Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan
Most states’ gambling and betting statues make no mention of online poker and playing at real money Internet poker websites, and Michigan’s legit Internet gambling laws prove no exception. Dense and at times contradictory, Michigan’s gambling and betting bylaws will likely confound the average reader. If you are playing poker for real money in a tribal casino, licensed commercial casino or approved charity event, then you can play poker for money legally in Michigan. As for home games, those appear to exist in a bit of a legal limbo in the state, but truly private games between friends where no one takes a cut or otherwise makes a profit. Online Poker In Michigan Online poker players in Michigan are free to play at any of the online poker sites that accept players from the United States, as none deny access to Michigan residents. So it is then simply a matter of choosing the best poker sites that you can play at, and here’s our recommendations to you if you are from Michigan. Real money online poker is legal in six states in the US right now: New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.Gaming regulators in each state are responsible for overseeing the industry, issuing regulations, enforcing the law, and granting licenses to potential operators.
- Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Casinos
- Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Today
- Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Online
- Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Right Now
Best Michigan Poker Sites
There is some very good news on the way for online poker players in Michigan. Regulations for online gambling in the state are already in place. More importantly, the first online poker sites in Michigan have already laid their groundwork. It looks like online poker in Michigan will become a reality sooner rather than later.
While online gambling in the state was set for a 2021 launch date at the earliest, this isn't the case anymore. Right now, all signs point towards a 2020 launch for gambling sites. And that, of course, will also include the first online poker sites in Michigan.
After a first attempt in 2018 which did not go through, Michigan finally signed its gambling sites legislation in 2019. The Great Lakes State took its first significant step towards an internet gambling launch with the first land-based sportsbooks. Sports betting was part of the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act package. The new legislation also included online casinos, online sports betting and online poker sites as well.
But that wouldn’t mean much without some concrete plans in place. And fortunately, online poker in Michigan already has them. In fact, it isn’t too much of a stretch to say that you could be able to play online poker in Michigan for real money still in 2020. The wait has been long, but it’s already within reach. Let’s take a look at what online poker in Michigan will look like in the future.
Michigan internet gambling
Gambling in Michigan dates all the way back to the 1930s with horse racing. The Michigan Lottery was established in 1972, marking another significant step for gambling in the state. Later, the first tribal casinos opened to business in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1996, Michigan authorities approved the first commercial casinos in Detroit. MGM Grand Detroit was inaugurated in July 1999, followed by MotorCity Casino Hotel and Greektown Casino Hotel.
Expanding gambling into the online market was the next logical step. Despite some early initiatives, and after a failed attempt in 2018, internet gambling was finally signed into law in 2019. The Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act allowed land-based operators to offer sports betting as well as online casinos,online poker, and online sportsbooks. All licenses to operate in the Great Lakes State are issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. All commercial and tribal casinos in Michigan are allowed to operate one skin for online poker, online casino, and online sportsbooks.
The three Detroit casinos were the first ones to offer sports betting in the state. MGM Grand Detroit launched its BetMGM sportsbook on March 11, 2020. That same day, Greektown Casino also launched its retail sportsbook under a partnership with Barstool Sports. A day later, MotorCity Casino launched its own sportsbook as well, under a partnership with FanDuel. While online gambling isn’t available in Michigan yet, it’s safe to expect a late 2020 launch. Even in a worst-case scenario, players in Michigan can still hope for an early 2021 start.
Michigan online poker sites
All Michigan gambling operators have the rights to launch one skin for online poker, online casino and online sportsbooks. These gambling sites are all regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which is the gambling authority for the state.
The good news is that it probably won’t take too long to play online poker in Michigan for real money. There is already one confirmed operator. PokerStars, the largest real money online poker operator in the world, will soon bring its online poker rooms to Michigan as well. The Stars Group has a deal with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
BetMGM is another operator worth keeping an eye on. While it has yet to announce any plans for online poker rooms in Michigan, MGM owns an internet gambling license through MGM Grand Detroit. More importantly, it has a partnership with GVC Holdings for the US market. GVC is the owner of PartyPoker, one of the largest internet poker operators in the world. Both BetMGM and PartyPoker already offer online poker rooms in New Jersey. It only makes sense for both brands to consider the Great Lakes State as a potential online poker market in the future. Poker players in MI do have a lot to look forward to.
