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Michigan Online Gambling Launch Dates

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• Online Casinos: Launch Date January 22, 2021
• Online Sports Betting: Launch Date January 22, 2021
• Online Poker: Launch Date January 29, 2021

Michigan’s gambling bills legalized online sports betting as well as online casino games and poker. Michigan is the fifth state to legalize all three, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. By the start of February 2021, 10 online casino apps launched in Michigan.

House Bill 4916 legalized sports betting, both retail and online, in the state. House Bill 4311 authorizes online casinos and poker rooms. House Bill 4308 formally legalized Daily Fantasy Sports in the Great Lakes State.

These new online platforms are certain to boost Michigan’s gambling economy. House Bill 4311 also legalized retail sportsbooks, which have already launched at some of the state’s 26 land-based casinos.

When the plans put forth by HB 4311 reach full maturity, the selection of online gambling options in the state will rival even the biggest US online gambling markets, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Michigan Online Casinos

• Golden Nugget Online Casino
• FanDuel Casino Michigan
• BetRivers Michigan
• BetMGM Michigan
• DraftKings Casino Michigan
• William Hill Casino
• WynnBet Casino
• TwinSpires Casino (formerly BetAmerica)
• Stars Casino by Poker Stars
• Barstool Casino

Best Michigan Online Casino Bonuses

Golden Nugget Michigan

Golden Nugget launched an online casino through its partnership with Ojibwa Casino. The property is operated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Golden Nugget is a renowned iGaming brand, especially in New Jersey. Michigan players can look forward to an ever-expanding game selection at Golden Nugget Michigan.

FanDuel Michigan

Motor City Casino chose FanDuel as the technology partner for its upcoming legal online casino platform. FanDuel’s growth from a fantasy sports brand to a multi-faceted iGaming company includes the introduction of the FanDuel Casino platform in multiple states.

FanDuel Casino launched in Michigan on Jan. 22, 2021. The casino welcomes new players with a risk-free day bonus up to $200.

BetRivers Michigan

Rush Street Interactive’s portfolio of iGaming products includes the BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse brands. Those brands continue to expand in the legal US online gaming industry, with the capability of offering the full gamut of mobile gambling products. Michigan’s Little River Casino partners with Rush Street Interactive in its iGaming offerings.

BetRivers launched an integrated online casino and sportsbook platform in Michigan on Jan. 22, 2021. The BetRivers MI welcome bonus includes a 100% deposit match up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement.

BetMGM Online Casino

The Roar Digital brand operates as a partnership between MGM Resorts International and British sports betting technology powerhouse GVC Holdings.

This collaboration of major players in the gaming industry powers the BetMGM online gambling platforms already operating in several US states. Retail property MGM Grand Detroit launched a BetMGM platform for its online casino offering in Michigan on Jan. 22, 2021.

BetMGM also recently partnered with Evolution Gaming. The companies plan to launch live dealer games as part of a robust online casino offering in Michigan. New players at BetMGM can enjoy a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000, plus $25 on the house.

DraftKings Michigan

Although most known for its online sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports offerings, DraftKings also operates one of Michigan’s most exciting online casinos. DraftKings license partnership with Bay Mills Resort & Casinos includes online casino gaming, online sports betting, and retail sports betting.

Michigan players can sign up for a new account at DraftKings Casino and get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,500, as well as $10 in free betting credits.

Additional Michigan Online Casinos

William Hill

One of the world’s biggest iGaming brands, William Hill’s reputation as a powerhouse in the US sports betting industry is unrivaled.

As legal online gambling in the US expands, William Hill continues to extend its online casino and sports betting platforms into new territories.

William Hill’s foray into Michigan comes as a product of a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The tribe owns the Leelanau Sands Casino and the Turtle Creek Hotel & Casino.

William Hill launched a hybrid sports betting and casino app in Michigan on January 22, 2021. Signing up at William Hill Casino Michigan yields 24 hours of risk-free playing up to $100 as a welcome bonus.

WynnBet Casino

The Salut Tribe of Chippewa Indians inked a partnership with iGaming company GAN to offer online gambling to Michigan players. This means Michigan players can access the WynnBet Casino in Michigan.

GAN software powers other legal US online gambling platforms like Betfair Casino New Jersey, one of the top revenue-earning iGaming skins in the US market. The Salut Tribe of Chippewa Indians operates the Kewadin Casino brand, which includes five retail properties.

WynnBet MI launched as an integrated online sportsbook and casino on January 22, 2021. New players can get 250 free spins on the Divine Fortune progressive slot by depositing and playing at least $250 on slots.

TwinSpires

TwinSpires (owned by Churchill Downs) operates in Michigan by way of a partnership with the Hannahville Indian Community, which owns and operates Island Resort & Casino in Harris,

The TwinSpires online casino and sportsbook platform went live in Michigan on Jan. 22, 2021. New players can enjoy up to $500 of risk-free play in their first week after depositing at TwinSpires MI Casino.

Stars Casino By PokerStars

The world’s biggest online gambling brand, The Stars Group, expands into Michigan through a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian Gaming Authority.

The tribe owns two casinos, Odawa Casino Mackinaw and Odawa Casino Petoskey. The Stars Group already operates a PokerStars-branded online casino in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In Michigan, The Stars Group launched its FOX Bet Sportsbook, PokerStars poker app, and Stars Casino all on the same day.

Barstool Casino

One of the biggest name on sports on the internet, Barstool Sports launched its sportsbook during 2020. As part of its intensive growth plans, Barstool plans to launch almost a dozen sportsbooks in states around the US. Its Barstool Casino launched on February 1, 2021. It will be interesting to see if Michigan sports bettors flock to the casino app in the same way as Golden Nugget or BetMGM, more established casino industry brands.

