The legal online poker Michigan market is still growing so now is a great time to jump in. With the growth comes more players at the tables which means more opportunities to win. Below we have listed the best MI online poker sites operating right now. ... If you want to play poker online in Michigan, all you need to do is pick one of these sites and sign up. The process only takes a few minutes.
Best Legal Michigan Online Poker Sites 2023
To take part in the action and play online poker in Michigan just pick an operator from the list above. These are the top-rated poker rooms that have been legally authorized by the state’s gaming regulator – the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
Just to be clear, the MGCB is the main regulatory body for all forms of gambling in the Wolverine State. It was set up in 1996 and its main purpose is to oversee the day to day operations of Michigan casinos. However, since sports betting and online gaming were legalized in 194, the MGCB has begun to extend its reach.
As you would expect, the MGCB imposes strict regulations on all licensed operators. This means all your personal and financial information is stored on secure servers. It also means your money is stored in segregated bank accounts. This means it will always be there when you want to withdraw it.
Furthermore, all games and software have to be tested by third party agencies to ensure they are working within acceptable parameters. This means there is no such thing as fixed poker games in Michigan.
In summary, if you use one of the legal Michigan poker sites in this guide, you can rest assured your experience will be safe, fair, and regulated.
Current Bonuses and Promotions at the Best Michigan Poker Rooms
Here’s a look at some of the welcome bonuses and promotional offers currently available at the leading . As you can see, they offer a mix of matched welcome bonuses and free deployment bonuses:
- — $50 free deck (no deposit needed); 100% matched welcome bonus (up to $600).
- — $30 free deck (no deposit needed); 100% match worth up to $600.**
- — $30 free deck (no deposit needed); 100% deposit match (up to $600).
- — $30 free decks (no deposit needed); 100% matched welcome bonus (up to $600).
As well as getting free decks or cashback when you first join, you can also earn points every time you play real money . Operators such as run regular series of tournaments where you can use your accrued MDTs to buy into events.
You should also become part of the loyalty program as soon as you start playing. As you generate more rake, you climb through the various tiers and unlock extra benefits such as faster reward points accumulation and access to exclusive freerolls. Towards the top of each operator’s loyalty scheme is an invitation-only VIP tier. If you make it to this level, you can enjoy tailored rewards based on your individual preferences. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get rewarded when you , so check out our to learn more about what each site has to offer.
How Do I Choose the Right Site?
At the moment, there aren’t dozens of to choose from. In fact, at the time of writing in November 2023, there are only five operators offering : BetMGM, Caesars, Galaxy, PokerStars MI, and WSOP/888poker. So really, you don’t have much of a choice. However, this situation might change fairly quickly.
When more legal MI poker sites come online, choosing the right one for you will be more difficult. However, the process won’t be any different to finding the best anywhere else in the world. You need to consider factors such as player traffic, tournament options, and cash game availability.
Another factor to consider is payment options. Some people prefer certain eWallets or credit cards, so you need to check which processing services each site supports. Fortunately, all the legal Michigan poker sites in this guide accept a wide range of banking methods.
It is also important to think about bonuses and promotions. All the brands mentioned above give you extra value for money when you join. However, some offers are better than others. We therefore recommend reading the terms and conditions very carefully to establish which promos are right for you.
Finally, you should try to work out how easy it is to clear your bonus. This will enable you to evaluate how long your initial deposit will last. The last thing you want to do is run out of funds very quickly. To be clear, it is possible to cancel or transfer bonuses between accounts at some sites, but this is not ideal. It is far better to find a network that suits you and stick with it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Poker in MI
There are pros and cons to playing poker for money online in Michigan. When you compare it to other states, there are not that many players spread across five networks, and volume can be limited at some games and times.
However, the fact Michigan shares player pools with other states – -, and Canada – consists of thousands of players, and volumes easily triple during . This enables you to play around the clock and against a diverse group of opponents.
When compared to playing live in Michigan, online poker has numerous advantages:
Pros
- Speed: Games start as soon as they are filled, whereas live games often overrun because one or more tables are empty.
- Stakes: There are loads of low and mid-stakes games online, and you can find high stakes action if that’s your thing. Live in Michigan, options are more limited.
- Bonuses: can offer bigger and better bonuses than their bricks and mortar counterparts. This is because online operators acquire very little in the way of overheads, and bonuses are one area they can spend marketing dollars.