Michigan online poker partnerships
Every poker site in Michigan will be required to establish a partnership with a land-based operator. All brick-and-mortar tribal and commercial casinos in the state hold an internet gambling permit.
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa gambling operator was the first one to seal a partnership in order to offer a poker site in Michigan. And the LTBBOI will bring no other than PokerStars. The largest poker room operator in the world is set to go live in Michigan at some point in 2021 or even in 2020. While there is no confirmation on a launch date yet, it is definitely drawing closer each day. PokerStars has yet to announce its brick-and-mortar casino partner, but Odawa Casino Resort is the most logical option.
MGM Grand Detroit is another likely candidate to offer real money games for poker players in Michigan. The operator already offers poker rooms in New Jersey under its BetMGM brand. It is also part of ROAR Digital along with GVC Holdings. The joint venture is the US representative for PartyPoker, the second largest poker room operator in the world. However, MGM holds a license for a single skin, so Michigan poker players will only have access to one of these two.
Michigan online poker games
When online poker goes live in the state, Michigan players will have access to some of the best real money poker games available. You will certainly be able to join a poker room and play popular game variants. Poker sites in Michigan will definitely offer Texas Hold’em variants, including No-Limit Hold’em as well as Pot-Limit Hold’em. Other popular poker games available to play online for real money in Michigan will be Omaha, Omaha Hi-Low, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud.
Michigan poker rooms will also offer cash games for its players. Cash games have been very popular lately, and these are probably one of the biggest draws for poker sites. You will also be able to enjoy poker tournaments in Michigan, which includes the popular Sit ‘N Go tournaments.
Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Casinos
PokerStars Michigan, which will likely be the first poker site available in the state, will also offer even more options. Some of the games available at PokerStars Michigan might include 5-Card Omaha and 8-Game Mix. Some of the poker tournaments will include the popular Spin & Go, satellite tournaments, all-in shootouts, and many more.
Michigan online poker deposit bonus and promotions
All poker sites offer deposit bonuses for new players, and it won’t be any different in the Great Lakes State. When signing up for a poker account, you will be able to claim plenty of great bonus offers.
The most common welcome bonus available for new poker players is the first deposit bonus. You will get a match to the first deposit you make to the account. This match is usually equal to 100% of the initial deposit value. In other words, you will be able to play with twice that amount, which makes for some good poker gaming sessions. You will also be able to withdraw your winnings by clearing the minimum wagering requirements for these bonuses.
Poker sites also reward their players with loyalty and VIP programs, and it will definitely be the case for Michigan. VIP poker players enjoy plenty of benefits, such as promotions, higher deposit and withdrawal limits, tournaments, exclusive poker rooms, and much more.
Michigan online poker mobile apps
Players in Michigan will also be able to enjoy online poker on the go thanks to the mobile apps. Poker sites have apps available for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to play their favorite games wherever they want to.
Poker apps are a great way to enjoy cash games. You will have the chance to play your favorite poker games on mobile, while also enjoying beautiful and immersive graphics. And given how easy it is to play on the phone, it also means that there will be plenty of poker rooms available to play real money games at any time.
Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Today
Mobile poker apps are available to download on the App Store for iOS devices. Android users will need to download the apps directly from their respective poker sites, since Play Store doesn’t allow real money gambling apps.
You can also try social poker apps. However, this option does not offer real money games. Instead, you will be playing for an in-game currency, which is restricted to the app. An alternative for real money poker is sweepstakes poker. This option allows you to play for sweepstakes, an in-game currency that can be later exchanged for real cash. While it’s not the same as real money poker, it is a legal alternative.
Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Online
Michigan online poker traffic
Player traffic is one of the biggest obstacles for online poker in the US. Since poker sites are usually restricted to the state’s players pool, this is considered a significant drawback. That would be Michigan’s case, at least for now. The Great Lakes State isn’t part of any multi-state agreement for online gambling. Of course, that could change in the future.
Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware are part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows the three states to share their respective player liquidity. There are no current plans for MI to join a similar agreement for now.