Additional Casinos Launching Later In 2021

PointsBet

In addition to expanding its sports betting presence in the US, Australian company PointsBet is bringing its online casino project to Michigan. They partnered with the Lac Vieux Desert Public Enterprise and Finance Commission under the license of Northern Waters Casino Resort.

FireKeepers Online Casino

FireKeepers Casino entered into a partnership with proven iGaming brand Scientific Games for the tribal casino’s upcoming online gaming platforms.

Scientific Games’ interactive gaming partners include Golden Nugget Casino New Jersey, Caesars Interactive, Rush Street Interactive, and numerous others in the US industry.

What Online Casino Bonuses Are Available In Michigan?

Michigan’s legal online casino sites launched with the first wave of products hitting the market on Jan. 22, 2021. Bonuses at the state’s mobile casinos look similar to what we’ve seen in other states.

Deposit Match Bonuses

Deposit match bonuses award bonus money based on the amount a player deposits. The most commonly offered bonus across US iGaming platforms, deposit match bonuses, give players a percentage of a deposit back as a bonus, up to a certain amount.

For example, Golden Nugget Casino Michigan offers a generous deposit match bonus for new players. Golden Nugget Casino players receive a 100% match bonus on deposits up to $1,000.

Using that offer, new players earn up to $1,000 in bonus money. Deposit match bonuses usually require a certain amount of playthrough to unlock the bonus.

Playthrough requires the player to wager a multiple of the deposit to unlock the full bonus. Playthrough requirements can range from 1x to 30x the deposit.

On most platforms, the match bonus is unlocked in smaller increments as players advance through the playthrough requirement.

Risk-Free Days

Some online casinos extend the opportunity of a risk-free day for players to try out the platform. A risk-free day offers a rebate on losses up to a certain amount.

The risk-free day period generally gives players a 24-hour window after the first deposit.

At FanDuel Casino MI, for example, new players are eligible for a risk-free day up to $200. Using this offer, the casino refunds new players up to $200 in losses in the first 24 hours after depositing.

Free Sign-Up Bonuses

Many mobile casino platforms offer free wagering funds just for signing up. No deposit is necessary for these bonuses.

At BetMGM Michigan, for instance, new players get $25 in betting credits just for signing up. The $25 is issued as casino credit and must be wagered on the platform before it can be withdrawn as real money.

How To Deposit At Michigan’s Online Casinos

ACH/eCheck

Across all US legal online gambling sites, ACH/eCheck is the most universally accepted deposit method. An eCheck deposit uses an online bank account to draft an electronic check, which then goes through an Automatic Clearing House (ACH) for processing.

ACH/eCheck deposits instantly become available on a player’s online casino balance once they’re processed.

Prepaid Cards

The prepaid card option isn’t as widely available as ACH/eCheck. On the platforms that offer prepaid card deposits, however, this method is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to get funds into an online casino balance.

Certain online casino platforms offer prepaid cards directly. Players load money onto cards with money from a debit or credit card. From there, the funds are immediately available for use at the casino.

Once loaded, the casino mails a physical version of the prepaid card to the player within 7-10 days. There’s no need to wait for the physical card to show up to start playing, however. The prepaid card is ready for use as soon as funds are loaded.

PayPal

PayPal offers one of the most reliable and widely accepted methods for getting money onto a legal online gambling site.

The process takes extra verification steps compared to other deposit methods but yields an almost 100% acceptance rate. Players 21 and over with a valid US PayPal account have access to this deposit method.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are another widely offered deposit method at US legal online casinos. The biggest concern about debit card deposits is a relatively high rejection rate from issuing banks.

When a debit card deposit does make it through, the funds are instantly available for play at the online casino.

eWallet

Skrill and Neteller are a couple of the eWallet options accepted for deposits at some legal mobile gambling sites. These methods do come with fees, however, generally around 3% per deposit.

Casino Cage Deposit

Visiting the land-based casino that operates a given online platform is another way to register for an account, and deposit funds, at a legal mobile casino.

Do Michigan Online Casinos Offer Live Dealer Games?

Michigan’s legal online casinos will likely offer live dealer games at some point, although none of the eight casinos going live on Jan. 22 had live dealer games on the menu.

Live dealer games allow players to interact with a physical table, and a human dealer, with real-life games, streamed from a secure studio.

BetMGM and Evolution have inked a deal to provide live dealer games in Michigan. So far, this is the most high-profile deal of its kind in the state, though more will almost certainly follow.

Blackjack

Live dealer Blackjack offers online players the social experience of live blackjack, with the convenience of the mobile gaming experience.

These games play virtually exactly like a live blackjack game at a land-based casino. A human dealer deals the cards at a physical table. Online players interact with both the dealer and other players.

Roulette

Many of the variants of roulette found at a land-based casino can be played as live dealer games on legal online casino sites as well.

Live dealer versions of American and European Roulette play exactly like they do in a live setting. The only difference is that players can participate from the comfort of a mobile device or desktop at home.

Other Games

Baccarat and casino table games like Casino Hold’em and Three Card Poker are offered as live dealer games at many legal online casinos. These games play exactly as they do at a retail casino.

Progressive Jackpots At Michigan’s Online Casinos

Michigan’s online casinos include enticing progressive jackpot slots. The following list includes some of the most popular progressive slots offered in the state:

Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune sits at the top of the list of most popular progressive online slots in the US. This slot is found at numerous online casinos in Michigan.

The Divine Fortune Mega Jackpot can reach totals of more than $300,000.

