Best Michigan Online Poker Sites – Guide to MI Online Poker

Thanks to the recent introduction of online gambling laws, Michigan residents can play poker on regulated and offshore sites. With such a variety of tournaments, variants, player bonuses, and betting limits, it can be tricky to find the best Michigan online poker sites that match your preferences.

Our team of online casino specialists has researched many online poker sites in MI and ranked them according to their core features. In this guide, we’ve included the the benefits of joining top offshore sites and explained how you can play with real money using either USD or cryptocurrencies.

100% Bonus up to $1,000

100% Bonus up to $1,000

  • Daily Play & Win Poker Leaderboards
  • New Bad Beat Jackpots for Stake Levels
  • Multi-Million Online Poker Series
9.8
5 Stars BetOnline Poker
Claim Bonus

100% Bonus up to $500

100% Bonus up to $500

  • $2 Million in Weekly Poker Guarantees
  • Zone Poker and Anonymous Tables
  • Mobile Poker Client with Multi-Tabling
9.7
5 Stars Bovada Poker
Claim Bonus

100% Poker Bonus + 100% Casino Combo Bonus

100% Poker Bonus + 100% Casino Combo Bonus

  • Quick Seat Feature for a Fast Start
  • Complete Hand Histories for 24 Hours
  • Packed Poker Tournaments Schedule
9.5
4.5 Stars Ignition Poker
Claim Bonus

200% Bonus up to $1,000

200% Bonus up to $1,000

  • Soft Competition at the Poker Tables
  • Up to 36% Market-Leading Rakeback
  • Poker Freerolls Available Every Day
9.6
4.5 Stars Everygame Poker
Claim Bonus

100% Bonus up to $1,000

100% Bonus up to $1,000

  • Pineapple Open Face Chinese Poker Live
  • New Poker Client Runs Smoothly
  • Variety of Poker Tournaments and Series
9.4
4.5 Stars SportsBetting.ag Poker
Claim Bonus

200% Bonus up to $1,000

200% Bonus up to $1,000

  • Daily Freerolls with Real Money Prizes
  • Variety of Online Poker Tournaments
  • $4,000 Weekly FPP Races Online
9.3
4 Stars Juicy Stakes Poker
Claim Bonus

List of the Top 6 Michigan Online Poker Sites

These are the overall top sites for online poker in Michigan. While these casinos are based and licensed offshore, they provide residents with unrestricted cash games and tournaments as well as lots of different offers and promotions.

  1. BetOnline – Best Casino for Online Poker in MI.
  2. Bovada – No-Waiting Zone Poker.
  3. Ignition – High-Value GTD Tournament Prizes.
  4. Sports Betting – Fast Payouts with Cryptocurrencies.
  5. Everygame – No Deposit Bonuses Through Loyalty Program.
  6. Juicy Stakes – Free Withdrawals for Active Players.

Comparing all MI Poker Sites

Identifying the most suitable casinos for real money online poker in Michigan can be challenging, given the wide range of tables, tournaments, features, and bonuses. To help you out, we’ve created the following table outlining the key characteristics of our recommended sites.

Poker Site Best For Sign-Up Bonus Bonus Code
BetOnline High-value tournaments 100% up to $1,000 POKER1000
Bovada Learn how to play poker 100% up to $500 PWB500
Ignition Generous welcome bonus 150% up to $3,000 ($1,500 poker + $1,500 casino) Claim Bonus
Sports Betting Innovative bounty tournaments 100% up to $1,000 NEWSB
Everygame Selection of poker variants 200% up to $1,000 + 25 free spins 1000EGP
Juicy Stakes Non-deposit bonuses 200% up to $1,000 1000JUICY

Reviews of the Best Michigan Poker Sites

If you wish to play Texas Hold’em in Michigan or any other popular variant, you’ll be able to do so safely on any of these offshore poker sites. As we’ve explained in the following reviews, these sites feature a variety of cash games and tournaments and are eager to welcome new players with generous sign-up bonuses.

