Best Michigan Online Casinos: Top MI Casino Sites for US Players

The US Sun

07 August 2023

Best Michigan Online Casinos: Top MI Casino Sites for US Players

WITH online sports betting now available in more than half of the United States, online casino play tends to go unnoticed as it’s available in just six states.

Of the six legal online gambling states—New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia, and Connecticut—Michigan has the second-most residents at over 10,000,000, making it one of the premier spots for online casino play.

Below, we’ll review the best online casinos in the state, how to find a place to place, sign up, and more to get your Michigan online gambling journey started.

The legal state of online casino gambling in Michigan

The first online casinos to land in Michigan launched on January 22, 2021. This came just over a year after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a gambling expansion bill in December 2019.

However, the idea of online casinos in Michigan dates back to 2016 when Senator Mike Kowall introduced a bill to legalize them in April of that year. That bill was abandoned in the Senate. Kowall then tried again in 2017, but that also failed.

Then, in 2018, it looked like legalization was coming. Online gambling legislation was passed in the Senate, and Governor Rick Snyder just needed to sign the bill, but he vetoed it, which was stunning to its supporters. He cited the potential impact on the iLottery, which assisted the School Aid Fund.

Finally, bills to legalize sports betting and casinos passed the House in October 2019, and then Whitmer signed them in December.

Today, Michigan is home to 14 online casinos.

⭐ Best MI online casinos

�� How we ranked online casinos in Michigan

Above, we consider those four online casinos the best in the state. To arrive at that conclusion, we evaluated the following attributes and our list of sites that excelled.

�� Licensing

To operate a legal online casino in Michigan, the site must receive a license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which, of course, all of these sites, as well as the other 10 in the state, do.

�� Bonuses

The welcome bonus at an online casino will be the first impression the player receives from the site, so it’s up to the casinos to present adequate value to intrigue the prospective player.

When examining welcome bonuses, we look beyond what it’s labelled as and look into the terms and conditions to evaluate playthrough requirements, game contribution percentages, minimum bets, expiration dates, and more.

We use this same standard for existing player promotions. Sites need to offer them as it gives loyal players something to look forward to, but again, we investigate the terms and conditions to ensure you’re receiving an offer that could benefit you.

�� Safety

In receiving the license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, these online casinos have already passed a high standard of safety and security, as this is a requirement to receive a license. Therefore, you can expect each site to possess encryption software to keep your data safe.

From there, we look for sites that also offer two-factor authentication, a security measurer you can opt into which sends a unique code to your phone each time you log in that you must use to complete the process.

�� Game selection

At online casinos, numerous types of games are potentially available, including slots, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, live dealer games, video poker, and so much more.

First, we look for sites with a large roster of games, but then we check to see what variety is present. Slots will always be a favorite for online casinos, but we want to ensure that table game players have something to look forward to.

Lastly, we scope out the game developers. Some of the best in the business include NetEnt, IGT, and Evolution, to name a few. If we see that they have games on at the online casino, we know we can expect a top-tier product.

�� Payment method variety & speed

We play at online casinos to win money, and with those wins, we feel you’re entitled to get your winnings quickly and without hassle.

When we examine sites, we look for those that offer not only quick payouts but a variety of payouts, as some methods may be unavailable to some users.

The philosophy is simple: Have a lot of ways to withdraw money, and get it to players fast.

�� VIP & loyalty programs

While playing at an online casino, we feel it’s important that you’re rewarded for your play and dedication to a site, and that’s where VIP and Loyalty Programs come in. These allow you to generate points you can use on perks and benefits to provide a better experience, whether online or at a retail-affiliated site.

When we evaluate these programs, we look to make sure that the rewards are attainable by players, meaning it doesn’t require thousands of dollars to see any benefit, and we also look for simplicity. Some programs can be a bit overly complicated, and while that isn’t necessarily a “red flag,” the simpler, the better.