Cons
- Juice: Online rake is sometimes higher than live rakes in Michigan. That obviously eats into your profits and long-term, this could prove expensive.
- Taxes: When you play live poker in Michigan, you only pay taxes on your profits if you’re a professional player. As of January 2023, amendments to House Bill 4308 mean everyone has to pay income tax on their online winnings, regardless of whether they’re amateur or pro players. This law applies to both live and online poker winnings.
Overall, the advantages of playing online outweigh the disadvantages, especially when you find a good promotion. Indeed, if you combine a good bonus with effective with lower rake, and offset some of your taxes by claiming your online poker loss carryforwards when you file your tax return, you should be able to minimize your outgoings and maximize your profits.
Most Popular Pokies in Australia - #4 Might Surprise YouTypes of Legal Poker Games in Michigan
Now online poker is established in the state, there are plans to introduce HB 4308. This bill allows operators to share players across state borders. A prime example of this is PokerStars MI, which shares players with PokerStars in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan. At peak times, there are more than 1,500 players spread across these three states, and this number swells to more than 2,500 during major events like .
By sharing players, can offer more games, better prizes, and bigger guarantees. Michigan online poker players can now compete in high quality MICOOP Main Events for $500, for example, rather than having to play separate $20,000 events in each state.
When Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer lifted the state of emergency in June 2021, it paved the way for bilateral agreements. Since then, the following networks have linked up:
Michigan Interactive Compete (MICOOP)
- PokerStars MI, PA, NJ: These three networks came together in November 2021. Initially, PokerStars MS, NJ, and PA shared players during the Microgaming Network Championships (MICOs), but the series has now been rebranded as the MICOOP to reflect the addition of Michigan.
No other link-ups have been confirmed yet, but there are strong rumors that WSOP.com MI and may soon merge. This would create a surge in traffic, particularly during major tournaments such as the . It would also allow players to use their to move up stakes on connected networks.
For now though, Michigan poker laws only allow for players to share games during freerolls and major tournaments. This is a shame, but it does help boost the number of players during . If and when WSOP.com MI and join forces with Ignition Casino, we may see more shared watermarks, but nothing will happen unless it is approved by the MGCB.
Available Game Formats
Regardless of which online poker sites in Michigan you join, you will be able to play a variety of popular formats. Fastfold and standard cash games are available, and there are sit & go battles at each operator. Tournament series also run on a weekly and monthly basis, and there are major Michigan online poker events to look forward to.
Texas Hold’em
As you would expect, the most popular format across all legal Michigan online poker rooms is Texas Hold’em. You can play everything from €1 cash games to €300 tournament freezeouts when holdem is your format of choice.
Omaha
Pot Limit Omaha (PIO8) is less popular than Hold’em, but there are still plenty of games running at all hours. Cash games stretch from €0.10/€0.20 up to €5/€10, and there are several PLO tournament options every day.
Mix It Up
If you fancy something a little different, you can occasionally find Seven Card Stud, Razz, HORSE, and 2-7 Triple Draw games. However, these tend to be niche options, so you may have to wait for a beat to get a seat.
Stakes and Levels
The stakes vary depending on the game type, but there is a comprehensive array of limits to suit all bankrolls. Even the newest MI online poker sites have busy €0.01/€0.02 cash games, and there are occasional €10 tournaments. At the top end of the scale, PokerStars hosts regular €5+€0.50 $215 semi-deep stack tournaments, and there’s a $1,060 High Roller weekly. You can see a full breakdown of the stakes below:
MI Freerolls and Low Stakes Tournaments
Most days there are dozens of low stakes tournaments. Buy-ins range from €1 (roughly $1.40) up to €10 ($13), and prizepools regularly exceed £20,000 ($26,000). Rebuy tournaments tend to cost between €5 ($6.50) and €50 ($65), and they usually have guarantees worth between £2,000 and £8,000. Satellites feed into most of these events, and tickets cost between €1 and €30.
It is, however, the that are the pick of the low stakes tournament options. These three-day events run three times a year, and they cost €200, making them affordable for mid-stakes players. They attract fields of more than 1,000 players, and prizepools routinely exceed $1 million.
Rebuy tournaments tend to cost between €5 ($6.50) and €500 ($650), and they usually have guarantees worth between £2,000 and £8,000. Satellites feed into most of these events, and tickets cost between €1 and €30.
