Best Michigan Online Casinos

Looking for the full list of legal Michigan online casino apps in September 2023? With 15 Michigan online casino sites at your fingertips, players have their pick of safe and secure apps to choose from.

Our experts reviewed the best Michigan online casinos to help guide you through Michigan’s best welcome offers, bonuses and game selections. We only recommend apps that are trustworthy and approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Best Michigan online casino apps and sites

Online casino games in Michigan

Naturally, every Michigan online casino offers a slew of slots. If they offer nothing else, you’ll be able to spin the reels. As far as table games go, the most common ones online are blackjack and roulette but most also offer games such as:

• Baccarat
• Several blackjack varieties
• Three-card and four-card poker
• Mississippi Stud
• Pai Gow
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Let it Ride
• Classic video poker
• Roulette
• War

Here’s a rundown of popular games and titles you will find on Michigan casinos online.

Online slots in Michigan

Michigan online casinos have the popular slot games you’ve come to expect from the casino floor, along with specialty online titles from top game developers across the globe.

You will recognize many of the online slot offerings from the downtown Detroit casinos, such as Cleopatra, 88 Fortunes, Quick Hits and Griffin’s Throne. Those popular titles can be found at online casinos such as BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino and Golden Nugget Casino.

Jackpot slots such as Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods, along with brand-specific titles such as MGM Grand Millions and Golden Nugget Stepper, are some of the more popular and potentially lucrative progressive titles. There are old-fashioned three-reel steppers from old Las Vegas, as well as games with the most futuristic sounds and looks (again, such as Griffin’s Throne).

A single Michigan online casino can host hundreds of slot titles, so you should have no shortage of options. And given the competitive landscape in the state, the arms race should continue. That’s good news for those of you looking to try out new games. Most online casinos also boast exclusive online slot titles, so feel free to shop around in this ever-changing market.

Several Michigan online casinos offer slot tournaments, foremost among them BetRivers. Online slot tournaments provide online casino players a chance to compete against one another.

Playing video poker online

From three-card stud to five-card draw, from Let It Ride to I Heart Suits — that’s a variation of casino game High Card Flush — online casino apps have you covered for video poker.

There are so many kinds of poker and so many ways to play, which is why some of the casinos have double-digit counts of video poker games. And the stable of offerings is still growing across the landscape.

Michigan online casinos also have the popular table game varieties of Texas Hold ‘Em that you can find in many brick-and-mortar casinos: Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em and Texas Hold ‘Em Plus.

Online blackjack in Michigan

The most popular casino table game in America, blackjack is dressed up in many different ways on Michigan online casino apps.

More than 10 online casinos in Michigan also have live dealer blackjack (most with $30 minimum hands), along with Infinite Blackjack, where hundreds of players can play off the same hand. Keep in mind, though, that that means you’re waiting for hundreds of players to complete their hands and make decisions.

Zappit Blackjack, Spanish 21 and several themes of classic blackjack at DraftKings Casino are among the variations you can play here.

Online roulette

Take a spin as random-number generators power several varieties of roulette games at Michigan online casinos.

Each gambling site has at least one variety of roulette, with Lightning Roulette standing out as one of the more unique options. As you may have guessed from the name, that particular title speeds up the classic casino game. Double-digit Michigan casinos also have live dealer roulette.

Other Michigan online table games

Talk about old school. Casino War can be found at some of the best MI online casinos, as well as Dragon Tiger, which is a variation of war. Baccarat and craps are also offered at several Michigan casino sites. The majority of online casinos have live dealer baccarat as well.

Live dealer games

Michigan online casinos are also blurring the line between a retail casino and an online site through the use of live dealer games. Amazingly enough, it is possible to play some of your favorite table games with an actual dealer on an actual game table. You can interact with the dealer via an online chat feature, and even tip them just like you do at the casino.

All of Michigan’s online casinos offer live dealer games, with blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker among the options. Live dealer provider Evolution Gaming constructed a studio in Southfield, and PlayTech built its first US live studio in suburban Detroit. BetMGM and FanDuel have both launched exclusive live dealer studios in partnership with Evolution.

Live dealer games occur inside specially-designed studios. The apps then broadcast the tables via a live feed. You can play the games in real time as if you were actually on the casino floor itself. In fact, in some cases, casinos don’t even bother with the studio and just wire a roulette table on the floor.

