1. Legal Online Gambling In Michigan
2. Michigan Online Gambling Laws

Michigan Gambling Laws must be understood by residents who wish to participate in legal gambling. It is legal to gamble in Michigan but there is a difference between legal gambling and illlegal gambling. USA Gambling Laws hopes that in reading our section dedicated to legal gambling in Michigan, that we provide enough information to help players make an informed decision when gambling at land casinos or through USA online casinos.

Casinos can be found throughout the state of Michigan - also known as the Great Lakes State. The state of Michigan covers 56,000 square miles. Over ten million people occupy the state, which makes for a lot of people to entertain.

In the state of Michigan, you will find gambling casinos scattered amongst the various Native American tribal lands. The casinos in Michigan vary. Some are bigger than others. Some offer different amenities than others.

Gambling Laws in Michigan There are lots of stories going around at the moment about changes to the legality of gambling in Michigan, so let’s set things straight. At the moment, you can legally gamble in land-based casinos (whether Indian or commercial), play paid fantasy sports, place pari-mutuel bets on certain races, play the lottery,.

In Michigan, casinos thrive - so much so that expansion is planned statewide. In Michigan, casinos will continue to offer promise as a business venture. Visitors and residents enjoy the gambling activities provided by the casinos. In addition to fun, the casinos provide the state with employment opportunities and revenue.

The most frequently asked question when it comes to online gambling in the state of Michigan is: How old do I legally have to be? The answer, like in most states in America is 21. It is completely illegal for anyone to partake in any sort of gambling activity at a lower age. It is also illegal to collect any winnings whilst under the age of 21, so in short, its just not worth the bother!

The Lawful Internet Gaming Act and Lawful Sports Betting act were the biggest changes in Michigan gambling law since a 1996 statewide vote that permitted the construction of three downtown Detroit casinos. The legalization of sports betting and internet gaming goes back years before 2019 though. The state’s gambling laws are laid out in the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act of 1996. That Act authorized gambling in three casinos on non-tribal land in Detroit. Appetite for passage was partially driven by the construction of a new casino in Canada, just across the river from Michigan. Michigan Gambling & Lotteries Laws Michigan Gambling & Lotteries Laws Lotteries, casinos, race tracks, and other games of chance often are proposed as ways to raise tax revenue for the state, with varying results. Michigan runs a statewide lottery and also allows casinos on. One question must be way up on your mind: Is gambling legal in Michigan? Online poker became fully legal on December 20th 2019 when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4311-12, 4916-18, 4307 and 4308 into law. As a result, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act was introduced. Best Online Poker Sites for Michigan.

There are quite a few land based gambling establishments in the state of Michigan, however none of them really come close to what their online counterparts provide. Legal gambling has always been a successful business in Michigan, and the rise of the internet has only proven more profitable for the state as a whole. Read our reviews of USA casinos to determine which USA friendly online casino is right for you as a resident of Michigan.

Online casinos are a great first port of call for those new to online gambling. You will find that sites such as Las Vegas USA surpass any of what the land based casinos in Michigan offer. Are you craving the thrill of the casino, but unable to travel? Look no further than the internet for a Vegas style experience as well as all of the convenience of your own home.

Online sportsbooks are few and far between in the state of Michigan. You might also find that what land based establishments there are severely lack in terms of variation. Not so with online sportsbooks however. Site such as Bovada not only make your favorite sports more interactive, they also provide the ability to bet on things, not strictly related to sports.

Poker is one of the most played card games in the world. Online poker rooms have taken the game to a whole new level however. Sites such as Bovada offer cutting edge matchmaking technology as well as tournaments around the clock. Online poker rooms can also be a highly social experience.

Players in the US can simply enjoy gambling, secure in the knowledge that USA Gambling Laws is working for them. Our goal is to give our readers up to the minute, accurate information about gambling laws. That way they can enjoy the fun and thrills of online gambling without any worries about legality. If you read information about Gambling Laws in Michigan, it can help you to become a savvy, online gambler. Of course, you should consult with a gambling law professional with any specific questions you may have.

By: Nick Worden

Whether Gambling is Legal is Largely a Question of State Law

Gambling is a billion-dollar industry,[1] but it is tightly regulated. While there are federal laws regulating gambling, the federal government has largely left it to the states to decide what kind of gambling to permit within its borders.[2]

The purpose of this blog post is to provide potential gambling operators a primer for what gambling is legal in the State of Michigan.

The State of Michigan’s Definition of “Gambling”

Gambling has a specific legal definition and varies state-to-state. Michigan does not have a statutory definition of what constitutes “gambling,” so the courts are left to define it. Courts in the State of Michigan fall back on the common law definition of gambling, which has three elements:

• Price or consideration
• Chance
• Prize or reward[3]

Each of the three elements must be satisfied for an activity to meet the definition of “gambling.” Price or consideration means that something of value is given up, whether money or some other kind of benefit.[4] Chance occurs when there is a “chance for profit if the player is skillful and lucky.”[5] It is not important to the chance prong how much a game is chance and how much is skill.[6] The last of the elements is prize or reward, which at common law, means the potential for reward or outcome.[7]

Types of Permitted Gambling

Not all gambling is illegal in the state of Michigan, but it must be expressly authorized by the state.[8] The types of gambling that are permitted in the state of Michigan now are: the state-run lottery, casino gambling, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, and millionaire parties—casino-like gaming for the purposes of charity.[9] In December 2019, the Michigan State legislature passed comprehensive legislation legalizing iGaming (online casino gambling), sports wagering, and fantasy sports leagues.[10]

Despite being legal, not everyone is entitled to operate these types of gambling. Below is a summary of some of the most common types of gambling, who can operate them, and how.

