Michigan

The Great Lake State did not waste much time getting a sports betting bill legalized once PASPA was overturned. Now, MI has 11 mobile betting apps and over 20 retail locations available to residents.

The Michigan Wolverines are the latest team to raise the College Football Playoff trophy, and thanks to MI sports betting rules, residents were legally allowed to wager on the Wolverines in the National Championship. Outside of betting on collegiate sports, there are also no restrictions when it comes to betting on professional sports in MI, which includes using daily fantasy sports apps.

Regarding what is illegal to bet on in Michigan, the two biggest areas are politics and eSports. However, one tribal casino does offer odds on some eSports events. Greyhound racing is also illegal in MI, but horserace betting is legal.

Online sports betting in The Wolverine State

Michigan was one of the states that acted quickly when PASPA was overturned in 2018. Before this ruling, the state had already discussed legalizing sports betting, but it never received the support it needed to be finalized. Most of 2019 was spent discussing what legal sports betting in MI would look like, and right before 2020, Gov. Gretchen Weimer signed off on HB 4916 and HB 4308.

Before this bill, gambling was already a big part of Michigan, as commercial and tribal casinos had been operating for many years. Thus, the launch of retail sports betting was ready to go by March 2020. As it stands now, Michigan has one of the most extensive sports betting operations in the U.S.

However, due to the unforeseen circumstances caused by the coronavirus, online sports betting did not become available in MI until January 2021. Not only did online sports betting finally launch in January 2021, but Michigan residents were rewarded for waiting with some of the biggest online operators on the market. Right off the bat, BetMGM, BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and more were available to download or access on their web platforms.

As the sports betting scene in Michigan has grown, so has the number of operators. As of 2025, there are currently 11 online sportsbooks available, with the potential for more shops to open and close as the year progresses.

To obtain access to the Michigan market, these mobile operators needed to partner with one of the many retail casinos across the state. Additionally, a few of these operators have partnered with the state's professional sports teams. For example, WynnBet is the official sports betting partner of the Detroit Lions.

All legal MI sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Important details about MI online sportsbooks and wagering apps

Sports betting & gambling legislation in MI

Michigan is pretty free and easy regarding what customers can bet on in the state, which is why wagers on in-state colleges are allowed. However, it is vital to remember that to place a legal wager on one of those colleges or any game in general, a bettor must be at least 21 years old.

While bettors do not need to be Michigan residents to place a legal wager in the state, they do need to be within state lines, as mobile sportsbooks in MI utilize geolocation services. The Michigan Gaming Control Board enforces this rule, along with the age limit.

Not only do bettors have an excellent selection of betting apps to choose from, but they do not have to pay a hefty tax for sports betting. All winnings in Michigan are subject to a tax rate of just 4.25%.

With online casinos, the lottery, and online poker also available in MI, the state has little else to discuss regarding gambling legislation moving forward.

Traverse City Cherry Pit Spitting: A Juicy Opportunity for Michigan’s Betting Market

At the heart of Michigan’s summer calendar is the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, a celebration of tart cherries, Northern hospitality, and even competitive cherry pit spitting. While the event already draws thousands of visitors, it could become even more profitable and engaging with the introduction of novelty betting markets.

Festival-goers could make friendly bets on who can launch the longest pit, which contestant, or even wagering on whether the record distance will be broken that year. With standardized measurements, repeatable formats, and a lively crowd atmosphere, cherry pit spitting is perfectly suited for creating a new wave in geofenced betting.

If just 0.05% of Michigan’s multi-billion-dollar annual sports betting handle were diverted to seasonal novelty props like these, it could generate tens of thousands in wagers and significantly increase tax revenue during a single festival. Beyond profits, this type of betting would support local tourism in Traverse City, enhance the exposure of small vendors, and introduce casual visitors and bettors to Michigan’s broader gaming market that stretches beyond college football.

From bars to bets: Legalizing freestyle battle wagering in Detroit

With the help of 8 Mile and plenty of other musicians, Detroit has long been a powerhouse in hip-hop, producing legendary artists and hosting fierce underground rap battles. But could these lyrical showdowns evolve from their current state and into a legitimate betting market? With freestyle battles judged on delivery, crowd reaction, and flow, the potential markets for these events would write themselves. 

Major battle leagues, such as King of the Dot and URL, have already established structured events, and with Detroit’s rich rap culture, it’s not hard to imagine a betting scene emerging. Spectators could place wagers on judge decisions and crowd responses.

Of course, challenges are more than present, as subjective competitions that are not recognized as a sport or licensed event differ from traditional sports betting. However, if states like Michigan were to embrace it, Detroit could lead the way in merging hip-hop with legal gambling, creating an entirely new entertainment-driven wagering niche.

