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After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.

At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.

The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.

To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.

Last updated on November 3, 2020.

Already there

1. Nevada

No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Given its long history in successfully offering regulated sports wagering, many states might look to Nevada for best practices.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 223
Population: 3,034,392 (2,246,259 21+)

2. Delaware

On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as 'a full-scale sports gaming operation' happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 967,171 (726,161 21+)

3. New Jersey

On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams and collegiate events held within the state
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 9
Population: 8,908,520 (6,634,683 21+)

4. Mississippi

Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 29
Population: 2,986,530 (2,153,795 21+)

5. West Virginia

On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 5
Population: 1,805,832 (1,375,788 21+)

6. New Mexico

On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit 'any or all forms of Class III Gaming,' a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes '[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering.'

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 32
Population: 2,095,428 (1,529,540 21+)

7. Pennsylvania

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 12
Population: 12,807,060 (9,645,705 21+)

8. Rhode Island

The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 2
Population: 1,057,315 (800,838 21+)

9. Arkansas

On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. Two other retail locations opened sportsbooks in the subsequent months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 3,013,825 (2,191,256 21+)

10. New York

On July 16, 2019, the first legal sports bets were placed in New York. J. Gary Pretlow -- a New York lawmaker and chair of the state's racing and wagering committee -- was among the first to place a wager at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The opening of a legal sportsbook came six years after New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations, all in upstate New York. After lying dormant for years, the law was revived after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and the issuance of regulations earlier this year. The current law does not allow for mobile wagering.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 28
Population: 19,542,209 (14,724,807 21+)

11. Iowa

Legal sports betting arrived in Iowa on Aug. 15, with multiple operators all opening their doors to customers on the first day. The move came three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 23
Population: 3,156,145 (2,286,374 21+)

12. Oregon

Legal sports betting returned to Oregon on Aug. 27 after a long hiatus, with the first bets booked on-site at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Oregon is one of a small number of states that already had a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, so the resumption of wagering did not require the legislature to pass any new law or have the governor amend an existing tribal-state compact. In mid-October, mobile sports betting arrived in Oregon too, with the state-run lottery overseeing the launch of a new website and app.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, but sportsbook operated by the Oregon Lottery does not permit betting on games involving in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 4,190,713 (3,167,912 21+)

13. Indiana

Legal sports betting opened up at a number of locations in Indiana on Sept. 1. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting regulations and has issued licenses to operators across the state. Wagering on both college and pro sports is permitted, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned. Indiana's new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. Regulations permit sports leagues or colleges to request 'to utilize a geofence to prohibit wagers at the location of a particular sporting event.'

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 14
Population: 6,691,878 (4,842,337 21+)

14. New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununo placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager -- on the New England Patriots -- in New Hampshire on Dec. 30, 2019. The state's lottery is in charge of regulatory of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted on a wide variety of sports, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed.

Type of wagering permitted: Mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 0
Population: 1,356,458 (1,042,882 21+)

Sport Betting Promos

15. Illinois

Legal sports betting arrived in Illinois on March 9, 2020. The move came less than a year after the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allowed for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law also provided for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No wagering on minor leagues or Illinois college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 12,741,080 (9,391,158 21+)

16. Michigan

Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the 'Lawful Sports Betting Act' into law. The new law provides for wagering on a wide variety of sports, including college contests.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 27
Population: 9.995,915 (7,428,72721+)

17. Montana

Legal sports betting arrived in Montana in March 2020. The move came after Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brought sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's 'proven track record of responsibility and integrity' when signing the bill.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 13
Population: 1,062,305 (793,151 21+)

18. Colorado

May 1, 2020 marked the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado, with multiple operators allowing residents to open accounts online and place wagers. The move came less than six months after Colorado voters -- by a narrow margin -- approved a ballot measure that would provide 'for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.' Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted. Tax revenue from sports betting will help fund various state water projects.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 35
Population: 5,695,564 (4,210,663.00 21+)