Best online casinos in Michigan

In compiling our rankings, we regularly test Michigan online casino apps for changes and updates to make sure our rankings are as timely and accurate as possible. From there, we compare the apps and update our list of top Michigan online casinos accordingly.

Below are the best Michigan online casinos right now, in order:

1. Caesars Palace Online Casino Michigan

Download: Caesars Palace Casino App

Caesars Palace Casino Michigan has beefed up its inventory of games to give customers more options. While it’s still behind some of its other big-name counterparts, Caesars does have more than 140 slot games to choose from, including progressive jackpot favorite Imperial Riches. Perhaps the biggest advantage of playing at Caesars, and the reason it is so high on our list, is the direct tie to its world-renowned Caesars Rewards Program. Frequent deposit bonus offers for existing players doesn’t hurt, either.

Caesars Palace Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians – Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel
• Caesars Palace MI welcome offer: $10 on sign-up, 100% deposit match up to $1,250 and 2,500 Reward Credits with Bonus Code MICHCPO
• Rewards program: Caesars Rewards
• Best games: Caesars Cleopatra, Deal or No Deal Megaways, Siberian Storm
• Live dealer games: Baccarat, blackjack, infinite blackjack, craps, football studio, three card poker, roulette, ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

Caesars Palace Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
New, expanded game library	Separate app from Sportsbook
Connection to Caesars Rewards program
New exclusive games

 

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2. Golden Nugget Online Casino Michigan

Download: Golden Nugget Casino App

Golden Nugget Casino is one of the most robust online casinos in Michigan, as it features nearly 600 games. Customers who enjoy slot games will be in heaven, as Golden Nugget Michigan has more than 500 to choose from, including popular titles like Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods. Simple navigation on the Golden Nugget Casino app and desktop site allow you to quickly find the table game, slot or live dealer game you want to play.

Golden Nugget Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community – Ojibwa Casino
• Golden Nugget MI welcome offer: $10 casino bonus and 100% up to $1,000 on deposit + 200 bonus spins
• Rewards program: Golden Rewards Club
• Best games: Cash Machine, Almighty Buffalo Megaways, 88 Fortunes
• Live dealer games: Baccarat, blackjack, infinite blackjack, three card poker, roulette, ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

Golden Nugget Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Huge selection of games	App could use an upgrade
Competitive monthly and annual leaderboards
Ability to demo play most games

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3. BetMGM Michigan Casino

Download: BetMGM Casino App

The “King of Sportsbooks” is clearly a top online casino in Michigan. BetMGM has a massive game library, and is frequently the first online casino in Michigan to get the newest games. It’s also known for paying out the largest progressive jackpots, not surprising with the record-breaking traffic it sees most months. BetMGM Michigan is the only place in Michigan to play many games, such as MGM Grand Millions.

BetMGM Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: MGM Grand Detroit
• BetMGM Michigan Casino welcome offer: $25 Freeplay® upon sign-up, 100% first deposit match up to $1,000 with bonus code PLAYMI
• Rewards program: BetMGM Rewards
• Best games: MGM Grand Millions, Mask of Amun, Cash Eruption
• Live dealer games: Baccarat, blackjack, infinite blackjack, three card poker, roulette, lightning roulette, American auto roulette, ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

BetMGM Michigan Casino pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Big progressive jackpot payouts	There are almost too many games to choose from ... almost
Huge amount of games
Exclusive titles you can't play anywhere else

   

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4. BetRivers Casino Michigan

Download: BetRivers Casino App

BetRivers Online Casino in Michigan has a massive library of games, including nearly 50 progressive jackpot slots. The app does a great job of breaking the games down into categories, giving customers a chance to find new games to play in the style of their other favorites. Its iRush Rewards program is one of the better rewards programs available, and the BetRivers Casino MI welcome bonus has a very low playthrough requirement.

BetRivers Casino Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – Little River Casino Resort
• BetRivers Casino MI welcome offer: 100% deposit match up to $500 in Bonus Money (1X playthrough) with promo code ONBONUS
• Rewards program: iRush Rewards
• Best games: Hypernova Megaways, Cash Eruption, Dynamite Dash
• Live dealer games: Blackjack, roulette, lightning roulette, three card poker, ultimate Texas hold ‘em, baccarat

BetRivers Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Competitive daily and weekly slot tournaments	Small inventory of live dealer games
Frequent chances at bonuses
Large selection of progressive jackpot slots

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5. DraftKings Casino Michigan

Download: DraftKings Casino App

DraftKings loves its themed table games, which provides plenty of variety for its Michigan online casino customers. Some of those themes are just different skins on a blackjack game, but others like the newly released Bingo Blackjack, provide a different spin on the casino favorite. DraftKings Rocket is another exclusive title unlike any other online casino game you’ll find in Michigan. DraftKings’ Casino Education Hub is also available to help you learn before jumping into a new game.

