Michigan Gaming Control Board authorizes online gaming and sports betting

19 January 2021

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Michigan Gaming Control Board today authorized nine operators to begin online sports betting or both online gaming and sports betting at noon on Friday, 22 January.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board and the state’s commercial and tribal casinos will begin a new era Jan. 22 with the launch of regulated online gaming and sports betting,” said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director. “Michigan residents love sports and, judging by inquiries we’ve received, eagerly anticipate using mobile devices to place bets through the commercial and tribal casinos. Online gaming and sports betting will provide the casinos with new ways to engage with customers while the state and local communities will benefit from taxes and payments on wagering revenue.”

The operators authorized to begin online offerings 22 January are:

Tribe or Casino/Associated Platform Provider/Gaming Type offered on 22 January

Bay Mills Indian Community/DraftKings/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians/William Hill/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

Greektown Casino Hotel/Penn Sports Interactive Barstool Sportsbook/Internet Sports Betting

Hannahville Indian Community/TwinSpires/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community/Golden Nugget Online Gaming/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians/Rush Street/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

MGM Grand Detroit Casino/BetMGM Roar Digital/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

MotorCity Casino/FanDuel/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians/Wynn/Internet Casino Games and Internet Sports Betting

The days between authorization and launch will give the operators and platform providers additional time for testing and adjustments before the gaming goes live, Kalm said.

The MGCB expects to authorize additional operators and platform providers in the coming days and weeks as agency staff review other submissions to ensure they meet the state’s regulatory requirements. Controls to ensure safety and fairness for bettors have been key concerns for the MGCB.

“We want the public to have confidence when they place wagers, and our agency has required the providers to prove they meet Michigan’s standards, which are designed to protect the participants,” Kalm said.

Taxes and Payment Rates

The tax and payment rate for online sports betting is 8.4 percent. The tax and payment rate for internet gaming ranges from about 20 percent to 28 percent.

The Detroit casinos also may be required to pay a municipal services fee and a development agreement payment to the city of Detroit.

Tax Allocations

For the Detroit casinos, online sports betting and internet gaming taxes are allocated:
  • 30 percent to the city of Detroit
  • 5 percent to the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund (up to $3 million per year from each tax source)
  • 65 percent to the state Internet Sports Betting Fund or the state Internet Gaming Fund
For internet gaming, a hold-harmless provision seeks to help the city recoup lost gaming tax revenue if the city of Detroit collects less than $183 million in a fiscal year.

For the tribal casinos:
  • Online Sports Betting: Payments by tribes are allocated to the Internet Sports Betting Fund (90 percent) and the Michigan Strategic Fund (10 percent)
  • Internet Gaming: Payments by tribes are allocated 20 percent to local jurisdiction governing body for services, 70 percent to the state Internet Gaming Fund and 10 percent to the Michigan Strategic Fund.
Internet Sports Betting Fund/Internet Gaming Fund

Other money collected under these acts will be used for:
  • Appropriated funding for MGCB
  • The Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund ($500,000 annually after board expenditures)
  • The First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund ($2 million after board expenditures and compulsive gambling fund)
  • The State School Aid Fund (all money remaining after the above expenditures)

Related Links
Ranked Online Casinos
Ranked Online Sportsbooks
Michigan Gaming Control Board
Michigan Bureau of State Lottery
TwinSpires Site Details
FanDuel Site Details
DraftKings Site Details
MGM Resorts International Gaming Vendor Information
Penn Entertainment
Hollywood Casino at Greektown Details
MGM Grand Detroit Casino Details
MotorCity Casino Details

Featured Vendors
Casino Schedule Ease
Imagine This
Casino Schedule Ease
Full Featured & customizable for the complex scheduling needs of table games & other casino depts
Imagine This
Imagine This #1 Source for Player Gifts. Over $50 million in stock ready to ship! Let us serve you!
Players Pal
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Players Pal
Revolutionize the way you connect with your casino players with the Players Pal mobile app
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Your one stop shop for all your gaming and OEM needs!
TribalHub
Texas Slots & Gaming
TribalHub
26th Annual TribalNet Conference Sept 15-18, 2025 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada
Texas Slots & Gaming
Wholesale gaming reimagined. Texas Slots & Gaming is your sustainable gaming partner.
Casino Network
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Casino Network
20+ years experience selling refurbished slot machines, parts & glass for all major brands
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Over 45 years of experience serving the legal and regulatory needs of casino industry clients
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
The biggest little show in Indian gaming! Save the date: July 14-16, 2025 Tulsa, Oklahoma
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Improve Your Odds of Success: Trust in REDW’s Tribal Casino Operations & Audit Experts!
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Prezzee
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Specializing in the creation of best-of-breed gaming graphics - slot glass, sign faces, and more
Prezzee
Prezzee provides digital gift cards from top brands to reward loyal guests and employees.
Casino City Press
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Casino City Press
A leading publisher and distributor of casino and gaming business data and market research reports.
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Leader in creating award winning player & employee loyalty programs & events proven to increase ROI
Shenzhen ZhengYuanTai Technology Co., Ltd.
Slot Machines Unlimited
Shenzhen ZhengYuanTai Technology Co., Ltd.
14 years experienced gaming display manufacturer: open frame, curved, and halo monitors
Slot Machines Unlimited
Exporter of IGT, Williams, AVP, Trimline, Aristocrat, Konami, Bally, & parts over 20 yrs experience


Your Guide to 14,931 Gaming Industry Suppliers