19. Washington, D.C.

In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched its 'GameBetDC' platform allowing consumers 'to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide' via computer or mobile device. Sports betting in nation's capital followed the passage of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and a Congressional review period during which time Congress did not formally object. The Office of Lottery and Gaming provides regulatory oversight of all sports wagering in D.C.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions:No betting on games involving colleges located in D.C.
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 705,749

20. Tennessee

Regulated sports wagering -- all online -- launched on November 1, 2020 in Tennessee with four licensed operators offering a wide variety of options. The 'Tennessee Sports Gaming Act' permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor. As such, there are no in-person retail sports betting locations in the state. Subject to an exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to 'exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting.'

Type of wagering permitted: Mobile only
Notable prohibitions:None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 6,829,174

On-deck circle

21. North Carolina

On July 26, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law a bill to 'allow sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands,' with such betting designated as a 'Class III' gaming activity under the state compact. The new law permits betting on both college and professional sports, but all bettors must place their wagers in-person at one of two retail locations.

22. Washington

Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington's sports betting bill into law on March 25, 2020. The new law permits sports wagering at Class III tribal casinos in the state. Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide, but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino. Betting on an 'esports competition or event' is allowed, but the new law bans wagering on games involving in-state colleges or minor league professional events. The new bill delegates regulatory oversight to the Washington State Gambling Commission.

23. Virginia

After some back-and-forth between Governor Ralph Northam and the legislature, legalized sports wagering was approved in the Commonwealth of Virginia in April 2020. Online betting is allowed, but wagering is not permitted on Virginia-based college sports or certain youth sports.

24. Maryland

In November 2020, Maryland voters approved 'sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education' by about a 2-1 margin. A regulatory framework must be created by Maryland lawmakers before any sports wagering takes place. The Maryland referendum would potentially allow for both in-person and mobile sports betting throughout the state.

25. South Dakota

On November 3, 2020, voters in South Dakota approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering in Deadwood.' Other tribal locations in South Dakota could see the arrival of regulated sports betting too. State lawmakers must now establish a regulatory apparatus and tax rate for legalized sports wagering.

Sport Betting Sites

26. Louisiana

In November 2020, voters in the vast majority of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering activities and operations.' As a result, regulated sports wagering could come to New Orleans and certain other cities as early as 2021. Lawmakers will be tasked with setting up a regulatory scheme during an upcoming state legislative session.

Moving toward legalization

All of these states have seen some degree of legislative activity towards the legalization of sports betting the past few years.

27. Oklahoma

In April 2020, two federally-recognized tribes reached agreement with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on new gaming compacts that include sports betting. On June 8, 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the Department of the Interior had approved the compacts, paving the way for sports betting to start in Oklahoma as soon as the 'compacts are published in the Federal Register.' A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, along with Oklahoma's attorney general, have expressed opposition to the expansion of sports betting in Oklahoma and the prospect of legalized sports wagering remains uncertain.

28. Maine

On the last day of the state's 2019 legislative session -- June 19 -- Maine lawmakers passed 'An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State.' Shortly thereafter, the governor vetoed the bill. The legislature could re-introduce the bill later.

29. Nebraska

On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters approved certain amendments to its state constitution legalizing 'all games of chance.' If the new constitutional amendments are construed to include wagering on sporting events, legalized sports betting could arrive in Nebraska upon the establishment of certain regulations.

30. Connecticut

31. Kentucky

32. Massachusetts

33. Minnesota

34. Missouri

35. Kansas

36. South Carolina

37. California

39. Ohio

40. Arizona

41. Hawaii

42. Texas

43. Georgia

44. Vermont

45. Alabama

46. Florida

47. Alaska

48. Wyoming

No legalization activity ... yet

49-50. Idaho and Wisconsin

These states have not had any publicly-announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.