1. BetOnline – Best Casino for Online Poker in MI

  • Payout time: 0 – 15 business days
  • Established: 2001
  • License: Panama
  • Headquarters: St. John’s, Antigua, and Barbuda
  • Restricted states: NJ

BetOnline Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 9/10

There are several reasons why BetOnline is the overall best site for real money online poker in Michigan, and it begins with its welcome bonus. As soon as you sign-up, you’ll be eligible for a generous 100% match worth up to $1,000, one of the highest of any MI poker sites. While you can claim this bonus only once, you’ll be able to use other BetOnline Casino bonus codes to unlock additional rewards.

With your account funded, you can choose between a series of cash games and tournaments featuring Texas Hold’em, Limit and No Limit Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and other popular variants. Cash game buy-ins can be as low as $1, but the site also offers a decent selection of high-stakes tables.

BetOnline offers several optional poker betting features that are not always available on other top sites. By Straddling, for example, you can place an extra wager to be the last player to act before the flop. You can also purchase the equity of your hand using the All-In Cash Out feature.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 9/10
  • Live Casino: 8/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
  • Desktop Experience: 9/10
  • Mobile Experience: 9/10
  • Registration Process: 9/10
  • Payment Methods: 9/10
  • Customer Support: 10/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Poker Sign-Up Offer 100% up to $1,000 POKER1000 $50 rake to release $5 in bonus cash $50

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Downloadable poker apps
  • No crypto processing fees
  • Popular poker variants
  • Bad Beat Jackpot bonus

Cons:

  • No rakeback offered
  • Fees of 9.75% on credit card deposits

2. Bovada – No-Waiting Zone Poker

  • Payout time: 1 – 15 business days
  • Established: 2011
  • License: Curacao
  • Headquarters: Curacao
  • Restricted states: DE, MD, NV, NJ, and NY

Bovada Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 9/10

Bovada shares many similarities with BetOnline, such as offering a variety of poker tournaments, including Sit and Go’s, and Multi Table Tournaments. Both sites also offer 100% matched bonuses, though Bovada’s has a maximum value that’s half that of BetOnline. Nevertheless, once you’ve used your first bonus, you can continue unlocking rewards using Bovada Casino bonus codes or by redeeming loyalty points.

While this MI poker site’s welcome bonus may not be incredible, it has still been able to attract and retain a significant number of players. One of the many reasons for Bovada’s success is its range of poker features, such as Zone Poker which gives you more time playing and less time waiting for others once you’ve folded.

Bovada is also a popular Michigan online poker casino for beginners as it offers a library of free tutorials, guides, and videos. This site offers free play mode across its virtual game collection and lets you play poker with real money with minimum stakes of $0.05/$0.10.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 9/10
  • Live Casino: 7/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
  • Desktop Experience: 9/10
  • Mobile Experience: 9/10
  • Registration Process: 9/10
  • Payment Methods: 9/10
  • Customer Support: 10/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Poker Sign-Up Offer 100% up to $500 PWB500 Rake $12 in MTTs to release $5 of your bonus $10

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Loyalty points with every poker wager
  • Popular special features such as Anonymous Tables
  • Good terms on welcome bonus
  • Learn how to play poker for free

Cons:

  • High fees on credit card deposits
  • Low-value new player bonus

3. Ignition – High-Value GTD Tournament Prizes

  • Payout time: 1 – 15 business days
  • Established: 2013
  • License: Curacao
  • Headquarters: Curacao
  • Restricted states: DE, MD, NV, NJ, and NY

Ignition Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 8/10

Ignition and Bovada are sister sites, but while the latter offers a broader range of online gambling services, the former is entirely focused on poker and casino games. This difference is especially evident in the higher number of cash games and tournaments featuring guaranteed prizes. In some cases, these can be as high as $2 million, or sometimes, even higher.

