Michigan Sports Betting: Best Sportsbook Welcome Offers (2024)

Michigan online sports betting is live as of early 2021. The Great Lakes State was among of the earliest in the country to legalize online sports betting and continues to be one of the top betting states by total wagers to this day.

There are plenty of options for prospective sports bettors in Michigan to start with when looking for a sportsbook that balances user experience with a fantastic welcome offer that, if used correctly, can pay for itself. Below are a few of these options.

Michigan is home to just over 10 million people and hosts four major American professional sports teams, not to mention the recent national champion in football (Michigan), Michigan State and more at the collegiate ranks.

Best Michigan Online Sports Betting Apps

Michigan’s sports betting handle for 2023 checks out to $4.62 Billion, a truly gargantuan number that earned Michigan $15 million in taxes. So far in 2024, the total sits at $1.4 billion and climbing.

As is the case in several other states where online sports betting is already live, online sportsbook operators must work with a state’s pre-existing retail casino location to offer online and mobile sports wagering. In total, there are 16 sportsbooks in operation in the state as of 2024, but not all are created equal. Not by a long shot.

Still, that’s good news for the state’s prospective bettors, who have an opportunity to shop around for the best odds, betting specials, and prices with a variety of outstanding sportsbook options. In this section we’ll take a look at the 6 best sportsbook offers available in the Great Lakes State by our estimation, while including helpful info such as the offer itself, pros and cons of the sportsbook and much more.

Here’s a look at the app store ratings for each of the top 6 sportsbooks in the state.

Without further ado, here’s what you need to know about the best Michigan online sports betting apps.

1. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook

States: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

GET THE APP

SIGN-UP OFFER

BET $5
GET $150

IF YOUR BET WINS!

BET NOW

FanDuel Michigan App is another industry leader that has already made big moves in the Michigan market. FanDuel, which is in Michigan via a partnership with MotorCity Casino, also built its brand and a massive following during the DFS boom and has parlayed that momentum into a fast start in the legal U.S. sports betting scene.

In our view, FanDuel Sportsbook may offer the best pound-for-pound online sports betting experience. At the heart of its success is an aesthetically smooth app that offers a tremendous breadth of bet types across dozens of sports leagues. Despite such extensive betting options, the app is both easy to use and navigate, making wagers easy to place and manage.

New bettors at FanDuel Sportsbook receive $150 in Bonus Bets for any made bet of $5 or more. The flat rate offer is one of the best in the business, even if it doesn’t flash the 4-digit dollar signs at you like some other welcome offers on this list.

Click here to get bet just $5, and get $150 in bonus bets from FanDuel Michigan Sportsbook.

2. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook

States: KS, KY, MA, MI, NY, NJ, PA, CT, AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, MD, NH, TN, VA, WV

GET THE APP

DEPOSIT BONUS

BET $5, GET $200 IN BONUS BETS

BET NOW

DraftKings Michigan App is an online sports betting industry leader. It entered the Michigan market through a June 2020 deal with Bay Mills Resort & Casino with which it will also offer a retail sports betting operation. More than its well-known brand name built during its DFS dominance, the DraftKings app supports a sleek interface that is rife with a variety of sports wagering markets.

For those looking for top-notch promos and in-app deals, DraftKings has you covered. The app is constantly running daily promotions for the top events of the day and week, including the NBA and NHL playoffs as we enter May 2024.

DraftKings is also among the best apps in terms of incentivizing both new and current players. First-time bettors are eligible to claim the impressive DraftKings new user promo (paid out as eight $25 bonus bets) as well as other no-brainer odds deals.

Meanwhile, new and current players can also take advantage of daily odds boosts, profit boosts, and occasional can’t-lose betting offers.

Click here to score an offer to bet $5, and get $200 in bonus bets with DraftKings Michigan Sportsbook.

3. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook

MICHIGAN

GET THE APP

CODE: STGET

CODE: STGET

SIGNUP BONUS

$1,000

FIRST BET ON CAESARS

BET NOW

Caesars Entertainment made a lot of noise this summer when it acquired William Hill in 2021 and as with the rest of the country, it’s become a staple for Michigan sports bettors.

The Caesars name has made waves throughout the country as it pertains to the legal betting scene, as the major sportsbook operator is typically one of the first to market in newly legalized territories. A few pros for Caesars include an elite rewards program, top notch customer service options and an abundance of live betting options with an entire section dedicated to daily boosts and promotions.

The app runs well, but we must admit we find the user interface just a bit lacking compared to some of the other giants on this list. There are plenty of betting markets available with Caesars, and while it’s far from the worst UI on this list, there’s always room for improvement.

Click here to claim an offer to get a $1,000 First Bet Back Offer on Caesars in Michigan (new users only).

4.Fanatics Sportsbook

FANATICS SPORTSBOOK

FANATICS SPORTSBOOK

Up to $1K in Bonus Bets, $100 x 10 Days

BET NOW!

