Michigan Online Poker

Online poker in Michigan is now a reality, having been legal since December 2019, with the first online poker room in MI, PokerStars, launching in January 2021. Now, three legal online poker options are available in Michigan, with BetMGM Poker and WSOP entering the fray. All of these are licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and operate with retail casino partnerships in the state, allowing you to play online poker with real money.

We are here to give you all the information you need to take advantage of the best options in Michigan online poker. It is important to only stick to legal and regulated US poker options, and all of the online poker rooms we will analyze are entirely legal, safe, and regulated in MI. 

With PokerStars already offering a multi-state player pool and BetMGM poised to do the same, and with the presence of WSOP online poker in Michigan, the Michigan poker landscape has never looked brighter. It will be interesting to see what new online poker operators may arise and how the existing entities continue to grow and expand between states. With all that said, let's get into the three current options in online poker for Michigan residents in more detail.

WSOP, the final MI poker operator to join the fray, is well-known among big poker aficionados. You'll experience some great benefits when joining WSOP, starting with a welcome bonus of up to $100 in bonus credits and a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000. This is arguably the best bonus offer available in online poker for Michigan sign-ups and one that is well worth taking advantage of.

Plus, WSOP is known for its excellent software powered by Poker 8, making it highly usable via the website or the app for iOS and Android. On top of it, WSOP offers an excellent selection of events awarding prestigious WSOPC rings and gold bracelets.

You can play a nice selection of Poker 8-powered MTTs and Cash Games at WSOP MI. All while enjoying frequent bonuses, promotions, and freerolls. WSOP is a top option for serious poker grinders, as it is known to reward high-volume players.

You can play Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) for No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). Sit-and-Gos are offered, plus BLAST events; SNGs with the potential to win big on limited buy-ins ranging from $0.10 to $30.

Cash Games are available for No Limit Hold'em (NLHE) with buy-ins up to $25/50. Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) Cash Game buy-ins go up to $10/20.

On January 29th, 2021, online poker became a reality in Michigan, with the Michigan Gaming Control Board announcing that PokerStars would launch in the state. The Michigan Gaming Control Board had previously approved various online poker and casino platforms. The rollout of legal online gambling in MI began in December 2019, although online casinos and sportsbooks debuted first.

BetMGM Poker went live on March 22, 2021, shortly after PokerStars launched. The approval of online poker by the Michigan Gaming Control Board continued to grow as online gambling in the state, including a third online poker operator in WSOP, has become a bigger and bigger factor in MI. The availability of three online poker platforms means that it is a great time to play online poker in Michigan, as there are several options to choose from.

With three options to choose from in online poker for Michigan residents, it is important for each poker room to please its customers with bonuses and promotions.

You will generally find online poker bonuses in one of two formats:

• Instant bonuses: mean that you will receive bonus funds in your poker account balance as soon as you make a qualifying deposit. These funds can be used to play Cash Games or tournaments and don't require an additional deposit. This can be a great way to get your bankroll going immediately.
• Tournament tickets: these will generally be for a designated value and must be used to enter particular tournaments. This can be a lot of fun, especially since you can enter a tournament you generally would not, depending on your bankroll size and risk management profile.

While these are the types of bonuses you will see the most often, there are other varieties as well. Let's take a look at the common type of bonuses you will find at Michigan online poker sites. We will start with offers you will see in online poker for new Michigan sign-ups:

1. Welcome Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are the most common type of bonus in the online poker industry and are among the more important to consider. They will target new players and are often quite generous as these can decide which poker room a prospective new user will decide upon. You will usually see a welcome offer in the form of a deposit match, such as a player depositing $200 and receiving $200 in bonus funds in return.

Sometimes there will be additional perks such as a small no-deposit bonus, tournament tickets, or freeroll entries. Regarding cash bonuses such as deposit match offers, the funds will not generally be received in your balance immediately. As you play, based on the terms and conditions of the offer, your bonus cash will be released into your account in increments.

These bonuses are highly beneficial as they enable you to pad your bankroll immediately as you get used to the poker room. While they benefit the player, they also benefit the operator since the release of cash bonuses in increments encourages you to play. In this way, it is a win-win for both, but reviewing all terms and conditions of welcome offers is important to ensure you can meet the qualifications to take full advantage of them.