�� Mobile play

One of the best parts of legal online casino play is that you can play your favorite games on your mobile device with the online casino’s mobile app.

In Michigan, you can play casino games anywhere in the state, regardless of location.

We look for a clean user interface design and a lag-free experience when evaluating mobile play. We ensure the site offers all, or close to all, of the games you’ll find on the desktop.

�� A closer look at the best Michigan online casinos

Now that you know what our top Michigan online casinos are and how we rank them, we’ll dive into each and give you some information about what makes them the best.

DraftKings is most known for its daily fantasy sports and online sports betting, but don’t let that distract you from their excellent online casino. Here, you’ll have access to over 1,000 games, including slots, table games, live dealer games, and numerous DraftKings-exclusive titles. As a new player, the welcome bonus you’re entitled to is a 100% deposit match worth up to $2,000. A rewards program, DK Crowns, is present, too. With this program, you’ll receive Crowns each time you wager on games and can then redeem these crowns for betting credits.

The only downfall to DraftKings Casino is the lack of existing player promotions. A referral program is available, but with some promotions for existing players, it would be viewed more favorably.

1,000+ games to choose from
$2,000 deposit bonus welcome offer
Easy to understand rewards program

As soon as you load up the BetRivers Michigan site, you’ll see that the welcome bonus is a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $500. You’ll get this when you use promo code “CASINO500” during your first deposit.

The game library here features hundreds of games from the top developers in the world, and you can sort the games by them. Once you become more familiar with which developers you prefer, you can check out games only by AGS, DWG, or NetEnt.

The customer support at BetRivers is magnificent, with live chat, email, phone, and an FAQ available. In our experience, the representative was extremely helpful in solving our problems.

The best developers on the market provide the game library
An 11-tier reward program that offers excellent rewards on each step you climb
Clean user interface design that makes navigating the site easy

Where BetMGM mostly shines is its welcome bonus. No, it’s not $2,000 of value like DraftKings, but it’s the only one on this list with two parts. The first part is a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $1,000, and the other is a no-deposit bonus worth $25. With a no-deposit bonus, you’ll receive the $25 just for creating an account.

The game library here is also stellar, offering up new games all the time and a variety of games such as Slingo.

BetMGM also has existing player promotions, but they’re typically only available for a short time. These include “Bet & Get” offers, which mean that when you wager a certain amount on a game, you’ll receive a certain amount back as a bonus.

Two-part welcome bonus.
Frequent existing player promotions
Great variety of game options like Slingo

The user interface design immediately pops up when you launch WynnBET Michigan. There are menus scrolling horizontally where the jackpot slots are. At this time, these jackpots are north of $1.2 million.

As a new player, you’ll receive a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $1,000. You’ll also have a handful of existing player promotions, such as the game of the week, 10,000 free spins sweepstakes, High 5 Rapid Rewards monthly prize pool, and more.

There are just five deposit methods here, but they cover all the more common ones, including online banking, credit/debit card, PayPal, Play+ Card, and VIP Preferred.

Nice variety of payment methods
Incredible promotions for new and existing players
Large jackpots are available

�� How to find a legal online casino in Michigan

There are many online casinos available on the market, but how can you discern them from offshore sites?

Review our site to find the best legal online casinos — we’ll only ever provide information on legal ones.
Beyond that, if you want to independently look, you can look at the Michigan Gaming Control Board site for a list of legal platforms.
If you find yourself on an online casino site, you can scroll to the bottom where information about it having a license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board will be present. If it’s not there, that’s usually a good sign it’s not a legal online casino.

Can I win real money at Michigan online casinos?

Yes. The goal of playing at legal online casinos in Michigan is to win real money.

Can I play for free at Michigan online casinos?

If you’re interested in playing games for free, it all depends on the site. Some online casinos will offer demo modes of each game, which allow you to experience it without wagering real money.