DraftKings Casino Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: Bay Mills Indian Community – Bay Mills Resort & Casino
• DraftKings Casino MI welcome offer: $35 in casino credit and either 100% up to $2,000 or $100 on deposit
• Rewards program: DraftKings Dynasty Rewards
• Best games: DraftKings Rocket, Mega Jackpots Cleopatra, Triple Jackpot Gems
• Live dealer games: Baccarat, blackjack, poker, roulette

DraftKings Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Casino Education Hub to learn before you play	Small live dealer library
Extensive blackjack library
Exclusive, non-traditional casino games

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6. FanDuel Casino Michigan

Download: FanDuel Casino App

FanDuel is a rare breed among online casinos in Michigan, as its app is separate from its sportsbook app. The gem of FanDuel online casino in Michigan is its exclusive live dealer studio in partnership with Evolution Gaming. You won’t find a ton of major jackpots in FanDuel’s slot game offerings, but if you’re into table games, there are plenty of options available to you. Daily free rewards spins can also provide bonuses for your bankroll.

FanDuel Casino Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: MotorCity Casino
• FanDuel Casino MI welcome offer: Deposit $10, get 50 bonus spins & get up to $1,000 back
• Rewards program: MotorCity Casino Rewards
• Best games: Hypernova Megaways, Almighty Buffalo Megaways, Cash Machine
• Live dealer games: Infinite blackjack, American roulette, blackjack, auto roulette, baccarat, lightning roulette, three card poker, ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

FanDuel Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Exclusive live dealer studio	Not a single app for sportsbook and casino
Wide variety of table games
Rewards integrated with MotorCity Casino in Detroit

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7. PokerStars Casino Michigan

Download: PokerStars Casino App 

Michigan’s leader in online poker also has a robust online casino product. Formerly known as Stars Casino, it was recently re-branded to PokerStars Casino. With nearly 200 slot titles to choose from, and dozens of table games, it’s a great option for poker players who are looking to jump into an online casino, as well, as their accounts are connected. Weekly and daily Casino Races provide a bit of competition to the normal casino experience.

PokerStars Casino Quick Facts

• Michigan casino partner: Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians – Odawa Casinos
• PokerStars Casino MI welcome offer: Bet $1, get $100 in Bonus Play ($50 instant bonus + 250 bonus spins) OR Get 100% deposit match up to $600
• Rewards program: PokerStars Rewards
• Best games: Diamond Stars Classic, Gorilla Kingdom, Jumanji
• Live dealer games: Roulette, infinite blackjack, baccarat, ultimate Texas hold ‘em, blackjack, three card poker, lightning roulette, auto roulette

PokerStars Casino Michigan pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Connection to PokerStars online poker	Not many progressive jackpot options
Casino races
Large selection of table games

Other Michigan online casinos

Barstool Casino Michigan

Barstool online casino is on the bottom half when it comes to game count, but it does feature some exclusive games to draw in fans of the brand. Pardon My Take and One Bite slots are built for Stoolies. There’s also an “On the Floor at Greektown Casino” section, which connects fans of one of the state’s most popular retail casinos to the online brand. Barstool does have one of the lower game counts in the state, however, and that’s most obvious in its live dealer options, which are almost exclusively different versions of blackjack.

Pros	Cons
Exclusive Barstool-branded games	Few live dealer options
Connection to Greektown

FireKeepers iCasino

FireKeepers iCasino is an independent online casino that does benefit from its strong retail brand. The “Floor Favorites” section brings some of the most popular games from the Battle Creek location to your phone or computer, and FireKeepers recently added live dealer games to help expand its library. Despite its small size, it did have one of the top 5 biggest online casino jackpot wins of 2022, so the prospect is there for players looking to win big.

Pros	Cons
"Floor Favorites" from in-person casino	Small game library
Large jackpot wins

BetParx Play Gun Lake Casino

The Michigan online casino with two names has the fewest number of games in its library. But even though there are less than 200 titles at Play Gun Lake – or betParx – many of the favorites you’d see at bigger brands, such as 88 Fortunes and Siberian Storm, are there. The smaller library does make the site easy to navigate. We’d like to see more live dealer games, as there are less than 10, but if you like table games, it does offer more than 30.

