Sports betting is fully legal in Michigan, regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) under the Lawful Sports Betting Act signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019. Michigan features one of the most diverse sports betting markets in the country, with both commercial casino operators and federally recognized Native American tribes operating online sportsbooks and retail locations. This page covers all licensed operators, retail sportsbooks, the state’s history with sports betting, and everything you need to know about wagering in the Wolverine State in 2026.
Quick Facts: Sports Betting in Michigan
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal — retail and mobile/online |
| Launch Date | Retail: March 11, 2020 | Online: January 22, 2021 |
| Minimum Age | 21 (online); some tribal casinos accept 18+ |
| Regulatory Body | Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| Number of Online Operators | 15+ licensed online sportsbooks |
| Tax Rate on Operators | 8.4% (online); Detroit commercial casinos pay additional 1.25% city tax |
| Mobile Betting | Yes |
| In-Person (Retail) Betting | Yes |
Top Sportsbooks in Michigan
Michigan boasts one of the largest licensed online sportsbook markets in the country — here are the top options for Michigan bettors right now.
Online Sportsbooks Available in Michigan
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021, partnered with MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. It is consistently one of the top-performing sportsbooks in the state by handle and has built a strong reputation for its user-friendly mobile app and deep same-game parlay markets.
- Operator type: Commercial (Flutter Entertainment / MotorCity Casino)
- Notable feature: Elite same-game parlay builder, early cashouts, and intuitive app interface
- Live betting: Yes — live streaming and in-play markets on major sports
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021, in partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community at Bay Mills Resort & Casino. DraftKings consistently posts the highest or second-highest handle in the state and offers one of the broadest selections of sports markets in Michigan, covering 50+ sports.
- Operator type: Commercial / Tribal (Bay Mills Indian Community)
- Notable feature: Progressive parlays, DFS integration, and extensive live betting hub
- Live betting: Yes — fast-moving live lines across all major leagues
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM was among the first sportsbooks to enter Michigan’s retail market, opening a retail book at MGM Grand Detroit in March 2020. The online app followed on January 22, 2021. BetMGM is the official partner of the Detroit Tigers and offers seamless integration with the MGM Rewards loyalty program.
- Operator type: Commercial (BetMGM LLC / MGM Grand Detroit)
- Notable feature: Edit My Bet feature, MGM Rewards integration, and partnership with Detroit Tigers
- Live betting: Yes — live streaming and extensive in-game markets
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars entered Michigan through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, operating the Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel near Williamsburg and a satellite location at Leelanau Sands. Caesars launched online on January 22, 2021, and the platform is especially popular for its rewards program and NFL betting tools.
- Operator type: Commercial / Tribal (Grand Traverse Band)
- Notable feature: Caesars Rewards loyalty program and daily odds boosts
- Live betting: Yes — live betting odds boosts and streaming for major sports
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook entered Michigan on February 22, 2024, partnering with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians at Northern Waters Casino Resort. Backed by the global sports merchandise brand, Fanatics brings a unique FanCash rewards system and has rapidly grown in market share since its launch.
- Operator type: Commercial / Tribal (Lac Vieux Desert Band)
- Notable feature: FanCash rewards redeemable for bonus bets and merchandise
- Live betting: Yes — early cashouts and live in-game markets
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021, through a partnership with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians at Little River Casino and Resort in Manistee. BetRivers is known for its iRush Rewards loyalty program, competitive odds on niche sports like darts and snooker, and a strong live betting platform.
- Operator type: Commercial / Tribal (Little River Band)
- Notable feature: iRush Rewards loyalty program and diverse sports markets
- Live betting: Yes — live streaming and betting available
theScore Bet
theScore Bet (PENN Entertainment) launched in Michigan on December 1, 2025, replacing ESPN BET after PENN and ESPN mutually terminated their sports betting partnership. It operates through Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit and offers a strong parlay product with competitive promotions.