Unlikely

51. Utah

Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.

Michigan online sports betting is finally a reality for bettors. The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced a online sportsbook launch on January 22, 2021.

Both retail and online sportsbooks are allowed under the Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act. Retail sportsbooks launched in early 2020. A total of 10 sportsbook apps are part of the first round of Michigan online gaming apps. FOX Bet launched a week after this first round.

Commercial and tribal casinos can launch mobile sports betting platforms. The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved 15 different potential online sports betting operators late last year. This means more sportsbook apps will launch later in 2021.

Michigan Sports Betting Apps

• PointsBet
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• Barstool Sportsbook
• WynnBet
• TwinSpires
• FOX Bet

Michigan Sports Betting Updates

• New online gambling operators join in – On January 29, the MGCB authorized FOX Bet and Poker Stars to go live with sports betting and casino gaming, respectively. Poker Stars also launched Michigan’s first online poker site. Barstool received approval to launch an online casino on the same day.
• Michigan sports betting begins with 10 sportsbooks live – 10 sportsbooks launched in the Great Lakes State on January 22, opening day for Michigan sports betting. These include BetRivers, William Hill, FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Barstool, TwinSpires, PointsBet, and Wynn.
• Michigan Gaming Control Board announced sports betting launch – On January 19, 2021, the MGCB announced that 9 sports betting apps would launch on January 22. The next day, the MGCB announced its approval of PointsBet, bringing the total number to 10.
• Michigan approves 15 online sports betting and casino licenses – The MGCB gave the green light to 15 different iGaming licenses on December 10. This action from the MGCB marks one of the final regulatory steps before Michigan’s online sportsbooks go live sometime in early 2021.
• Casinos reopen after a month-long shutdown – A COVID-19 emergency order forced Michigan’s trio of commercial casinos to shut down on November 18. The three casinos, all home to retail sportsbooks (MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Greektown Casino Hotel) reopened on December 21.
• Detroit Pistons partner with FanDuel, DraftKings – Michigan’s iconic NBA franchise announced simultaneous partnerships with both FanDuel and DraftKings. The agreements bring in the two top sports betting brands in the US as official sports betting partners of the Detroit Pistons.
• Barstool Sportsbook enters Michigan market – Greektown Casino Hotel announced a renovation and rebranding of its retail sportsbook. The land-based sports betting venue will be reintroduced as Barstool Sportsbook, the first retail sportsbook to bear the Barstool name.

Reviews Of Michigan’s 5 Best Sports Betting Apps & Sites

BetRivers Sportsbook (8.6/10)

Visit: BetRivers Michigan and get $250 Risk-Free Bet

• 100% deposit match bonus up to $250
• Available for Android, and desktop devices
• License partner of Little River Casino Resort
• Partner of VSiN The Sports Betting Network
• Excellent selection of international sports
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, BetRivers Play+

BetRivers expansion across the US continues with the BetRivers Sportsbook MI platform. The selection of domestic and international sports put BetRivers on par with just about any other legal sports betting site in the US.

The welcome bonus at BetRivers presents one of the most player-friendly offers of any Michigan sportsbook. New players can unlock a 100% deposit match up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement.

William Hill Sportsbook (8/10)

Visit: William Hill Michigan and get a $2021 Risk-Free Bet

• Welcome Bonus: Risk-free bet up to $2,021
• Retail Partner: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Turtle Creek & Leelanau Casinos)
• Available via iOS and Android (no desktop)
• Key Features: Huge market depth, unique options for international sports, simple, straightforward platform, quality odds that compete well with competitors

The William Hill Sportsbook in Michigan brings a century-old sports betting brand from the UK to what will be one of the top online gaming markets in the country.

William Hill really stands apart from the other options in the state with an impressive market depth for international events, and their odds are competitive across the board.

But beyond that, William Hill largely falls a bit short with a less than competitive new player bonus.

