Online Gambling in Michigan: an Expert Guide
Michigan gambling laws are a mixed bag. On the one hand, Michigan has a lot of tribal casinos and a few famous land-based casinos. Michigan also allows poker nights called Millionaires Parties, lottery gambling, and “bona fide” contests. On the other hand, social gaming is illegal, while local law enforcement has been known to prosecute players (not just organizers) of illegal poker events.
For those reasons, Michigan residents who plan on gambling need to read about Michigan gambling laws closely. The state’s laws are evolving quickly, with late-breaking news that pertains to the online gambling, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports industries. Lucky for our readers, we give a full breakdown of the statutes and land-based gaming venues in the article below.
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Laws That Pertain to Michigan Gambling
Michigan gambling laws have at least a half-dozen crimes which include penalties for organizers of illegal gaming rings, including racketeering charges. Michigan also has generations-old laws which call for the prosecution of players who engage in illegal land-based gaming. As late as 2010, law enforcement in Grand Rapids, Michigan prosecuted players at an illegal poker tournament held in a local hotel. That makes Michigan among the strictest states when it comes to gambling laws.
Section 432.202(2)(v)
“Gambling game” means any game played with cards, dice, equipment or a machine, including any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device which shall include computers and cashless wagering systems, for money, credit, or any representative of value, including, but not limited to, faro, monte, roulette, keno, bingo, fan tan, twenty one, blackjack, seven and a half, klondike, craps, poker, chuck a luck, Chinese chuck a luck (dai shu), wheel of fortune, chemin de fer, baccarat, pai gow, beat the banker, panguingui, slot machine, any banking or percentage game, or any other game or device approved by the board, but does not include games played with cards in private homes or residences in which no person makes money for operating the game, except as a player.
Online players should understand that Michigan authorities are more likely to prosecute gamblers than law enforcement in most states. You can’t apply the Grand Rapids prosecutions across the state, of course, but those who engage in unlicensed gambling should keep in mind they might be at risk of prosecution. That being said, no online gambler in Michigan has ever been prosecuted for those activities.
In either case, the laws could change in the next couple of years. A dedicated proponent of online poker, online casinos, and sports betting (Brandt Iden) has championed House Bill 4926 since 2016. Iden’s bill is gaining traction in the Michigan legislature, so players might not have to worry about sanctions in the near future.
Michigan Gambling Laws
Type of Gambling – Offered/Licensed? – Notes & Restrictions
- Online Gambling – No – Online poker bill backed by Brandt Iden since 2016. Still on the table.
- Land-Based Casinos – Yes – 19 tribal casinos and 3 commercial casinos.
- Charitable Gaming – Yes – 15 major bingo halls and poker nights called “Millionaires Parties”.
- Lottery Betting – Yes – State Lottery (1972), Mega Millions (1996), Powerball (2010).
- Minimum Gambling Age – 18 for lottery and bingo. 18 to 21 for casinos, depending on type.
Michigan Online Poker Laws
Name of Bill – Year Submitted – Lawmaker – Supported – Opposed
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act – 2017 – Brandt Iden – Klint Kesto – Michigan tribal authorities.
- Senate Bill 0203 – 2017 (S 203) – Mike Kowall – Rick Jones – Michigan tribal authorities.
Does Michigan have land-based casinos?
Yes. Michigan has 19 tribal casinos owned by 13 different Native American tribes. Michigan also has three commercial casinos, including MGM Detroit and the venerable Greektown Casino. Greektown recently was named Jack Casino Detroit when it was owned by Detroit native, Dan Gilbert (Quicken Loans, Cleveland Cavaliers), but Gilbert sold the casino amid speculation he wants to buy the Detroit Tigers. Penn National Gaming now owns Greektown Casino.
Michigan’s tribal casinos are owned by a wide variety of Indian groups, including the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, and the Ojibwa tribe which is found throughout the Midwest.