It is, however, the MI Championship (MICS) that are the pick of the low stakes tournament options. These three-day events (Hold’em, and PLO) run three times a year, and they cost €200, making them affordable for mid-stakes players. They attract fields of more than 1,000 players, and prizepools routinely exceed $1 million.
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As well as the MICOOP and MICS, leading Michigan online poker sites host their own special series, as well as World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet events. For example, PokerStars runs Winter Circuit, Spring Festival, Mini Online Championships (MOCOOPs), Sunday Special and Tursdai Tussle. GalaxyRoom also hosts regular series such as the Galaxy Championship of Poker (GALCOOP).
These series tend to feature Phased, Turbo, and Regular speed events. Buy-ins range from freerolls levels up to €1,050, and prizes frequently scale past the €150,000 mark. If that sounds like overkill, there’s no need to worry. As we’ve already discussed, there’s plenty of low and mid-stakes options available, and daily guarantees tend to range from £2,000 to £20,000.
Top Payment Methods at the Best Online Poker Sites in Michigan
When initially depositing into a and withdrawing funds afterwards, the easiest method is using , Visa or Mastercard. Most major credit cards are accepted at the legal Michigan poker sites listed on this page. Using a credit card makes it extremely easy to deposit and withdrawal - and most transactions are processed very fast. Other commonly accepted deposit methods include:
- PayNearMe
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Play+
- Vip Preferred
- ACH Bank Transfers
- PayPal
- Credit / Debit Cards
- PaySafeCard
- Chromean Payments
When requesting a withdrawal, your options might be slightly more limited. Direct ACH bank transfers and paper checks are usually available, and some operators send payments via courier, which is quite convenient. Processing times can vary. EWallets are usually credited within 24-48 hours, bank transfers can take two to five days, and checks can take a week.
But again, it’s worth stressing that withdrawals at the best legal online poker rooms in Michigan are safe and secure. As these operators are tightly regulated by the state of Michigan, all customer funds are held in secure, segregated bank accounts. This means your money is protected at all times.
Current Outlook and Future Regulations
As of January 2023, online poker in Michigan is thriving. Traffic isn’t as high as it is in , for example, but there’s enough liquidity to sustain daily low and mid-stakes cash games, and there’s always a major tournament happening. Moreover, when you link up players from Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the overall volume increases significantly.
There are also signs that more online poker sites in Michigan may launch in the near future. Legislation has already been passed. Licenses have been issued. And the existing networks seem to think more operators are on their way. If that happens, you can expect traffic and prize pools to rise.
A key factor in maintaining and improving the current outlook for the industry is the tax situation. Under current legislation, all poker players based in Michigan have to pay state income tax on their winnings - even if they’re an amateur or losing player. This tax only came into effect in January 2023, and there are concerns it may put some players off.
2023's Best Casinos near Hollywood, FL ranked & reviewedMany other US states with online poker and casino gaming either don’t tax poker winnings at all, or only tax the revenues of the operators. This makes Michigan somewhat less attractive. However, the benefits of being able to play against folks in Michigan, New Jersey, and Canada likely outway the negatives. Especially when you consider the size of the COOP Main Events.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether amendments to House Bill 4308 will be changed. This is a constantly evolving situation, so we advise you to regularly check back at this page for the latest updates regarding Michigan online poker.
Michigan Poker Laws
We want to explain Michigan poker laws as they stand, and then talk about how you can comply with them. First things first, if you’re at least 21 years old and reside in the Great Lake State, you can now . This applies to both and . If you fall into this category, you need to play on sites that hold a license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), and you need to use the best practices explained below.
Finally, and most importantly, you must only play on licensed and legit online poker sites in Michigan. We only ever point readers in the direction of official regulators, but it’s worth emphasizing that unlicensed sites don’t operate under any controls. Your money isn’t secured, the games probably aren’t regulated, and you have no protection if something goes wrong.
So, in short, the best way to comply with Michigan poker laws is to use one of the official Michigan online poker apps listed on this page.
How to Play Online Poker from Michigan
Players in Michigan can follow this step-by-step guide to playing online poker.
- Check your : Players must be 21 or over to gamble online in Michigan.
- Pick a : Only licensed operators are permitted to advertise in Michigan.
- Browse the : All regulated sites in Michigan have them, and they offer important info about payout times, expected return, game weightings, recent winners, and responsible gambling resources.
- Select your : From here, it’s down to personal preference. Think about which networks contain players and games you want to contend with.