Pros	Cons
Easy navigation	Small game library
Top slot titles

Eagle Casino & Sports

For an independent online casino operator, it’s shocking how many games Eagle Casino & Sports – otherwise known as PlayEagle – has to offer. With nearly 700 games, it’s among the top 5 Michigan online casinos. There are no exclusives, which means it’s not a destination site, but there is a full library of live dealer casino games, as well as more than 20 jackpot games and nearly 40 table games. The site is easy to navigate, which is a plus with so many games to choose from.

Pros	Cons
Large gaming library	Lacking exclusive titles
Easy to navigate

Four Winds Online Casino

Four Winds online casino is an independent brand that manages to carry more games than some of the big names in Michigan, and pass out some of the bigger jackpots. The 10th biggest Michigan online casino jackpot won in 2022 came from Four Winds, so winning big is an option, even though there are fewer than 10 jackpot games on the site. It does carry exclusive games, which is rare for an independent brand. It also has one of the bigger live dealer casino libraries in the state at 25 games. The site is easy to navigate with very clearly marked categories and a search function.

Pros	Cons
Big jackpots	Few jackpot game options
Large live dealer library

SI Casino Michigan 

As the newest online casino in Michigan, SI Casino got off the ground quickly in terms of putting together an expansive library of slot games. It’s exclusive daily jackpots are a highlight, and it features all of the live dealer options one could want. They could also use some more table game options to give players a bit of variety.

Pros	Cons
Daily jackpot games	Small table game library
SI Exclusives

PointsBet Casino Michigan

PointsBet Casino Michigan, now a “Fanatics Experience” thanks to being purchased by Fanatics, has one of the lowest game counts of the 15 online casinos in Michigan, but that’s mostly due to not having an expansive slot game library. PointsBet offers versions of every live dealer game, including the newest, live dealer craps. It also covers all of the typical table games you would expect at online casino, just without a lot of variety. While some of the big names like Divine Fortune and Cash Eruption are available, don’t expect the big jackpots you see at other Michigan online casinos.

Pros	Cons
Significant live dealer options	Small slot game library
Simple table game library

WynnBET Casino Michigan

A very large library of games will greet customers at WynnBET Online Casino in Michigan. Hundreds of slot titles are the highlight, including some mega jackpot games, such as Golden Goddess and Siberian Storm, which are the first thing you see when you log into the app. Frequent bonuses, including daily deposit bonuses, and competitive leaderboards add to the overall experience at WynnBET.

Pros	Cons
Large selection of games	App can be tough to navigate
Large progressive jackpots
Rewards integrated with Wynn Casino properties around the country

What casinos can I play online in Michigan?

The Lawful Online Gambling Act allows licensed casinos to offer casino gaming. Under the bill, every operator can have 1 skin for sports betting, 1 skin for online poker and one skin for online casino. Therefore, each licensee can operate three online gambling skins per operator.

All 15 online casino licenses in Michigan are currently filled.

All Michigan online casinos

As of September 2023, there are 15 legal online casinos in Michigan, all listed in the table below.

Michigan Online Casino	Land Based Casino Partner	Best Feature
BetMGM	MGM Grand Detroit	Biggest jackpots
DraftKings	Bay Mills Resort & Casino	In-depth tutorials
FanDuel	MotorCity Casino	Daily progressive jackpots
Golden Nugget	Ojibwa Casino	Classic casino feel
WynnBET	Kewadin Casinos	Large game selection
PokerStars	Odawa Casinos	Casino races
BetRivers	Little River Casino Resort	Slot tournaments
Caesars	Turtle Creek Casino	Generous rewards
SI Casino	Island Resort & Casino	Newest online casino
PointsBet	Northern Waters Casino Resort	Quick withdrawals
Barstool	Hollywood Casino at Greektown	User friendly interface
FireKeepers	FireKeepers Casino	FireKeepers floor favorites
Eagle Casino & Sports	Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort	Large classic slot library
Four Winds	Four Winds Casino	Video poker options
Play Gun Lake	Gun Lake Casino	Unique exclusive games

How we rank the best Michigan online casinos

With so many legal Michigan online casinos, it’s important to have clear criteria to distinguish one from another. Below, you will find our current online casino rankings. Here is a detailed list of factors that we consider when compiling our list.

• Most generous welcome bonuses

Crucial for new players, we look at the value of the welcome bonus and its rollover requirements, ensuring you can start strong and cash out quicker.