Given that Michigan’s population is significantly bigger compared to some other states, in-state player traffic might not be too much of an issue. Of course, while the player pool will be somewhat limited, players won’t have to wait too long to fill a poker room. Another option available in-state would be joining a poker network. This way, the sites would be able to share their player pools for games, poker tournaments, and more.
Michigan poker sites FAQ
How to play poker in Michigan?
You can play poker at land-based casinos in Michigan. For now, real money online poker isn’t available in the state yet. While online gambling has already been legalized in the state, thanks to the 2019 Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the state does not have any real money poker sites yet. You can play social poker apps and sweepstakes poker, which are both considered legal in the state.
Is online poker legal in Michigan?
Yes, real money online poker is legal to play in Michigan. It was legalized along with online casinos and online sports betting thanks to the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act. However, the site does not have any poker sites yet. PokerStars already has a deal in place to join the MI poker market, but the launch date has yet to be announced.
Can I play poker online for real money?
Yes, you can play poker online for real money if you are at least 21 years old and physically located in a state that offers legal online poker. For now, Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are the only four states that offer the option to play real money poker.
Can you play 888 poker in Michigan?
No, you can’t play 888poker in Michigan. The site is only available in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. There are no current plans for 888poker to join the Michigan market, although that could change in the future.
Can you play PokerStars in Michigan?
No, you can’t play PokerStars in Michigan. While PokerStars already has a deal in place, it is not available in the state yet. The launch date has yet to be announced, although it is believed that PokerStars Michigan could become available in late 2020 or early 2021.
What is the safest online poker site for US players?
The safest online poker site for US players are the ones regulated by the local gambling authority and available in your state. While US players are allowed to join offshore poker sites, this isn’t recommended. These sites operate under lax regulations from their respective gambling authorities and offer little protection to the players, leaving the door open for potential scammers. Always stick to playing at legal poker sites.
Available Online Poker rooms
partypoker platinumGet $100 in rewards OR a matched deposit up to $600
18+. New players only. The minimum deposit necessary to obtain a matched bonus is $10, or if a Player chooses the $100 in rewards the minimum deposit necessary is $20. Full T&Cs apply. PokerStars platinumOn paper, it seems as if Michigan would be a prime candidate to regulate online poker and legal real money Internet poker. Boasting one of the most active gambling and betting communities in the Unites States, Michigan is one of only a handful of states that permits all forms of real-money wagering, including real cash poker betting. Furthermore, the Motor City of Detroit is one of the largest metropolises to inhabit multiple casinos and legit poker gambling card rooms. And before long, Michigan’s lottery will go online bringing Internet gambling to the people of MI for the first time.
With that said, Michigan’s lawful poker and real money gambling legislators have yet to seriously address the issue of regulated gambling and Internet poker. Instead, it appears that MI, the Wolverine State, is waiting for other states to take the lead on legal poker website betting, and then re-evaluating its stance based on their legit betting performance.
Given that three states have already rolled out their iGaming Internet poker and real cash gambling website operations, it may not be long before Michigan makes its position clear on poker website real money betting. At the very least, 2021 should prove to be an active year in the MI Internet poker field.
Home of the Great Lakes, Michigan gamblers will be happy to know that signing up for an account at any of our real money US poker sites is very easy.
Michigan Gives Mixed Signals Regarding Online Gambling
Quick Jump
- 5 The Facts
In October, the Michigan Gaming Control Board proposed a series of changes that would all but put an end to charity real cash poker rooms [1]. A nearly $200 million a year industry, Michigan’s charitable poker gambling facilities have raised over $100 million in real money poker betting revenues for various charities over the past decade. But due to the high rate of crime associated with the Texas Hold’em poker and general poker gambling industry, including fraud, robberies and weapon offenses, the state feels compelled to take action on legal poker betting.
However, there are some that believe that the Great Lakes State’s officials are cracking under the pressure imposed by the state’s brick and mortar casinos and live real money poker rooms, which are losing poker betting business to the charitable legit poker rooms. Gaming control Executive Director Rick Kalm denied these allegations, claiming that casinos hardly make any real money from real cash poker compared with other betting and forms of gambling.