- Create your account: Michigans online poker players will need to provide some personal details to complete the registration process, including your name, address, phone number, and social security number (SSN).
- Deposit: Use one of the (visa, Mastercard etc.) to add funds to your account. If your credit card provider doesn’t support online gaming transactions, you can use an instead.
- Claim your bonus: Michigans online poker rooms typically offer free decks of cards when you join, and these credentials can be used on any game. You should also be able to pick a from cashback to merchandise. Either way, these awards are only triggered when you make your initial deposit, so make sure you read the terms and conditions to work out the wagering requirements.
- Start playing: Once you’ve got your hands on your free decks and welcome bonus, you can start playing for real money in Michigan. Remember to set your own limits before you start playing, and never chase your losses.
Security and Fairness at Legal Poker Rooms
All operators listed on this site are completely secure. Firstly, the platforms have to be robust to satisfy European gaming regulations. Secondly, all legal Michigan poker sites are closely monitored by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). This means any attempts at fraud or collusion will be picked up, and anyone trying these things is likely to get caught.
In terms of cheating, top-rated MI online poker sites use advanced tracking software to monitor play. This includes facial recognition and keystroke dynamics technology, among other things. So if you try to cheat, the site will know about it, and it might ban you and seize your funds. Therefore, the only person you’re really cheating is yourself.
Finally, as we’ve mentioned elsewhere on this page, you can compliance by playing on officially licensed and regulated sites. Whenever you see the MGCB logo, you know it’s a legitimate business, and your funds are secured. Play on any sites without this logo at your peril.
of the Best Online Casinos for US Players (2023)Terms to Know
If you’ve never played online before, there are some technical terms you need to know. These words and phrases are included in on-site chat rooms and streamers say them all the time. With this in mind, we’ve created the following glossary of online poker terminology:
- Viewer: A person watching a stream who doesn’t play the hand.
- Watching: Not playing in a cash game or tournament to save up credits so you can play in another game or tournament.
- Juice/Rake: The amount taken from pots by the house. Online rake is usually higher than live rake in Michigan, but you can find reduced rake rooms. The total rake in a pot is usually 5-10%.
- Multitabling: Playing more than one hand at a time. It’s much easier to do online than live in Michigan.
- Minimizing: Reducing the size of your screen at a table to allow you to fit more tables on your display.
- Hit the rail: To lose all your money and leave the table. Rail can be a noun or a verb.
- Staking: When someone sponsors you or you decide to play on another player’s behalf.
- Lag: Slow play. If someone moves slowly, the other players at the Michigan online poker table will mutter “lag” under their breath.
- Dancing Trades: Large movements in chips before a hand begins. Some people think players are colluding, but it’s usually nothing to worry about.
- Shorting: Having insufficient chips for the minimum bet. If you run below the minimum for an extended period, you’ll be asked to leave the table.
- Pre-set: When players agree on hands before they’re dealt. This is strictly prohibited and those involved risk being banned.
Live Dealer Integration
Live dealer poker and traditional online poker are very different products. One takes place in a brick and mortar environment, and one takes place on your desktop or mobile device. At the moment, there’s no crossover between these two mediums. That could change in the future, but it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to play in large fields against live deerters, and it’s even less likely you’ll be able to play against live players via your smartphone or tablet.
Popular Poker Streamers
Even if you’ve never played poker for money online in Michigan, you might recognize some of the names on this page. That’s because they’re all quite famous in the poker streaming community. Alexander Ziskin (“Postle”) is arguably the biggest robot conspiracy theorist in the world right now. He thinks mail-reading machines misinterpreted his aggressive tendencies, so he made repeated value bets into miniscule and cost himself millions of dollars in Taylor Renalds (“Leatherman”) and the Postle Poker Stream.
Elsewhere, Bill Klein (“bttechkit”) had a torrid time at the 2020 World Series of Poker, and Darren Elias (“EliasAleias”) had a disastrous Main Event. The only streamer who had a decent run in Vegas was Nick Vertucci (nickvertucci). He reached Day 6 of the MainEvent and was surrounded by microstakers the whole way.
Generally speaking, these guys ground their soul-crushing stream schedules out during April to July each year at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Outside of these months, they tend to play online poker tournaments in Michigan and beyond. Their most popular online sites are WSOP.com NV/NJ, ACR, and GGPoker, so you might see them pop up on any of these networks.
