Is casino gambling legal in Michigan?

Yes, it is legal to gamble at casinos. In fact, Michigan has both tribal casinos as well as commercially owned casinos and both types are fully legal to game at.

How old do you have to be to gamble at casinos in Michigan?

You must be at least 21 years or older to legally gamble at the commercial casinos located near Detroit, Michigan. However, tribal casinos have their own age limits. Depending on which tribal casino the age requirements range from a minimum age of 18 to 21.

Is online gambling legal in Michigan?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Michigan. In 2019, Michigan’s governor approved a law that fully legalized online gambling and sports betting. However, rules and regulations will not be fully written until 2021. Residents can expect to be able to gamble online by the spring of 2021.

Is sports betting legal in Michigan?

Yes, as part of the 2019 legislation passed in Michigan online sports betting is now legal throughout the state. Residents of the state won’t be able to access online sportsbooks until 2021 as state legislators are still working on finalizing regulations.

Does Michigan have a lottery?

Yes, Michigan has a state run lottery available to anyone 18 years or older. In May of 1972, voters approved lottery games in Michigan and later that year the first lottery draw was held. Today, lottery games remain legal in Michigan.

Can I play the lottery online in Michigan?

Yes, you can play select lottery games online. Michigan offers its residents the ability to purchase online versions of scratch-off lottery games online. For all other lottery games not available online there are over 10,000 licensed retailers throughout the state. You must be 18 years of age to play scratch-offs online.

Is it safe to gamble in Michigan?

Yes, casinos in Michigan are safe. Despite several of Michigan’s casinos being located near its largest city of Detroit it is still safe to gamble at casinos. Casinos are equipped with security, dealers and floor personnel as well as cameras.

Do I have to pay taxes if I win?

Yes and no. Yes, you have to pay taxes if you win $5,000 or more. Casinos will withhold the federally mandated amount of 25% if you provide them with your social security number and if you refuse they will withhold 28%. This withholding is for federal income tax. For Michigan’s state tax, you are obligated to report it and it is subjected to a 4.25% state tax. If you win less than $5,000 then no, you will not have to pay taxes.

Should I join a Michigan casino's loyalty program?

Yes, especially since loyalty programs are free to join. Casinos have created loyalty programs in order to keep you at their casino. They do this by providing you with free bets, discounted or free hotel rooms, food and beverage credits, and more. You should definitely sign up if you intend to consistently game. If you would rather not be marketed to then we would suggest not signing up as the direct email, email, and marketing efforts may be bothersome to you.

Who owns the casinos in Michigan?

The MGM in Detroit is owned and operated by MGM Resorts, the MotorCity Casino Hotel is owned by IH Gaming, and Vici Properties owns the Greektown Casino Hotel. In addition to the casinos located near Detroit, the state has 23 casinos located on tribal land. Those casinos are owned by various native tribes that effectively operate autonomously.

Is there poker in Michigan?

Yes, the state has several physical poker rooms, including FireKeepers Casino’s poker room which is the largest in the state. Also, once online gaming is up and running in 2021, Michigan players will be able to play online poker.

Is there a legal sportsbook in Michigan?

Yes, come 2021 you will be able to place onsite sports bets at casinos in Michigan.

Can I bet on sports using my phone in Michigan?

Yes, mobile and online sports betting is allowed in Michigan but it will not be widely available until early 2021.

Are there Michigan sportsbook apps for iPhone?

Yes, virtually all online sportsbooks have developed an iOS app. We fully expect that Michigan sports bettors will be able to access these apps in 2021 once the final sports betting regulations are finalized by state officials.

Are there Android apps for Michigan sports betting?

Yes, but due to Google Play Store policies you will need to side-load any sports betting apps on your Android device.

Legal US Online Poker States: Where to Play Online Poker 2021

Which States Have Legal Poker Sites in the United States?

Federal laws allow US states to draft their own laws regarding online poker.

Six states in the United States allow legal, regulated online poker

New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Nevada
Michigan
Delaware
West Virginia (not yet launched)

Online poker sites can only legally operate in states with explicit iGaming regulations in place. The US legal poker landscape includes industry giants like WSOP.com, 888poker, partypoker, and PokerStars.

The US platforms offered by these brands function as US-only poker sites, not linked to any player pools outside of the US. You must be located within a state that offers legal online poker to play at a regulated poker site.