Advocates of Michigan’s philanthropic lawful poker gambling facilities, such as MI State Rep. Jeff Farrington, are calling for more moderate measures. Instead of imposing strict regulations on all real money poker betting, Farrington suggests the need for an improved framework. In fact, most proponents of MI State’s charitable gambling and poker betting endeavors believe that closing the real cash poker rooms will have a devastating effect on both the charities that rely on them for funding and the state’s unemployment rate.
In more promising news, Michigan recently confirmed that as of Q4 2014, its real money lottery gambling games will be available online [2]. Pollard Banknote and NeoGames will provide the state’s iLottery Internet gambling services, which are projected to generate nearly half-a-billion dollars in real cash betting revenue for the state of Michigan in its first eight years.
Online lotto services will only be available to inhabitants of the state of MI, and subject to a myriad of responsible gambling and betting guidelines – similar to those already in place in jurisdictions that have legalized online gambling and poker websites where gambling enthusiast can play legal Internet poker for real money.
Latest Michigan Poker News
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has proposed rule changes that would shut down all permanent charity poker rooms within the state’s borders.…
Can Players from Michigan Play Online Poker?
Given MI’s reputation as a relatively liberal state, it comes as little surprise that Michigan’s residents can register for a real cash poker account at all US poker websites in 2021. And although Michigan hasn’t officially regulated iGaming Internet poker for real money yet, there’s no reason why you can’t grind out real cash poker games, SNGs and MTTs from the comfort of your own bedroom or home office on top poker websites with Texas Hold’em games and other poker variants.
Is Online Poker Legal in Michigan?
Most states’ gambling and betting statues make no mention of online poker and playing at real money Internet poker websites, and Michigan’s legit Internet gambling laws prove no exception. Dense and at times contradictory, Michigan’s gambling and betting bylaws will likely confound the average reader. Which is why we’ve thoroughly dissected them; so you don’t have to before you play at online poker websites..
With that said, any serious Internet poker online grinder should talk to a legal authority versed in gambling and lawful poker website betting law before making a deposit on a US-facing poker website.
Listed below are several excerpts and explanations of Michigan’s gambling and betting law:
- Surprisingly, the penalties for running an illegal gambling or betting operation in Michigan are much more severe than in most states. According to Section 432.218: Conducting a gambling operation where wagering is used or to be used without a license issued by the board, is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in an MI prison or a fine of not more than $100,000, or both.
- Offering anything of value to a casino employee, including real cash, or anyone affiliated with a licensed gambling operator, in exchange for a preferred gambling outcome in any game including real money poker is also considered a felony.
- Gambling, as defined by Michigan law, is 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. Section 432.202(v).
- One could easily interpret this definition to include online poker and Internet poker betting for real money. However, in 2000 the state repealed a Senate Bill that made it specifically unlawful to use the Internet to violate certain provisions of Michigan’s anti-gambling and anti-poker websites laws. Contradictory, it seems.
- Winning gamblers suffer greater penalties than losing ones. According to Section 750.314, Any person who by playing at cards, dice, or any other game…wins or obtains any sum of real money or any goods, is subject to a misdemeanor if the real money, goods, or articles so won or obtained are of the value of not more than $50.00. If casino gambling or poker betting winnings exceed $50.00, the winner could serve one year in a MI jail.
- Social gambling is generally accepted, in so long as a rake is not taken in games like Texas Hold’em poker.
Considering the severity of Michigan’s gambling and betting laws, players are encouraged to never play live real money poker at an unlicensed facility and only at fully legal real cash poker gambling establishments.
To read more about the state’s gambling and poker betting statutes [3], please visit the “References” section.
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The Facts
The History of Gambling in Michigan
Michigan’s gambling and real cash poker story is significantly shorter than most. It first made its presence felt when MI Governor William Comstock passed a bill legalizing pari-mutuel real money betting. This measure was likely taken to counter the ill-effects of the Great Depression and bring the people of MI some enjoyment through light hearted gambling. However, at the present time no horse racing betting venues currently operate out of Michigan.