FanDuel Sportsbook (9.8/10)

Visit: FanDuel Michigan and Bet $5 to Win $275 on Super Bowl 55

• 55/1 Super Bowl Odds Bet
• Risk-free bet up to $1,000
• Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
• License partner of MotorCity Casino Hotel
• Official Sports Betting Partner of the Detroit Pistons
• Comprehensive selection of sports, ways to bet, and deposit options
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, FanDuel Play+

FanDuel Sportsbook offers just about everything a bettor could ask for in an online sportsbook. The domestic and international leagues available for wagering puts FanDuel Sportsbook in the top tier of legal mobile sports betting platforms in the US.

New players can take advantage of a risk-free bet up to $1,000 after making an initial deposit. Other unique promotions include parlay insurance, which offers up to $25 back on a five-leg or more parlay if all legs but one are winners.

BetMGM Sportsbook (9/10)

Visit: BetMGM Michigan and get up to $600 Risk Free Bet Bonus

• Up to $600 risk free bet
• Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
• License partner of MGM Grand Detroit
• Official Gaming Partner of the Detroit Tigers
• Robust number of available sports and ways to wager
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card

BetMGM Sportsbook functions as the sports betting branch of Michigan’s largest land-based casino, MGM Grand Detroit. BetMGM brings together a comprehensive sports betting platform that belongs on the go-to list for any serious bettor.

New Michigan bettors can claim up to a $600 risk-free bet bonus offer at BetMGM Michigan.

DraftKings Sportsbook (9.4/10)

Visit: DraftKings Michigan and get up to $1,000 Deposit Match Bonus

• 20% deposit match bonus up to $1,000
• Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
• License partner of Bay Mills Resort & Casino
• Official Sports Betting Partner of the Detroit Pistons
• Wide array of sports, ways to bet, and deposit/withdrawal methods
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, DraftKings Play+

Michigan bettors of all experience levels should find plenty to like about DraftKings Sportsbook. The platform offers one of the most robust selections of sports among any legal online betting site.

The welcome bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook comes as a 20% deposit match up to $1,000. The sportsbook also offers a $100 bonus for each new player you refer to the site.

All Michigan Online Sportsbooks Apps

How To Place A Bet In Michigan

Choosing An Online Sportsbook In Michigan

Michigan’s online sports betting market includes at least 14 mobile sportsbooks approved by the MGCB, nine of which launched on day one. Each different sportsbook offers different welcome promotions, betting markets, and odds.

Gaming Today continuously updates this page with the latest information on Michigan’s mobile sports betting apps. You can use the information here to evaluate which sportsbooks suit your preferences.

Make A Deposit

The most reliable deposit options for Michigan bettors include PayPal and ACH/eCheck. The Play+ prepaid card, available at most sportsbooks, offers another convenient and secure deposit method.

Mobile sportsbooks put several different deposit options at your fingertips, allowing you to fund your account from anywhere in the state.

Verify Your Location

Michigan’s mobile sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine your location when you log in. You must be located within Michigan borders to place a bet at a state-regulated sportsbook.

If the geolocation service determines that you’re out-of-state, you’ll be blocked from betting until you’re back in Michigan.

How To Register An Account

Once you’ve chosen an online sportsbook, you’ll need to provide proof of age and identity before you can deposit and start betting.

The sportsbook will ask you for a valid identification document (driver’s license, state-issued ID) to confirm these details. Once your documents are verified, you can navigate to the cashier and make your first deposit.

How To Place A Bet

Michigan’s mobile sports betting apps provide unprecedented ease of access to betting markets on sports events around the globe.

Most sportsbooks offer a user-friendly interface that allows you to browse all available sports, and then leagues and games within that sport. Placing a bet requires just a couple of clicks.

Clicking on a line of your choice puts the wager on your bet slip. Once there, you’ll have to click on “Confirm” or a similar link to send your bet to the sportsbook.