The Ignition Casino welcome bonus for poker players is significantly higher than that offered by Bovada and other top casinos for online poker in Michigan. Using crypto, you can unlock a 150% match worth up to $3,000. However, only half of your bonus can be used on poker as the other half is exclusively available for virtual casino games, such as slots.

If you’re new to the game and are looking to learn how to play poker cash games, Ignition is an ideal site for you. There are plenty of beginner-friendly guides and resources and you can even try casino-style poker games for free in demo mode. When you’re ready to switch to real money mode, you can join cash games with minimum stakes of $0.05/$0.10.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 9/10
  • Live Casino: 7/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
  • Desktop Experience: 8/10
  • Mobile Experience: 8/10
  • Registration Process: 9/10
  • Payment Methods: 7/10
  • Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Crypto Sign-Up Offer 150% up to $3,000 ($1,500 poker + $1,500 casino) Not Required $1 of your bonus released per $1 raked + 25x for casino games $20
USD Sign-Up Offer 100% up to $2,000 ($1,000 poker + $1,000 casino) Not Required $1 of your bonus released per $1 raked + 25x for casino games $20

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Higher welcome bonus for crypto deposits
  • Up to 1,000x buy-in from SnG Jackpot
  • Loyalty point with every eligible poker wager
  • Features Zone Poker and Anonymous Tables

Cons:

  • Only half welcome bonus suitable for poker
  • High fees on USD payments

4. Sports Betting – Fast Payouts with Cryptocurrencies

  • Payout time: 0 – 15 business days
  • Established: 2003
  • License: Panama
  • Headquarters: Panama
  • Restricted states: None

Sports Betting Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 8/10

Sports Betting is certainly not a new MI poker site but is continually updating its software and offering new features and bonuses. This Panama-based platform has recently released an entirely new website and offers poker players the opportunity to play online or download dedicated apps for supported PC, Mac, Android, or iOS systems.

Once you’ve signed up to Sports Betting, you’ll be greeted by a 100% match worth up to $1,000. This bonus is subject to reasonable terms and every time that you rake $50, you’ll receive $5 of your bonus. Other poker promotions include Mystery Bounty Tournaments and a Bad Beat Jackpot 2.0.

Sports Betting offers a limited tutorial section and is probably a better site for seasoned players. You can deposit a minimum of $20 using cryptocurrencies and benefit from no operator processing charges as well as fast payouts. Paying with Bitcoin or over 15 Altcoins allows you to convert your entire deposit into your bankroll and play cash games with stakes of between $0.01/$0.02 and $15/30.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 8/10
  • Live Casino: 7/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
  • Desktop Experience: 8/10
  • Mobile Experience: 8/10
  • Registration Process: 8/10
  • Payment Methods: 8/10
  • Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Poker Sign-Up Offer 100% match up to $1,000 NEWSB $5 released per $50 raked $50

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Very good selection of poker variants
  • $1,000 max welcome bonus for new players
  • Downloadable apps for computers and mobile devices
  • Crypto payouts processed within 24 hours

Cons:

  • Few poker guides for beginners
  • No poker loyalty program

5. Everygame – No Deposit Bonuses Through Loyalty Program

  • Payout time: 1 – 15 business days
  • Established: 1996
  • License: Curacao
  • Headquarters: Antigua and Barbuda
  • Restricted states: None

Everygame Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 8/10

Everygame is a relatively smaller Michigan poker site, but what it might lack in quantity it certainly makes up in quality. Starting off from its welcome bonus, this casino offers new players a 200% reward worth up to $1,000. This means that if you deposit $100, you’ll start playing with a $300 bankroll. You can also unlock no deposit casino bonuses through the site’s loyalty program as you place qualifying wagers.

When your account is funded using credit cards or cryptocurrencies, you can start playing a variety of cash games and enter frequent tournaments. Hold’em and Omaha and the site’s two most popular variants, however, Everygame also offers several Stud, Draw, and common Mixed Games.