The Big One

The Big One network of progressive jackpot slots resides exclusively at BetMGM Michigan.

This collection of slots operate as different games, linked to the same progressive grand prize. That grand prize jackpot started at six figures when BetMGM launched in Michigan.

Big One progressive jackpot titles include MGM Grand Millions, Loot’en Khamun, and Book of Myths.

Online Casinos Come To Michigan

Numerous US states are jumping into the pool when it comes to online sports betting, but Michigan is just one of five states to legalize online casinos. With the passage of HB 4311, Michigan now joins Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia as a state with legal, regulated online casinos. West Virginia launched its online casinos in 2020, and Michigan debuted its mobile casino platforms in January 2021.

Current Tribal Casino Landscape

Like those other states, Michigan’s land-based casinos operate the legal online casino sites. The retail casino industry in Michigan, however, has a different makeup than the other states.

Out of 26 total casinos in the state, 23 are tribal casinos. House Bill 4311 allows for all state casino ownership groups, both tribal and commercial, to apply for online gaming licenses.

The language of the bill contains a unique provision. It provides that at least one commercial and one tribal casino must be licensed to offer interactive gaming (iGaming) for any of the state’s casinos to offer iGaming. This provision is in place to ensure a competitive balance between tribal and commercial casinos.

Michigan Aims For NJ-Style Success

New Jersey is the benchmark state for US online casino gaming performance. After all, it was the first state to legalize and launch online casinos. By far the largest US market, New Jersey’s online casino industry has generated nearly $1.46 billion in revenue since the launch of the state’s first online casinos in December 2013.

Michigan’s online casinos launched with full lineups of classic casino games. This includes blackjack, roulette, craps, slots, video poker, and casino table games.

Live dealer games, which allow online players to interact with a live dealer and other players, are popular in New Jersey. BetMGM and Evolution gaming recently partnered to launch live dealer games in Michigan. Michigan’s online casinos don’t include live dealer games yet, but they will at some point.

The convenience of playing from home or anywhere within the state makes online casino gaming a hit in New Jersey. The same is true in Pennsylvania’s emerging market.

The ability to deposit, withdraw, and play a wide variety of casino games on a mobile phone or desktop computer has led to the growing popularity of the market in states where mobile casinos legally operate. Michigan looks staged to replicate this success as a state that has legalized online gambling in almost every form.

Who Could Be Big Players In Michigan?

Michigan’s online gambling legalization drew the biggest names in the industry to the Wolverine State. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Golden Nugget, BetRivers, and other big-name brands all launched mobile casino apps in January 2021,

Michigan Online Gambling Options: The Run-Down

Real Money Online Casinos

The massive gambling expansion outlined in HB 4311 includes the legalization of online casinos.

Michigan is one of only five states to legalize online casino gaming, along with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.

Michigan hopes to see its mobile casino market catch on and grow in a similar fashion to Pennsylvania, another newcomer to the online casino industry. Pennsylvania’s online casinos earned a record $19.5 million in revenue in February 2020, growing nearly 40 percent over the previous month.

In a state that hosts 23 tribal and three commercial casinos, the launch of casino iGaming should give a welcome boost to the Michigan economy.

Online Sports Betting

House Bill 4916, aka the Lawful Sports Betting Act, brings a new era of sports betting to Michigan, both retail and online. With a population of 10 million and a deep tradition of both college and professional sports, the Michigan sports betting market looks to be poised for success.

Much like several other states with legal sports betting, the industry’s biggest brands operate in Michigan. These brands offer sports betting platforms through partnerships with retail casinos in the state.

Brands like FanDuel Sportsbook, FOX Bet, William Hill, BetMGM, and PointsBet have partnerships in place with state casinos. Michigan bettors can expect to see mobile betting platforms from these companies at some point.

Michigan’s first wave of online sportsbooks debuted in January 2021.

See our Guide To Online Sportsbooks In Michigan.

Online Poker

While the online sports betting industry booms in the US, legal online poker currently operates in just a few states. The December 2019 online gambling legislation passed in the Wolverine State put Michigan on the list of markets that to offer state-regulated online poker. The first online poker app, PokerStars, launched on January 29, 2021.

PokerStars’ parent company, The Stars Group operates as a license partner to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian Gaming Authority. The tribe owns a pair of land-based casinos in Michigan.

Michigan’s online poker market should also see partypoker offering legal poker to Michigan players. Partypoker’s parent company, GVC Holdings, launched online gambling under the license of MGM Grand Detroit.

Michigan Online Lottery

Visit: Michigan Lottery

Michigan was one of the first states to implement online options for the state lottery. The Michigan Lottery started to offer online purchases in 2014.

With this option to play online in place, the Michigan Lottery realized record sales figures in both 2018 ($3.6 billion) and 2019 ($3.9 billion).

Michigan’s online lottery platform allows players to purchase entries for a wide variety of instant win and drawing games. The Michigan Lotto 47, an in-state drawing game, offers jackpots reaching well into seven figures.

Online purchases for multi-state lotteries like MegaMillions and Powerball are also at the disposal of Michigan players. Michigan Lottery can be played online on both desktop and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

History Of Michigan Lottery

In May 1972, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment to introduce a state lottery. Public Act 239 was signed into law in August 1972, which formally legalized the lottery.

The first lottery tickets were made available to the public in November 1972. By the end of 1977, the Michigan Lottery offered a variety of games. This included instant win tickets and the Daily 3 drawing game.

In August 1996, Michigan, in collaboration with five other states, begins offering the Big Game. The Big Game was the first multi-state lottery to operate in the US.