2. Reload Bonuses

Ongoing users deserve to be rewarded for their loyalty to poker rooms and reload bonuses achieve this goal. Sites like PokerStars Michigan and WSOP frequently offer existing users the opportunity to deposit and earn bonuses beyond their welcome offers. Reload bonuses function similarly to welcome offers but are extended to existing users past their initial deposit.

You will usually note that the maximum bonus is a bit smaller on a reload bonus than a welcome bonus, yet they can get up there, as we've seen amounts as high as $500 or more. These are great opportunities for existing users to pad their bankrolls and gain more opportunities to play, and these can easily be claimed.

It is great to receive ongoing rewards beyond your initial welcome offer, but again, review all terms and conditions of any reload bonus offers. Once you are sure that they meet your needs, it is generally a benefit to take advantage of any reload bonuses you can, assuming you plan to play online poker on an ongoing basis.

3. Various Leaderboards

Michigan online poker sites will often feature leaderboards and competitions, these can cater to various versions of online poker and enable rewards to be distributed based on your volume and results. These are ongoing competitions that reward those who play a considerable volume during a specified period, and rewards can also be decided by your play results.

It is crucial to get involved with leaderboards that meet your preferred formats the most, and it can be beneficial to allocate more of your volume to these categories to rack up the rewards. It can also enhance your experience overall due to the friendly competition involved and the opportunity to shine publicly.

Be sure to read all rules and criteria to ensure you are putting your money in the best place to earn rewards. It is also critical to manage your bankroll effectively and not become overly zealous due to the appeal of these types of leaderboard opportunities. Responsible gambling is essential above all else.

4. Loyalty Programs

We must discuss loyalty programs as these are one of the best ways to gain by keeping your business with a particular online poker room. These are designed to reward those who play frequently and benefit the poker operators, and it is crucial to find a loyalty program that aligns with your style and volume of poker play. Each operator will have a varying structure to its loyalty program, with different benefits that may better suit one individual than the next.

Finding the right one for you and taking full advantage of it can help boost your winnings beyond what you can obtain at the table. The more you play and generate rake for the poker room, the more you stand to gain perks, including cashback, tournament tickets, exclusive bonuses, merchandise, and access to special events. 

We recommend you research and compare the loyalty programs at multiple Michigan online poker brands. Remember the rewards program structure, the rewards offered, and how frequently you can earn and redeem loyalty points. Be sure to assess your playing style and volume to find the best rewards program for you.

In early 2021, legal Texas Hold'em online poker for real money became a reality with the launch of PokerStars, enabling Michigan residents and visitors alike to enjoy online poker rooms. Online poker in Michigan has become a strong option for visiting Indiana and Ohio residents and those living in MI.

There has never been a more exciting time for Michigan poker, and we can only expect additional growth from online poker rooms in the state. Look at some details regarding how online poker in Michigan functions.

1. Legal Age of Gambling

You must be 21 or over to play online poker in Michigan. Age and ID verification checks will be performed by online poker sites, and you will need a valid Social Security number and government-issued ID, such as a passport or US driver's license to register.

2. Geolocation Tools

Geolocation software is used by online poker sites to make sure you are within state borders while playing. An example is GeoComply, and such tools are standardly used by operators in all states where online gambling is legal.

3. Wide Range of Deposit Options

You will have many deposit options at legal online poker sites in Michigan, including Play+, PayPal, debit/credit cards, and direct transfers from checking accounts.

4. Cash Games and Tournaments

You can play multiple types of poker contests, including Cash Games and tournaments. Tournaments come in various buy-ins with different types, including single-table, multi-table, and satellite contests enabling you to qualify for larger live events. All of this can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home with a broader range of options than you will find at many physical casinos.

5. Mobile Poker

All of the legal online poker brands we have recommended offer mobile apps that make it easy to play on the go, with solid and accurate GPS tracking to ensure you are within state lines. Plus, you can play via web browser on a computer or mobile device if you so choose using the same login information.