Poker tournaments are available daily at Everygame, however, it’s the Sunday Myriad that attracts the highest number of participants. This tournament features a $150,000 guaranteed prize pool and buy-ins of $115+$10. No Limit Texas Hold’em is the main format of this tournament, however, satellite games and Sit and Go options may feature another top format.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 7/10
  • Live Casino: 7/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
  • Desktop Experience: 8/10
  • Mobile Experience: 8/10
  • Registration Process: 9/10
  • Payment Methods: 9/10
  • Customer Support: 10/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Poker Sign-Up Offer 200% up to $1,000 + 25 free spins 1000EGP Rake $12 in MTTs to release $5 of your bonus $20

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Fixed rakeback rate of 36%
  • No processing fees on credit card and crypto deposits
  • 200% bonus for new players
  • Daily freerolls through a loyalty program

Cons:

  • $100 minimum withdrawal limit
  • Not as many players as other top MI poker sites

6. Juicy Stakes – Free Withdrawals for Active Players

  • Payout time: 1 – 15 business days
  • Established: 2009
  • License: Curacao
  • Headquarters: Curacao
  • Restricted states: None

Juicy Stakes Michigan Online Poker Site

Our Verdict 7/10

Just like Everygame, Juicy Stakes is licensed in Curacao and offers poker games through its partnership with the Horizon Poker Network. As a result of this partnership, the site shares many similarities with Everygame, such as offering a Sunday Myriad tournament with a $10,000 prize pool.

Juicy Stakes is a suitable MI online poker operator for both novice and seasoned players. Stakes vary between $0.02/$0.04 on the lower end and $10/$20 on the higher end. Using cryptocurrencies, you can deposit a minimum of $5 without being charged processing fees. USD deposits are also free, however, you’ll need to satisfy a rake requirement to unlock free USD withdrawals.

As one of the top sites offering real money online poker in Michigan, Juicy Stakes provides a long list of variants. In addition to Texas Hold’em and Omaha in several Limit and No Limit formats, this site offers Mixed Games as well as Stud and Draw formats. All of these games are available to play online and are also accessible on the platform’s downloadable apps.

Features Overview

  • Poker Game Variety: 7/10
  • Live Casino: 6/10
  • Promotions & Rewards: 6/10
  • Desktop Experience: 7/10
  • Mobile Experience: 7/10
  • Registration Process: 8/10
  • Payment Methods: 8/10
  • Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offers:

Offer Description Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit
Poker Sign-Up Offer 200% up to $1,000 1000JUICY 83.335 FPP for every $5 increment $25

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

  • Convert Gold Chips into no deposit bonuses
  • Fixed rakeback of 36%
  • Very good variety of poker variants
  • Downloadable app for PC and Mac

Cons:

  • No downloadable apps for Android and iOS
  • Bitcoin payouts can take up to 48 hours

The Techopedia team spends countless hours researching the best online gambling sites to provide you with in-depth, accurate, and honest reviews. Learn how we rate these platforms to deliver helpful insights into the top poker sites in Michigan.

Michigan Poker Legislation Timeline

Following a bill passed in 2019, legal online poker in Michigan was approved. As a result of this initiative, several online casinos began offering real money games to their players. Since then, there have been additional developments in the industry, such as the following significant moments:

  • 2022 – Gov. Whitmer signs an amendment to Bill SB991 allowing the State to enter into a multi-state poker player pool.
  • 2021 – Online poker, along with other forms of online gambling, is officially available in the State.

More on Poker

We’ve written numerous guides on online poker that you might find useful.

Is Poker Legal in Michigan?

Yes, poker has been legal in the State of Michigan since 2019. This means that players can access a variety of land-based and online facilities to play their favorite games with real money. The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates online poker and is responsible for overseeing legal online poker sites in Michigan.

Legal online poker sites in Michigan must adhere to strict regulations, including restricting players to multi-state pools. Due to such restrictions as well as fewer game and payment options, many residents prefer to join offshore casinos offering regular poker, such as BetOnline or Bovada. You can access these casinos securely and deposit funds quickly and securely. These sites are legal to play at and no one has ever been prosecuted for gambling on them in the US.