PokerStars Michigan, for example, can only be accessed by players located in Michigan.

Affiliate Disclosure: If you place a bet at a sportsbook or online casino through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This may influence the gambling operators we list; however, the editors and writers of this website operate at their sole discretion, and their opinions are not beholden to any outside entity or organization. We recommend only legal and trusted gambling operators.

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PokerStars offers one of the most comprehensive online poker sites available to US players. Whether you’re looking for cash games or tournaments, PokerStars presents a wide array of games for micro stakes and high-stakes players alike.

No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games run around the clock at PokerStars. Tournament players can find a slate of daily tournaments and Sunday Majors that offer some of the biggest prize pools available on US-facing poker sites.

The weekly tournament schedule at PokerStars can sometimes include more than 200 events.

Michigan Poker Sites

Michigan joined the legal online gambling industry in the US in January 2021. Michigan’s iGaming products include online sports betting, casinos, and poker.

PokerStars Michigan became the first regulated poker site to launch in Michigan, going live in January 2021. The platform offers Michigan players the familiar PokerStars lineup of tournaments and cash games.

Michigan lawmakers have already passed an interstate gambling bill, which opens up the possibility of PokerStars MI eventually joining other PokerStars US sites in a shared player pool. For now, PokerStars MI is limited to Michigan-only competition.

Shortly after PokerStars, BetMGM Poker launched in Michigan as the second legal site. Partner with the MGM Grand in Detroit and backed by the MGM name, the poker site is part of a trio of gaming platforms available to Michigan players, along with the BetMGM Casino and BetMGM Sportsbook. The BetMGM Poker app uses the same underlying technology and platform as partypoker, which is available in New Jersey.

New Jersey Online Poker Sites

New Jersey launched regulated online poker in November 2013. WSOP.com, 888poker, and partypoker all went live in New Jersey that month, and all three poker sites still operate in the Garden State.

PokerStars NJ joined the New Jersey market in March 2016, marking a return to the US for the world’s largest online poker operator.

PokerStars NJ

PokerStars returned to US shores with the launch of PokerStars New Jersey in 2016. The platform offers a New Jersey-only version of the brand’s signature Championship of Online Poker twice per year.

PokerStars NJ doesn’t share player pools with PokerStars’ Pennsylvania or Michigan platforms, but that could change soon.

WSOP New Jersey

The WSOP.com platform allows players from New Jersey and Nevada to compete against each other in a shared player pool. The WSOP network also connects to the 888poker Delaware network.

WSOP.com offers New Jersey players the chance to play in World Series of Poker bracelet events each summer.

888poker New Jersey

888poker and WSOP share the same 888-powered software, but 888poker New Jersey doesn’t link to the WSOP.com network.

You must be located within New Jersey borders to play at 888poker NJ.

Partypoker US Network

The partypoker US Network includes partypoker NJ, BetMGM, and Borgata Poker. All of those skins link to the same player network.

The partypoker US Network is limited to New Jersey-only competition for now, but partypoker could expand to a multi-state network in the future.

Pennsylvania Online Poker Sites

Pennsylvania approved online poker as part of a significant gambling expansion for the state in 2017. Only one online poker site (PokerStars PA) currently operates in Pennsylvania, but other operators expect to join the market in the coming months.

BetMGM Poker & Borgata Poker

In April 2021, the partypoker network added two of its premier poker platforms to the Pennsylvania market. BetMGM Poker and Borgata Poker launched in Pennsylvania. The BetMGM Poker brand is a little new to the online poker industry but uses the same technology and platform as partypoker. The game selection at BetMGM and Borgata poker includes cash games that run around the clock, including No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.

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PokerStars PA

PokerStars PA launched in November 2019 as Pennsylvania’s first state-regulated poker site. The Pennsylvania platform marks the second state in which PokerStars launched after returning to the US market.

Pennsylvania laws don’t currently allow interstate gambling. Lawmakers would have to pass new legislation for PokerStars PA to join PokerStars’ other US sites in a potential multi-state online poker agreement.

WSOP PA

WSOP launched in Pennsylvania on July 12, 2021 after approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

WSOP is renowned for its tournament schedule, even offering WSOP gold bracelets for online tournaments. The site also offers online satellite tournaments, which can qualify players for live tournaments. As a result, WSOP is a site for serious players.

