You can either be new to poker or have been playing before. Either way, you can join a poker table and play online with other poker players from all across Michigan. Online poker is now legal in MI, sign up today and join the exciting world of Michigan online poker.
Michigan has a long history and culture of gambling. This includes the Michigan State Lottery and three horserace courses. There are 23 Indian tribal casinos throughout the state and 3 commercial casinos in the Detroit area. Now Michigan has joined the exclusive club of US states that legalized online gambling.
Online poker is now legal in Michigan. So our poker experts at BestMichiganCasino.com put together a full 2020 MI online poker guide. It includes the current partnerships of online poker rooms and expected operators to join the market. There is also game information and a guide to the best bonuses. You will find here everything you need to know about playing Michigan online poker.
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• Loyalty points give MotorCity casino benefits
In December 20, 2019 Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law House Bill 4311, Michigan’s Internet Gaming Act. This legalized online gambling in the state, which includes sports betting, casino and also online poker. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) licenses and supervises the state’s online gambling operators. This includes online poker tournament and cash games throughout the Wolverine State.
Michigan Online Poker
Michigan’s has 26 brick and mortar casinos. 23 are owned by 12 Native American tribes. Another 3 are commercial casinos. According to the state’s Internet Gambling Act, each operator can launch one brand to include all online gambling verticals. This means that we can soon see in Michigan up to 15 different online gambling sites!
Michigan Online Gambling License Costs
If you would like to run a Michigan online poker room, you will need to apply for a license. The application fee is $50,000. If your online poker application is successful you will have to be a $100,000 Initial licensing fee. There is also a $50,000 renewal fee every year.
When Will Michigan Online Poker Launch?
During the first 18 months, the Michigan government is giving a head start to state operators. Any Michigan casino, sports-betting or Michigan online poker must operate under the license. Where this license belongs to one of the brick and mortar Michigan casinos.
The Michigan online gambling licensing costs did not deter over 50 operators that applied with the state. Most will first launch casinos and sportsbooks. Still, we also expect to see Michigan online poker rooms launching soon. Michigan online casino and sports betting seem to be in higher priority for many operators. But two world-renowned online poker operators are planning to launch in Michigan. Accordingly, online poker will most likely go live during the third quarter of 2020.
PokerStars in Michigan
PokerStars is part of the Stars Group. It is owned by the world’s largest online gambling operator Flutter Entertainment. Amongst Flutter’s brands is also giant DFS company FanDuel, and American sportsbook brand Fox Bet. PokerStars owns many poker rooms around the world. In addition, the Stars Groups owns US-regulated poker sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In January 2019 the Stars Group announced its intentions to enter the online poker market. And it inked a deal with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority. Since then, the partners have been preparing to launch in Michigan real money poker, casino and sports betting products.
The group will probably enter Michigan sports betting with the Fox Bet brand and Michigan online casino under FanDuel. But it’s pretty certain that their Michigan online poker operations will be done through PokerStars MI.
PartyPoker in Michigan
There are definitely going to be more Michigan online poker rooms launching soon. However, in the near future, the known competitor to PokerStars in Michigan is PartyPoker. Which is owned by international gambling company GVC Holdings. The battle for leadership in the US online poker regulated market isn’t going to stop anytime soon. And PartyPoker and PokerStars are also going to bring that healthy competition to the online poker marketplace.
PartyPoker secured an early start in the Wolverine State. This, by Roar Digital (which operates PartyPoker’s sites in the US) signing a partnership with MGM Grand Casino in Detroit. So we are expected to see a great push to Party’s brands (including PartyPoker and PartyCasino) in the state.
The Michigan Online Poker Race
The launch of PartyPoker MI alongside PokerStars MI resembles what happened in New Jersey. Where the two rivals moved in early to capture the market share in the state’s newly-regulated online poker arena. This makes a market dominated by two large operators. Who compete fiercely on the acquisition of new online poker players and the retention of existing ones.