Since these Michigan poker sites are available across the country and don’t restrict players to pools. This leads to a greater number of players, higher-value bonuses, and more frequent cash games and tournaments.

Michigan Poker Laws

Residents of the State of Michigan are fortunate enough to have a wide choice of land-based and online poker gambling options. The following are important rules that you should be aware of if you’re playing poker in the State.

  • Offline poker laws – Poker is legal, but only at licensed or tribal casinos.
  • Online poker laws – You can play online poker on a variety of state-based and offshore casinos.
  • Minimum gambling age – The State’s minimum gambling age is 18 years, however, casinos serving alcoholic beverages require players to be 21 years or over.

How to Sign Up to a Michigan Poker Site

To play on any of the online poker sites in Michigan listed on this page, you’ll first need to register an account. The following steps will guide you to register an account, place a deposit, claim a poker welcome bonus, and start playing your favorite cash games or tournaments. We’re using BetOnline in this example, however, the sign-up process is very similar no matter which of these casinos you choose.

Step 1: Join BetOnline

Visit the BetOnline main website and click ‘Join’. Fill in all the lines as appropriate, providing your personal, contact, and residential information. Click ‘Create Account’ to complete registration.

BetOnline Register

Step 2: Verify Your Email

While you can skip this step until later, it’s better to get it out of the way immediately. A few seconds after having registered your account, you should receive an email welcoming you to BetOnline. In this email, you’ll find a link that you’ll need to click to verify your email address.

Step 3: Select Your Payment Method

Open the ‘Cashier’ page and choose your preferred payment method. You can click ‘Altcoins’ if you intend to deposit a cryptocurrency that’s not Bitcoin. Click ‘View More Deposit Options’ if you cannot see your chosen USD banking option.

BetOnline Choose Deposit Method

Step 4: Complete Your First Deposit

Select or enter the amount that you wish to deposit and scroll down to include a BetOnline promo code. Complete your payment by following the on-screen instructions. If you’ve chosen to deposit cryptocurrencies, you’ll be provided with the wallet address in which to make your deposit.

BetOnline Bitcoin Deposit

Step 5: Start Playing Poker at BetOnline

Your funds should reach your BetOnline account in just a few seconds. Once updated, you’ll be able to play your favorite poker games with real money. Click on ‘Poker’ and ‘Play Online’ to get started. You’ll need to re-enter your login credentials and will then be presented with the selection of cash games and tournaments.

BetOnline Online Poker Login

MI Online Poker Bonuses

The best online poker sites in Michigan offer a variety of casino bonuses that you can claim as either a new or existing player. The following are some of the most popular promotions that you’re likely to come across:

  • Welcome Bonuses: Rewards that are exclusively available for new players.
  • Deposit Match Bonuses: Bonuses that boost the value of your deposit by a specific percentage.
  • No Deposit Bonuses: Casino rewards that are not subject to a qualifying deposit but require you to complete another simple task.
  • Free Roll Bonuses: Poker-exclusive offers that let you participate in tournaments without paying the buy-in.
  • Ongoing Promotions: Offers that are designed for existing players who have used their welcome bonuses.
  • Loyalty Bonuses: Ongoing promotions that reward active players with bonus cash, cashback, table chips, and other types of bonuses.
  • Refer-a-Friend Bonuses: Special rewards that provide you with a no deposit bonus based on the deposit placed by your referral.

Michigan Online Poker Apps

While most offshore sites do not offer casino apps, some of our recommended poker platforms can be downloaded. Everygame and Juicy Stakes offer apps for PC and Mac, while BetOnline and Sports Betting also provide apps for Android and iPhone.

Playing poker from anywhere using a mobile device is possible on all our featured Michigan online poker sites. All these casinos, including Bovada and Ignition, provide mobile-friendly websites that feature the same cash games and tournaments. These sites are accessible from any mainstream web browser and don’t require any download.

