Best Michigan Online Sportsbooks And Apps
If you came here wondering whether online sports betting in Michigan is legal, we're here to tell you that the answer is a resounding YES. Sports betting in Michigan is legal and has been since December 2019, when the state passed bills S4916 and H4311, making the Great Lake State the 20th U.S. state to legalize sports betting.
However, it's worth noting that online sports betting became available in the state in early 2021. Regardless, that hasn't stopped Michigan from becoming one of the leading online sports betting states in the United States.
Michigan has since experienced exponential growth in its sports betting market, turning it into one of the biggest sports betting markets in the country. As of 2021, Michigan has over a dozen online sports betting apps live and running, including some of the biggest names in the industry in DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, etc.
As a full-service sports betting state, Michigan offers its residents to bet on sports on their computers, at any of the retail locations, and on their phones, with the latter option gaining some serious traction over the last year. Admittedly, there are states with larger betting handles or a more extensive selection of sportsbooks, but that doesn't mean Michigan is in a bad spot.
Today we take a look at some of the best Michigan online sportsbooks and apps, which sports are the most popular in the state, how it all began, and what you should look out for when betting in Michigan. The Michigan Gaming Control Board administers Michigan sports wagering.
Best Online Michigan Sportsbooks
There are more than a dozen sportsbooks and mobile betting apps available in Michigan. And while this is not the largest selection of sportsbooks in the U.S., it is large enough for any sports bettor to find the right sportsbook.
In fact, with so many options, it's often challenging to locate the right sportsbook for you, and it doesn't help that the quality of service amongst the most top-rated online sportsbooks is fairly equal. Still, there are a few online sports betting providers we consider to be the best, as listed below.
Top MI Sportsbooks
1. BetMGM
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2. Draftkings
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DraftKings
DraftKings first entered Michigan in June 2020, when it launched its brick-and-mortar sportsbook, and while its retail locations continue to attract daily bettors, DraftKings is mostly known for its online sports betting.
DraftKings is one of the leading mobile sports betting providers, offering one of the best betting experiences in the business. Michigan bettors of all experience levels are welcome to join DraftKings and bet on one of the best odds and most extensive selection of betting markets in the industry.
And if you're a Detroit Pistons fan, there really isn't any other sportsbook to look at, considering DraftKings is a sports betting partner of the NBA franchise. As a result, you can expect DraftKings to offer exclusive promotions and bonuses on all Detroit Pistons games.
All that is great, but no sportsbook can be considered one of the best without an excellent mobile betting app. DraftKings has just that.
DraftKings has done an excellent job designing its mobile betting app, which is easy to use and very user-friendly. It's great for both experienced and casual bettors, who can take full advantage of DraftKings' special promotions, bonuses, and other features such as odds boosts.
There are plenty of reasons why DraftKings is considered one of the top sportsbooks in the state. And there are plenty of reasons why it's one of the leading online sportsbooks in Michigan.
DraftKings Michigan Partner: Bay Mills Resort & Casino
BetMGM
If you're a football bettor, there are not many better options than BetMGM. It is one of the best options for betting on NFL games, and for one key reason – Detroit Lions chose BetMGM as its first official sports betting partner.
BetMGM already operates across several other states and has been a massive player in the betting industry since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down PASPA. The overall betting experience on BetMGM oozes quality and professionalism, yet its biggest selling point is the betting app.
BetMGM's betting app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices and offers various betting markets for you to choose from. Beyond that, BetMGM has very competitive odds and a large selection of bet types to round up the ultimate online betting experience.
It is one of Michigan's biggest and most popular sportsbooks, and it's easy to see why. If you're looking for a reputable sportsbook with a fine sports betting product, BetMGM is the right choice for you.
BetMGM Michigan Partner: MGM Grand Detroit
Caesars Sportsbook
As one of the newest betting names in Michigan, Caesars Sportsbook ticks all the right boxes for the next leader in the state. Admittedly, it will struggle to ever catch up to the likes of FanDuel, but Caesars offers the same quality service and even surpasses some of Michigan's biggest sportsbooks in some areas.
The converted William Hill Sportsbook deserves all the praise it can get for the sports betting experience it offers, which goes beyond a large selection of betting markets and highly competitive odds. Caesars has a promotion running nearly every day and never shies away from awarding its most loyal customers.
