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Gambling is popular in Michigan, and players can play at land-based and online casinos today. They can also place sports bets at both retail and online sportsbooks. Betting on horse races has been popular in Michigan for many years, and betting on online sites has made it easier than ever.
Some history of gambling in Michigan
In 1972, voters in Michigan approved a state constitution amendment to allow the creation of a state lottery. An act was passed in the same year to allow nonprofit organizations to use gambling to raise funds. The games were limited to raffles, bingo, and charity game ticket sales.
In 1993, the first tribal casino was opened in Mount Pleasant. Michigan currently has contracts with 12 tribes that operate 26 tribal casinos. Today, many tribal casinos, such as Gun Lake Casino, also offer Michigan online gambling. The tribal casinos are considered sovereign nations, and their casinos aren’t regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
Michigan passed the Gaming Control and Revenue Act in 1997. Three licensed land-based casinos opened in Detroit and others soon followed. In March 2020, retail sportsbooks launched at each land-based casino in Detroit.
Online gambling
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill to legalize online gambling and sports betting in December 2019. The bill also legalized daily fantasy sports and online poker. Online gambling regulations dictate the tax rates, revenue distribution, and allocation of funds from online casinos to various state programs.
There are currently a total of 15 Michigan online casinos. Players over 21 can play at their own pace and from anywhere within state borders. They typically have a wide game selection and offer various bonuses. Classic slots, jackpot slots, Megaways, and other slot games are available. When it comes to table games, online blackjack has the most variants because it is so popular.
Sports betting
Legal sportsbooks may have opened in casinos in 2020, but online sportsbooks weren’t legal until January 2021. Bettors must be over 21 and within state borders to place sports bets in Michigan. In the first 10 days of legal online wagering, sports bettors placed over $100 million in wagers. In December 2023, Michigan sports books set a record for monthly handle with over $613 million.
Bettors can wager online using mobile sportsbook apps within state borders or at retail sportsbooks in most casinos. The state taxes sports betting revenue at 8.4%, and commercial casinos in Detroit also pay a 1.25% city tax.
There are currently 13 sports betting apps in the state. Online sportsbooks must partner with a land-based casino to be eligible to operate in the state. With exciting odds on the best sporting events worldwide, sports bettors have plenty of options. They can watch YouTube videos to learn more about what bets to place on all major sports and leagues.
In-state college betting is legal in Michigan, but there is no wagering on high school sports or entertainment-related events. The Michigan Gaming Control Board does allow Oscars betting.
Horse racing sports betting
Betting on horse races has been legal in Michigan for over 100 years. At present, there is only one horse racing track open in Michigan, Northville Downs. When horse racing was at its peak, Michigan had up to nine horse racing tracks. Those who love watching horse racing may travel to Michigan and pay a visit to Northville Downs where they can place pari-mutuel bets on live races.
The Horse Racing Law of 1995 is the basis of current regulations, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board has regulatory power. With online betting sites, it is easy to sign up with an online horse betting site and place bets. There are dozens of different types of bets you can place on horse racing events using these online betting sites.
Conclusion
The Michigan Gaming Control Board actively works on preserving the growth and integrity of gambling in the state. While there are illicit gambling activities, legal online gambling and sports betting has taken off in Michigan. It shows no signs of slowing down, providing helpful tax revenue to the state. The regulatory framework in Michigan will have to keep adapting to stay up to date with technological advancements and emerging trends.