Fanatics sportsbook acquired PointsBet in 2023 and has already leapt to an excellent start in late 2023 and early 2024 as we enter May. The apparel giant is slowly adding states of operation; Fanatics Michigan officially joined the party in February of 2024.

NFL live streaming is available on Fanatics, which boasts one of the top rewards programs on this list. Fanatics offers FanCash credit for the apparel store, which can also be transferred into bonus bets for the mobile sportsboook.

Fanatics does not have a desktop version available as of May 2024, so if you prefer to wager on your computer you may be out of luck.

Fanatics offers users up to $1K in bonus bets back across the first 10 days after sign up. You can receive $100 in bonus bets for each day, so long as you make a wager for the first 10 days in succession.

5. BetMGM

BetMGM

STATES: MA, OH, MD, KS, AZ, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, PA, TN, WV, VA

GET THE APP

CODE: TRADITION158

CODE: TRADITION158

SIGNUP BONUS

$1,500 FIRST BET BACK BONUS

BET NOW

MGM is one of the biggest and best brands in the U.S. gaming industry and one that should be familiar to people in Michigan.

The MGM Grand first opened in Detroit back in July 1999, signaling the arrival of legalized gambling in the state. MGM is now entering the MI online sports betting fray with its popular BetMGM app. The app has already enjoyed a solid performance in states such as New Jersey, Colorado, and Indiana, while it’s also off to a good start in new states like Tennessee and Michigan.

BetMGM Michigan offers a wide range of betting odds, packaged into a solid app experience. It has also stepped up its promotional game in recent months, consistently offering new players the chance to grab a $1,000 Bet Insurance or can’t-miss 100-1 bonus. For instance, BetMGM will offer 100-1 odds on outcomes such as a team to score at least one point.

Click here to get a $1,500 Bet Back Insurance with BetMGM Michigan.

6. BetRivers

BETRIVERS SPORTSBOOK

Get your $250 bonus today!

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUS

$500

DEPOSIT MATCH

GET THE APP!

BetRivers Michigan may not have the brand name recognition in Michigan that some of its competition benefits from, but it’s a top performer in other states where it is currently live and has enjoyed a solid start in MI.

Rush Street Gaming’s BetRivers, which came to Michigan through its deal with Little River Casino Resort, has been tremendously successful in eastern states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, it was also the first app to go live in Illinois back in June 2020, beating the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel out of the gates.

BetRivers’ overall app experience isn’t seamless or as advanced as the competition, nor are its daily promo offers as strong, but its unique new user promo makes it worth checking out.

Unlike other apps that rely on bonus bets or no-brainer odds deals, BetRivers brings a $500 first deposit match to the table. This upfront bonus provides new players with a flexible bankroll bonus that can be utilized in a variety of ways.

Click here to get a $500 first deposit match with BetRivers Michigan.

Michigan Online Sports Betting Promos

Here is a look at all of the currently known new user and promo offers at each of Michigan’s top online sportsbooks.

Michigan Online Sports Betting Timeline

The timeline for sports betting in Michigan is an interesting one to behold, a path that began with the overturning of PASPA in May of 2018.

Here’s a look at the full timeline of sports betting in Michigan.

• May 2018: The US Supreme Court overturns PASPA, allowing each state to regulate sports betting as it deems correct.
• December 2018: Governor Rick Snyder (R) vetoes legislation that would legalize online gaming and sports betting. The conservative cited issues that it would increase gambling problems, on a human level, state-wide.
• December 2019: The Lawful Sports Betting Act is passed, ultimately signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). This marks the turning point for Michigan online sports betting, as the bill legalizes online and retail sports betting in the state.
• March 2020: Detroit casinos accept the first legal wagers just five days prior to the COVID-19 pandemic striking the country. Naturally, it put a halt to the momentum.
• June 2020: Michigan gaming regulators signal their wish to accelerate the approval of online betting to late 2020.
• December 2020: Officials issue 15 provisional licenses for individual sportsbooks looking to operate online in the state of Michigan. The launch of online sports betting in Michigan is delayed until early 2021—despite the licenses being issued.
• January 2021: Online sports betting officially launched in Michigan on Jan.22, 2021.
• February 2021: The Four Winds Casino becomes the 11th provider for Michigan online sports betting.
• March 2021: The total betting handle surpassed $300 million over the first full month.
• November 2023: ESPN BET announces plans to launch in several states, including Michigan.
• February 2024: Fanatics launches in Michigan

Betting on Michigan Sports Teams

Sports bettors can wager on all of Michigan’s pro and D-I sports teams.

In fact, several of Michigan’s professional sports teams have inked deals with online sportsbook operators. This means certain brands either already have or soon will become a visible part of team content and the in-stadium/arena experience.

Here’s a look at some of the odds for Michigan sports teams as we enter May 2024.