Legal Sportsbooks Versus Offshore Betting Sites

With no less than 14 online sportsbooks coming to Michigan, bettors will enjoy access to an entire new world of legal sportsbooks. All state-regulated sportsbooks will bear the seal of approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Any online sports betting site not displaying that seal is operating illegally in the US. These offshore sites can’t guarantee the same level of security and accountability as their legal counterparts.

Putting your money down on an offshore gambling site isn’t worth the risk, especially with so many legal options at the disposal of Michigan players. If you deposit at an offshore site, you might never see that money again.

Michigan Sports Betting Revenue

While online sports betting has yet to launch in Michigan, the state’s three commercial casinos all opened retail sportsbooks in 2020.

After nearly five months shut down due to a COVID-19 emergency order, the trio of Detroit-based commercial casinos reopened in early August. The casinos could only allow 15% capacity, but the land-based sportsbooks at each performed well under those conditions.

October marked the last full month of operations for the commercial sportsbooks before another shutdown in November. The three Detroit sportsbooks (MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Greektown Casino Hotel) brought in $7.6 million in combined revenue in October.

In leading sports betting markets like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, mobile wagering produces around 90% of overall sports betting revenue. The $7.6 million revenue figure for Michigan in October doesn’t include mobile wagering, and also excludes revenue from tribal casinos.

With all of those factors in mind, the October performance of Michigan’s commercial sportsbooks points to big things in 2021 for Michigan’s sports betting industry.

How Michigan Sports Betting Compares To Other States

Illinois

In less than a year, Illinois has emerged as the nation’s fourth-largest sports betting market in terms of overall wagering handle.

Illinois sportsbooks brought in $434 million in handle in October of last year, with more than 94% of those bets coming from mobile sportsbooks. DraftKings, BetRivers, and FanDuel dominate the Illinois online sports betting market.

The Illinois market currently includes those brands, as well as William Hill and PointsBet. Michigan bettors will enjoy access to several other different options compared to Illinois, which could lead to Michigan eclipsing Illinois in the US sports betting economy.

Indiana

Another Midwest state with a flourishing sports betting market, Indiana took nearly $231 million in handle in October 2020. The Hoosier State stands as the No. 5 sports betting market in the US, right behind Illinois.

Indiana’s land-based and online sportsbook market somewhat resembles what’s on the way in Michigan. FanDuel and DraftKings operate as the top two choices in Indiana’s mobile sports betting market, a trend that could likely carry over to Michigan.

Mobile wagering accounts for more than 75% of all bets in Indiana. Indiana’s online sportsbooks are on the way to going over the $100 million revenue mark for 2020.

Michigan Sports Betting Successes And Failures

Sports Betting Successes For Michigan

Michigan’s potential as a top-five US sports betting market attracted the industry’s biggest brands to the state. At least 14 different online sportsbooks are approved in Michigan, with 9 apps launching on the first day of online gaming.

Michigan’s attractive tax rates (8.4% on mobile and retail sports betting revenue), rich sports tradition, and the number of available land-based casino partners successfully drew the giants of the sports betting industry to the state.

DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetMGM, and William Hill represent just a few of the companies slated to launch online sportsbooks in Michigan. Michigan’s sports betting scene will offer a selection of different online sportsbooks that rivals any US state.

What Could Improve For Michigan’s Sports Betting Industry

After sports betting legalization got the green light in late 2019, 2020 ended up as a year of uncertainty and mixed messages about the launch of online sports betting in the state.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board pushed for a late-2020 launch of online sports betting, but the year ended with mobile sportsbooks still on hold.

Every week that went by without a launch of online sports betting, Michigan’s casinos lose out on significant potential revenue. This delay was remedied by the first sports betting apps launching in time to place bets on the Super Bowl. Still, there are additional gaming apps that have been approved but are delayed in their launch.

Sports Betting Legalization Effort In Michigan

A sports betting legalization bill passed through the state House and Senate in 2018, and it appeared that Michigan was poised to become the next US state with legal sports betting.

