When will Michigan online casinos launch?

Obviously, the big question on everyone’s mind is the launch date for Michigan casinos. While we don’t have a definite day and time for the debut, we do have a pretty good idea about it.

Michigan online casinos could launch in Jan. 2021. Given the fact that the Michigan Gaming Control Board has encouraged regulators and operators to move forward as quickly as possible, the board is trying to finalize regulations as quickly as possible.

Michigan online casino app launch dates

We don’t know for sure which operator will be the first to cut its virtual ribbon. However, we do have a pretty good idea about which online casinos will comprise the first wave to offer games to Michiganders through their phones and computers.

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Michigan law requires that online casino operators partner with an existing land-based casino in Michigan in order to enter into business in the state. Several operators have already developed those relationships, which indicates that they plan to come to Michigan at some point.

Of those companies, there are several that have proven to be early adopters in other states with online casinos, so it’s a pretty good bet that they will repeat the same pattern in Michigan.

Online CasinoLicense holderTech partnerProjected launch
BetMGM CasinoMGM Grand DetroitGVCEarly 2021
BetRivers CasinoLittle River Band of the Ottawa IndiansKambiWhen permitted
DraftKings CasinoBay Mills Indian CommunityN/AEarly 2021
FanDuel CasinoMotorCity CasinoScientific GamesEarly 2021
Hollywood CasinoGreektown CasinoKambiEarly 2021
PokerStars CasinoLittle Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa IndiansN/AEarly 2021
William Hill CasinoGrand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa IndiansN/AWhen permitted
Wynn CasinoSault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa IndiansGANWhen permitted
BetAmerica CasinoHannahville Indian CommunityGAN/KambiEarly 2021
Golden Nugget CasinoKeweenaw Bay Indian CommunityScientific GamesEarly 2021
Parx CasinoGun Lake TribeN/AEarly 2021
PointsBet CasinoLac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa IndiansN/AEarly 2021
TBD/FireKeepers CasinoNottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi IndiansScientific GamesEarly 2021
TBD/Four Winds CasinoPokagon Band of Potawatomi IndiansKambiEarly 2021
TBD/Soaring Eagle CasinoSaginaw Chippewa Indian TribeN/AEarly 2021

Also, it’s a good bet that Caesars Online Casino will show up in Michigan, too. Although the casino giant does not have a Michigan-based partner yet, it is not going to miss out on the party in the Great Lake State.

At any rate, if we had to guess, we’d estimate that the first online casino(s) to launch in Michigan will be BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and/or Golden Nugget Casino.

It is also worth keeping an eye on some New Jersey online casino operators who did not get into Pennsylvania but could be eyeing Michigan, such as Tropicana, Virgin, and 888. While the Michigan tiered tax rate on online gambling is not insubstantial, running from 20%-28%, it is still markedly lower than the 54% slot tax in PA, making the state more viable to operators.

What you can expect from online casinos in Michigan

Some of the operators listed above are familiar to most people. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand who BetMGM, DraftKings or FanDuel are.

However, you may not know some of the other names. Additionally, you may not be familiar with all the details about BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel, either. To that end, below are quick rundowns about several top operators that we expect to debut in Michigan soon.

DraftKings Casino

  • Review:DraftKings Casino Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020

Over the past few years, DraftKings has expanded far beyond its somewhat humble roots as a daily fantasy sports provider. The company is set to launch in Michigan sometime in 2020 through a deal with the Bay Mills Indian Community.

The key feature that sets DraftKings apart is its software. Not many apps will move with the speed and fluidity that you will find on DraftKings. You will also find some unusual games and offerings with DraftKings Casino.

Few sites can match the variants of blackjack it has available, and there are several other games that you don’t regularly see, like DJ Wild Stud Poker, Dream Catcher and Wheely Wheely Big Win.

Of course, DraftKings has a sports focus, even in its casino. Many of the table games and slots you find will have sports themes, so you’ll never forget where you’re playing.

FanDuel Casino

  • Review:FanDuel Casino Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020

FanDuel is another name that is best known for its daily fantasy sports offerings. In fact, the company was a pioneer in that space, so it’s a little surprising to see how much the folks at FanDuel have expanded in the past few years. Now, the FanDuel Casino is on its way to Michigan courtesy of a partnership with MotorCity Casino in Detroit. Like many competitors, FanDuel is aiming to launch in Michigan before 2020 expires.

FanDuel distinguishes itself through quality over quantity in its casino offerings. Although there are fewer games than at some other sites, there are exclusive titles and content that you cannot find elsewhere.

Needless to say, there is also a great deal of integration onsite with the other functions that FanDuel offers. You can move back and forth between casino and sports betting with the same wallet in a matter of seconds.

BetMGM Casino

  • Review:BetMGM Casino Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020

BetMGM is the online casino wing of MGM Resorts International, one of the largest casino operators in the world. Unsurprisingly, BetMGM is partnering with MGM Grand Detroit in Michigan. We are projecting that BetMGM will launch in November 2020.