Michigan College Football Teams

Michigan Wolverines Football

• Michigan Wolverines Football +1800 to win the 2024-25 National Championship
• Michigan Wolverines Football +500 to win the 2024-25 Big Ten Conference
• Michigan Wolverines Basketball +5000 to win the 2024-25 National Title

Michigan is fresh off a national title, but things will be different in 2024-25. With Jim Harbaugh off to the NFL with the Chargers, the Wolverines are expected to take a bit of a step back.

Michigan State Spartans Football

• Michigan State Spartans Football +30000 to win the 2024-25 National Championship
• Michigan State Spartans Football +12000 to win the 2024-25 Big Ten Conference
• Michigan State Spartans Basketball +4000 to win the 2024-25 National Title

Michigan State football is heading in the wrong direction, but there’s still some optimism for the Spartans basketball team after a underwhelming year in 2023.

Other Michigan Division I colleges and universities eligible for basketball and football wagering:

• Central Michigan Chippewas
• Detroit Mercy Titans (basketball only)
• Eastern Michigan Eagles
• Oakland Golden Grizzlies (basketball only)
• Western Michigan Broncos

Michigan Professional Football Teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)

Detroit Lions

• Detroit Lions +1200 to win Super Bowl 59
• Detroit Lions +550 to win the 2024-25 NFC championship
• Detroit Lions +150 to win the 2024-25 NFC East championship
• Jared Goff +4000 to win the 2024-25 NFL MVP

The Detroit Lions, for the first time in a long time, played meaningful football last season. The Lions are once against projected to be atop the league in 2024-25, too.

Detroit Pistons

• The Pistons are out of the race for the 2024 NBA Title

Detroit has a rough season in 2023-24, finishing with just 14 wins. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren represent some promise for the Pistons, but the squad is still a couple pieces away from truly contending for anything.

Detroit Tigers

• Detroit Tigers +5500 to win the 2024 World Series
• Detroit Tigers +2000 to win the 2024 AL pennant
• Detroit Tigers +400 to win the AL Central division

The Tigers are just slightly above .500 as of May 1 and have fair odds to make a run. Of course, the season is just kicking off so there’s plenty of time to cement an identity.

Detroit Red Wings

• N/A

The Red Wings failed to make the 2024 playoffs.

How to Bet on Sports in Michigan

The rules for Michigan online sports betting are similar to rules in other states.

All bettors must be at least 21 years of age and physically located within Michigan’s state lines. Residents of Michigan can’t wager on sports beyond state limits, unless of course, they are physically present in another state that currently offers legal wagering.

Let’s briefly run through everything Michigan bettors need to know from a procedural standpoint on how to bet.

Types of Bets

There are many ways to bet on sports, some more popular than the others. Here’s a brief look at some of the top options available in the state of Michigan.

Moneyline

Moneyline bets are the most typical type of bets and the easiest to understand. For any specific contest, a moneyline bet simply requires you to pick the winner. Favored teams are given (-) odds while underdogs are given (+) odds.

If the Lions were facing the Vikings and Detroit was favored -150, you’d have to wager $150 to win $100.

Spread

While you’re just picking the winner on moneyline bets, Spread bets require you to pick against a predetermined point spread by the sportsbook itself. It’s meant to take into account how much better one team is than the other.

For example, the Michigan Wolverines would be 28 point favorites over Central Michigan were they to face off, so you’d have to pick between Central Michigan keeping it within 28 or Michigan beating CMU by more than 28.

Over/Under

The over/under asks players to bet on the style of game, defensive or offensive. The total will be set as the sum of the final score.

If 2 good offensive basketball teams played each other, the total would hover near 210 or 220. If 2 defensive teams faced each other that total would be more around 180-190.

Parlay

A parlay is not a specific type of bet, but a way to bet. It entices users to add multiple “legs” to a single wager. If all these legs hit, you receive big winnings. However, all legs of a specific parlay have to hit for the bet to be successful.

Prop Bets

A prop bet is on a specific player or event in a game, such as a specific player to hit a certain amount of 3-pointers in a game or for a safety to be recorded in a football game.

Prop bets are most popular in tandem with parlays. Common prop bets include points, receptions for receivers, goals in hockey and so on.

Making a Sportsbook Deposit

Making a deposit with any of the state’s approved online sportsbook applications is both easy and safe. In the early days of U.S. legal sports betting, some banks would make the deposit process arduous. Since then, complications have essentially diminished in 2020. There are a variety of ways in which one can fund a sportsbook account:

• Online banking (typically the preferred method)
• Credit or debit card
• PayPal
• Prepaid cards
• Pay with cash at designated stores
• Cash at cage
• Wire transfers

Typically, online banking and PayPal are the preferred methods. In our experience, these methods tend to work most efficiently. Almost always, sportsbooks immediately make electronic deposits available for use.

Making a Sportsbook Withdrawal

The above deposit options are also available to make a withdrawal. It’s important to note that while deposited funds are immediately available for wagering purposes, sportsbook withdraws normally take between 3-5 days to process. However, they are typically not held up beyond the average processing time.

Michigan Sports Betting FAQ