Needing only a signature from then-Governor Rick Snyder, however, the 2018 effort was nullified by a veto from Snyder just days before his gubernatorial term ended.

That setback reset the Michigan sports betting legalization effort back to square one. A 2019 version of a sports betting bill once again passed through the House and Senate, and this time got the final signature from new Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Retail Sportsbooks Launch In Michigan

The sports betting bill approved both retail and online sports betting in Michigan. The state’s three Detroit-based commercial casinos all opened sportsbooks on their properties in March 2020, only to shut down just days later due to a COVID-19 emergency order.

Commercial casinos reopened in August, with all three resuming retail sportsbooks operations. Some of Michigan’s tribal casinos opened land-based sportsbooks throughout the year as well, as tribal properties aren’t bound by state-issued emergency orders.

Nine online sportsbooks launched on January 22, 2021, ending months of speculation as to when the MGCB would give Michigan sports betting the official green light to start accepting bets.

Michigan Sports Betting Timeline

• December 2018 – After passing through the state House and Senate, a sports betting bill gets vetoed by outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder.
• December 2019 – Sports betting legislation once again goes through the two state chambers, and this time gets the needed signature from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to go into law.
• March 2020 – Michigan’s three Detroit-area commercial casinos open retail sportsbooks. All three casinos are forced to shut down just days later, however, due to COVID-19 emergency orders.
• August 2020 – Not bound by the state’s COVID-19 order, FireKeepers Casino becomes the first Michigan tribal property to open a retail sportsbook.
• August 2020 – Commercial casinos get the green light to reopen, allowing their retail sportsbooks to operate uninterrupted until a second shutdown in November.
• September 2020 – The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) finalizes rules for the state’s sports betting industry.
• November 2020 – A monthly MGCB meeting alludes to a possible early-2021 launch of online sports betting. The meeting dampens hopes of a late-2020 launch.
• January 19, 2021 – After a January 12, 2021 meeting, the MGCB officially announced that the first bets would be placed in Michigan on Friday, January 22, 2021.

Michigan’s Sports Teams

Professional Sports Franchises In Michigan

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit’s “Hockeytown” nickname comes as a result of the success and popularity of the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings status as 11-time Stanley Cup champions bolsters the franchise’s reputation as perhaps the most beloved Michigan professional sports franchise.

Michigan’s legal sportsbooks offer betting markets on the Red Wings throughout the NHL season. When the Red Wings make a playoff appearance, Michigan bettors can wager on the Detroit hockey franchise through the Stanley Cup Finals.

Detroit Tigers

The lineage of the Detroit Tigers goes back to 1894. Detroit’s Major League Baseball franchise boasts four World Series Championships, with the most recent of those coming in 1984.

The Tigers have made five playoff appearances and two American League championships since the turn of the century. Moneyline, run line (aka point spread), parlays, and prop bets on the Tigers are available throughout the regular season and playoffs at Michigan’s sportsbooks.

Detroit Lions

Longsuffering fans of the Detroit Lions still await the NFL franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. The Lions lay claim to four NFL championships, but all four came in the 1950s and before the Super Bowl era.

The Lions have made three playoff appearances in the last decade. If and when the Lions do make a magical Super Bowl run, Michigan bettors will enjoy the full gamut of betting options on the Lions all the way through the championship game.

Detroit Pistons

The NBA’s Detroit Pistons stand as one of Michigan’s most successful sports franchises in the modern era. The Pistons have won three league championships since 1989, with the most recent of those coming in 2004.

The Pistons put together a string of six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 2003-2008. The next era of greatness for the Pistons could be just around the corner, and fans will enjoy betting opportunities on the team through all rounds of the NBA Playoffs.

Michigan College Sports Teams

The Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act permits betting on all college sports, including Michigan-based teams. In-game and player prop bets aren’t allowed, but all other kinds of betting on college sports are legal at Michigan’s sportsbooks.