Most recent updates from the MI sports betting market

• April 14, 2025: The Detroit Pistons have earned the #6 seed in the NBA playoffs, setting them up with a matchup against the New York Knicks. The Pistons are (+330) to win the series.

• April 3, 2025: The Michigan Gaming Control Board issues new cease-and-desist letters to 11 offshore online casinos, including Bet Big Dollar, Shazam Casino, and Las Atlantis, for unlawfully targeting Michigan players with gambling games like slots and video poker. These operators have 14 days to stop or face legal action.

• March 25, 2025: Michigan regulators continue cracking down on offshore gambling, giving 10 unlicensed sites run by Belize-based Apex Dynamics Ltd. two weeks to shut down or face legal action, including possible fines, as part of the state's push to block unauthorized operators.

• March 25, 2025: The Michigan Wolverines have advanced to the Sweet 16 where they will play Auburn. The Wolverines are (+700) to reach the Final Four.

• March 10, 2025: The Big Ten Tournament is set, and Michigan State is favored to win at (+250), while Michigan is (+1200).

• March 6, 2025: As conference tournaments for power five schools are around the corner, Michigan State is (+500) to reach the Final Four.

• February 24, 2025: TwinSpires secures a legal victory as a federal judge rules Michigan cannot enforce additional licensing on out-of-state horse race wagers, finding it unconstitutional under the Interstate Horseracing Act.

• February 24, 2025: After winning their first matchup with Michigan, the Michigan State Wolverines are (-140) to win the Big Ten Regular Season title and (+900) to reach the Final Four.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Of the 26 casinos scattered throughout MI, 22 offer retail sports betting. These 22 casinos are a mix of commercial properties and tribal casinos. Each casino can partner with one online skin, which has also helped bring 14 mobile sportsbooks to the state.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees all sports betting rules and regulations at commercial casinos, while the National Indian Gaming Commission regulates betting at tribal casinos.

• Bay Mills Resort & Casino (11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley)

• FireKeepers Casino Hotel (11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek)

• Gun Lake Casino (1123 129th Ave, Wayland)

• Island Resort & Casino (W 399 US-2, Harris)

• Hollywood Casino at Greektown (1211 Chrysler Dr, Detroit)

• Leelanau Sands Casino (2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown)

• Little River Casino and Resort (2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee)

• Motor City Casino Hotel (2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit)

• MGM Grand Detroit (1777 3rd Ave, Detroit)

• Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel (2690 Worth Rd, Standish)

• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort (6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant)

• Northern Waters Casino Resort (N5384 US-45, Watersmeet)

• Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel (7741 M-72, Williamsburg)

• Kewadin Casino – Christmas (N7761 Candy Cane Ln, Christmas)

• Kewadin Casino – Hessel (N 3 Mile Rd, Hessel)

• Kewadin Casino – Manistique (5630 W, US-2, Manistique)

• Kewadin Casino – St. Ignace (3015 Mackinac Trail, St Ignace)

• Kewadin Casino – Sault Ste. Marie (2186 Shunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie)

• Four Winds Dowagiac (58700 M-51 S, Dowagiac)

• Four Winds Hartford (68600 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford)

• Four Winds New Buffalo (11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo)

Michigan’s abandoned auto plants - the next big gambling hotspots?

Michigan’s auto industry is historic, with Detroit once serving as the heart of American car manufacturing. However, as factories have been relocated and plants have been abandoned, the potential to repurpose those buildings into a casino could potentially pump some blood back into those once-thriving areas.

With their vast open floor plans, former auto plants could easily house thousands of slot machines, gaming tables, and a high-end sportsbook, much like the ones found in the Hollywood or MGM Grand casinos. The theme of these casinos is already laid out for the developers, as the potential to play car-inspired slots or visit a car museum-style sports bar featuring classic vehicles from Michigan’s past.

Logistically, such a transformation would require significant donors and zoning approvals, but a casino housed inside a historic factory could become a unique attraction not found anywhere else, blending Detroit’s automotive legacy with its growing gaming industry. If repurposed correctly, these once-bustling factories could come back from the dead.

Sports betting in neighboring states

If Michigan Wolverine or Michigan State Spartans fans happened to venture into neighboring states to watch their team play in a Big Ten game, they would be able to find some form of legal sports betting.

With sports betting fully legal in both online and retail capacities in Ohio and Indiana, the legislation for sports betting for Wisconsin is a bit confusing. To find out more about why, you can click on the state in the box down below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Michigan's economy

An online operator must first partner with a casino in Michigan to obtain a license there. These licenses require an upfront $50,000 application fee and an additional $50,000 operating fee each year. The tax rate for sports betting in MI is 8.4%, and this applies to both retail and online operators.

