bettors are the ones that look for edges up and down the betting board, not just on their favorite teams. And that's especially true when emotions are involved. Make sure to do your due diligence before placing any bet, including those on your local squads.

Detroit Lions 🏈

The Lions have called Detroit home since 1934. The team enjoyed some initial success, winning pre-Super Bowl era NFL championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957. Since then, though, it's been a frustrating experience to be a Detroit football fan.

Regardless, the Lions continue to be a major draw in terms of TV ratings, stadium attendance, and now betting interest. In 2023, the Lions are even among the top ten championship favorites on most Super Bowl betting sites, so maybe fans finally have a glimmer of hope.

Detroit Tigers ⚾

The Detroit Tigers have existed for about as long as Major League Baseball, since they were one of the eight charter members of the American League in 1894. In over a century of baseball, the Tigers have won 11 American League pennants and four World Series, but are currently going on a 40-year title drought.

Even without recent success, the Tigers have a storied history littered with famous moments and more than 20 Hall of Fame alumni. Baseball lends itself to online betting perfectly, with a score of live-betting and prop bet options to keep bettors engaged from the opening pitch to the final out.

Detroit Pistons 🏀

There was perhaps no tougher basketball team in history than the Detroit Pistons of the late 80s and early 90s. Their physical, take-no-prisoners style of play sent many opposing teams tumbling to the floor — and down the league standings.

Their dominance culminated with back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Unfortunately for the budding Pistons dynasty, a young kid in Chicago named Michael Jordan was just coming into his own at the same time.

Detroit Red Wings 🏒

The Red Wings are arguably the most successful franchise in the history of Detroit sports. With 11 Stanley Cup titles in their illustrious history, the Red Wings have the third-most titles in the NHL. They only trail fellow Original Six teams Montreal and Toronto in total Cup wins.

When it comes to sports betting, hockey fans in Michigan are happy to slap down a few bets about whether the Red Wings will make the playoffs next season or if their star goal scorer will eclipse the 40-goal mark. Of course, they can always bet on individual game results too with the puck line or moneyline odds.

College sports 🎓

Betting on college sports is legal in Michigan, so betting on popular teams like the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, and other local favorites is available on college sports like football and basketball.

Other sports ⛳

Sports fans looking for other options for sports betting in Michigan can also bet on sports such as tennis, golf, and mixed martial arts.

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Responsible Michigan sports betting

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has dedicated multiple resources to assisting individuals who have a problem with gambling. These include a 24-hour toll-free helpline (1-800-270-7117) to call if you have a gambling problem and a voluntary Disassociated Persons List that allows willing participants to ban themselves from Michigan-based casinos.

Michigan residents with a problem with casino gaming or sports betting online can also sign up for a similar program that prohibits them from using websites and mobile apps for online betting.

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in Michigan

Before sports betting was legalized in Michigan and other states around the nation, sports fans interested in signing up for MI online sports betting had no option besides using sportsbooks in other countries that provided illegal online betting to residents of the United States. Some sites were more reliable than others, but all posed legal and financial risks to U.S.-based sports bettors.

Offshore sportsbooks operating illegally in the United States still exist, and you should avoid them by consulting our blacklist. With so many safe, reliable, legal, and licensed Michigan sportsbooks now available, there is little upside to taking your sports betting business offshore. Stick to the 13 sports betting providers listed on this page that the Michigan Gaming Control Board licenses.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past two years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

Most recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state.