- Operator type: Commercial (PENN Entertainment / Hollywood Casino Greektown)
- Notable feature: Strong parlay builder and integration with the Score sports media brand
- Live betting: Yes
Retail Sportsbooks in Michigan
| Facility Name | City | Operator/Brand |
|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | Detroit | BetMGM Sports Lounge |
| Motor City Casino Hotel | Detroit | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Hollywood Casino at Greektown | Detroit | theScore Bet Sportsbook |
| Bay Mills Resort & Casino | Brimley | DraftKings Sportsbook |
| Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel | Williamsburg | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Leelanau Sands Casino | Peshawbestown | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Kewadin Casino – Sault Ste. Marie | Sault Ste. Marie | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Kewadin Casino – St. Ignace | St. Ignace | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Kewadin Casino – Christmas | Christmas | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Little River Casino and Resort | Manistee | BetRivers (River Rock Sportsbook & Grill) |
| FireKeepers Casino Hotel | Battle Creek | FireKeepers Sportsbook (Dacey’s) |
| Gun Lake Casino | Wayland | Play Gun Lake (131 Sportsbook Lounge) |
| Four Winds New Buffalo | New Buffalo | Four Winds Sportsbook |
| Four Winds Hartford | Hartford | Four Winds Sportsbook |
| Four Winds Dowagiac | Dowagiac | Four Winds Sportsbook |
| Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort | Mount Pleasant | Eagle Casino & Sports (Ascend Sportsbook) |
| Saganing Eagles Landing Casino | Standish | Eagle Casino & Sports (Creekside Lounge) |
| Island Resort & Casino | Harris | Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook |
History of Sports Betting in Michigan
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 14, 2018 | U.S. Supreme Court overturns PASPA, paving the way for states to legalize sports betting |
| December 2019 | Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs the Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916) and companion iGaming bills into law |
| March 11, 2020 | Retail sports betting launches at MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino; further retail openings follow at tribal casinos throughout 2020 |
| August 2020 | Retail sports betting resumes after pandemic-related closures; tribal casino sportsbooks begin opening |
| December 2020 | Michigan Gaming Control Board approves final rules for online sports betting; online launch scheduled for January 2021 |
| January 22, 2021 | Online sports betting launches statewide with BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars, WynnBET, and Golden Nugget going live simultaneously |
| February 2024 | Fanatics Sportsbook launches in Michigan through partnership with Lac Vieux Desert Band |
| December 1, 2025 | theScore Bet (PENN Entertainment) replaces ESPN BET in Michigan following termination of the ESPN-PENN partnership |
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in Michigan
Michigan legalized sports betting through the Lawful Sports Betting Act (HB 4916), signed into law in December 2019 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as part of a broader package of bills legalizing online casino gaming and poker. The legislation was championed by former state lawmaker Brandt Iden, who later moved into the gaming industry.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing, oversight, and enforcement of all sports betting activity in the state. Online sportsbooks must partner with a licensed land-based casino to obtain market access — one license per casino property. The state’s three commercial casinos (MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown) each hold one license, as do each of Michigan’s 12 federally recognized Native American tribes, for a total market of up to 15 licensed operators.
Key regulatory rules include: bettors must be 21 or older to wager online (some tribal casinos allow 18+ for in-person wagering); all wagers must be placed within Michigan’s borders with geolocation technology verifying compliance; college sports betting is permitted on both in-state and out-of-state programs; wagering on high school sports and most entertainment events is prohibited, with the notable exception that the MGCB has permitted Oscars betting. The state tax rate on sports betting revenue is 8.4%, with Detroit’s three commercial casinos paying an additional 1.25% city tax.
Taxes on Sports Betting Winnings in Michigan
Michigan imposes a state income tax of 4.05% on all income, including sports betting winnings. Bettors must report all gambling winnings as taxable income on both state and federal returns. At the federal level, sportsbooks are required to issue a W-2G form for net winnings of $600 or more on a single wager. Federal withholding at 24% may be automatically applied on winnings of $5,000 or more. Bettors are responsible for reporting all gambling income on their returns regardless of whether they receive a W-2G form.
Latest News on Sports Betting in Michigan
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | Michigan remains one of the largest and most competitive online sports betting markets in the U.S., with 15+ licensed operators |
| December 1, 2025 | theScore Bet replaces ESPN BET in Michigan as PENN Entertainment rebrands its online sports betting product following termination of its ESPN partnership |
| February 2025 | MGCB sends cease-and-desist letter to BetNow.eu Sportsbook for offering unlicensed sports betting in Michigan |
| February 2025 | Michigan Gaming Control Board issues nine cease-and-desist orders targeting multiple unlicensed sports betting operators |
| February 2024 | Fanatics Sportsbook launches in Michigan, becoming the 13th legal operating state for the brand |
| 2024 | MGCB approves entertainment betting for the Oscars, expanding the types of wagers permitted in Michigan |
| January 2021 | Historic launch of online sports betting with six major operators going live simultaneously on January 22 |
| March 2020 | Michigan becomes one of the first states to open retail sportsbooks in 2020 following PASPA repeal |
FAQs About Sports Betting in Michigan
Is sports betting legal in Michigan?
Yes. Sports betting is fully legal in Michigan. Governor Whitmer signed the Lawful Sports Betting Act in December 2019, retail betting launched in March 2020, and online betting went live on January 22, 2021.
What sportsbooks are available in Michigan?
Michigan has 15+ licensed online sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet, FireKeepers Sportsbook, Four Winds, Play Gun Lake, Eagle Casino & Sports, Golden Nugget, and WynnBET. Michigan also has numerous retail sportsbooks at casinos across the state.
Can I bet on Michigan Wolverines or Spartans games?
Yes. Unlike some other states, Michigan allows wagering on in-state college sports teams, including the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, and other Michigan-based programs.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Michigan?
You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports online in Michigan. Some tribal casinos permit in-person sports betting for patrons who are 18 or older, but the minimum for online and mobile wagering is 21.
Who regulates sports betting in Michigan?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing all forms of legal gambling in Michigan, including sports betting, online casinos, and poker.
What is the tax rate on sports betting in Michigan?
Online sportsbooks in Michigan pay an 8.4% tax on gross gaming revenue. The three commercial casinos in Detroit pay an additional 1.25% city tax, bringing their effective rate to 9.65%.
Do I need to be a Michigan resident to bet?
No. You do not need to be a Michigan resident, but you must be physically located within Michigan’s borders when placing wagers. Geolocation technology is used to verify your location before each bet is accepted.
Responsible Gambling in Michigan
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to promoting responsible gambling and requires all licensed operators to provide tools that help bettors stay in control. Michigan residents can access help through the state’s problem gambling helpline at 1-800-270-7117. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-522-4700. Licensed Michigan sportsbooks offer features including deposit limits, wagering limits, cooling-off periods, session time limits, and self-exclusion options through the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, free confidential help is available at any time.