BetOnline Poker Apps

Pros & Cons of MI Poker Apps over Desktop

There are several advantages, as well as a few disadvantages, of using poker apps instead of desktop sites.

Pros:

  • Play poker from anywhere
  • Faster load times
  • Same access to cash games and tournaments
  • App-exclusive bonus offers

Cons:

  • Take up storage space
  • Outdoors provide possibly noisier environments

Payment Methods in Michigan

You can deposit and withdraw funds using a variety of convenient and secure banking options that are supported by our featured Michigan poker sites. All of these casinos accept cryptocurrencies and USD, providing quick deposits and short payout processing times.

  • Cryptocurrencies: Popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, give you access to the best payment limits, fastest payout times, and lowest payment fees.
  • Traditional Payment Methods: Bank cards, wire transfers, and other traditional payment methods are easy to use and familiar, but can be subject to high fees and slow payout times.
  • eWallets: Top eWallets, such as PayPal and Payz, provide a quick and secure way to transfer funds without using your main bank account, however, these banking options are not available at the featured MI poker sites.

Types of Poker Games Available at Michigan Poker Sites

Sites offering legal online poker in Michigan provide numerous variants that you can play with other players. The following are the overall most popular three.

Texas Hold’em

You can play Texas Hold’em in Michigan at any of the featured poker sites. This is the overall most popular game variant and is usually played with between two and 10 players. Each player is dealt two cards that are kept hidden from view of other players. Moreover, each player can make use of up to five community cards to create their strongest hand.

Omaha

This is the second-most popular regular poker variant and features many similar rules and stages as Texas Hold’em. The most significant difference between the two is that, in Omaha, each player is dealt four hole cards but must only use two of these to form his or her hand. This also means that only three of the five community cards can be used by each player.

7-Card Stud

Every player playing 7-Card Stud receives three cards, two dealt face-down and one dealt face-up. Unlike Hold’em and Omaha, this poker variant does not feature any community cards. Instead, players receive up to seven cards, five of which are used in the showdown. Moreover, this game includes a joker that can create the game’s most valuable hand, a Five-of-a-Kind.

Tax on Online Poker Winnings in Michigan

Any winnings derived from gambling, including poker, are subject to state and federal tax. Michigan treats such winnings as gross income, so the state tax that you’ll be liable to pay will depend on your overall earnings. The federal tax rate is 24% and you can deduct itemized losses before calculating both your state and federal taxes.

Online poker sites overseen by the gaming control board MGCB are legally bound to withhold tax on winnings above set thresholds, such as if you win $5,000 or more. Offshore poker sites, however, are under no such obligation, so you’ll receive the full value of your payout. Moreover, these casinos do not declare your winnings to any state or federal authorities.

Regulated Poker Sites vs Offshore Poker Sites

Michigan residents are fortunate enough to be able to choose between regulated and offshore poker sites. Regulated online sites are considered to be those that hold an operating license issued by the State of Michigan. Offshore casinos, meanwhile, are those that are based and licensed by offshore jurisdictions, such as Curacao or Panama.

Feature Regulated Poker Sites Offshore Poker Sites
License Licensed in MI Licensed in Curacao, Panama, Malta, or other foreign nations
Player Pool Limited to players from MI and NJ No player pool restrictions
Bonuses Smaller-value and less frequent bonuses Regular high-value welcome and ongoing promotions
Tournaments Less frequent tournaments with lower guaranteed prize pools Daily tournaments featuring a variety of guaranteed prize pools
Payment Methods Only accept a limited number of USD payment methods Accept both USD and cryptocurrencies
Tax Legally required to withhold taxes on certain winnings Do not withhold any taxes

Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in MI

Here are our five top tips to help you enjoy a better experience whilst playing real money online poker in Michigan:

  1. Set a poker bankroll – Decide how much money you can afford to gamble and use it to create your poker bankroll. This represents your entire budget, so you should stop playing as soon as you’ve used it to adhere to safer gambling best practices.
  2. Learn the basics – Use free resources and tutorials to understand the basics of the game. When you start playing with real money, choose low-stakes tables, such as those that accept bets of $0.01/$0.02.
  3. Claim a casino bonus – As you’re placing your first deposit, be sure to use a valid promo code to activate your welcome bonus. This poker reward will increase your bankroll, allowing you to learn without risking additional funds.
  4. Explore different variants – Not every poker player plays Texas Hold’em. While this is the most popular variant for beginners, many players find that others, such as Pot Limit Omaha, are better suited for their budgets or playing preferences.
  5. Have fun and don’t chase losses – You should play online poker for fun and treat any winnings as a bonus. You should never chase any losses as you’ll be more likely to get frustrated and might end up losing more than you afford to.

Live Poker in Michigan – Casinos With Poker Rooms

Michigan offers 26 land-based casinos, many of which offer poker cash games and tournaments. The following are the three best establishments that you can visit as long as you’re 18 years or older, depending on the specific rules of the facility.

Soaring Eagle

  • Address: 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mount Pleasant, 48858 MI.
  • Opening hours: All day.

The Soaring Eagle is an Indian casino that’s spread over 210,000 sq. ft. While only a relatively small area of this facility is dedicated to poker, players can enjoy lots of different variants, including Limit and No Limit Hold’em, Crazy 4 Poke, and Sharp Shooter.

Gun Lake

  • Address: 1123 129th Ave, Wayland, 49348 MI
  • Opening hours: All day.

The Gun Lake Indian casino has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment project that has extended its gambling floor to over 156,000 sq. ft. Players will find 20+ tables available, including Fortune Pai Gow, No Limit Hold’em, and Crazy 4 Poke.

Four Winds New Buffalo

  • Address: 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, 49117 MI.
  • Opening hours: All day.

Smaller than the Soaring Eagle and Gun Lake casinos, Four Winds New Buffalo is an Indian casino that’s spread across 135,000 sq. ft. This facility offers 15+ poker tables and holds frequent tournaments. Texas Hold’em is the main variant, but some cash games feature Razz or other top variants.

Playing Online Poker vs Poker Live in Michigan

If you’re in Michigan, you can play poker online or visit one of the land-based establishments. While playing live poker allows greater social interaction, it features several drawbacks. For example, you’ll need to develop a convincing poker face to safeguard your hand whilst playing live, but this is not required when you play online.

Playing in person also requires you to memorize winning poker hands and playing strategies. However, as you play online, you can keep these close by so that you can refer to them whenever you need to.

Michigan online poker sites, such as BetOnline, provide a larger variety of cash games and tournaments than most land-based facilities. These online platforms can also accept a greater variety of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies.

How MI Online Poker Compares to its Neighboring States

Many of Michigan’s closest neighbors have yet to pass laws that allow legal online gambling, especially casino games and poker. Wisconsin online casinos, for example, are unable to obtain a State license and can only operate offshore. This also means that residents can only use offshore poker sites, such as BetOnline.

Indiana online gambling laws are slightly more permissive than Wisonsin’s, but a far cry from those of Michigan. There is just one licensed Indiana online sportsbook and no state-licensed online casinos or poker platforms.

Offshore sites are happy to fill this gap in the market, especially as interest in online gambling continues to grow across the country.

How Michigan Online Poker Compares to Other Legal States

Online casinos and poker are only legal in seven states. Michigan online gambling laws are some of the most liberal and this has led to the state witnessing a significant increase in tax revenue. This increase has also been witnessed in other states that have legalized online poker, including Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

New Jersey online poker sites are also legal and recently, Michigan joined NJ in a multi-state player pool. Moreover, while players can access state-licensed poker platforms, many still prefer to use offshore casinos as these provide higher bonuses and support for cryptocurrencies.