CASINOS
| City | Name of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details </th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baraga | Ojibwa Casino – Baraga | 16449 Michigan Avenue, Baraga, Michigan 49908-9209 | (906) 353-6333 | 350 Gaming Machines, 1 Poker Table, 9 Gaming Tables |
| Battle Creek | FireKeepers Casino Hotel | 11177 Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014-8904 | (877) 352-8777 | 2,700 Gaming Machines, 22 Poker Tables, 70 Gaming Tables, 250 Bingo Seats |
| Brimley | Bay Mills Resorts & Casinos | 11386 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan 49715-9308 | (906) 248-3715 | 677 Gaming Machines, 3 Poker Tables, 15 Gaming Tables |
| Brimley | Kings Club Casino | 12140 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan 49715-9319 | (906) 248-3715 | 242 Gaming Tables |
| Christmas | Kewadin Christmas | N7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas, Michigan 492862-8946 | (906) 387-5475 | 244 Gaming Machines, 5 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Detroit | Greektown Casino Hotel | 555 East Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48226-2924 | (313) 223-2999 | 2,600 Gaming Machines, 12 Poker Tables, 50 Gaming Tables |
| Detroit | MGM Grand Detroit Casino | 1777 Third Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226-2498 | (313) 465-1777 | 3,500 Gaming Machines, 9 Poker Tables, 90 Gaming Tables |
| Detroit | MotorCity Casino | 2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2907 | (313) 237-7711 | 2,800 Gaming Machines, 12 Poker Tables, 57 Gaming Tables |
| Dewagiac | Four Winds Dowagiac | 58700 M-51 South, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047-9733 | (866) 494-6371 | 404 Gaming Machines, 7 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Harris | Island Resort & Casino | 399 Highway 2 West, Harris, Michigan 49845 | (906) 466-2941 | 1,145 Gaming Machines, 8 Poker Tables, 13 Gaming Tables, 200 Bingo Seats |
| Hartford | Four Winds Hartford | 68600 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford, Michigan 49057-9718 | (866) 494-6371 | 508 Gaming Machines, 8 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Hessel | Kewadin Hessel | 33995 Three Mile Road, Hessel, Michigan 49745 | (906) 484-2903 | 200 Gaming Machines |
| Mackinaw | Odawa Casino Mackinaw | 1080 South Nicolet Street. Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701 | (231) 439-6100 | 120 Gaming Machines |
| Manistee | Little River Casino Resort | 2700 Orchard Highway, Manistee, Michigan 49660-9752 | (231) 723-1535 | 1,350 Gaming Machines, 25 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Manistique | Kewadin Manistique | Route 2 East, Manistique, Michigan 49854 | (906) 341-5510 | 260 Gaming Machines |
| Marquette | Ojibwa Casino – Marquette | 200 Zhooniyaa MiiKana Trail, Marquette, Michigan 49855-2000 | (906) 249-4200 | 300 Gaming Machines, 8 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Mount Pleasant | Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort | 6800 East Soaring Eagle Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858-8432 | (989) 775-7777 | 2,728 Gaming Machines, 14 Poker Tables, 55 Gaming Tables, 500 Bingo Seats |
| Mount Pleasant | Soaring Eagle Slot Palace | 7566 Ogemaw Drive, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 | (989) 775-7777 | 604 Gaming Machines |
| New Buffalo | Four Winds New Buffalo | 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan 49117-8888 | (866) 494-6371 | 2,600 Gaming Machines, 49 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Peshawbestown | Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge | 2521 North West Bayshore Drive, Peshawbestown, Michigan 49682-9366 | (231) 534-8100 | 425 Gaming Machines, 8 Poker and Gaming Tables, 200 Bingo Seats |
| Petoskey | Odawa Casino Resort | 1760 Lears Road, Petoskey, Michigan 49770-8376 | (231) 439-6100 | 1,100 Gaming Machines, 4 Poker Tables, 23 Gaming Tables |
| St. Ignace | Kewadin St. Ignace | 3015 Mackinac Trail, St. Ignace, Michigan 49781-9758 | (906) 643-7071 | 700 Gaming Machines, 6 Poker Tables, 14 Gaming Tables |
| Sault Saint Marie | Kewadin Sault Ste. Marie | 2186 Shunk Road, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan 49783-9398 | (906) 632-0530 | 780 Gaming Machines, 1 Poker Table, 8 Gaming Tables |
| Standish | Saganing Eagles Landing Casino | 2690 Worth Road, Standish, Michigan 48658-9789 | (989) 846-4854 | 890 Gaming Machines |
| Watersmeet | Northern Waters Casino Resort | 5384 Highway 45 North, Watersmeet, Michigan 49969 | (906) 358-4226 | 596 Gaming Machines, 10 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Wayland | Gun Lake Casino | 1123 129th Avenue, Wayland, Michigan 49348-9476 | (269) 792-7777 | 2,000 Gaming Machines, 47 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Williamsburg | Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel | 7741 Michigan Highway 72 East, Williamsburg, Michigan 49690-9395 | (231)534-8888 | 1,112 Gaming Machines, 5 Poker Tables, 31 Gaming Tables |
CARD ROOMS
| City | Name of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details </th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burton | Burton Eagles Poker Room | 3317 East Bristol Road, Burton, Michigan 48529 | (810) 853-7343 | 6 Poker and Gaming Machines |
