How To Get Ready For Michigan Online Sports Betting
Jan. 19 update:
Nine Michigan online sports betting operators can officially launch on Friday, Jan. 22, per the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Can you see it, off in the distance but inching ever so closely? It’s the arrival of Michigan online sports betting. Many had hoped online wagering would pop up in December, like a late Christmas gift from a distant uncle. But unfortunately, that was not the case.
The good news is, if all goes according to plan, residents of the Wolverine State will be able to make Super Bowl bets by the time the big game rolls around. Now that mobile sports betting is set to become reality, here are a few bits of information to help you get started, whether you’re new to betting or an avid bettor who lives in or visits Michigan.
When does Michigan online sports betting start?
In a Jan. 12 meeting, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) said there will be an announcement about operators any day now. It could be next week, it could be the following week. Following that, ope
rators can launch any day when they are fully ready to accept wagers. (Don’t forget about the standard test period to work out any initial app or website bugs.) No one from the MGCB would give a hard date, but to summarize, the launch could be in a matter of days. While the exact date and time remain unknown, it can, and most certainly will creep up at any moment.
As a reminder, online sports betting isn’t a light switch. There is no central hub at the state gaming commission that is flipped and all of a sudden, every sportsbook now has an online app. That’s not how things work. There are miles of red tape, hundreds of documents to pour over, a lengthy licensing process, and hours of protocols and safety measures to oversee. The short answer is only a handful of sports betting operators will be available in the beginning. However, customers can expect a phased rollout of online sportsbook options as the year progresses.
Online sports betting is coming sooner than you think.
Which operators can I bet with right away for Michigan online sports betting?
The first operators for Michigan online sports betting have not been officially announced. Many household sports betting names applied for licenses, including DraftKings and FanDuel. Based on our collective research, here are our best guesses as to which operators will kick off with sportsbook apps on day one:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- William Hill Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
How to create a Michigan sports betting account
Creating a sports betting account will be a breeze in Michigan. Why you ask? Because of the glory that is remote registration. That’s right, in Michigan, customers will be allowed to register for their sports betting accounts from the comfort of their home. In a COVID-19 world, this is especially good news.
All you have to do is download the corresponding sportsbook app from the operator of your choosing on your iOS or Android device, or visit the website via desktop computer. Much like creating an account for anything in the 21st century, you will be asked to provide a few bits of information to get started.
Information you may be asked might include:
- create a username
- create a password
- valid email address
- social security
- date of birth
Some people might be hesitant to provide their social security number but it’s standard procedure when you sign-up for a sports betting account anywhere in the US. This is to make sure you are who you say you are. You might also be asked to download geotracking software (desktop) or switch on ‘location services’ (smartphones) to make sure you are located in Michigan.
Geolocation acts like a digital border around the state. The moment you step foot outside state lines, you will no longer be allowed to place bets. This also goes for betting with the same operator in different states. For example, you will need to create a FanDuel sports betting account for Michigan and a FanDuel sports betting account for Indiana — sorry, that’s just how things work. Just because you have the app/an account in one state, does not mean you can use it to place bets in another.
What Michigan online sports betting sign-up offers or promotions are available?
There are several early sign-up offers to take advantage of if you’re new to betting or want to try a different operator as a new customer.
- DraftKings Sportsbook: receive a free $100 sportsbook bet and a free $100 casino credit.
- FanDuel Sportsbook: receive a free $50 sportsbook bet and a free $50 casino credit.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: receive a free $100 sportsbook bet and a free $100 casino credit.
What sports can I bet on for online sports betting in Michigan?
From the start, customers will be allowed to place bets on any and all professional and collegiate sports. Depending on the specific law, there is a chance you might not be allowed to place bets on in-state college schools like the University of Michigan or Michigan State. But as far as professional sports, everything should be available.
- football
- basketball
- baseball
- soccer
- MMA
- golf
- tennis
Which Michigan mobile sports betting operators will launch in the future?
It’s hard to speculate which operators will launch in Michigan. Each operator must determine for itself if it’s worth launching in the state.
With that being said, here are a few operators that you could see pop up in Michigan sometime this year:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetAmerica Sportsbook (soon to be TwinSpires)
- Parx Casino
- BetRivers
Is Michigan sports betting available at retail locations and casinos?
Yes. Retail sports betting launched in March 2020 and is available at the state’s three commercial casinos.
- MGM Grand
- MotorCity
- Greektown
Additionally, retail sportsbooks are open at several tribal properties across the state.
Those include:
- FireKeepers Casino
- Four Winds Casino
- Little River Casino
- Turtle Creek Casino (William Hill)
- Leelanau Sands Casino (William Hill)
- Island Resort & Casino (BetAmerica)
- Gun Lake Casino
*Since tribal sports betting does not fall under the jurisdiction of the state gaming commission, it’s unknown when they will launch mobile sports betting. However, they have the ability should they choose.
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