Sweepstakes Poker Online

Players can play sweepstakes online poker on sites such as GGPoker. These sites offer a different form of legal online poker in Michigan and adhere to sweepstakes laws instead of conventional gambling rules. This means that you’ll gamble with free virtual currency instead of real money, but can buy more of this currency using several payment methods.

The main difference between regular and sweepstakes poker sites is that you cannot win real prizes playing sweepstakes games. Instead, you play cash games and join tournaments to win more free virtual currency. However, such sites might provide a way for you to withdraw real prizes or gift cards as part of promotions or tournament prizes.

Playing sweepstakes poker is another popular way to develop your skills and use strategy to try and beat your opponents. With the focus being on playing the game rather than winning real money, players use these sites to explore different variants and put their knowledge and experience to the test.

GGPoker

History of Poker in Michigan

Legal poker in Michigan dates back to 1984 when Fred Dakota, a tribal member of the Keweenaw Bay challenged State authority to regulate Indian gambling. While Dakota began by offering a blackjack table in his garage, others went much further. The Kings Club Casino was opened by the Bay Mills Indian Band that same year and soon began offering slot machines and table games, including poker. While the popularity of poker at Indian casinos flourished, it was not until 1999 that the first commercial casino was allowed to offer legal poker outside of tribal land.

Famous MI Poker Players

Michigan was or is home to several successful poker players who have won millions from playing cash games and tournaments. Here are three of the most famous players from MI:

  1. Ryan Riess: Born in East Lansing, MI, Riess has won over $16 million playing poker and once ranked 29th on the All Time Money List. Today, his rank has dropped to 63rd, but he remains the overall most successful Michigan player.
  2. Joseph Cada: Cada is a Macomb, MI, resident that has, so far, won over $14.5 million. Once ranked 14th on the All Time Money List, Joseph has seen his ranking slip to 75th, though he remains the second most successful poker player in MI.
  3. Daniel Heimiller: Originally from Livonia, MI, Heimiller eventually moved to Las Vegas, NV, to develop his poker career. He currently ranks as the third most successful MI player and has won close to $7.5 million from poker.

Responsible Gambling in Michigan

Playing online poker is fun and, for most players, is simply a form of entertainment. It’s important that you play poker responsibly and only gamble funds that you can afford to lose. No matter how good you are, you can never guarantee a successful outcome.

If you wish to learn more about responsible gambling or require assistance, you can use several state and national services. You can also opt to activate voluntary limits on losses, deposits, or session times or exclude yourself from poker platforms.

Michigan Problem Gambling Resources

The Best Michigan Poker Site for December 2023 – BetOnline

BetOnline is the overall best online poker site in Michigan as it provides a superb combination of cash games and tournaments as well as supporting numerous banking options and providing generous player bonuses. This licensed casino has been in operation for 20+ years and has built a solid reputation for providing a safe and entertaining player experience.

You can join BetOnline and deposit a minimum of $20 in just a couple of minutes. Once you used your welcome bonus, you’ll be able to participate in a variety of ongoing poker promotions, including a Bad Beat Jackpot and Daily and Weekly Leaderboards. If you ever need assistance, you can get help 24/7 through live chat, email, or telephone.

Our rating/verdict: 9/10
Accessible via: iOS, Android, Desktop
Poker Games:  30+
Welcome Offer: 100% match up to $1,000
Top Pros: ✔️ Great variety of cash games and tournaments

✔️ Generous welcome and ongoing promotions

✔️ Downloadable apps for Android, iOS, PC, and Mac

Cons: ❌ Limited choice of high-stakes tables

❌ High USD payment fees

FAQs

Is online poker legal in Michigan?

Which are the best online poker sites in Michigan?

Can you play online poker in Michigan?

Is online poker legal in Michigan?

When will online poker be legal in Michigan?

Who owns Michigan land-based poker rooms?

Resources

Sergio Zammit

Sergio is casino expert writer with links to several online casino hubs. He has written extensively on this sector, particularly on blackjack, poker, and roulette. He joined Technopedia in 2023 and shares his expertise in numerous guides and reviews.