The sportsbook's rewards program applies to both in-person and online betting, so if you find yourself wanting to bet on any of Caesars' retail sportsbooks, you will be able to take full advantage of the points you've collected by betting online.
It's also worth noting that Caesars' mobile betting app is one of the cleanest in the industry and is definitely in contention for one of the best-looking betting apps out there. It's not flashy, nor does it try to be something it isn't – instead, Caesars app focuses on the essentials such as speed, stability, and reliability.
Caesars is one of the biggest names in Michigan betting circles, and we can see why it has gained such a large following. Caesars has everything you would want in a sportsbook with great promotions, competitive and excellent market depth.
Caesars Michigan Partner: Turtle Creek
BetRivers
Having an option to bet on an app that has added features is excellent, but if you're after a more straightforward design, BetRivers Sportsbook has just the sports betting app for you. There is nothing fancy about it, and it instead focuses on providing a classic sports betting experience.
While that might not be everyone's cup of tea, you should know that BetRivers also prides itself on one of the industry's best odds. And when we talk about the depth of its betting markets, you can be sure BetRivers won't leave you disappointed.
Like Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers has a loyalty program designed to award the most loyal customers with excellent rewards. Named iRush Rewards, it offers anything from free bets to personalized promotions and much more.
If you're betting with BetRivers, you might not be able to say that you're using the most popular Michigan online sportsbook. However, you can certainly brag about enjoying one of the best online sports betting experiences.
BetRivers Michigan Partner: Little River Casino
FanDuel
No list of the top sportsbooks in any state is complete without FanDuel. The DFS pioneer that has transitioned to the sports betting market also operates in Michigan, where it didn't need long to emerge as the biggest brand in the state.
A big reason why anyone should give FanDuel at least a try is its extensive promotional framework. While some other sportsbooks tried to match FanDuel's daily bonus offers and promotions, none has managed to surpass it.
There are many areas in which FanDuel excels and many areas where it has proven to be a class above its competition. However, its exceptional mobile betting app is the biggest reason why FanDuel has been so successful in expanding across the U.S. while drawing in masses of bettors.
Very few sportsbooks can say that their mobile betting app is as good as FanDuel's and even fewer have the right to claim that theirs is better. FanDuel's app has gained recognition as one of the cleanest, best-looking, and most user-friendly apps in the industry, and you will be able to see why as soon as you download it.
FanDuel Michigan Partner: MotorCity Casino
Popular Sports In Michigan
Which sports are popular in any given state is heavily dictated by which professional teams the state is home to. Some states field only one or two excellent teams that compete in their respective leagues, but Michigan is not like many other states.
Sports fans will know that Michigan is home to some of the biggest names in the world of sports. That includes Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Lions (NFL), and the Detroit Pistons (NBA).
The four teams need no special introduction, particularly the 11-time Stanley Cup champions and one of Michigan's most beloved professional sports franchises, Detroit Red Wings. While not as successful, Detroit Lions have had their moments in the 1900s, having won four World Series Championships, with the most recent coming in 1984.
Similarly, the Detroit Lions haven't been too impressive over its history, as the long-suffering fans still await the NFL franchise's first Super Bowl Appearance. But while their team hasn't achieved much over the years, Michigan bettors are still very fond of betting on the NFL, which has proven to be the go-to league for a vast majority of Michigan punters.
However, the most popular sport amongst Michigan bettors is basketball, or more precisely, the NBA. Home to the Detroit Pistons, Michigan boasts a large basketball fanbase, most of whom enjoy placing a bet on their favorite team.
Football and basketball are two of the most popular sports in Michigan. However, they're closely followed by baseball and hockey.
Like bettors from any state that is also the home of a franchise team, Michigan bettors enjoy special bonuses and promotions every time any of Michigan teams plays. And with four franchises hailing from the state, that's a lot of promotions to take advantage of.
Betting Options In Michigan Sportsbooks
Above we have mentioned five of the best Michigan sportsbooks and mobile betting apps, but those are by no means the only options you will have. Besides the five, Michigan is also the home of big-name brands such as PointsBet, FOX Bet, WynnBET, and more.
To say that the selection of sportsbooks in the Great Lake State is large would be an understatement. And the best part of it all is that it includes some of the biggest names in the industry; hence quality is guaranteed no matter which one you choose.
