Michigan Sports Betting – Best MI Sportsbooks 2024
When Michigan Sports Betting received the green light at the end of 2019, the first legal sportsbooks opened quickly in 2020. Those were retail outlets, the first of which began trading in March. Online bookmakers were not permitted until January 2021.
Upon legalization, it took just 10 days for internet sportsbooks in the Wolverine State to break the $100 million barrier. Perhaps that should not come as little surprise, given Michigan’s obsession with sports. After all, well supported franchises like the Lions, Red Wings and Pistons all base themselves in the state’s biggest city, Detroit.
On this page, we’ll learn more about Michigan’s love of sports and wagering, as well the history of gambling legislation in the state. We’ll also discuss the various sports betting opportunities and bonuses to be found at top sportsbooks in the region. Finally, we’ll help you to get started with a step by step guide to opening a betting account in Michigan.
Best Licensed Online Sports Betting Sites available in Michigan
There are plenty of legal bookmakers in the state, plus a whole host of offshore betting sites which accept US-based players. Below, we’ve listed your best legal bookmaking options in MI, based on the assessment of our experienced team of industry veterans.
We analyze every aspect of an online sportsbook, from betting opportunities to bonuses, and payment options to customer support. And here are the results.
Contents
So now you’ve seen the best Michigan sports betting sites according to our panel. But what else is in store for you on this page? Let’s take a look.
- Best Licensed Sports Betting Sites Michigan
- What is Online Sports Betting?
- Sports Betting Options in Michigan
- Why is Sports Betting So Popular in Michigan?
- Is Online Sports Betting Legal and Safe in MI?
- The Growth of Sports Betting in Michigan
- Types of Bonus in Online Sports Betting
- Popular Sports to Bet On
- How to Sign up for Online Sports Betting in Michigan
- Banking Options for Sports Betting in Michigan
- Responsible Gambling in Michigan
- FAQ
What is Online Sports Betting?
Gambling is as old as humanity itself. We know that ancient cultures carved primitive dice out of bones in order to wager. The origins of many modern sports, such as soccer, can even be traced back to the second and third centuries BC. Naturally, it wasn’t long before humans combined the two popular activities.
These days, thanks to the internet, it’s possible to bet online too. No matter where you might be in the world, you can stream the big game and find an internet-based betting site to accept your bet.
However, in the USA, online sports betting has traditionally been heavily restricted. But in the last decade or so, things have really begun to open up. As you’ll learn later in this article, the state of Michigan is certainly no exception to this trend.
Sports Betting Options in Michigan
Since the legalization of Michigan sports betting in December 2019, what have been the most popular markets with punters? In the following section, that’s exactly the question we’re going to answer.
Moneyline
The most rudimentary form of sports bet is to predict the winner of an event. It might be an individual competitor, in sports such as boxing. Or it could be a team, as in basketball or ice hockey. Whatever sport you’re betting on, there will likely be a moneyline offered.
Each contestant will be given a price, known as “odds”, linked to the probability of them winning the event. Underdogs reward bettors with bigger payouts, as the chances are much lower. While the most likely winner will be given a smaller price by the odds setters.
Spread
In markets that are one-sided, it’s not very appealing to bet on the favorite due to the low potential payout. On the flip side, there’s not much point backing the outsider, as it’s almost impossible for them to win. To solve this problem, bookmakers invented the spread.
In short, the underdog is given a points advantage. After factoring in this handicap, the odds will now be much more closely aligned. A points spread can make placing a bet into a much more interesting opportunity.
Totals
A bet that’s rooted in statistics, Totals are popular with fans of sports betting in Michigan, and indeed the world over. The bookmaker will produce a theoretical points value, such as the total number of points in an NBA game. All you need to do is decide whether the real value will be higher or lower.
Due to the nature of Totals betting, these markets are often dubbed “Over/Under” lines.
In-Play
Modern technology, particularly the advent of smartphones, has led to the rapid growth of in-play betting. This started out with “in-running” bets on horse racing events, which allowed you to bet after the race had begun.
These days, you can bet In-Play on literally any sport. It’s not just the most popular contests liek NFL, NBA or MLB. Top Michigan sports betting brands allow you to bet live on everything from table tennis to cycling. You can even wager in-play on politics, such as on election night!
Parlay
A popular form of sports betting is to try and increase your returns by grouping multiple bets into one single wager. Sometimes called an “accumulator” bet, it’s more commonly known as a “parlay” in Michigan.
Because it’s hard to pick the winner of several events in succession, the payouts are multiplied. Many bettors like to try and land sizable parlays of 5 or even 10 selections at a time. They’re trying to turn a few cents into a huge payday.
