Now Live: Michigan Launches Online Sports Betting, Casino

The wait is finally over: Online sports betting and casino gaming are now live in Michigan.

Michigan players can now place wagers from their phones or other mobile devices across the state. It’s been a long time coming for those who have waited for online gaming. The anticipation started when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of gaming bills into law back in December 2019. It took over a year for the drafting and approval of online rules, in addition to the licensing and regulatory process for operators and providers, but internet gaming is now here in Michigan.

Michigan Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing), who helped guide gaming legislation into law, placed the ceremonial first wager at noon.

Ten platform providers are now live for online sports betting. Here is a rundown of each and the promotions they are running.

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the more prominent names in online gaming. Michigan is the 11th state DraftKings has launched in — more than any other sports betting company.

For new users, there is a sign-up bonus for $100 in sports bets and $100 casino credit.

DraftKings is also running two Double Your Money promotions this weekend. For tonight’s Detroit Pistons game against the Houston Rockets, players will double their money on a wager if the Pistons make a 3-pointer, and for Sunday, bettors can double their money if any NFL team scores a touchdown.

DraftKings is also an official betting partner of the Detroit Pistons.

In its online casino, DraftKings has 17 blackjack, six roulette and three Baccarat offerings.

FanDuel

With a launch in Michigan, FanDuel will now be active in nine states across the country.

Similar to DraftKings, FanDuel became a popular brand initially through its daily fantasy contests. Now, the company has become an attractive sportsbook for bettors.

FanDuel is offering $50 in sports bets and $50 in casino credit for new users. The company also is running the up to $1,000 risk-free bet. This promotion gives players a 100% refund on their first bet up to $1,000. If the first bet loses, FanDuel will refund the wager within 72 hours of the bet placement.

With a FanDuel retail sportsbook at MotorCity Casino in downtown Detroit, the FanDuel brand is already familiar for Detroit casino-goers.

FanDuel is also a sports betting partner with the Detroit Pistons.

BetMGM

BetMGM launched a retail sportsbook at MGM Grand Detroit last March. Now, the company is set to offer online gaming options for its customers.

BetMGM is a familiar brand for Michigan citizens. The company is an official betting partner of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons.

For new players, BetMGM is offering $100 in freebets and $100 casino credit.

Barstool

Barstool opened its official retail sportsbook at Greektown Casino in December and now offers mobile sports betting throughout the state. Currently, Barstool’s online casino has not launched but is expected to go live soon.

For new Michigan players, Barstool is running a promotion to aid small businesses. From noon today until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 24, the first-time deposit from Michigan users will be matched with a donation to the Barstool Fund. Players must wager at least their deposit to contribute to the fund. The fund assists small businesses around the country that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

PointsBet

PointsBet has staked a Michigan presence with its sports betting partnership with the Red Wings, Tigers and Pistons.

The company is running a promotion for Saturday’s game between the Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers. Players who wager $25 or more on the Pistons moneyline will receive $1 in free bets for every point the Pistons score.

PointsBet will also unveil a “Win-Win” promotion, where players will have their net winnings from the month of January doubled in up to $100 in free bets, while net losses will be refunded in up to $100 in free bets.

Only sports betting is currently active for PointsBet.

BetRivers

Michigan is the seventh state in which BetRivers offers online casino gaming and mobile sports betting. The platform provider operates a retail sportsbook at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee.

New players receive $50 upon signing up, while the company will match the first deposit up to $250 for users who enter 250match as a promo code.

Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget brand is now live in Michigan.

New players who sign up will receive up to $250 in free bets for the sportsbook, in addition to a welcome bonus up to $1,000 for its variety of online slots and table games.

William Hill

William Hill’s casino offers games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and numerous slots. A media release from the company states that customers can expect new promotions each week.

To celebrate the launch in Michigan, William Hill is offering a risk-free sports bet up to $500 for new customers who make a deposit.

TwinSpires

TwinSpires went through a rebranding after it made its debut in Michigan as BetAmerica. The BetAmerica Sportsbook opened at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris before its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., decided to change all its sportsbooks to the TwinSpires name and branding.

For its online launch in Michigan, TwinSpires is giving new players up to $1,000 in bonus bets to utilize over a seven-day period. New casino players will also qualify to play their first 24 hours risk-free up to $500.

WynnBet

WynnBet made its debut in Michigan last December when each of the Kewadin Casino locations launched sports betting kiosks in the Upper Peninsula. Players could wager on sports in St. Ignace, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie, Christmas and Hessel, and now the WynnBet brand will be available to everyone across the state.

There were no promotions or boosts listed on WynnBet’s website regarding the Michigan launch.

Attorney General’s Message About Online Gaming Sites

With the state launching its online gaming offerings, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is encouraging citizens to read the terms and conditions of each of the promotions and boosts being offered by the platform providers.

“Authorization of these programs is very recent, and I urge anyone who is interested in registering to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions related to the promotional packages being offered so that you are not confused about what might be expected,” Nessel said in a news release. “In some instances, site users may be required to spend or deposit a certain amount of money into an account before receiving their free play credits, and users should make themselves aware of such conditions so they are not taken off guard.”

The online gaming medium may be new to some, and Nessel wants everyone to be educated about how free play and other promotions work before players invest their own money.