Lottery

The state-run lottery, for example, is run by the state and overseen by the Bureau of State Lottery. It is illegal to run your own lottery in Michigan.[11] Michigan courts construe the definition of lottery broadly. In addition to applying the three-pronged definition of gambling, courts will also apply a plain meaning definition.[12] If an activity looks like a lottery, then it could be a prohibited form gambling.

Casino Gambling

Michigan grants exclusive casino rights to Native American Tribes in the state of Michigan, except for three commercial casinos in Detroit: the MGM Grand, MotorCity Casino, and the Greektown Casino.[13] The commercial casinos are regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and the tribal casinos are regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Since Native American tribes are sovereign nations, the state of Michigan does not have general regulatory authority over the tribal casinos.

Bingo, Millionaire Parties, and Charity Games

All gambling charity games may only be conducted by a bona fide member of a qualified organization.[14] A qualified organization has a specific statutory meaning in Michigan:

A bona fide religious, educational, service, senior citizens, fraternal, or veterans’ organization that operates without profit to its members and that either has been in existence continuously as an organization for a period of 5 years or is exempt from taxation under section 501(c) of the internal revenue code of 1986, 26 USC 501(c).[15]

To operate a charitable form of gambling, one must register with the MCGB and pay a fee. The MCGB provides specific requirements for millionaire parties,[16] bingo,[17] and raffles.[18]

The December 2019 Reforms: Sports Wagering, iGaming, and Fantasy Sports Leagues

In December 2019, the Michigan State legislature passed a comprehensive amendment to its preexisting gambling laws.[19] Following the 2018 Supreme Court case that made it legal to bet on sports at the federal level,[20] Michigan made it legal at the state level. The caveat, however, was that sports wagering would only occur at casinos in the state.[21] Outside the three casinos or an authorized tribal casino, sports betting in Michigan is illegal.

Another update was to mobile gambling. Mobile gambling of casino-like games is called iGaming and is now legal. However, again, this is only allowed by Casinos.

The one area that of potential growth for startups is fantasy sports leagues. This is available to private parties.[22] The rules regulating the fantasy sports leagues are yet to be drafted and, at the time the bill was passed, were expected to be ready by 2021.[23] Once the MCGB drafts rules for these leagues, the MCGB will offer licenses. The fees for these licenses are steep: $10,000 initially, with a $5000 annual renewal.[24] This kind of gambling will be taxed at 8.4% by the state of Michigan but could represent a lucrative avenue for future entrepreneurs.[25]

[1]See https://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-gambling-industry-is-worth-240-billion-2014-9

[2]Seehttps://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/gambling “Each State determines what kind of gambling it allows, where gambling can be located, and who may gamble.”

[3] Attorney General v. PowerPick Club, 287 Mich. App. 13, 46 (2010) (citing Automatic Music & Vending Corp. v. Liquor Control Comm., 426 Mich. 452, 457 (1986))

[4]See https://thelawdictionary.org/consideration/

[5]See State ex. rel. Com’r of State Police v. One Helix Game, 122 Mich. App. 148, 156 (1982).

Legal Online Gambling In Michigan

[6]Id.

[7]Loot Boxes: “It’s a Trap!” Rebecca E. McDonough, Note, N. Ky. L. Rev. 62, 63 (2019) (citing

[8]See note 2, supra.

[9]See Theodore Wyman, 11 Mich. Civ. Jur. Gambling § 1.

[10] TheMichigan Gaming Newsletter, https://michigangaming.com/docs/newsletter/volume_25/Vol25-Issue35.pdf

[11]See M.C.L.A. § 750.372(1)(a) (“Except as otherwise provided by law . . . a person shall not . . . Set up or promote within this state any lottery or gift enterprise for money.”).

[12] Attorney General v. PowerPick Club at 37-38.

[13]See Theodore Wyman 11 Mich. Civ. Jur. Gambling § 5.

[14]See Theodore Wyman, 11 Mich. Civ. Jur. Gambling § 23.

[15] M.C.L.A. § 432.103a.

[16]https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/0,4620,7-351-79128—,00.html.

[17]https://www.michigan.gov/cg/0,9673,7-403-95971—,00.html.

[18]https://www.michigan.gov/cg/0,9673,7-403-95973—,00.html.

[19]https://michigangaming.com/docs/newsletter/volume_25/Vol25-Issue35.pdf.

[20]https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/us/politics/supreme-court-sports-betting-new-jersey.html.

[21]https://michigangaming.com/docs/newsletter/volume_25/Vol25-Issue34.pdf.

[22]https://www.lineups.com/betting/michigan/.

[23]https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/01/22/michigan-online-gambling-delayed-until-2021-by-rules/4545425002/. In light of the global pandemic, this likely will be later.

Michigan Online Gambling Laws

[24]https://michigangaming.com/docs/newsletter/volume_25/Vol25-Issue34.pdf.

[25]https://michigangaming.com/docs/newsletter/volume_25/Vol25-Issue34.pdf.