• Regular deposit bonuses

An essential perk for seasoned players, frequent deposit bonuses enhance long-term winning chances by maximizing value for money.

• Best rewards programs

We prioritize casinos that reward loyalty with an engaging points system, leading to exclusive bonuses and rewards.

• Most extensive game selection

A broad game selection ensures there’s something for every type of player.

• Large progressive jackpot payouts

The possibility of potentially winning a significant payout keeps the gaming experience exciting and drives anticipation every time you play.

• Clearest navigation

A user-friendly interface is ideal for the best gaming experience.

Are there any new Michigan online casinos?

Sports Illustrated Casino, or SI Casino, is the newest online casino in Michigan. It replaced TwinSpires as the online partner of Island Resort & Casino.

Eventually, because Fanatics purchased PointsBet, there will likely be a Fanatics Casino in Michigan. The branding shift will likely happen in late 2023 or in 2024. Also, with the ESPN-Penn deal, Barstool Casino will eventually rebrand to Hollywood Casino.

Michigan casino bonuses and no deposit offers

The best Michigan casinos offer free promos to both new and existing players. Michigan online casino bonuses are awarded to new and returning players in a variety of ways.

• No deposit bonuses: Much like they sound, no deposit bonuses are cash awards online casinos give players for signing up for an account. No deposit is required. These are usually relatively small and also come with a wagering requirement attached. In these instances, new players can’t just take the money and run.
• Cash rebates: Cash rebates are like insurance policies that online casinos give new players. The idea: Gamble with a limited amount of funds in your first week or so on a site. If you lose, the casino will give you your money back. And if you win? Never look back.
• First deposit bonus: Deposit bonuses come in two forms. Online casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your first deposit with them. Or, the casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your next deposit with them. Either way, there are wagering requirements attached so that you can’t just pocket the money. The takeaway here, though, is that these deposit bonuses are often some of the most lucrative you’ll find.
• Free spin bonuses: Online casinos can offer free play in the form of free spins on specified slot machines as an incentive for signing up with a site. Take your free spins while you can get them. If you win big, you’ll turn nothing into something.

Can you try online casino games for free in Michigan?

If you’ve ever been to a retail casino, you know that nothing really comes for free. You have to pay for everything. Even the free craps lessons the casino offers come with the hope that you’ll fork over some cash later on in the day when you’re trying out your new “skills.” However, it is possible to play most online slot machines and table games for absolutely nothing. Nearly every game you encounter will ask you if you’d like to play the demo mode or for real money.

If you choose to play the demo mode, the casino will take you to the actual game you would play for real cash. In most cases, the only functionality that you might not be able to enjoy is a progressive jackpot. Instead, the casino will provide you with a certain amount of play money to use on the machine or game. This amount is usually $1,000 or so, and you can bet however you like. Your play money amount will almost always disappear when you close out the game. So don’t feel as though you have to conserve your resources. Instead, use these credits to enjoy the game as much as you can. If you run out of free credits, simply reload the game and the “funds” will replenish.

Naturally, you can always choose to play casino games for real money if you click on the title in the lobby. However, even if you want to use the demo version to get your feet wet, most online casinos will keep a button prominently displayed that will instantly switch you to the real money version.

What are the benefits to playing casino games online?

By and large, today’s online casinos can offer most of the same experiences you’ll find throughout Michigan. The biggest drawback? Most online casino games (with the exception of live dealer) are missing the social elements — and the sights and sounds — that come with playing live at a physical casino. But it’s hard to argue with the convenience and ease that real money casino apps offer. Some benefits include:

• Slots selection: Slot offerings are comparable to that of your local casino. Almost every slot title you can imagine is available through the larger sites, and people can win — and have won — millions of dollars through big slot jackpots on their phones and computers.
• Table games selection: Many online casinos also have a plethora of table games available for you to play. It is common to find many variants of blackjack and roulette, each with their own rule quirks and challenges. It’s also not uncommon to find options for games such as Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride. One game you’ll rarely find online, though, is craps, which is one of the more socially engaging live casino games.
• Seat open: It’s also much harder to find a full room online. No matter what game you want to play, there’s regularly a “space” where you can sit. You don’t have to physically wait for a spot at penny slots to open up (at least not for long), nor must you try to wake up the I’ve-had-too-much-fun guy who thought your favorite slot machines looked comfortable.
• Quick and easy deposit and cashouts: For the most part, depositing and withdrawing money is quick, easy, and contactless at online casinos. In addition, you have a multitude of options to choose from.
• Setting limits: Online casino sites have a number of responsible gambling features in place to easily allow you to set time or money limits and track your play. These settings can help curb and prevent problem gambling issues from arising.