The Big Game eventually evolved into MegaMillions. It is currently one of the two biggest multi-state lotteries in the US. MegaMillions now includes 45 states. Michigan also participates in Powerball, which is the other major national lottery games.

Michigan became one of the first states to implement online lottery ticket sales, which started in August 2014. The Michigan Lottery app offers purchases to almost every in-state instant win and drawing game, as well as MegaMillions and Powerball.

All profits from the Michigan Lottery go to the Michigan School Aid Fund. Since its inception in 1972, the Michigan Lottery has contributed more than $23.4 billion to the fund.

Check out our full Guide To The Michigan Online Lottery. Or, purchase tickets for the Michigan Lottery here.

Daily Fantasy Sports

The gambling-expansion bills signed by Gov. Whitmer included HB 4308, a bill that regulates paid fantasy sports.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) giants like FanDuel and DraftKings operated in Michigan for years without regulation. This practice is common in the US. FanDuel and DraftKings operate in about 40 states, with only around half of those states having explicit DFS regulations in place.

HB 4308 doesn’t change anything about the actual execution of fantasy sports sites. DFS operators can continue to offer their services. With the new legislation in place, DFS operators will be taxed by the state at the same rate (8.4 percent) as legal sportsbooks.

The bill set licensing fees for fantasy sports operators at a considerably lower rate than many other states. The intent is to allow smaller DFS brands to compete in the Michigan market.

Online Horse Racing

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued an order to legalize online horse race betting on May 6, 2020. Prior to the order, horse race wagering was limited to in-person betting at the state’s lone operating racetrack, Northville Downs.

No standalone off-track betting facilities operate in the state, but Northville Downs does offer simulcast race betting,

With the order from the MGCB in place, Michigan bettors can now enjoy access to legal wagering platforms like TwinSpires and BetAmerica. These mobile apps open up a new world of horse racing options for Michigan bettors, with the convenience of wagering from anywhere within state borders.

Sweepstakes Casinos

State-regulated online casinos are up and running in Michigan. Additionally, sweepstakes sites like Chumba Casino are available to Michigan players and offer a variety of casino games.

Chumba Casino allows for players to purchase “Gold Coins” to be used for play-money games. Players receive an amount of “Sweeps Coins” as a gift that comes along with the Gold Coins packages.

Sweeps Coins can also be obtained for free through various offers. Gold Coins games and Sweeps Coins games both offer a variety of classic casino staples like slots, roulette, blackjack, and casino table games.

Best Sweepstakes Sites In Michigan

• Chumba Casino
• LuckyLand Slots
• Funzpoints

Sweepstakes Poker Sites

Chumba Casino also operates Global Poker, the largest sweepstakes poker site available to US players. Like Chumba Casino, the games on Global Poker are mini-sweepstakes games.

Players purchase “Gold Coins” packages for play-money poker games. Those packages award an amount of “Sweeps Coins” that come along with the Gold Coins purchase. Players can also receive Sweeps Coins as a free gift through various offers from Global Poker.

Like Chumba Casino, players can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes. Sweeps Coins are never available for direct purchase. They can only be obtained as a gift with Gold Coins purchases or by special free offers.

Legal Versus Illegal Online Casinos

The US legal online casino industry is just beginning to take shape. Michigan joins a list of just a handful of states offering legal, state-regulated online casino gaming.

With Michigan’s legal mobile casinos going live, players in the state enjoy access to a virtual casino landscape that’s owned and operated by Michigan’s retail casinos.

Michigan Online Casino Regulations

The National Indian Gaming Commission regulates Michigan’s tribal casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board provides oversight of the state’s commercial casinos. These agencies ensure that the casinos in their respective jurisdiction operate with transparency and accountability.

Tribal and commercial casinos in Michigan conduct business as part of multi-billion-dollar industries. Both the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Michigan Gaming Control Board have a vested interest in fair games and player safety for customers of Michigan’s casinos.

Michigan’s regulated tribal and commercial casinos own and operate the state’s online casinos. As such, playing at a legal, state-regulated online casino platform in Michigan presents the same level of security as playing at a legal retail casino in the state.

Risks To Offshore Betting

Offshore casinos operate illegally in the US. These platforms are not subject to the same regulations as legal online casinos.

Playing at an offshore casino can be a riskier proposition than playing at a state-regulated casino. Players that visit offshore online casinos do so at their own risk.

Timeline For Legal Gambling In Michigan

• 1933 – The first form of legalized gambling became available in the form of pari-mutuel horse race betting. The Racing Act of 1933 legalized pari-mutuel betting on races. It also created the Office of Racing Commissioner to oversee the new industry.
• 1972 – Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting a state lottery. Then Gov. William Milliken signed Public Act 239 into law later that same year. By the end of 1972, the newly created Michigan Lottery offered the first games.
• 1984 – Tribal casinos launched in Michigan. Fred Dakota, a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Tribe, challenged the state’s legal right to regulate gambling on tribal lands. Dakota opened a casino called “The Pines” in January 1984. The casino consisted of a single blackjack table in Dakota’s garage. Later in 1984, large-scale tribal casinos started to operate. The Bay Mills Indian Band opened Kings Casino Club, the first tribally owned casino in the US. By the end of 1985, multiple tribal properties started to offer casino gaming.
• 1996 – Michigan, along with five other states, started to offer tickets for the Big Game, the first multi-state lottery in the US. The Big Game eventually evolved into what is now known as MegaMillions, involving 45 US. states.
• 1997 – The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act was signed into law. State voters passed the bill, originally called Proposal E, in November 1996. The bill permitted the construction of three commercial casinos in Detroit. The MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino Hotel both opened in 1999. The Greektown Casino-Hotel opened in 2000.
• 2014 – Online sales for the Michigan Lottery began in November. This made instant win games available for purchase online. Tickets for in-state and multi-state drawing games started online in January 2016.
• 2018 – Both the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize online gambling. The bill only needed a signature from then-Governor Rick Snyder to go into law. Snyder instead vetoed the bill just days before his gubernatorial term ends.
• 2019 – A package of bills that included legislation to legalize sports betting (both retail and online), online casinos, and online poker passed the state Senate and House. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed these bills into law in December. The passage set the foundation for significant gambling expansion in the state.
• 2020 – The first of Michigan’s legal retail sportsbooks went live in March, but only briefly. The COVID-19 pandemic forced nationwide shutdowns of casinos just days later.
• 2020 – Online horse race betting legalized by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
• 2021 – Michigan’s legal online sportsbooks and casinos go live. Ten online sportsbooks and eight online casinos launch on Jan. 22, 2021.

