Online Poker Michigan
Michigan has joined Nevada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey as the fifth state to offer legalized online poker in the United States. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a comprehensive gambling package into law back in 2019, and 2021 ushered in the first legal online gambling sites and poker rooms in Michigan. Top Michigan Online Poker Apps. Online poker became fully legal on December 20th 2019 when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4311-12, 4916-18, 4307 and 4308 into law. As a result, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act was introduced. Best Online Poker Sites for Michigan.
Michigan is officially the sixth U.S. State to legalize online poker. On December 20, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a package of bills that expanded the scope of online gaming, which included online poker. There's no better place to learn and play poker. Please note that real money play is only possible when physically located in the state of Michigan. The best poker tournaments. PokerStars is home to the best online poker events. Every year we run the best online tournament series in the world.
While regulated online gambling finally in Michigan finally kicked off on January 22, 2021, Michigan online poker was delayed for about a week. The first and thus far the only operator to launch an online poker room in Michigan is PokerStars MI.
However, this is all about to change. BetMGM is about to join the MI poker market in the very near future. The company has already acquired all necessary gaming licenses, and they went live with BetMGM Casino and BetMGM Sports earlier this year.
While the launch of poker is coming later, the operator now seems very eager to get involved. This does not come as a surprise, seeing how PokerStars MI has quickly become the largest regulated online poker room in the US in terms of the player traffic.
At this moment in time, it is still unclear what Roar Digital, the company representing interests of BetMGM Resorts and partypoker in the US, will use in Michigan. In New Jersey, it operates three separate brands: Borgata Pokerpartypoker NJ, and BetMGM NJ. All three are hosted on the same partypoker US Network and share the player liquidity.
However, pokerfuse understands that BetMGM could well be the only brand that launches online poker in Michigan, at least initially. Below, we have complied a list of frequently asked questions about a pending launch, and we will update it as new information comes to light.
Ahead of time, you can sign up to BetMGM Casino and get your account verified—plus take advantage of very generous bonuses. That way, they will be ready on Day 1 when the online poker room goes live.
- Best bonusUp to $1000 deposit match bonus in the casino.
- Top-rated slots and casino games.
- Operator slated to launch online poker in early 2021!
- Sign up today to so you’re verified and ready to hit the tables.
When Will BetMGM Poker Go Live in Michigan?
The operator is yet to come out with a definitive launch date for their online poker platform. We have it on the good authority that the launch is imminent, though, so you can expect to see BetMGM Poker MI go live in the very near future—possibly by the end of February 2021.
BetMGM could launch together with partypoker MI, adding two new online poker rooms, combining liquidity. However, this is far from assured. Borgata Poker, which is also on this shared network in New Jersey, will probably not be part of the launch, at least initially.
Do I Have to Be in the State of Michigan to Play on BetMGM?
Under the terms of their license, BetMGM can only allow players physically present in Michigan to play for real money. This is the case for all state-regulated rooms across the US, and BetMGM will not and cannot be exception from the rule.
The operator uses geo-location technology to determine the location of all players logging onto the platform and you will have to allow location tracking on your device to be able to play.
Will BetMGM Share the Player Pool With New Jersey?
If they launch in the near future as planned, BetMGM MI will start off by only allowing Michigan players to play against each other. However, plans are already in the works to change this and combine player pools as soon as legal requirements are met.
Michigan has already passed the law that makes it possible for poker rooms to share combine player pools across state borders, so BetMGM will likely jump at the opportunity as soon as it become available.
The US Court of Appeals recently issued the decision on the Wire Act, refuting a 2018 interpretation by the Department of Justice and clearing the way for interstate online poker compacts that are likely to come later this year.
What Welcome Bonus Will BetMGM Poker Michigan Will Offer?
Looking at the situation in New Jersey, players in Michigan can look forward to some nice bonuses to kick-start their adventure at BetMGM MI. There will likely be a no deposit bonus available to everyone as well as a fairly generous welcome bonus on the first deposit.
$25 Free with no deposit required
Looking at New Jersey, new players in Michigan will likely qualify for a $25 no deposit bonus. The offer is available to all registered and verified players and consists of:
- $10 in online cash, cashable after earning 1 iRewards Point (iRP).
- $15 in tournament dollars you can use to enter tournaments – winnings are yours to keep.
The offer might be tweaked slightly for the launch of BetMGM Poker MI, but it is likely that there will be some free money up for grabs when the site goes live.
100% up to $1000 on the First Deposit
The first deposit bonus is a generous one, offering a 100% match up to the maximum of $1000. In New Jersey, the first deposit had to be made within first seven days since opening the account, but we cannot say for certain if the same restriction will apply in Michigan.
The BetMGM Michigan poker bonus is released in 10% increments. For example, a $100 bonus will be released in ten equal $10 increments. To release the next portion of the welcome bonus, you will need to earn 20 times the amount of iRPs, which would be 200 in this particular example.
You will collect iRewards Points at the rate of 5.5 points for every $1 paid in rake at the cash tables or in tournament fees. In addition to using them to unlock bonuses, you can spend these points to purchase various items from the iRewards stores or even use them at various physical MGM Resorts.
Are There Any Other Interesting Promotions at BetMGM Poker?
The operator runs a variety of promotions throughout the year. There are cashback opportunities at cash tables, different sit and go leaderboards to participate in, and much more. Of course, it remains to be seen what kind of the promotional structure BetMGM Poker MI will roll out when they go live.
What Kind of Cash Game Tables Will BetMGM MI Offer?
BetMGM in New Jersey offers Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha and Omaha 8, as well as Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud 8. We expect players in Michigan will have access to the same variety of options.