Pick which online casino you’d like to play at. Make sure to use the links provided for the best welcome offer.
In the upper right corner, you’ll find a link to create an account.
This process, regardless of the site, takes just a few minutes to complete. You’ll be required to provide information such as your name, date of birth, address, last four digits of your social security number, and more.
After you complete this, the site will run its internal geolocation software to confirm you’re located within the borders of Michigan.
Once this is all set, you can start making deposits and playing.

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�� What are the most popular slot games at Michigan online casinos?

Jaguar Princess: Developed by High 5 Games, Jaguar Princess is a six-reel slot with 50 paylines. You can also unlock free spins when you land two or more bonus symbols. You’ll receive 12-16 free spins corresponding to the same number of symbols you get.
Starburst: Equipped with some of the best graphics for an online slot game, Starburst comes with an RTP% north of 96%, a bit above average. NetEnt developed this game.
Divine Fortune: One of the most well-known jackpot slots. Not only is it a jackpot slot, but it’s a progressive slot, meaning the jackpot continuously climbs until it’s won.
Mercy of the Gods: A new slot, Mercy of the Gods, was developed in 2019 and allows players to win up to 1600x your wager. There are 20 paylines on a 5x3 grid.

Can I play live dealer games online in Michigan?

Yes. Live dealer games are available at many online casinos in Michigan. These games give players as close to an in-person experience as possible as you’re greeted by a live host and play against other players who are also online.

Is it legal to play poker online in Michigan?

Yes. When Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law for online gambling, it also included online poker.

What are the top new online casinos in MI?

In Michigan, there are 14 online casinos as of July 2023. Regardless of which site you go to, there will be strengths and weaknesses with each of them. Of course, some of these are weighted more heavily than others. For us, the top online casinos right now in the state are DraftKings, BetRivers, and BetMGM. The weaknesses are minimal here; overall, you’ll have a fantastic experience.

�� What payment methods can I use at Michigan online casinos?

There are a variety of payment methods you can use at Michigan online casinos, including, but not limited to, the following:

Credit card
Debit card
Wire transfer
ACH/eCheck
Online banking
PayPal
Play+ Card
Cash cage
Gift cards

What are the fastest withdrawal options at Michigan online casinos?

Looking over and experiencing these withdrawal methods first-hand, we found that players who use PayPal as a withdrawal method almost always receive their funds the same day they’re requested. However, all withdrawals are subject to an internal review at the online casino.

�� Do Michigan online casinos have mobile apps?

Yes. Of the online casinos we recommend above, all have mobile apps currently available on the Apple App and Google Play Store.

Is it safe to play on a casino app in MI?

Yes. The luxury of playing on a mobile app also comes with the same level of safety you receive when playing on desktop. We wouldn’t ever recommend any sites we felt we compromised on mobile devices.

Our top tips for playing at Michigan online casinos

While online casino games generally are a game of chance, there are some tips you can utilize to help increase your winnings.

Use demo mode: Demo mode is valuable for all types of games. Playing slots allows you to get a feel for the game and test it out to see if you’d like it. Also, for table games like blackjack, you can develop strategies.
Set a budget: Whether this is daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, we recommend setting a budget. This promotes responsible gameplay and not losing more money than you can afford.
Research RTP% for slots: If you enjoy slots, research the game you’re considering playing— specifically, the RTP%. This figure shows what the house’s edge is. So, if a game has an RTP% of 96%, the house has a 4% edge.
Leverage bonuses and promotions: Whenever you log onto an online casino, browse the promotions and bonuses to see if anything is available that suits your gaming needs for that session. This can add more money to your wallet and make a win more exciting.
Research welcome bonus terms and conditions: You’ll notice we discussed many deposit bonuses above. With offers like this and any other, you’ll want to research the terms and conditions to know what you’re getting it. With deposit bonuses, the No. 1 thing to look for is playthrough requirements, which show how much you need to wager the bonus you receive to withdraw it as cash.