Recent History Of Michigan Online Gambling

The state first approved and regulated online lottery as the first form of online gambling in Michigan. The Michigan Lottery started to offer online purchases of instant win game tickets in November 2014. In January 2016, Michigan Lottery added options to buy tickets for in-state and national drawing games as well.

Pro-gambling lawmakers, led by former Michigan State Representative Robert Kosowski, began to advance the narrative for legalized sports betting in 2015. In 2017, State Representative Brandt Iden drafted a Lawful Internet Gaming Act bill. The bill was designed to legalize internet-based sports betting if the then-effective federal ban on sports betting was ever overturned.

By 2018, the prospects of legal online gambling in Michigan began to gain serious momentum. A package of bills outlining the legalization of online casino games, retail and online sports betting, and online poker made it through both the state House and Senate.

Overcoming The Veto Hurdle

The bills faced one final hurdle. Then Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed the bills instead of signing them into law. This happened just days before his term as governor ended. Snyder vetoed the gaming bills in December 2018, which pushed Michigan back to square one.

Governor Whitmer took over in the governor’s office the following January. With Whitmer in office, 2019 proved to be a landmark year in the advancement of Michigan’s iGaming initiatives. A package of internet gaming bills, similar to 2018, once again made it through the state House and Senate.

These gaming bills made it to the governor’s desk for the second consecutive year. This time, they received the required signatures from Gov. Whitmer.

The bill’s package included HB 4311, which legalized online sports betting, casino games, and poker in Michigan. Michigan is now one of five states in which all three of those gaming verticals are legal.

Operators in all three areas can launch iGaming platforms via license partnerships with Michigan’s retail casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved 15 different iGaming operators in December 2020.

Legal online gambling platforms launched in Michigan on Jan. 22, 2021.

History Of Live Gambling In Michigan

Pari-mutuel horse race wagering was the first form of legal gambling in Michigan. The Racing Act of 1933 legalized betting on horse races. The state’s first legal wagers took place in September 1933.

The state established the Michigan Lottery in 1972. This introduced instant win and drawing games to the state.

In 1984, a single individual in the Keweenaw Bay Indian Tribe took the first step for what would eventually become a robust live casino industry in the state. Fred Dakota challenged the state’s stance toward regulated gambling on tribal lands by operating a single blackjack table in his garage.

Other tribal gaming interests soon followed suit. Kings Club Casino became the first tribally owned casino in the US, opening later in 1984. Michigan’s casino industry has grown to include 23 tribal casinos.

The 1997 Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act authorized the construction of three Detroit-area commercial casinos. All three of those properties started to operate by 2000. As of 2020, Michigan is home to a total of 26 casinos.

Michigan Live Gambling At A Glance

Casinos In Michigan

Michigan is home to 26 casinos, with 23 tribal casinos situated throughout the state, as well as three commercial casinos in Detroit.

Players can find tribal casinos all over the Michigan map. There are 12 in the Lower Peninsula and the other 11 in the Upper Peninsula. Kings Club Casino, located in the Upper Peninsula’s Bay Mills Township, was the first tribally owned casino to open in the US. It started operations in 1984.

Michigan Casino Locations

Tribal Casinos In Michigan

The opening of the Kings Club Casino by the Bay Mills Indian Band was just the beginning of a long history of tribal gaming in Michigan. Five more tribal casinos opened by the end of 1985.

At the time, these tribal casinos operated in a legal grey area. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 1987 that Native American tribes could legally operate on tribal lands. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act further defined the legal relationship between tribal gaming industries and state regulatory agencies.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act required Michigan’s tribal casinos to enter a state compact. The Act provided that tribes retained exclusive rights to operate casino gaming throughout the entire state. This included off-reservation lands.

The compact required the tribes to pay 10 percent of revenue from video gambling machines to the state. As of 2021, the industry has grown to include 23 tribal casinos.

Commercial Casinos In Michigan

The 1997 passage of the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act authorized the construction of three commercial casinos in Detroit. This bill negates parts of the state compact, as tribal interests no longer held exclusive rights to operate casinos in the state. The tribal casinos were also no longer required to pay the 10 percent “tax” on video gaming profits.

All three of the proposed Detroit-area casinos opened in 1999 and 2000. The MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel, and Greektown Casino-Hotel are still in business as of 2020.

These three casinos realized all-time highs in combined revenue for both 2018 ($1.44 billion) and 2019 ($1.45 billion).

Michigan’s tribal casinos are owned and operated by 12 different Native American tribes. Of the commercial casinos, MGM Resorts International owns the MGM Grand. IH Gaming owns the MotorCity Casino Hotel. Penn National Gaming operates Vici Properties, which in turn owns Greektown Casino.