The MGM online casino app is easy to use. It features 75 slot titles and a full slate of table games. Navigating the site is both is extremely intuitive.

In addition, the MGM loyalty program, MLife, is both available and active on the BetMGM Casino app. You can earn free play, comps and perks at MGM locations (including at MGM Grand Detroit) simply through your play. Some perks can include items like hotel stays, food vouchers and show tickets at MGM properties. Higher tiers in MLife also get preferred seating for MGM restaurants and get to skip the line.

Obviously, we don’t know exactly what bonus BetMGM has in store for its new Michigan clients. Rest assured, however, that there will be plenty of money flying around.

Golden Nugget Casino

  • Review:Golden Nugget Casino Michigan
  • Casino Launch Date: Late 2020

Golden Nugget Online is the online offering from the casino chain of the same name and is one of the most successful online casinos in the US. It has partnered with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Michigan and is expected to launch sometime in early 2021.

Golden Nugget’s online casino features one of the most diverse sets of games that you’re likely to find online. It has more than a hundred slot titles and more than two dozen table games ready for you to play.

Like most big online casinos, Golden Nugget offers a rewards program to incentivize return visits from its players. The Golden Rewards Club has a very simple system — earn points, and trade those points for more cash to play.

Best of all, there’s nothing you have to do in order to join. Every Golden Nugget player is automatically a member, so once Golden Nugget comes to Michigan, you can start earning points right away.

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PokerStars Casino

  • Review:PokerStars Casino Michigan
  • Casino Launch Date: Late 2020

PokerStars is not a name you associate with online casino play. However, the worldwide leader for online poker also maintains quite a respectable roster of games for you to choose from. PokerStars will enter Michigan in partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and could very well launch before the end of 2020.

As it happens, PokerStars Casino has an excellent selection of table games that you can play. Few other online casinos will match the level of diversity that you will find in that department. One of the great things about PokerStars and the situation in Michigan, however, is the seamless integration between its casino, poker and sportsbook functions. It is quite simple to move back and forth between the different types of gambling, so you don’t have to feel as though you’re locked into a single game.

PokerStars also maintains a rewards program and awards players with StarsCoin for their wagers onsite. You can redeem your rewards for onsite benefits like online poker tournament tickets, cash refunds and PokerStars-branded merchandise.

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Caesars / William Hill Casino

  • Review:William Hill Casino Michigan / Caesars Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020

William Hill is a company best known for its sportsbooks. No other company has more active betting shops in Nevada, for instance, than William Hill. So, it’s a bit surprising that the UK-based company wants to enter Michigan as a casino provider. However, a deal with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and ChippewaIndians says it does, and we could see a William Hill Casino in Michigan as soon as it can hammer out the licensing details. It could launch as Caesars, although will most likely be William Hill.

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William Hill’s offering proves that it is no slouch with casino gambling, either. There are tons of slots, video poker, table games and other types of games available for play onsite. William Hill also features a deep loyalty program for its guests. Playing onsite earns you both complimentary points and William Hill points. Complimentary points are exchangeable for cash rewards and site credits. William Hill points determine your tier level and can result in discounted complimentary point exchanges, faster withdrawals and other perks that make life on William Hill Casino easier.

PointsBet Casino

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  • Review: PointsBet Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020

PointsBet is an Australian operator that may not be familiar to many casual gambling fans in Michigan. However, the company has made a big splash in the American market in the past couple of years, and its star is certainly on the rise. It is partnered with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Michigan and hopes to launch by the end of 2020.

PointsBet’s main business is its sportsbook. However, PointsBet is coming to Michigan with an online casino in the near future. There will be slots and table games galore on the site, along with plenty of generous promos.

PointsBet does offer a simple rewards system for its players. The more you play, the more rewards points you earn to spend onsite.

BetRivers Casino

  • Review:BetRivers Casino Michigan
  • Casino launch date: TBD

BetRivers Casino is the online casino arm for Rush Street Interactive. Rush Street is primarily centered in the northeastern US and owns the Rivers brand of casinos. BetRivers Casino will enter Michigan in cooperation with the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians as soon as it can secure a license. Given BetRivers’ propensity to enter other states early, it probably won’t be long.

BetRivers Casino is one of the smoothest online casinos that you will find in Michigan. The sleek, streamlined design makes navigation easy and intuitive to do. Furthermore, very few casinos can match the sheer number of games and types of games that you’ll find on BetRivers. The catalog is extensive, and you will be best served if you use the dropdown menus to sort the pack of games a bit.

Hollywood / Barstool Casino

  • Review:Hollywood Casino Michigan / Barstool Michigan
  • Casino launch date: Late 2020 / Early 2021

Hollywood Casino is the online brand for gambling powerhouse Penn National Gaming. The company owns and/or operates casinos throughout the US. It is the operating company for the Greektown Casino in Detroit, so needless to say, it did not have to go looking for a partnership. Hollywood Casino should launch in Michigan before the end of 2020. If not Hollywood, then a Barstool Casino.