6. Player Pool

While initially, poker players in Michigan were only allowed to play against others within the state, this is no longer the case. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has allowed the ability for interstate play, with PokerStars allowing users from both MI and NJ to compete in the same pool.

Since online poker has been available in Michigan since early 2021, the ability to deposit real money on online poker sites has been a reality. The opportunity to claim a welcome bonus upon opening your account and play Hold'em and Omaha for real cash in Michigan has been exciting for MI poker enthusiasts.

Declined credit card payments at regulated online poker states like New Jersey and Nevada have been problematic, but fortunately, Michigan online poker sites offer a variety of alternative deposit methods to ensure this issue never becomes significant. Here we will get into some of the most common banking methods used in online poker in states where it is legal and regulated.

• Play+/Prepaid Cards: Using a prepaid card such as Play+ has a lot of benefits. They are easy to use, have high acceptance rates, and you can often earn free cash and make ATM withdrawals using these cards.
• e-Wallet: PayPal and Skrill are great options for online poker banking. They ensure high privacy, enable you to store funds from various sources, and offer quick transfer times and rapid withdrawals.
• PayNearMe:If you can only pay with cash, PayNearMe is an excellent option. You can go to local stores such as 7-Eleven, CVS, or Family Dollar and deposit money into your online poker account via cash.
• Debit Cards: Of course, it can be highly convenient to transfer money into your online poker account directly from your checking account via a debit card. This is another strong option that is available at online poker sites in Michigan.
• Credit Cards: While online poker sites may offer the ability to use credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for depositing, there have sometimes been some issues with cash advance fees or withdrawal limitations. Of course, paying with a credit card can be appealing, but there are some reasons to avoid it if possible.
• e-check/ACH: VIP Preferred and other third-party processors allow anonymous transfers from bank accounts to online poker sites. This can have an appeal if you want to transfer money directly from your bank account with an added layer of anonymity.
• Bank Transfer: A secured bank transfer from your checking or savings account is a classic way to fund your online poker account. It is quick, secure, easy, and maybe the best option for many online poker players.
• Casino Cage: You can also fund your online poker account the classic way by making an in-person payment at the brick-and-mortar casino partner of your online poker site of choice. The funds will appear in your poker account quickly, deposit limits are generally high, and you can even make in-person withdrawals with a photo ID and account number.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates online poker in MI, ensuring safety and security when playing at legal online poker sites in the state. Since the passing of the Lawful Sports Betting Act in Michigan, online poker and other forms of online gambling have been legal.

Offshore online poker sites such as ACR still operate but exist in a legal grey area. Yes, users will not be prosecuted or arrested for playing on these sites, yet they are not regulated in the US, and playing on them is suboptimal.

We highly recommend responsible gambling and suggest only playing what you can afford on legal and regulated sites. March is problem gambling awareness month in the US in 2024, and BetMGM Poker actively participated heavily with promotion on its Michigan poker web pages. Legal online poker entities such as BetMGM and others we have recommended provide strong resources to support responsible gambling.

There are many ways to get help via online poker sites if you need assistance with a gambling problem. These include FAQ pages, links to gambling help sites, phone lines, and other helpful resources. These can be accessed via a dedicated page on these poker providers' websites, including links, resources, and FAQs.

Michigan is a booming online and retail gambling state, with legal online sports betting, casino gambling, and poker, plus three commercial casinos in the Detroit area and 23 tribal casinos throughout the state. Pari-mutuel wagering is also available, although Northville Downs is the only remaining race track in MI. A state lottery has been in place in Michigan, with online lottery options appearing in 2014, leading to over 300,000 online tickets being sold online daily by the middle of 2015.

Legislative efforts to legalize online poker and casino gambling occurred in 2016, with Senator Mike Kowall introducing the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. Nonetheless, this bill did not progress as it died in committee. Subsequent efforts to legalize online gambling occurred in the following years, with the House and Senate introducing another bill in 2018 that was vetoed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.

After a long time coming, online poker, casino gambling, and sports betting were approved via the signature of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019. This led to the official launch of PokerStars in Michigan on January 29th, 2021, and the subsequent arrival of BetMGM Poker and WSOP in the state.