Other Reading On Michigan Gambling

Michigan Online Casinos & Gambling FAQ

Yes. Michigan is home to 23 tribal and three commercial casinos, all of which legally offer gambling in the state.

Michigan was one of the first states to introduce tribally owned casinos. These properties can be found throughout the state. The state authorizes tribal casinos to operate anywhere in the state, including on non-reservation lands.

Michigan’s three commercial casinos are all located in Detroit.

18 at some casinos, 19 or 21 at others. Michigan’s tribal casinos can individually set the minimum gambling age at their respective properties. Depending on the casino, this age can be 18, 19, or 21.

The minimum age to gamble at the three Detroit commercial casinos is 21. For horse racing and lottery, the minimum age is 18.

All online gambling platforms mandate a minimum age of 21, including those licensed to tribal casinos.

Yes, on gambling winnings of $5,000 or more. Federal laws require a 25 percent tax to be paid on all gambling wins of $5,000 or more.

For proper tax reporting, the casino will require paperwork for any players winning $5,000 or more. If a player provides a social security number, the casino withholds 25 percent. If the SSN is not provided, the casino withholds 28 percent.

The state tax rate of 4.25 percent also applies to winnings of more than $5,000. It is the player’s responsibility to report winnings to the state.

Yes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed off on a package of bills in December 2019 that legalized online sports betting, casino games, and poker. Michigan’s online gambling platforms launched on January 22, 2021.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates the state’s land-based tribal and commercial casinos. The land-based casinos operate all legal online gambling sites.

Michigan legalized online horse race betting in May 2020. TwinSpires and BetAmerica online wagering sites now operate legally in Michigan. The Michigan Lottery also offers online purchases for tickets.

No, apart from the online lottery. Michigan’s online gambling platforms allow any players within state borders who are of legal gambling age to play.

Purchasing online tickets for the Michigan Lottery is different. Players must be located in Michigan and be able to provide proof of residency.

Yes. In 2019, Gov. Whitmer signed off on a package of bills that legalized sports betting, both online and retail.

Michigan’s tribal and commercial casinos are eligible to apply for licenses and to launch online sportsbooks in the state. The first 10 of Michigan’s mobile sportsbooks launched in January 2021.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and the National Indian Gaming Commission. The MGCB, a government agency, regulates commercial casinos in the state.

The National Indian Gaming Commission oversees tribal casino operations. Both of these agencies take part in the overall regulation of Michigan’s online gambling industry.

A variety of options should be available for players to deposit and withdraw when Michigan’s online gambling platforms launch. This includes ACH/eCheck, credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, casino cage deposit, PayPal, eWallets, and wire transfers.

These are the most common ways to deposit and withdraw in other states that offer legal online gambling.

Yes. DraftKings Casino is partnered with Bay Mills to offer online sports betting and an online casino as well.

The DraftKings Casino homepage displays a map of all states in which it legally operates. The platform’s geolocation software will not allow for players outside of these states to play.

Yes. FanDuel Casino operates in Michigan under the license of MotorCity Casino Hotel, one of three Detroit-area commercial casinos in the state. They also operate a retail sportsbook at MotorCity Casino in Detroit.

Pennsylvania is home to several online casinos, which means that Pennsylvania is home to online casino bonuses. For players new to PA’s online gaming sites, numerous great opportunities are available. Notably, each online casino that is active in the state right now offers a deposit match of some sort. Some will even reward new players with free money.

Here’s a rundown on all things related to casino bonuses in the Keystone State.

Best online casino bonuses in Pennsylvania

Many of our bonuses are exclusive to PAOnlineCasino.com; they aren’t available anywhere else.

However, customers should read the fine print on any promotional offer. Almost all the PA online casino bonuses listed comes with some terms and conditions, and it can take some play before it’s possible to withdraw the extra funds.

How do no-deposit casino bonuses work?

A no-deposit casino bonus is one of online gambling’s sweetest things. It’s free money the site gives to players.

The way to receive these bonuses is simple. Potential players must register for an account on the site. That’s it.

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The money will be waiting in the new account.

Terms and conditions for no-deposit bonuses

Like most bonuses; however, there are a few strings attached. To redeem a no-deposit bonus in PA fully, players must satisfy a few conditions. They are:

• New accounts only: Free money will only appear in the accounts of new registrants.
• Playthrough: To withdraw the free money, the casino may require players to wager through a multiple of the bonus amount. This multiple can range from 1x, meaning a player must only wager the amount of the bonus itself, to higher standards like 20x the bonus amount.
• Validation: The site may require a confirmation on a new player’s email before redeeming the bonus.
• Opt-in: Players may be required to visit the bonus section of the chosen site. Once there, they must tell the casino that they are electing to take part in the promotion, which is usually by clicking a button.
• Time limits: If the site requires players to redeem their free money, they may only have a certain amount of time after registering to do so. Alternatively, there may also be a limit to how long players can attempt to satisfy the playthrough requirement. In either case, funds not released by the deadline are forfeit and will return to the site.
• Eligible games: Not all games are created equal for online casinos in Pennsylvania. For reasons such as a better partnership deal or a larger profit share, an online casino may require that free money be played on designated games.

There is little reason to ignore or spurn a no-deposit online casino bonus in Pennsylvania.

Even if they are simply a ploy to get a player to try certain games, it’s still a good idea to take advantage.

How do deposit bonuses and match bonuses work?

While some online casinos may not offer no-deposit bonuses, deposit or match bonuses are nearly ubiquitous on every site.

In a match bonus, the player elects to deposit money onto the online casino. In return, the casino pledges to match a certain percentage of that deposit with funds of its own.

