michigan online sports betting

Saddle up, Michigan online sports betting and online casinos are set to launch on Friday, Jan. 22.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Tuesday that nine legal online betting operators may begin offering sports betting and casino gaming this Friday.

The official launch comes just over a year after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed online gaming legislation. Whitmer vowed to make online sports betting and online casino gaming a reality for Michigan when she was elected to office.

Friday represents a major milestone for the state of Michigan and the continued growth of online sports betting nationwide.

Click here to get a $100 early pre-registration bonus with FanDuel Michigan Sportsbook.

Which Michigan Online Sportsbook Will Be Live at Launch?

There are currently nine sportsbooks authorized to go live on Friday:

  • DraftKings
  • William Hill
  • Penn Sports Interactive/Barstool Sportsbook
  • TwinSpires Sportsbook
  • Golden Nugget Online Gaming
  • Rush Street
  • BetMGM/Roar Digital
  • FanDuel
  • Wynn

The welcomed announcement is a long time coming for sports fans and prospective bettors in Michigan. This sports betting legislation was passed in December of 2019, but the passage of a bill does not mean it goes into effect immediately. With several complexities involved with online gaming, the Michigan Gaming Control Board needed time to set up the rules and regulations that govern online sports betting.

Although mobile sports betting is brand new to Michigan, retail sportsbooks launched in March of 2020. Laying the groundwork for sports betting throughout the state will help ensure that online sports betting has a smooth rollout. Of course, the outbreak of COVID-19 put a damper on last year’s brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, but Friday will not be the first time bettors could place sports wagers in Michigan.

In fact, the spread of COVID-19 and the economic stress it’s putting on Michigan actually helped to expedite the turnaround for Michigan online sports betting. Launching online gaming became a priority in Michigan for two reasons.

To begin, the tax revenue generated will help give the state a significant boost during these difficult economic times. And it’s also worth noting that allowing for online sports betting and casino gambling ensures that people can gamble from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Again, the retail sportsbooks in Michigan are fantastic, but some feel more comfortable placing wagers from their mobile device or computer.

Michigan Online Sports Betting Pre-Launch Bonuses

With Michigan online sports betting set to go live on Friday, there is still time to take advantage of pre-launch bonuses at various sportsbooks. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers have some of the best registration bonuses around.

DraftKings Michigan $200 Pre-Launch Bonus

Users who pre-register with DraftKings Michigan can grab $200 in bonuses to use as soon as Friday. New users will get $100 in free bets to use on the sportsbook and another $100 to use on the casino. This is a risk-free way to start playing (and winning) on DraftKings Michigan.

Click here to get a $200 pre-registration bonus with DraftKings Sportsbook.

FanDuel Michigan $100 Early Registration Bonus

FanDuel Michigan is another industry leader who is going to be involved in the Great Lake State from the get-go. Early registrants can grab $100 in free bets in addition to the $1,000 in risk-free bets that FanDuel Michigan will offer to all new users.

Click here to get a $100 early pre-registration bonus with FanDuel Sportsbook.

BetRivers Michigan’s $50 Free Bonus

BetRivers Michigan, which is run by Rush Street Interactive, has a local partnership with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. They are on the list of authorized providers of online sports betting in Michigan and they are ready to hit the ground running with $50 in free bets for early registration.

Click here to get a $50 pre-registration bonus with BetRivers Michigan.

NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.