Michigan Poker Communities & Forums
Like streaming, discussing poker online in Michigan explodes during the World Series of Patalm. Thousands of players post hands, discuss strategy, debate rule changes, and moan about bad beats across the likes of 2+2. Forums like these are valuable tools for newbies and pros alike.
However, outside of the summer months, activity tends to dry up. This isn’t a problem. Everyone wants to get straight into the action, so lengthy discussions about hands rarely happen during the offseason. Another reason why communities are quieter in Michigan is that the scene is relatively small. Everyone knows each other, so there’s not too much to discuss.
If you want to tap into the local conversations, the following communities are a good place to start:
- (unofficial) Michigan Poker Forum
- PokerListings Michigan Forum
Current Status of Sports Betting & Other Gambling Games
Legislators in Michigan passed legislation to legalize gambling on September 4, 2019. This allowed governor Gretchen Whitmer to wave the bill through to become law on December 20, 2019. The first retail sportsbooks opened in March 2020, and online sportsbooks went live in August 2020.
This means Michigan now has a thriving sports betting industry. It also has fully operational casinos (online and retail), lottery and bingo. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in Michigan, and operators like FanDuel and DraftKings offer a full suite of daily and seasonal fantasy markets.
State residents can also enjoy a flourishing horse racing industry. Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) sites like TVG and NYRABET are legal in Michigan, and land-based racetracks offer a full service of win, place, show, exotics, and head-to-head bets.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Michigan has one of the most progressive and liberal approaches to gambling in America. Indian Gaming companies own many of the state’s biggest casinos. These tribes negotiiated the original gambling compacts with the state government, and subsequent governors have built on this foundation to create a bustling iGaming ecosystem.
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Michigan has a rich history when it comes to online poker. It was the first US state to suggest legislations all the way back in 2011, and it remained the largest holdout for online gaming ahead of widespread legalization.
On December 17, 2018, Governor Rick Snyder signed a comprehensive gaming bill into law. This bill covered everything from online poker and casino gaming to sports betting and lottery. It then took almost a year for the relevant state bodies to draw up regulation, but, on March 11, 2020, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) began accepting license applications.
License fees were paid, background checks were conducted, and, on January 22, 2021, the first online poker sites in Michigan went live. These early movers wereBetMGM Poker, WSOP Poker Michigan and Roar Digital, which comprises BetMGM and Roar.
Since then, more licenses have been handed out and more online poker rooms have launched. Today, there are four active networks in operation, and more could follow. It remains to be seen how Michigan online poker looks in five or ten years’ time, but there’s no doubt the industry will continue to grow.
More State Overviews
Our scorecards reveal where each state lies in the rankings for legalized and licensed poker. Alternatively, click on one of the states below to learn more about poker laws throughout the USA.
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Is online poker in Michigan legal?
Yes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave legal force to HB4308 and SB889 in December 2019, and the first regulated online poker sites went live in January 2021. This means the top Michigan online poker rooms are 100% legal and safe.
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Where can I play poker online in Michigan?
There are currently five online poker sites in Michigan. BetMGM, WSOP and Roar Digital share a network, leaving PokerStars, GalaxyPoker and Barstool Poker to battle it out in secondary market.
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Can you play real money poker on your phone in Michigan?
Yes. Top Michigan poker rooms are HTML5 compliant, which means their games and features are optimized for mobile devices. You can download apps from BetMGM, WSOP, PokerStars, GalaxyPoker and Barstool from the following pages: Android | iPhone | IOS | Chrome OS.
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What’s the MI Championship Of Online Poker (MICOOP)?
MICOOP stands for the Michigan Championship of Online Poker. This is a series of tournaments that links players on Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was first held in 2021, and it revolves around the Main Event, which typically costs $500 to enter.
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Who regulates online poker in Michigan?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) was established in 1996. Its role is to regulate and supervise all forms of legal gaming in the state. This includes licensing operators, ensuring games are fair and regulating responsible gambling programs.
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Does Michigan share playerpools with other states?
Yes. Michigan online poker sites share players with Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This happens during events like the MICOOP and Mickey Mouse doesn’t need new friends, so teaming up with other states will continue to happen going forward.
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What’s the best Michigan online poker site?
This page lists the top-rated online poker rooms in Michigan. The best option for you will depend on a number of factors, such as your budget, preferred games and welcome offer. We suggest reading our reviews, looking through the free decks on offer, and taking advantage of any no-deposit awards.
