Michigan now has a few years of legalized sports betting under its belt.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s the Lawful Gaming Act in December 2019. The Wolverine State offered its first legal retail sports bet in March 2020 and its first legal online sports bet in January 2021.
While those are meaningful milestones, the state’s enforcement actions in 2024 may be more significant. This year, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) significantly improved the sports betting landscape, not just in Michigan but across the nation.
Unlike many other countries, the U.S. has few federal gambling regulations, leaving the states to tackle enforcement and protection on their own. Offshore companies prey on the U.S., counting on the resource limitations at the state level to keep them in business. But that didn’t deter Michigan.
Michigan was the first state to take on Curaçao-based Bovada. After its cease-and-desist letter was successful in getting the offshore operator to restrict Michigan residents from wagering on its site, other states followed suit.
Michigan Sports Betting: 2024 Highlights
Jan. 20: Michigan kicked off the year by sending cease-and-desist letters to three gaming companies operating illegally in the state. The MGCB determined that PredictionStrike, Stake.us, and VGW were violating the Lawful Gaming Act, the Lawful Sports Betting Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
Feb. 8: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer earmarked $1.9 million in the state’s fiscal 2025 budget to battle illegal sports betting.
Feb. 20: Caesars acquired WynnBet’s online casino and sports betting license in Michigan. In addition, Caesars signed a long-term extension to gain iGaming market access rights with Michigan’s Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Feb. 22: Fanatics launched in Michigan with its sportsbook and casino platforms, following its 2023 purchase of PointsBet.
April 24: ESPN BET launched its first retail sportsbook in Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The sportsbook would roll out its sports betting app in Michigan in late 2023.
May 28: The MGCB approved Caesars World Series of Poker to launch its multi-state online poker platform. As part of its launch, Caesars announced a three-state summer poker series between Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. In May 2022, Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, allowing Michigan online poker players to join with players in other jurisdictions, including Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
May 30: The MGCB issued a cease-and-desist letter to the unlicensed sports betting and iGaming operator, Bovada, threatening the Curaçao-based provider with legal action.
May 30: The American Gaming Association (AGA) applauded Michigan’s crack down on offshore sportsbooks and encouraged other states to follow suit. The eventual success of Michigan’s legal strategy did, indeed, lead more states to follow suit.
July 17: The MGCB defended its efforts to combat illegal gambling within the state.
Oct. 4: The MGCB issued cease-and desist letters to Costa Rica-based Ace23 and Ace Per Hand and Israeli-based Papaya Gaming.
Oct. 7: Caesars Entertainment launched Horseshoe Online Casino in Michigan. Caesars subsequently launched the app in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ontario.
Nov. 6: The MGCB approved BetMGM to share liquidity for multi-state internet poker games between Michigan and New Jersey. BetMGM became the third online poker provider in Michigan authorized to offer multi-state action.
Michigan Sports Betting: Where Things Stand
Michigan has done a lot of things right. It has a vibrant, competitive sports betting and gaming industry. It is striving to protect both its providers and residents from illegal operators. It has even improved the popularity and traffic for online poker operators with the introduction of shared, multi-state liquidity.
Business was strong from a handle perspective in 2024, as well. Through October, more than $4.2 billion had been wagered within the state, putting Michigan well on pace to surpass the $4.81 billion it took in last year. The State is also pacing to set annual records in gross revenue ($389 million) and hold rate (9.2%).
Michigan Sports Betting: What's Next?
Based on Michigan’s Fiscal 2025 budget, we can expect Michigan to continue its enforcement efforts. By doing so, it should create an environment conducive to the continued growth of legalized sports betting and iGaming in the state. As a result, Michigan may prevent smaller operators from dropping out, which has started to impact the competitive landscape in other states.
Michigan Sports Betting: Notes and Quotes
AGA president and CEO Bill Miller on Michigan's efforts to combat offshore betting:
"The Michigan Gaming Control Board’s decisive action highlights that states have the power to protect their residents from predatory, offshore gambling sites and is another import step in winning the battle against the illegal market. The AGA applauds the MGCB’s leadership against bad actors like Bovada and urges other states to follow Michigan’s lead."
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams on Michigan's legislative intentions:
"If people choose to ignore the law and don’t do what’s legal, we’re going to find them and hold them accountable for their actions. In Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board has made it a priority to do everything we can to protect our state’s citizens from illegal gambling market operators and our legitimate gaming industry from being tarnished by its illegal counterparts. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal gaming activities."