Online Poker Michigan Reddit
As for the stakes, games start as low as $0.01/$0.02 and go all the way up to $25/$50, so there is a great range for players of all bankrolls and skill levels.
Will I be Able to Play FastForward on BetMGM Poker Michigan?
There is no reason to think that FastForward games will not be offered to MI players. They are available on the NJ client, so BetMGM MI is likely to feature them from the very start as well.
If you are new to BetMGM and the partypoker US network, fast-forward poker tables allow you to play more hands per hour as you can fold your cards as soon as you are dealt in and move on to the next hand without waiting for the action to get to you.
What Will BetMGM MI Offer to Tournament Players?
In New Jersey, the room offers a rather extensive schedule consisting of daily and weekly tournaments for every bankroll. Some of their flagship events include:
- The Daily $10K featuring a buy-in of $109 and the prize pool of at least $10,000
- Mega Tuesday guaranteeing $12,000 and sporting a large buy-in of $535
- The $35,000 Guaranteed Sunday tournament ($215 buy-in)
With the player traffic in Michigan so far being bigger than in any other regulated state, it stands to reason that BetMGM MI will come up with a schedule that corresponds—Michigan players could see more tournaments with bigger guarantees from launch.
How Can I Deposit Money into My BetMGM MI Account?
BetMGM Poker supports a variety of convenient deposit methods, so you should have no problems whatsoever in this regard. Based on deposit options available in BetMGM Casino Michigan it is safe to assume you’ll be able to use:
- Popular credit and debit cards (including Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover cards)
- Skrill
- Online banking
- ACH / e-check
- PayNearMe
- Casino cashier deposit
Like with other online poker rooms in the US, credit card transactions are very convenient, but can run into some problems as issuing banks often restrict gambling-related transactions. E-wallets are very quick and reliable, while depositing funds at the casino cashier is also convenient if you do not mind going to the casino in person.
What Are Withdrawal Options at BetMGM Poker Michigan?
Withdrawing money from your BetMGM Poker MI account is just as easy—the room will offer several convenient options to transfer funds, including:
- ACH
- Check by mail
- In-person withdrawals at the cashier
How Good is the BetMGM Software?
The desktop platform for BetMGM Poker is of the top quality and you will likely find that it answers all your needs as a poker player. In addition to the downloadable client, you can also play straight from your browser, which makes access to your account even easier.
The client makes it very easy to find the kind of games you are interested in playing, with cash games, MTTs, sit and goes, and fastforward games distributed into appropriate lobbies. The downloadable software is visually appealing and runs smooth on most desktop devices, and makes it easy to play multiple tables at the same time.
Will I be Able to Play BetMGM Poker MI on my Phone?
BetMGM offers standalone mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. To get started, you will need to visit the BetMGM site from your mobile device and select the appropriate state (Michigan).
- Select the relevant app (iOS or Android) and tap the download button.
- Android users might be asked to manually allow the installation to proceed.
- Once installed, launch the app and log in or register to start playing.
The mobile app, just like the desktop client, is powered by Entain (previously GVC Holdings), and it has been through numerous improvements in the recent years. Many issues have been fixed and the app has been tailored to better answer players’ needs for playing on the go.
Will I Need to Create a New Account for Online Poker?
If you already have an account with BetMGM MI for their other products, you will not need to create a new one for online poker. You will be able to use your existing account to access all the games on offer.
Latest News on BetMGM MI Poker:
Partypoker US Network and LearnWPT Launches Free Poker Strategy Learning Tool “For the Player”
Online poker players on Partypoker US Network, currently comprising BetMGM, Borgata Poker and Partpoker in New Jersey, can gain access to GTO-
BetMGM Michigan Poker FAQ
Find answers to all your questions about the imminent launch of BetMGM Poker in Michigan.
BetMGM Offering Big Game Promotions for Casino Players in Michigan and Pennsylvania this Weekend
To celebrate The Big Game on Sunday, BetMGM are laying on some lucractive promotions on the casino client.
Michigan Online Poker Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to the most important questions about legal real money online poker in the state of Michigan.
What You Need to Know About the Michigan iGaming Launch
Online casino and sports betting will be available in Michigan starting Friday January 22 at noon.
Take Advantage of These Free Bets and Bonuses Celebrating the Launch of BetMGM Sportsbook in Michigan
Sports bettors are always looking for an edge, so be sure to check out these sportsbook promotions.
BetMGM Casino in Michigan is Offering a Variety of Generous Promotions to Celebrate its Launch
The newly-launched Michigan online casino is offering players many chances to boost their bankrolls.
Michigan Online Casinos FAQ
Here you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) asked by players about online casinos in Michigan.
Michigan Online Gambling Starts Friday with Launch of Online Casino Games and Sports Betting
Online poker is not expected to be a part of the initial igaming launch in Michigan.
Time is Running Out to Claim BetMGM and BetRivers Michigan Pre-Registration Bonuses
Players can take advantage of these special bonuses before the launch of online casino and sportsbooks in Michigan.
Read more on BetMGM MI Poker »On 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..
Online Poker Michigan Sites
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.
- U. S. Poker Site
- Compatibillity
- Editor Rating
- Deposit Bonus
- Very player friendly
- Generous cashback
- Great mobile play
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
Online Poker Michigan Pokerstars
[2] ↑Michigan Confirms 2014 Online Lottery Launch
[3] ↑MCL Chapter Index
[4] ↑Bedford Internet Café Closed; Charges Filed Against Pair
[5] ↑Ryan Riess – Wikipedia
Related Pages:
Comments are closed.