Online Gaming in Michigan

Michigan's iGaming, online poker and online sports betting market officially launched in January 2021, following the passage of legislation in 2019. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act allowed for the licensing of platform providers and operators to offer these services to residents and visitors within state borders.

Horse racing was legalized in 1933, and the first races were held the same year. In 1972, the first state lottery was added, which has become among the best-run lotteries in the nation. Tribal gaming was introduced in 1980. In 1996, casino gaming was permitted in Detroit through a voter referendum. The measure, known as Proposal E, also established the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.

In January 2021, the Michigan Gaming and Control Board authorized the launch of online casino gaming and sports betting, which can be offered by commercial casinos or by a tribe that operates a Class III casino in Michigan. A platform provider may offer services and equipment to facilitate processing of wagers on behalf of a commercial casino or tribe.

The MGCB does not regulate onsite sports betting at tribal casinos, which is covered under federal law and the Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compacts between the tribal communities and the State of Michigan.

The minimum age to place a wager on sports either in person or online is 21 and you must be 21 to open an internet wagering account. The minimum age for fantasy sports contests is 18.

In December 2020, Michigan’s licensed internet poker platforms were authorized to pool players with regulated operators in other states. In December 2019, Michigan became the sixth state in the U.S. to legalize online poker.

In December 2018, the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives approved HB 4926. The bill includes provisions for the legalization of full real-money internet casino gaming in the state, as well as internet sports betting. The bill was presented to Gov. Rick Snyder, who vetoed it, along with 40 other bills, saying he did not think it was "appropriate to sign legislation that will ffectively result in more gambling." Snyder's action came just days before he gave up his office to Gretchen Whitmer on 1 January.

The legislation would add fantasy sports to the lists of games and contests exempted from the state’s prohibition on gambling and create the Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act to regulate the activity. The Michigan legislature adjourned without action on the sports betting bill.

In May 2018, legislation passed the Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act, which allows companies that meet the definition of fantasy sports operators in Michigan to continue to offer fantasy contests until the operator is issued or denied a license under the act provided these companies apply for licenses within 60 days after applications are made available. The Detroit casinos and federally recognized Indian tribes which lawfully conduct Class III gaming are permitted to offer fantasy contests without applying for or holding a license.

In July 2017, Michigan lawmakers introduced a pair of bills that would regulate daily fantasy sports. HB 4742 and HB 4243, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Muller and Rep. Jim Tedder, include licensing requirements and a minimum age requirement. SB 0461 and SB 0462, introduced in June, serve a similar purpose. In June 2018, the State House of Representatives passed the bill by a 68-40 vote. However, it still needed to pass a vote in the Senate.

On 8 March 2017, Senate Bill 203, The Lawful Internet Gaming Act, was passed by the state's Senate Regulatory Reform Committee by a 7-1 vote. The bill, which includes provisions for consumer protections and battling illegal gambling, faces further consideration in the Senate.

In April 2016, Senator Mike Kowall introduced the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, SB 889, a bill that would regulate and legalize online gambling in the state.

But "iLottery" launched again in 2014 after contracting with Canadian-based Pollard Banknote Ltd. and NeoGames to build and manage the system at an estimated cost of $23.2 million. In June 2013, Snyder dropped the "iLottery" sales from his budget and the Michigan Lottery announced it was halting plans to sell tickets over the internet.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette argued it would increase problem gambling and hurt convenience stores. Both the Michigan House and Senate have introduced bills that ban the sale of lottery tickets online.

In February 2013, the Michigan Lottery began exploring plans to sell lottery tickets online. Mega Millions and Powerball subscriptions would have been sold online. Other games were not initially included. Gov. Rick Snyder included sales from the "iLottery" program in his budget proposal.

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