Coming Soon To Pennsylvania

GGPoker received approval for launch in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

GGPoker might take a while to get up and running, but at some point, Pennsylvania should host no less than four different legal online poker sites.

Nevada Online Poker Sites

Nevada hosts the world’s most famous gambling destination, but poker in the Silver State isn’t just limited to the live poker rooms of Las Vegas.

WSOP.com Nevada

Named after the World Series of Poker, WSOP.com Nevada launched in September 2013. WSOP Nevada currently functions as the state’s only regulated online poker site.

WSOP Nevada, WSOP New Jersey, and the 888poker Delaware network share player pools. The WSOP/888 US network operates as the only multi-state poker site in the US.

Players on WSOP Nevada and WSOP New Jersey can compete in World Series of Poker online events each year. In 2020, WSOP.com hosted the World Series of Poker Main Event for the first time ever, as COVID-19 considerations prompted WSOP to move the Main Event online.

Legal Online Poker News

Ryan Leng, Bryan Piccioli, Manig Loeser among WSOP Online Bracelet Winners

July 16, 2021

The 2021 WSOP Online series hits the halfway point this weekend. The first batch of online events from this year’s series saw a few familiar names finish at the tops of the payout structures. Poker pros like Ryan Leng, Bryan Piccioli, and Manig Loeser all took down WSOP Online events in the first half of […]

WSOP.com Set To Debut In Pennsylvania July 12

July 6, 2021

Pennsylvania poker players can add another site to the list of legal online poker options next Monday. WSOP.com is set to debut in Keystone State on July 12. WSOP PA joins PokerStars PA and the BetMGM Poker/Borgata Poker PA networks as regulated online poker platforms operating in Pennsylvania. PokerStars PA currently draws the highest traffic […]

WSOP Online 2021: Bracelet Events Kick Off Thursday At WSOP.com

June 30, 2021

It might seem like an eternity since the World Series of Poker ran in “normal” fashion. While last year saw US players compete for bracelets, and even the Main Event title online, the 2020 version of the WSOP never came close to replicating the true experience of poker’s biggest live tournament festival. Fast forward to […]

PokerStars’ 2021 Summer Stacks Series Wraps Up

June 29, 2021

Last night, PokerStars completed its inaugural Summer Stacks Festival. The 17-day, 100-event series ran in PokerStars’ three US markets – New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania – and managed to draw hordes of players and prizes from each state. Contrary to many similar series, the Summer Stacks catered to the more casual player, offering quicker events […]

Texas Hold’em: Betting Terms

June 25, 2021

Learning when, why, and how much to bet are the first steps toward becoming a winning poker player. Those who bet too little, too much, too often, or not often enough, will always be poor players (pun intended). By mastering bet types and sizes you’ll be taking a giant leap towards poker profitability. Our latest […]

World Series Of Poker 2021: Full Schedule Released

June 15, 2021

Caesars Entertainment announced the return of the live World Series of Poker in April, but poker enthusiasts have waited for weeks for details on the full schedule for this year’s series. That wait is finally over, as WSOP.com revealed the full schedule for the 2021 World Series of Poker on Tuesday. The series returns to […]

The Differences Between Live And Online Poker

June 10, 2021

Whether you play online or at the casino, the same poker rules sit at the heart of any format. If you’re familiar with Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, or another poker variant, you’ll know how the game is played in both live or online format. While the rules of poker are essentially the same in both […]

Texas Hold’em: Understanding Position

May 24, 2021

When beginning to play Texas Hold’em, one of the most important concepts to master is position. While it may seem counterintuitive, where a player is seated is of vital importance in determining how an online poker hand should be played. This installment of How to Play Texas Hold’em will cover poker positions and strategy. The […]

How To Play Texas Hold’em (Introduction)

May 12, 2021

Unlike most casino games, poker involves competing not against the house, but other players. More importantly, poker is a game of skill as well as luck; someone who truly masters the ins and out of poker can be a long-term winning player. In this first installment of How to Play Texas Hold’em, we will introduce […]

What We Know About The 2021 World Series Of Poker

May 5, 2021

Poker players around the world can rejoice – the World Series of Poker returns in its traditional live format for the 2021 series. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 WSOP, prompting tournament officials to run a series of online events in its place. The 2021 WSOP returns to the Rio in Las Vegas, Nevada this […]

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