College sports loyalty throughout the state is divided between two major programs – the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.

University of Michigan Wolverines

One of the most storied college football programs in the country, the Michigan Wolverines play as a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference.

The Wolverines lay claim to 11 national championships and a staggering 42 conference titles since the inception of its football program in 1879.

The University of Michigan also competes for the Big Ten men’s basketball title on a regular basis. The program’s recent history includes five Sweet Sixteen appearances in the 2010s and eight overall appearances in the NCAA Tournament in that span.

Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State University Spartans stand as one of the main rivals to the Michigan Wolverines in virtually every sport. Big Ten basketball and football matchups between the two schools provide Michigan sports fans with some of the most hyped events on the annual athletic calendar.

The football program went to the College Football Playoff in 2015 and has earned conference championships over its more than century-long history.

Legendary head coach Tom Izzo leads the Spartans men’s basketball program to the postseason virtually every year. The Spartans have clinched a March Madness berth in 22 consecutive seasons under Izzo.

Aside from in-game and player prop bets, both major Michigan programs can be wagered on throughout the regular season and playoffs, both in football and basketball.

Other Sports To Bet On In Michigan

All major domestic sports leagues will appear on the betting menus at Michigan’s mobile sportsbooks. NASCAR, golf, tennis, MMA, MLS, and other US-based sports offer almost innumerable opportunities for Michigan sports bettors.

The NASCAR Cup comes through Michigan International Speedway each year for the FireKeepers Casino 400 race. Other major Michigan sports events include the PGA’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, which commences from the Detroit Golf Club each summer.

International sports and niche events round out the betting markets available at Michigan’s legal sportsbooks. Table tennis, rugby, cricket, Aussie Rules football, international motorsports, and even games like darts and chess are available for wagering.

Michigan Sports Betting FAQs

Yes. The Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act allows both online and retail sports betting. Ownership groups for both commercial and tribal casinos can offer online sports betting.

No less than 14 different online sportsbooks are set to launch in Michigan. State gaming regulators announced 9 of these sportsbooks were ready to launch on January 22, 2021.

Best Betting Sign Up Offers

Yes. Michigan sports betting laws allow for wagering on college sports, including Michigan-based programs.

The only exceptions to Michigan’s allowed wagering on college sports are a ban on in-game prop betting and player props. All other kinds of betting are legal under Michigan law.

Free Picks And Parlays

21 or older. Michigan sports betting laws set the minimum wagering age at 21. This age applies to online sportsbooks licensed to both commercial and tribal casinos.

While some tribal casinos set the minimum age for retail sports betting at 18 or 19, all online sportsbooks mandate a minimum age of 21.

Sports Betting Bonus Offers

No, but you must be located within Michigan state lines at the time of a wager. Michigan’s online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine your location when you access your account.

If you’re in Michigan when you place your bet, that bet is legal whether you’re a Michigan resident or not.

Yes. Most of Michigan’s upcoming online sportsbooks offer their platforms as iOS apps. These apps can be found as free downloads in the App Store.

Even if you don’t have the app (or the sportsbook doesn’t offer an iOS app), you can still use the browser on your Apple device to access Michigan’s online sportsbooks.

Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook operates as a license partner of Bay Mills Resort & Casino. They launched on January 22, 2021.

More Resources On Michigan Sports Betting

• Michigan Gaming Control Board: News & Reports – The latest press releases and revenue figures from Michigan’s gaming regulation agency.
• Michigan Lawful Sports Betting Act – An e-copy of the official bill outlining Michigan’s sports betting laws.
• The Fall of PASPA – Article on the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, and how it opened the door for legal sports betting throughout the US.
• The Detroit News – Sports section of one of Michigan’s leading news outlets.
• ESPN US Sports Betting Map – Updated map showing where each US state stands on legal sports betting.