The percentage of each bonus can vary wildly. Some bonuses are only good for a 10% addition, while others will match the deposit, dollar-for-dollar.

Each bonus offer will also specify a maximum amount of bonus money that the site will pay out. So, it may take a bit of arithmetic to figure out how to maximize one’s bonus.

For example, let’s say that an online casino has a deposit bonus offer where it will match 25% of the deposit of up to $500. In other words, that $500 represents the site’s maximum contribution at a 25% level.

So, to receive the maximum amount of money, a player would need to deposit $2,000 into his or her wallet onsite.

However, as in all things, there are a few catches.

Terms and conditions for the welcome bonus offers

• Promotional code: Whether the player is new to the site or not, many deposit matches have a promo code associated with them. A player must enter these codes into a box that will appear on the site’s deposit page. Make sure to check promo codes for spelling and punctuation. The success of receiving one’s bonus money depends on the accurate submission of the deposit code on the form.
• Playthrough: As with no-deposit bonuses, most deposit bonuses have a playthrough requirement. Unlike their counterparts, however, playthrough requirements tend to be far more onerous to satisfy for match bonus offers. A player may be required to wager through tens of multiples of his or her bonus amount to redeem it. Depending on the game they favor, it’s not uncommon for players to encounter wagering requirements that exceed 100x.
• Validation: A player may need to validate his or her bank account prior to the site allowing a deposit. This process usually requires proof of identity, and the site may make a small representative deposit into an account to ascertain whether the player’s method of funding is aboveboard.
• Opt-in: Even if there isn’t a promo code available for the promotion, players may still need to opt-in. Once they are logged in, they are ready to deposit.
• Time limits: One of the toughest parts about deposit bonuses are the time limits. Even the most tedious of playthrough rates would be doable, given enough time. Unfortunately, Play PA sites are not going to allow a bonus to stay open-ended forever while the player satisfies the requirement. So, each bonus will come with a time limit. After it expires, any remaining bonus money will be forfeited back to the site.

Is it worth it to opt into a match bonus?

By this point, it may seem as though match bonuses are not worth the hassle.

After all, a large playthrough requirement and a short timeframe can mean that full redemption of the bonus is going to take some focused play on the customer’s part.

The short answer to whether or not a bonus is worth pursuing: it depends. There are so many variables at work that each bonus deserves its research.

Playthrough requirement math

First and foremost, consider the playthrough multiple. Casinos will often use a selection of multiples for each bonus, which is based upon the type of game that the customer wants to play.

It’s essential to look at what sort of return a player can expect while playing that type of game. For instance, a typical online slot machine will pay back 95% of the money wagered into it.

So, a player can expect to lose $5 for every $100 he or she wagers. Well, on the flip side, a 20x playthrough multiple means that the player will gain $5 for every $100 he or she wagers.

By that rationale, a 20x playthrough on slots is a breakeven proposition. Any bonuses that are 20x and below for slot play are, therefore, a worthwhile endeavor.

It’s possible, then, to calculate the breakeven multiple for most games.

Video poker games, for instance, returns 96% of wagers. So, the prospect of a $4 loss means that video poker bonuses are optimal when they are 25x or below.

Some table games, like blackjack, return more than 99% of wagers to players, provided that the player uses optimal strategy. So, a large playthrough requirement might not be out of order for games that are nearly even odds.

Bonus plus deposit playthrough requirements

There is one other thing to watch for in the fine print of these bonuses.

Specifically, you should look for whether the playthrough requirement is on the bonus amount alone, or if it is on the bonus and the deposit amount.

It’s a rather sneaky ploy, but some online casinos will attach the multiple to both the bonus funds and the deposited amount. So, it’s a way to double the playthrough requirement multiple without advertising it.

Which games are eligible to clear a bonus?

However, the closer a player gets to even odds, the less likely the game in question will count toward the bonus. So, players who only bets table games a certain way might find themselves shut out of using that game to redeem their bonus.

For instance, take the color bet on roulette. A bet on black or red carries a near 50/50 chance, the only source of the house advantage is the green zero space or spaces.

So, it’s common that a bonus might not allow those kinds of even money wagers to count toward the playthrough requirement. Players can still bet on other parts of the roulette wheel, but those kinds of bets are considered to be an exploit of the bonus.

Theoretical losses help determine which casino games are better for clearing bonuses

Theoretical losses refer to the average amount of money that you’ll lose based on the house edge. Given that every PA online casino game has a built-in house edge, understanding theoretical losses is essential for bankroll management purposes.

This is also helpful when deciding if you want to use slots or table games to unlock a welcome bonus. The example below compares theoretical losses between earning a bonus through slots and table games:

• You deposit $200 under a 100% match offer ($200 bonus)
• Wagering requirements on slots are 20x the bonus
• 20 x 200 = $4,000 must be wagered to earn your bonus
• You play a slot with 95% payback (5% house edge)
• 4,000 x 0.05 = $200 theoretical loss
• Wagering requirements on blackjack are 100x the bonus
• 100 x 200 = $20,000 must be wagered
• You play a blackjack game with a 1% house edge
• 20,000 x 0.01 = $200 theoretical loss

You can see from this example that higher wagering requirements don’t always equate to more losses. But table games and video poker can be less advantageous when wagering requirements are more than 100x.

We suggest running the math and comparing slots to other games before pursuing your bonus.

Time restrictions

Still, even with all of these requirements, it might seem as though a bonus is always worth pursuing. Even though it will take a while, the bonus will eventually release.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Most online casinos place a time limit on their bonuses.

Usually, players will only have about a week to complete the playthrough requirement to realize the value of the bonus fully. After that time, the bonus expires.