The number of operators in Michigan has certainly helped the state turn in a large profit from sports betting. Aside from operators, though, the fact that MI is also the 10th largest state in the country in terms of population makes a big difference when it comes to sports betting handle figures.

Once sporting events resumed after the pandemic and the Michigan sports betting scene became fully established, the state consistently produced impressive monthly and yearly revenue numbers. In 2022, MI surpassed the $4 billion in betting handle for the year and basically matched the exact annual totals in 2023. However, in 2024, the state set a new record, not just in betting handle (+$5.5 billion) but also in sportsbooks' revenue, with over $470 million.

It's also worth mentioning that in February 2025, Michigan grossed the historic $20 billion mark in placed legal real money bets, becoming the 10th US state to reach this feat.

Michigan sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2024 ($671,219,907)

• Revenue: January 2025 ($85,560,632)

• Tax income: December 2023 ($4,021,700)

• Biggest monthly mobile handle to date by a single sportsbook app:

  • FanDuel (Nov. 2024): $245.6M

• Biggest recorded monthly revenue from online wagering:

  • BetMGM (Mar. 2023): $56.2M

Latest MI sports betting revenue report breakdown (February 2025)

• Total betting handle: $388,079,420

  • Internet/mobile betting handle: $379,839,807

  • Retail betting handle: $8,239,613

• Winnings paid to players: $341,267,908

  • Hold: 12.06%

• Total gross revenue: $46,811,512

  • Gross revenue from online betting: $45,991,062

  • Gross revenue from retail betting: $820,450

• Total adjusted revenue: $28,060,100

  • Adjusted revenue from online betting: $27,244,539

  • Adjusted revenue from retail betting: $815,561

• Total tax revenue for the state: $2,235,237

  • Tax payments for the state from online sports betting: $1,526,481

  • Tax payments for the state from retail betting: $30,828

  • Online betting tax payments for the city of Detroit: $640,249

  • Retail betting tax payments for the city of Detroit: $37,679

Reported by the Michigan Gaming Board.

Top performing sportsbook apps in the state in February 2025:

1. FanDuel (MotorCity Casino)

   • Handle: $142.9m, Revenue: $23.7m

2. DraftKings (Bay Mills Indian Community)

   • Handle: $106.6m, Revenue: $12.9m

3. BetMGM (MGM Grand Detroit)

   • Handle: $54.7m, Revenue: $4.9m

4. Fanatics Sportsbook (Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians)

   • Handle: $24.8m, Revenue: $2.3m

5. Caesars Sportsbook (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians)

   • Handle: $19.1m, Revenue: -$78,979

6. ESPN Bet (Greektown Casino)

   • Handle: $18.0m, Revenue: $1.7m

7. BetRivers (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians)

   • Handle: $7.7m, Revenue: $442,852

8. Firekeepers (Firekeepers Casino)

   • Handle: $1.8m, Revenue: $654,62

9. Play Gun Lake (Gun Lake Band Tribal Community)

   • Handle: $1.6m, Revenue: $93,445

10. Eagle Casino & Sports (Soaring Eagle Gaming)

    • Handle: $1.3m, Revenue: $20,935

11. Four Winds (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians)

    • Handle: $956,866, Revenue: $47,969

The current (Feb. 2025) MI sports betting apps market shares

Michigan online sports betting market shares - Full 2024 year

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

MI sports betting revenue in 2025

All essential data from the Michigan Gaming Control Board's monthly 2024 reports are summed up in the table below. In addition to the state's tax income, it shows the monthly sports betting handle, operator's total revenue, and the percentage of indicates how the last two mentioned figures have evolved compared to the previous month.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

Ice golf prop bets could heat up Michigan’s winter betting market

Each winter, Michigan’s icy lakes become home to the unofficial “Yooper vs. Troll” ice golf showdowns, which are an unsung rivalry that could become a shockingly profitable betting niche. If state-regulated sportsbooks embraced frozen-lake golf as a novelty betting market, it could introduce thousands of new seasonal wagers during otherwise slow sports betting months. Prop bets such as “longest drive” or “first hole-in-one” would appeal to local pride and add a little more to the contests than just “friendly” wagers.

Assuming even 0.05% of Michigan’s average of $4.5 billion annual sports betting handle came from ice golfing events like this, that’s potentially $2.25 million in additional wagers. At Michigan’s 8.4% tax rate, it could generate nearly $190,000 in new tax revenue from one niche and culture specific event alone.