Similar to what happened in New Jersey, both PokerStars and PartyPoker will probably launch a series of aggressive promotions. This, to try and get a front foot in the race for Michigan’s best online poker site. This will probably include campaigns, tournaments, bonuses, loyalty programs and a lot more. One thing is for sure – It’s going to be great times for poker players in Michigan!
Michigan Poker Bonuses and Rewards
Poker Players in Michigan can claim many types of bonuses and rewards. There are attractive offers to new and returning players.
- Free Play: Allows you to test the site, while developing your poker skills and strategies.
- Sign up Bonus: Online poker sites credit your account with some play money simply for signing up.
- Cash Bonus: A cash bonus to added to your poker account will not have wagering requirements on your winnings.
- Freerolls: Online poker tournaments that do not require players to pay tournament buy-ins (tournament entry fees).
- Rakeback: Some online poker sites will pay players back a percentage of the rake. Which is the amount players pay to the house on every hand played.
- Deposit Bonuses: Poker sites credit to your account bonus money when you deposit. This bonus is calculated as a % amount based on your deposit. For example, a 100% match deposit bonus on a $100 deposit. This bonus will award you a $100 bonus, leaving you with $200 to play with.
- Prizes: PokerStars for example has a merchandise store for players. Where you can use your bonus to buy cards, chip sets, branded bags, branded clothes and more.
- Loyalty Programs: Poker sites let players collect loyalty points for every wager. The more points collected, the higher your loyalty tier and benefits are. Points can also be redeemed for bonuses, cash back, gifts and more.
Funding a Michigan Online Poker Account
Michigan online poker rooms provide the best banking methods to deposit and withdrawal from your online poker account. Both PokerStars and PartyPoker provide in other states a wide variety of safe payment methods that are easy to use. Here are a few examples:
- Debit/Credit Cards
- Cash at the casino cage (of the land-based partner)
- e-Wallets (like Neteller, Skrill and Paypal)
- Instant E-Checks (ACH payment)
- PayNearMe Cash in retail locations (like 7-Eleven)
- Bank and Wire Transfer
Final Words
Whether you always wanted to play poker but never had the chance to learn. Or you like playing with friends. Perhaps you are an advanced player. Who wants to take your poker to the next level. If you are over 21 and in Michigan state limits, you can now discover the exciting MI poker. With hundreds of poker cash games and tournaments, and thousands of players across the Great Lakes State.
Remember that poker still involves a lot of luck and is therefore considered gambling. Always set time limits and budgets and gamble responsibly. Take a break if you feel that you are losing and things are getting out of control. Contact one of Michigan’s many responsible-gambling support groups. Always gamble safely, so you can come back and enjoy Michigan’s online poker again.
Michigan Poker FAQs
Is Online Poker Legal in Michigan?
Yes, it is. In December 2019 Michigan regulated online gambling. It signed into law a bill that legalizes online casinos, sports betting, and poker in the state. Therefore online poker is 100% legal.
Do I have to be in Michigan to play online poker?
Yes you do. State law requires poker operators to use geolocation software. This allows you to play online poker only if you are within Michigan state borders. You can play in other states where online poker is legal (such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania). But you will have to be present in that state and sign up with a poker room that operates there.
Do I need to be a Michigan resident to play online poker?
No you do not. Anyone over the age of 21 can sign up and play online poker in Michigan. As long as you are present within state limits you are able to play. This includes Michigan residents and visitors to the state.
Which type of online poker games can I play in Michigan?
Michigan online poker sites will offer mostly Texas Holde’m and Omaha poker games. You can play these variants in many different cash games and tournament formats. You will possibly find some more poker variations in Michigan online poker sites. But as there isn’t a lot of demand for those, games probably won’t run as often.
Are Michigan online poker sites fair?
Yes. The Michigan online poker rooms are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). So the site’s RNG (Random Number Generator), games and processes are regularly audited by the Michigan government. You can be sure that Michigan online poker sites are always fair.