| Caspian | Caspian Gaastra Fire Hall | 1 Museum Drive, Caspian, Michigan 49935 | (906) 265-2113 | N/A |
| Charlotte | St. Mary’s Parish Life Center | 807 St. Mary’s Boulevard, Charlotte, Michigan 48813 | (517) 543-4319 | N/A |
| Chesterfield | Wintergarden Poker Room – Chesterfield | 46777 Gratiot Avenue, Chesterfield, Michigan 48051 | (248) 697-6027 | 5 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Comstock Park | Westgate Bowl | 4486 Alpine Avenue North West, Comstock Park, Michigan 49321 | (616) 784-6450 | N/A |
| Detroit | St. Hyacinth School Hall | 5240 McDougall Street, Detroit, Michigan 48211 | (313) 922-1507 | N/A |
| Dowagiac | Elks Lodge 889 | 300 Riverside Drive, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047 | (269) 782-3889 | N/A |
| Grand Rapids | Eastbrook Lanes | 3500 Lake Eastbrook, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 | (616) 949-7650 | N/A |
| Grand Rapids | Lincoln Country Club | 3485 Lake Michigan Drive North West, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49534-5888 | (616) 453-6348 | N/A |
| Grand Rapids | Russo’s Pizzeria Bar& Grill | 6211 South Division Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49548 | (616) 534-7877 | N/A |
| Hartland | Prime Time Poker | 1535 Old US Highway 23, Hartland, Michigan 48353 | (517) 376-0215 | 8 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Lansing | The Event Spot Poker Room | 5601 West Saginaw Highway, Suite B, Lansing, Michigan 48917 | (517) 282-7724 | 6 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Livonia | Players Golf & Event Center | 33320 West Seven Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152 | (248) 755-5344 | 4 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Metamora | Legends Poker Place of Metamora | 3546 South Lapeer Road, Metamore, Michigan 48455 | (810) 678-3801 | 7 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Midland | American Veterans 3652 | 3013 Bay City Road, Midland, Michigan 48642 | (989) 496-3410 | N/A |
| Muskegon | Northway Lanes & Billiards | 1751 Evanston Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan 49442 | (231) 773-9181 | N/A |
| Niles | Joey Armadillo’s | 2732 South 11th Street, Niles, Michigan 49120 | 269) 687-5555 | 5 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Oscada | Huron Poker Room | 5214 North US Highway 23, OScada, Michigan 48750 | (989) 305-1826 | 6 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Owosso | Owosso Poker Room | 1405 East M 21, Owosso, Michigan 48867 | (989) 472-3338 | 10 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Port Huron | Port Huron Masonic Center | 927 6th Street, Port Huron, Michigan 48060 | (810) 982-5044 | N/A |
| Rudyard | Huck’s Pub | 11358 West Main Street, Rudyard, Michigan 49780 | (906) 442-1042 | N/A |
| Saginaw | Davenport Inn | 3325 Davenport Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 | (800) 654-3309 | N/A |
| Shelby | American Poker Room | 2104 Auburn Road, Shelby, Michigan 48317 | (248) 761-2577 | 3 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| St. Charles | Kimberly Oaks Golf Course | 1100 West Walnut Street, St. Charles, Michigan 48655 | (989) 865-8261 | N/A |
| Sterling Heights | 5 Star Charity Poker Room | 2666 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48310 | (586) 854-2271 | 4 Poker Tables |
| Sturgis | Elks Lodge 1381 | 66200 Grey Lake Road, Sturgis, Michigan 49091 | (269) 659-3557 | N/A |
| Taylor | Momo’s Poker Room | 5841 Telegraph Road, Taylor, Michigan 48180 | (313) 492-2692 | 14 Poker Tables |
| Utica | Ciccarelli’s Charity Poker Room | 46793 Hayes Road, Utica, Michigan 48315 | (586) 495-0055 | 6 Poker Tables |
| Utica | One Eyed Jacks Poker Lounge | 48762 Van Dyke Avenue, Utica, Michigan 48317 | (586) 495-0055 | 8 Poker Tables |
| Walker | Jack’s Place Charity Poker Room | 2327 Wilson Avenue Southwest, Walker, Michigan 49534 | (616) 453-9861 | N/A |
| Walled Lake | All-Star Poker Room | 257 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390 | (248) 705-0809 | 6 Poker Tables |
| Waterford | Shark Club Waterford | 6665 Highland Road, Waterford, Michigan 48327 | (248) 804-2695 | N/A |
| Waterford | VFW 1008 Card Room | 1690 Airport Road, Waterford, Michigan 48327 | (248) 682-6300 | 8 Poker Tables |
| Westland | Krazy Kopz at Vision Lanes | 38250 Ford Road, Westland, Michigan 48185 | (734) 674-4807 | 10 Poker Tables |
| Westland | Krazy Kopz at Westland Poker Room | 500 South Merriman Road, Westland, Michigan 48186-5048 | (734) 366-6068 | 6 Poker Tables |
| Westland | Malarkey’s Poker Room | 35750 Warren Road, Westland,. Michigan 48185 | (734) 740-6690 | 10 Poker Tables |
| Woodhaven | Winning Hand Poker | 20000 Van Horn Road, Woodhaven, Michigan 48183 | (734) 556-2164 | 12 Poker Tables |
| Ypsilanti | Roundtree Poker Room | 2203 Ellsworth Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 | (734) 434-1234 | 5 Poker Tables |
| Ypsilanti | Thompson Poker Room | 100 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198 | (734) 707-3503 | 3 Poker Tables |
Does Michigan have any legal betting tracks / shops?