Besides the large selection of mobile betting apps, you're also free to bet on sports no matter where you are, as long as you're within Michigan's borders. Unlike some other states, where mobile betting is only available within any of the retail sportsbooks or casinos, in Michigan, you can bet on your favorite sport from the comfort of your home.
With over a dozen online sportsbooks available in Michigan, the bettors can enjoy a new world of legal sports betting. All apps are licensed and heavily regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), which provides Michigan bettors with unparalleled safety and higher quality of service. Why not take learn something new today such as reading the latest NFLPickwatch MLB Picks today.
Legislation For Online Sports Betting on Michigan
Michigan has had its eyes set on legalizing sports betting for a very long time, and after several years of attempts, the Michigan House and Senate finally passed a bill in 2019, thus legalizing sports betting and online gambling. Shortly thereafter, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill, giving the state the green light to jump into the world of online betting.
The first retail sportsbooks launched in Detroit in March 2020; however, that was just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That, as a result, meant that 2020 was full of complications, as retail sportsbooks were forced to open and close throughout the entire year to abide by the lockdown laws.
These complications also delayed the process of putting together regulations that would allow for the launch of online gambling. Finally, in January 2021, online mobile betting went live in Michigan.
Although a relatively young market, Michigan has gained serious traction over the first year of mobile betting, with more and more sportsbooks entering the market. That is because Michigan was recognized as a potential top-five U.S. sports betting market.
Meanwhile, its fast growth can largely be attributed to Michigan's decision to launch nine mobile betting apps on the first day of online gaming.
That helped Michigan go off to a fast start, significantly outperforming other states such as Illinois, which launched only one app at the time. The biggest reason why Michigan is so attractive for many top sportsbooks is its low tax rate (8.4%), and it will likely continue to draw in more sports betting industry giants as the market continues to develop.
What to Consider When Shopping For The Best Michigan Online Sportsbooks and Apps
Picking the best online sportsbook and app is very simple as long as you know where to look and what to consider.
First of all, you need to decide what you're looking for in a sportsbook. If your goal is to bet primarily on football, it makes sense to pick a sportsbook with the best football markets and the best odds on the sport. This brings us to the main two things to look for – the quality of the odds and the depth of offered markets.
Picking a sportsbook with competitive odds is essential for your long-term success as a sports bettor, as any slight variance in odds can result in significant differences in profit in the long run. Similarly, you wouldn't want to pick a sportsbook with poor markets, risking finding yourself in a spot where you want to bet on a match, yet your sportsbook doesn't have odds on it.
Beyond that, mobile bettors should consider the quality of the sportsbook's mobile app. While most top betting providers offer excellent apps, they may differ in speed, stability, and layout.
The look of the app is also something to keep in mind since you likely don't want to bet on an app that isn't aesthetically pleasing. But, the visuals should be secondary – and so should any bonuses and promotions.
In some cases, promotions can be an excellent tool to get a bit more value from your bets. However, the bonuses and promotions are fairly similar across all top sportsbooks, so those should not be taken as the main reason why you picked one sportsbook over the other.
Conclusion
Michigan launched online sports betting in January 2021 and has since come a long way. Unlike some other states, Michigan entered the industry with nine different mobile betting apps, which helped with the market's exponential growth, turning Michigan into one of the biggest betting states in the country.
The potential Michigan has as a betting state has been touted even before betting went live, and it served as a magnet for many big names in the betting world, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and more. This effectively helped shape the Michigan betting landscape, creating one of the top betting markets in the United States.
Betting in Michigan can be done at any of the retail sportsbooks, on your computer, or on your phone (either iOS or Android). All sportsbooks have their own mobile betting apps, carefully made for the Michigan bettors, who can bet on the go and anywhere they are, as long as they're located within Michigan's borders.
The only limitation put on Michigan bettors is the law, which states that you need to be at least 21 years of age to bet on sports. However, it's also important to note that you don't have to be a Michigan resident to gamble in the state – you only need to be located within its borders.
Overall, Michigan has blossomed into one of the most promising betting states in the U.S. and one of the biggest markets in the industry, just one year after legalizing online sports betting. What the next few years hold in store for the Great Lake State is anyone's guess, but if the first 12 months are any indication, Michigan has a bright betting future ahead.