When considering whether to opt into a bonus, players need to be realistic about the volume of their usual or future play. If a player must wager $2,000 to clear the bonus and he or she bet in 50 cent increments, that means that he or she must bet 4,000 times to hit the mark.

As to how long that takes, it varies from player to player. If a player can spend every hour of the day playing, then it might be possible.

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However, most of us have jobs and other responsibilities. So, a seven-day slot-a-thon isn’t feasible.

Bonus release interval

It’s important to note that redeeming a bonus is usually not an all-or-nothing proposition.

Otherwise, players would grind for their bonus amount and then forfeit everything if they came up a bit short on the playthrough requirement.

Instead, online casinos will often drip the bonus funds out of the account at a prescribed rate. So, the total amount of bonus may be, say, $100, but the site will pay it out to the customer in $5 increments.

However, these increments don’t have to be present or regular, either. Each bonus or each casino is going to have a policy for how it doles out the bonus money.

How do loyalty or comp point schemes work?

Another form of bonus in the online casino world is the loyalty program.

These programs or their perks are sometimes called “comps,” which is short for complimentary. The term is a fancy way of describing anything that the casinos give away for free.

Loyalty programs are usually a point system that rewards players for their activity. Players earn points based upon the game and dollars they’re betting onsite.

Obviously, the higher the bet amount, the more points the player earns. Games that carry a lower rate of return to the customer will also yield more points per play than others.

These points are redeemable for a whole range of perks, prizes and benefits. Patrons can exchange points for free meals, event tickets, or hotel stays at its land-based counterparts.

Loyalty programs tend to separate customers into different strata according to the number of points they earn. Players can get certain levels of attention or benefit, like preferential placement in line or exclusive events as they progress.

The player’s tier acts as an easy way for casino personnel to identify the revenue potential of their customers.

Like most things in a casino, comps are designed to promote more gambling from their patrons. True to form, some gamblers will identify the achievement of these perks as a primary objective of their play.

Nevertheless, most of them are free to join. A person who plans to play on a particular site may as well register for the program, since they will gain a benefit from the activity they planned to do, anyway.

Good vs. bad online wagering requirements

We reiterate that it’s wise to compare bonus terms and conditions between Pennsylvania online casinos. After all, you want to have the best chance of earning free money. But what constitutes good wagering requirements?

The standard for Pennsylvania match bonuses is 20x the bonus (or 10x bonus + deposit) on slots. This means that you can theoretically break even when earning your bonus through slots offering 95% payback. Playing games above this payout percentage gives you a strong chance to earn profits.

Finding wagering requirements between 10x and 15x is even better. A bonus with such requirements means that you can turn a profit when playing slots with 95% payback. And you’ll potentially earn a large profit on games that pay above this mark.

Anything higher than 20x playthrough is a bad deal in comparison to the market average. You should reconsider playing at a casino with 25x or 30x turnover, given that other PA gaming sites probably will offer better deals.

The standard for table games and video poker is 100x turnover. Such requirements are comparable to a slot with 95% payback regarding theoretical wins/losses.

Blackjack, craps, and roulette can sometimes offer even lower requirements worth around 50x. This is an incredible deal that gives you the chance to earn a nice profit.

Now, 200x playthrough requirements are on the opposite end of the spectrum in that you’re highly likely to lose money in the process of clearing the bonus. Such steep multipliers are common for Blackjack at some casinos.

Regulated online bonuses vs. US offshore casino bonuses

The high value of casino bonuses in regulated US markets can be seen when comparing them to the offshore casino bonuses offered to most Americans. An offshore internet casino is characterized by operating in unregulated markets. These sites are usually located in Caribbean countries with lax standards on internet gaming.

Offshore casinos typically impose 40x wagering requirements on a 100% match deposit bonus. This ensures that they make a theoretical profit off the average player.

Here’s a comparison between a regulated and an offshore casino deposit bonus:

• You deposit $300 at an offshore site with a 100% match bonus
• Wagering requirements are 40x the bonus
• 300 x 40 = $12,000 must be wagered
• You play slots with 95% payback.
• 12,000 x 0.05 = $600 theoretical loss
• 600 loss – 300 bonus = $300 net loss

• You deposit $300 at a PA internet casino with a 100% match bonus
• Wagering requirements are 20x the bonus
• 300 x 20 = $6,000 must be wagered
• You play slots with 95% payback.
• 6,000 x 0.05 = $300 theoretical loss
• 300 loss – 300 bonus = break even

Favorable wagering requirements are a major reason why Pennsylvania residents are lucky to be dealing with licensed casinos, rather than offshore sites.

PA online casino market snapshot

At present, three online casinos are up and running in the state of Pennsylvania. All three launched within a three-day period in July.

The three online casinos are available for bets in the Keystone State around the clock. They are:

Five more sites are expected to go live by the end of 2019. So, the following casinos should be available sometime in the next few months:

Of course, things can change, but it’s clear that the PA online casino market is only in its early stages. For bonus seekers, that’s a good thing because more competition means more casinos that are trying to impress with bonuses.

So, sit tight, and keep your eyes peeled. There should be a ton of free money floating around Pennsylvania soon.

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Final thoughts

Players need to weigh all of these factors before they opt into a casino’s bonus offer.

It is entirely possible that the bonus is a good deal. In fact, many of them are since the casino wants to attract more business.

However, players must take a look in the mirror at the type of player they are. A casual player will have a more difficult time taking advantage of a deposit bonus than a serious one will.

Long story short, players should take each deposit bonus and read through its material before deciding. Otherwise, they may set themselves up for some frustration down the road.