Teasers
The Teaser evolved out of old-fashioned parlay betting. It’s not easy to hit parlays, so the bookmaker will often permit you to tinker with the bet slightly.
By tweaking the parameters to make them slightly more favorable, it becomes a little easier to win. But naturally the potential payouts are slightly reduced as a result.
Futures
Another set of potentially lucrative bets are futures markets. If you can predict the winner of the Kentucky Derby a year in advance, you’re going to get much greater odds than on race day.
Almost every sport has some kind of futures betting. These markets often revolve around the outright winner of a competition, such as the Super Bowl, UEFA Champions League or the Kentucky Derby.
Why is Sports Betting So Popular in Michigan?
There are several reasons why Michiganders enjoy betting on sports. Let’s discover why.
- Successful sports teams. There are lots of big sports teams in the region, particularly around Detroit;
- Gambling enhances enjoyment. If you already love watching sports, the only way to increase the excitement is with a wager;
- Free bets and bonuses. Everyone loves to try and pick up something for nothing and there are just so many great sportsbook promotions in MI.
1. Successful Sports Teams
Detroit, the largest city in MI, is home to several professional teams. Perhaps the biggest name in the region is the Red Wings, with a massive 11 Stanley Cup titles. However, there are plenty of other historic franchises in the area.
The Pistons have won three NBA championships, for instance. While the Detroit Tigers have also enjoyed MLB success in the past, with four World Series titles, the last of which came in 1984.
2. Gambling Enhances Enjoyment
Admittedly, sports are already thrilling enough. But if you’re watching a game which doesn’t involve your own team, gambling can spice things up. After all, it matters a lot more when there’s money riding on the outcome.
3. Free bets and bonuses
The good people of Michigan are just the same as anyone else, in that they love a bargain! If you’re offered the chance to score some freebies, you’re going to take it, right? And that’s what most of the sportsbooks in MI do. They dangle some tempting carrots in the form of free bets and bonuses, which draws players in.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal and Safe in MI?
Since January 2021, it’s been perfectly legal to place bets online in Michigan. The major brands all have a presence in the Wolverine State, including Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings and BetRivers.
You’ll also notice a lot of international bookmakers offering their services to MI-based players. Although not technically legal, they aren’t really illegal either. They operate in something of a grey area and there’s really very little the authorities can do to prevent bettors from using them.
The Growth of Sports Betting in Michigan
When sports betting legislation was passed in December 2019 that approved the opening of sportsbooks, the big players wasted little time. In just three months, by March 2020, the MGM Grand, MotorCity and Greektown casinos had all taken their first bets.
Soon after, in January 2021, online sportsbooks were allowed to begin their operations. Within just 10 days, locals had placed $100,000,000 in bets. Only a month prior to the online launch, the retail sports betting locations broke a record, surpassing $514 million worth of sales in December 2020.
By the end of May 2022, legal online betting sites were generating $160 million worth of revenues, up 38.1% year on year. There were a total of 15 sportsbooks in the state.
Types of Bonus in Online Sports Betting
In the sports betting world, you’ll see all kinds of tempting bonuses and promotions. Michigan is no different in that regard. It’s a competitive industry and the many different brands are all trying to be seen and heard by millions of potential customers.
In this section, we’ve listed some of the most common promotions to look out for.
First Time Deposit Bonus
One of the hardest parts of the job for a gambling brand’s marketing team is bringing in new business. That’s why you’ll notice so many huge welcome offers at sportsbooks, to entice you to join. Whether it’s some form of free bet or cashback offer, you can be sure that the headline amount will be juicy.
For instance, at Pointsbet, all new customers in Michigan qualify for a massive $2,000 in risk free bets!
Reload Bonus
Anyone can attract a new player with a big bonus, but keeping them around is the real trick. As such, the best Michigan sports betting sites are going to present you with plenty of deals to encourage you to stay loyal. The reload bonus is the most basic example of this.
It’s almost always a percentage offer linked to a real money deposit. For instance, you might get a 25% bonus whenever you top up your account. So a $50 reload would earn you an additional $12.50 in free betting credits.
Free Bet
A free bet is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll receive a token with which to wager on selected sports and markets.
If your selection wins, you can keep the profits, with no strings attached. But if you lose, no problem! You didn’t place the bet with your own money after all. In this case, it’s the house which loses!
Risk-Free Bet
Don’t confuse this with a free bet as it’s not quite the same. With a risk-free bet, you’ll need to wager some real cash of your own. However, if your bet loses, you’ll receive a form of compensation as an insurance policy.
Usually, the risk-free bet works simply by giving you a free bet to the value of the real money wager. But all Michigan sports betting sites take their own approach, so be sure to read the terms and conditions.