Gambling and betting was readdressed in 1972, when MI state voters elected to institute a statewide real cash lottery. Since that time, the lottery has become an enormous source of legal gambling revenue for the state of Michigan.
By the 1980s, largely due to the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the state’s multiple tribes began opening gambling facilities and real money poker betting card rooms within Michigan’s borders. Their ventures have proven widely successful, resulting in nearly two dozen casinos and lawful poker gambling rooms as of 2014.
In 1994, a Canadian casino and real cash poker room located on the border of Michigan opened its doors to the gambling public. This compelled Michigan legislators to open commercial casinos and poker betting rooms of their own, and by 1996 MI voters facilitated the passage of the Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act. The new bill allowed Michigan’s regulatory committee to oversee the construction of three Detroit-based casinos and legal poker destinations, the first of which opened in 1999. Also in the 1990s, charitable gaming – including real money poker gambling nights – was legalized.
In 1999, a law designed to disallow residents from gambling on Internet poker and other real money gambling websites was put into action. However, one year later it was amended to not include the term gambling. But by 2012, the state’s law enforcement authorities began cracking down on Internet cafes sponsoring online poker website sweepstakes and letting gambling citizens of MI log on to Internet poker websites. Attorney General Bill Schuette would go on record stating that MI citizens should steer clear of Internet sweepstakes cafes that are nothing more than unregistered, illegal casinos and Internet poker rooms [4]. By June 2012, nearly 60 of these alleged real cash poker sweepstakes cafes were shut down.
Regulated Gambling Options in Michigan
There is no shortage of regulated gambling and betting options in Michigan, including plenty of real money poker action. Along with Iowa, Michigan is the only state that permits all five major types of real-money wagering: pari-mutuel, charitable, lottery, commercial casinos, and tribal casinos. And whereas most major cities discourage the construction of casinos and real money poker betting rooms, Detroit is a Mecca of legit gambling activity. But no matter where in Michigan you live, a legal real cash poker room or casino is bound to be located somewhere nearby on the streets of MI.
There may be no regulation of online poker in Michigan, but a lot of residents play online at the poker room of their choice.
The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Michigan
Whether or not Michigan will toss its hat into the iGaming Internet poker arena is anyone’s guess. And even the best real money poker gambling fans probably wouldn’t want to be betting on that!
On the plus side, the state of Michigan relies on gambling and betting revenues from land-based real money poker games more than most, and has shown a willingness to bring certain facets of its gambling landscape – not real cash poker but namely the lottery – online and give it a legal Internet gambling website.
With that said, no iGaming Internet poker bill has been penned by Michigan’s state legislators. The status of a real money poker websites bill could very well change in 2021, as states like New Jersey continue to prove the viability of the regulated iGaming legal real cash Internet poker market. But it’s more likely that Michigan will wait and see what neighboring states Iowa and Illinois do before enacting Internet gambling legislation of its own.
Fun Fact
Two of the past five WSOP Main Event champions have hailed from Michigan. Joe Cada, the youngest real money poker champion ever, would defeat logger Darvin Moon for the title in 2009, while Ryan “the Beast” Riess would capture glory in 2013 at the real cash poker tables. Riess also earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University [5].
The Bottom Line
There will likely come a time when citizens of Michigan will be able to enjoy regulated online poker and sign up at legal MI real money poker websites. But like most good things, it may require patience.
In the most probable scenario, the success of iGaming and real cash Internet poker in a select few states will set off a domino effect, compelling upwards of a dozen more states, Michigan included, to pass Internet gaming and lawful poker website legislation of its own.
Michigan’s nearly 10 million residents could certainly sustain a healthy legal real money Internet poker community, similar to New Jersey’s. Here’s hoping that 2021 is the year the Wolverine State takes the plunge into the world of real cash poker website gambling!
References
[1] ↑The end of charity poker rooms in Michigan? State regulators eye even stricter rules
[2] ↑Michigan Confirms 2014 Online Lottery Launch
Can You Play Poker Online For Money In Michigan Right Now
[3] ↑MCL Chapter Index
[4] ↑Bedford Internet Café Closed; Charges Filed Against Pair
[5] ↑Ryan Riess – Wikipedia
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