The casino site itself offers a decent roster of games for players to enjoy. There are roughly 100 slot titles, including games from IGT and NetEnt. There are also licensed titles from WMS and Everi. Hollywood also features a few table games to enjoy.

Michigan online casino apps

Mobile gaming is quickly becoming the most popular type of online gambling. That means that in addition to the browser-based online casino you can access from a mobile device or computer, Michigan online casino sites will also release iPhone and Android gambling apps.

These online casino apps will likely feature a similar navigation system as the browser-based casino website. It’s just that the apps often don’t have the full selection of games. The mobile-friendly versions you can download to a smartphone or tablet do feature full account management and cashier functionality. Plus, the graphics are held on your phone, meaning most of the games they do have will initiate faster.

iPhone or iPad users will find the casino apps by visiting the Michigan casino and clicking on the Apple logo. Android users will have to download the app directly from the casino’s website.

Online casino bonuses and no deposit offers

From the moment they open their virtual doors, the best Michigan casinos will be giving away free play to players to get them gambling.

Expect Michigan online casino sites to award this free play to new and existing players in a variety of ways, including:

  • No deposit bonuses: Much like they sound, no deposit bonuses are cash awards online casinos give players just for signing up for an account. No deposit is required. These are usually relatively small and come with a wagering requirement attached so that new players can’t just take the money and run.
  • Cash rebates: Cash rebates are like insurance policies online casinos give new players. Gamble with a limited amount of funds in your first week or so on a site, and if you lose, the casino will give you your money back. Win and never look back.
  • First deposit bonus: Deposit bonuses come in two forms. Online casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your first deposit with them. Or the casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your next deposit with them. Either way, there are wagering requirements attached so that you can’t just pocket the money. Regardless, these deposit bonuses can be some of the most lucrative you’ll find.
  • Free spin bonuses: Online casinos can offer free play in the form of free spins on specified slot machines as an incentive for signing up with a site. Take your free spins while you can get them, win big, turn nothing into something and never look back.

Loyalty rewards and comp programs

Online casino ads are often focused on attracting new players with no deposit and first deposit bonuses. It kind of makes you wonder if the online casinos in Michigan will be doing anything to retain their existing loyal customer base once the newness of online gambling wears off a bit.

Like land-based casinos, real money casinos in Michigan will offer player loyalty programs aimed at retaining existing customers by rewarding loyalty. The more you play, the more you earn.

You should be able to convert loyalty points into free play at Michigan online casinos. Plus, since the online casinos are all tied to land-based casino properties in the state, you should be able to convert your points into various rewards at the brick and mortar locations, as well. Some of the larger casino corporations may even make their lucrative land-based loyalty programs available online in Michigan.

You need to be in Michigan to play online games

The Michigan law includes language that requires online casino players to be in the state when they play. You don’t have to be a resident to sign up for an account, but you have to be inside state lines when you do decide to play.

Michigan online casinos are going to more than just take your word for it. Since the law makes it their responsibility to make sure players are where they say they are, online casinos will employ geolocation to ensure their players are inside Michigan’s borders.

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Basically, geolocation is a positioning system used to pinpoint a player’s coordinates. It does this mostly by tracking the player’s IP address and triangulating his or her Wi-Fi signal. There’s really no getting around geolocation technology. No IP masking software or VPN will help. That’s why Michigan online casinos will employ geolocation technology to make sure online casino players are in Michigan when they play.

Free or real money games, the choice is yours

If you’ve ever been to a retail casino, you know that there’s nothing for free. You have to pay for everything. Even the free craps lessons the casino offers come with the hope that you’ll fork over some cash later on in the day when you’re trying out your new “skills.”

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However, it is possible to play most slot titles and table games on online casinos for absolutely nothing. Nearly every game you encounter will ask you if you’d like to play the demo mode or for real money.

If you choose to play the demo mode, the casino will take you to the actual game you would play for real dollars. In most cases, the only functionality that you might not be able to enjoy is a progressive jackpot. Instead, the casino will provide you with a certain amount of play money to use on the machine or game. This amount is usually $1,000 or so, and you can bet however you like.

Your play money amount will almost always disappear when you close out the game. So don’t feel as though you have to conserve your resources. Instead, use this money to enjoy the game as much as you can. If you run out of chips, simply reload the game, and they will replenish.

Naturally, you can always choose to play casino games for real money if you click on the title in the lobby. However, even if you want to use the demo version to get your feet wet, most online casinos will keep a button prominently displayed that will switch you to the real money version instantly.

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The ability to use a demo mode is a win-win for both player and casino. As a player, you can use the demo mode to figure out all the ins and outs of a game and whether or not you like to play it. The casino doesn’t mind, since it costs nothing to run and may lead to your investment of actual cash.

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So don’t be afraid to play for free on MI online casinos. If you decide that it’s all too overwhelming after you’ve played, that’s fine. However, you might find a game or two that you like.