One of the most popular promotions in Michigan is the $1,000 risk-free bet offered by BetMGM Sportsbook.
Odds Boost
Lots of bookmakers these days reward players with odds boosts. They could be specially selected markets, where all players can enjoy greater than usual returns if they win. Or they could be time limited, like a “Happy Hour” style promotion, with bigger odds for those who get on in time. Some even allow you to enhance markets of your own choosing.
Caesars is a fine example of a Michigan sports betting site which offers odds boosts. Every day, they pick a selection of props and increase the odds, giving you more bang for your buck.
Parlay Insurance
There aren’t too many more annoying things in life than when you just miss out on a parlay. You were all set for a big score, but a shock play in the final minute means your bet goes pop.
Some bookmakers help to ease the pain by offering insurance. If just one leg of your parlay lets you down, for example, you might receive a free bet for another try.
Loyalty Program
The top sportsbooks in Michigan know that the best way to make sure players stick around is with a rewards program. Such loyalty schemes give you points for every bet you make. You can then trade these for free bets, bonuses or even physical gifts.
What’s more, as you continue to earn points, you’ll climb up through the ranks. This can earn you better customer support and all kinds of other perks.
Popular Sports to Bet On
The locals are just crazy about sports in Michigan. Here are some of the most popular games on which they like to wager.
- Ice Hockey
- Basketball
- Football
- Baseball
- Soccer
- NASCAR
- Tennis
- Golf
Naturally, due to the popularity of the four main professional Detroit teams, they are prominent in the list. The Red Wings are particularly successful and they have a sizable fanbase.
How to Sign up for Online Sports Betting in Michigan
It’s really easy to open a sports betting account in Michigan. There’s a proliferation of legal bookmakers, not to mention hundreds of secure offshore sportsbooks willing to accept your bets.
But if you’re nervous about how to get started, here’s a simple walkthrough for you.
- Select your preferred sports betting site. If you’re not sure where to play, check out our list further up this page. All of our recommendations will look after you well.
- Click through our link to ensure you don’t land at a shady spoof site, then hit the button to register an account.
- Fill in your personal details when the signup form appears. This is a regulatory requirement for all Michigan sport betting sites and it won’t take you very long.
- If there’s a choice of new player welcome bonus, you’ll now be prompted to make your selection. You may have to enter a promo code, so keep an eye out for those in our guides found elsewhere on this site.
- Finally, you’ll need to head off to the cashier and fund your new account. Pick out your preferred deposit option and follow the simple on-screen commands.
- That’s it! Now that you’ve got a fully functional sportsbook account, you can place some bets. Browse through the many options using the navigation menu and add selections to your bet slip. Good luck!
Banking Options for Sports Betting in Michigan
If you’re looking to get involved with any kind of gambling in Michigan, you’re going to need cold hard cash. After all, you gotta speculate to accumulate!
Luckily for us, all of the top sports betting brands make it as easy as possible for us to put our money down. Whether in person, at a physical sportsbook or casino, or online, here are the most popular ways to fund Michigan sports betting.
- Cash at physical venues
- Visa
- Discover
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Neteller
- Paypal
- Skrill
- Cryptocurrency
- Paysafecard
- EcoPayz
- Bank Wires
Responsible Gambling in Michigan
For the vast majority of sports betting fans in Michigan, or indeed the world, gambling is just a little bit of fun. However, for a minority of people, things can get out of hand.
If you feel that you are losing control over your hobby, you can turn to any of the following groups for assistance.
- Gamblers Anonymous. This charitable organization was founded in 1957. It utilizes a similar community support method to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. Find information about your local group at gamblersanonymous.org.
- The Michigan Association on Problem Gambling, known as MAPG, was formed in 2003. They will help you to find clinical treatment, if you call the Michigan Gambling Helpline on 1-800-270-7117.
- The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help to get your finances back on track. They are a non-profit organization who offer counseling and financial planning services to all, not only those impacted by problem gambling.
Useful Tools
The very best Michigan sports betting sites will have a set of tools in place to help prevent you from getting out of control. Here are some of the most common measures which you can impose to limit your time spent wagering.
- Time Outs. These will block you from accessing your gambling account for a period of time that you can specify.
- Deposit Limits. Set an upper limit on the amount of money you can drop into your betting account. Once you reach the predetermined value, you’ll not be allowed to play until it resets.
- Loss Limits. Control your losses rather than your deposits. Basically, you won’t be able to bet on markets which could cause you excessive losses.
- Self Exclusion. Much stricter than a simple time out, self-exclusion bans you from the sportsbook entirely. You’ll not be able to access the account for a specified period of up to five years, or permanently if you prefer. Further, you’ll be prevented from opening new accounts and you’ll no longer receive marketing materials.
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