No. Michigan does not have legal horsetracks, racebooks, or betting shops. Pari-mutuel wagering is not allowed in Michigan. The state is surrounded by the Great Lakes. While horse riding was important everywhere in Colonial America and the midwestern frontier, boat travel was even more important. Horse racing never caught on in Michigan like it did in states further south.
Does Michigan allow off-track betting?
No. Michigan also does not have off-track betting locations. No form of pari-mutuel betting is allowed in Michigan.
HORSE TRACKS
| City | Name of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details </th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel Park | Hazel Park Harness Raceway | 1650 East Ten Mile Road, Hazel Park, Michigan 48030-1262 | (248) 398-1000 | Race Book |
| Northville | Northville Downs | 301 South Center Street, Northville, Michigan 48167-1598 | (248) 349-1000 | Race Book |
Does Michigan allow charitable gambling?
Yes, Michigan allows charitable gambling. The state has a variety of bingo halls that generate revenues for churches, police departments, fire departments, veterans’ groups, and other nonprofit organization. It also has Millionaires Parties, which are a form of poker night with raffles and casino games. To host a Millionaire Party, a group has to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The Millionaire Party phenomenon peaked in 2012, when they gained full legitimacy. Since then, concerned citizens have warned that the system is being abused. Groups that might be “for profit” have gained accreditation, so the legislature is considering laws to tighten regulations and limit the licensing possibilities under MGCB control.
BINGO HALLS
| City | Name of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details </th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | Starlite Event Center | 1517 North Henry Street, Bay City, Michigan 48706-3561 | (989) 671-9745 | 160 Bingo Seats |
| Chesterfield | North Gratiot Bingo Hall | 47650 Gratiot Avenue, Chesterfield, 48051-2718 | (586) 598-4960 | 450 Bingo Seats |
| Flint | Fisher Hall Bingo | 4501 Van Slyke Road, Flint, Michigan 48507-2216 | (810) 767-0600 | 500 Bingo Seats |
| Flint | Lucky’s Bingo Hall | 6340 North Genesee Road, Suite 1, Flint, Michigan 48506-1192 | (810) 736-7225 | 350 Bingo Seats |
| Kalamazoo | Bank Street Bingo | 1157 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001-2901 | (269) 344-5411 | 260 Bingo Seats |
| Lansing | Carousel Bingo Hall | 3022 West St. Joseph Street, Lansing, Michigan 48917-3790 | (517) 484-4340 | 300 Bingo Seats |
| Livonia | Shamrock Bingo Hall | 33111 Plymouth Road, Livonia, Michigan 48150-1718 | (734) 427-6380 | 150 Bingo Seats |
| Muskegon | Select Auditorium | 1445 East Laketon Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan 49442-6144 | (231) 726-5707 | 250 Bingo Seats |
| Roseville | Rosemack Bingo | 20791 East 13 Mile Road, Roseville, Michigan 48066-4503 | (586) 771-2464 | 250 Bingo Seats |
| Warren | 14 & Ryan Bingo Hall | 4190 East 14 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan 48090-0717 | (586) 977-6476 | 250 Bingo Seats |
| Warren | Green Acres Bingo Hall | 5653 East 13 Mile Road, Warren, Michigan 48092-1511 | (586) 268-8990 | 400 Bingo Seats |
| Warren | Plaza Bingo 12 | 28655 Schoenherr Road, Warren, Michigan 48090-0717 | (586) 756-3065 | 250 Bingo Seats |
| Waterford | Bingo City | 4443 Dixie Highway, Waterford, Michigan 48329-3510 | (248) 674-4131 | 200 Bingo Seats |
| Wyandotte | Emerald Bingo Hall | 3897 Fort Street, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192-6316 | (734) 284-4165 | 250 Bingo Seats |
| Wyoming | Bingo at the Britteny | 3637 Clyde Park Avenue Southwest, Wyoming, Michigan 49509-4095 | (616) 531-3250 | N/A |
Is Social gaming allowed in Michigan?
Michigan is one of the US states which has failed to exempt social gaming from anti-gambling laws. That means social gaming on sites like Zynga, Big Fish Games, and PlayMGM are illegal at present. Michigan does allow betting on “bona fide” games.
Is Bona Fide gaming allowed in Michigan?
“Bona fide” gaming is used in over a dozen US states as a workaround to betting on oneself. If a player bets on a “contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength or endurance or the bona fide owners of animals or vehicles entered in such a contest”, it is considered a bona fide contest.