Comparing Michigan online casino rewards programs

One perk of consistent play at a single online casino in Michigan is building up points within its rewards program.

Each program has its own perks and ways to accumulate points. Our experts have looked through them and picked out the top 5 rewards programs at Michigan online casinos.

BetMGM Rewards

Build your BetMGM Rewards points by playing its massive library of online casino games. Turn them in for casino bonuses or MGM Rewards points. With MGM Grand Detroit being within driving distance for Michiganders, it may be the rewards program you’re most likely to take full advantage of.

DraftKings Dynasty Rewards

Crowns and tier credits can be earned through anything done on DraftKings. They can be redeemed for free play in the DraftKings casino app or within the Dynasty store.

BetRivers iRush Rewards

Take loyalty points earned playing BetRivers online casino games and cash them in at the iRushRewards Bonus Store. Bonus bets, wheel spins and slot tournament entries are among the available rewards.

Problem gambling resources

Gambling is supposed to be a source of entertainment but unfortunately for some, it can become an issue. The state of Michigan is committed to helping those who face gambling problems and is enlisting the help of Michigan online casinos in this effort.

Regulated online casinos in Michigan offer safeguards like options for setting time, deposit, and loss limits, and allow customers to self-exclude for a set period of time. Online casinos are required by law to provide customers with information on support for problem gamblers, and the state commits $500,000 annually from online gambling taxes to problem gambling programs. Some resources include:

• Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-270-7117)
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services problem gambling resource website
• Health Management Systems of America Gambling Treatment Program
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Application information for Michigan Disassociated Persons List (1-888-223-3044)

Michigan’s Casino and Gambling History

Michigan is now in a new frontier with online casino apps, but the state’s gambling roots go back to the early 1930s, when horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering was launched in the state.

Nonprofit organizations have been able to run licensed bingo games, millionaire parties, raffles and charity games since the early 1970s. Casino gaming didn’t arrive in Michigan until 1993 when the first tribal casino was opened by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Mount Pleasant. The Michigan gaming industry has come a long way from that.

Here’s an overview of key dates in the history of gambling expansion in Michigan.

• May 1972: Voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the state lottery.
• Dec. 31, 1983: Fred Dakota of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community opened “The Pines,” a small casino in a two-car Upper Peninsula garage in Zeba. Later that year, two other tribes opened casinos in northern Michigan.
• 1996: Michigan joined one of the first multi-state lottery games called “The Big Game,” which later became Mega Millions in 2002.
• November 1996: Michigan voters approved a proposal authorizing the launch of three licensed casinos in Detroit.
• 1997: The Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act was signed into law. The Greektown, MGM, and MotorCity casinos are each governed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
• Dec. 28, 2018: In one of his final acts as Michigan’s governor, Rick Snyder vetoed a series of bills that would’ve legalized online casinos and sports betting. It was back to the drawing board for lawmakers including Iden and other stakeholders, who went back to work in 2019 with hopes of getting the next governor to sign off.
• Dec. 20, 2019: Lawmakers legalized online gambling, sports betting, fantasy sports and online poker in Michigan. Existing tribal and commercial casinos were invited to apply for the first licenses once Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Lawful Sports Betting Act.
• March 2020: Detroit’s three commercial casinos opened the state’s first retail sportsbooks, just before the coronavirus pandemic temporarily closed down live gaming.
• Jan. 22, 2021: The first wave of online casinos (eight) and sports betting sites (10) arrived on launch day in Michigan.
• July 22, 2021: Live dealer games joined the fray as the Evolution Studio in Southfield gained approval from the MGCB. More than ten online casinos were soon offering a wide selection of table games featuring a real-life dealer.
• Sept. 6, 2022: TwinSpires online casino stopped taking bets, leaving the state with one open online casino license. SI Sportsbook took over the TwinSpires online sports betting license.
• Feb. 7, 2023: SI Casino launched in Michigan, filling the TwinSpires license. That gave Michigan 15 active online casinos.
• April 18, 2023: The MGCB announced that Michigan online casinos brought in $171.8 million in revenue in March of 2023, which was the most for any iGaming state at the time. Pennsylvania would announce its revenue numbers later in the day, however, and retake the top spot.