Michigan has pumped the brakes on playing casino games online after Governor Gretchen Witmer signed in the state's new Lawful Internet Gaming Act at the end of 2019 – making online poker, online sports betting and other online casino gambling illegal. Poker is synonymous with Las Vegas. Find out about poker tournaments, high-end poker rooms, and tips for playing poker at MGM Resorts destinations. The MGM Grand Detroit is also the largest casino in the state. MGM partners with partypoker in New Jersey through the Borgata, and that may be an option in Michigan as well. A partypoker entrance into the market offers a nice option for online poker players. Oct 08, 2020 It offers a complete gambling experience as you can enjoy a casino, sportsbook, and poker room online. Originally launched as playMGM in New Jersey in 2017, it was later rebranded to BetMGM. Soon, BetMGM will be available in Michigan, operating under the MGM Grand Detroit Casino license.
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With the first real money poker games expected to be only a few weeks away, PokerNews looked at the list of applicants for a gaming license in Michigan to understand what we can expect to see when the market opens.
The state of Michigan legalized online poker back in December 2019, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the House Bill No. 4311.
The package, now referred to as Michigan's Lawful Internet Gaming Act, opened the state's door to online poker, online casino gambling, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports, putting the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) in control of all the operations.
Since then, almost 50 gambling operators applied for a license. While not all these companies are expected to launch an online poker site, the list of applicants gives us a good idea of what to expect for the upcoming Michigan poker market.
PokerStars MI: Yes
The world's largest online poker site is expected to start offering real money poker games in Michigan from day one.
The Stars Group inked a deal with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authorityback in January and it has been preparing the launch of real money poker, casino, and betting products since then.
While we expect the group to enter the sports betting and online casino arena with the FOXBet and FanDuel brands, we have no doubts that all their poker operations will be funneled through the upcoming PokerStars MI.
The PokerStars brand is already active in New Jersey and Pennsylvania through its PokerStars NJ and PokerStars PA websites.
partypoker MI: Yes
The ongoing battle between PokerStars and partypoker for a leadership position in the U.S. poker market is not going to stop anytime soon, as partypoker will operate shoulder-to-shoulder with PokerStars also in Michigan.
To secure an early start in the state, Roar Digital (the company that runs partypoker's operations in the United States) signed a partnership agreement with the MGM Grand Detroit. We expect this to result in a product that will gain the 'party' brand, earning it a significant presence in both the poker and the casino markets in the process.
The launch of a partypoker MI product alongside PokerStars replicates the same scenario that we have seen New Jersey, where the two hold the biggest market shares and continue to battle for the acquisition of new players with massive online tournament series and promotions.
If New Jersey is any indication of how things could go in Michigan, it is safe to assume that ROAR/party will start their operations in the state with a series of aggressive acquisition campaigns that will try to put the brand ahead of PokerStars from the outset.
888poker MI: No
The list of applicants to offer online poker games in the state of Michigan does not include 888poker.
The Israel-based gaming giant does not appear to have entered into an agreement with any of the land-based casinos in the state and is therefore not expected to launch in Michigan in the immediate future.
WSOP.com MI: No
Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE), the company that runs the WSOP.com poker site is also not on the list of those expected to get an early start in Michigan.
While the WSOP.com poker software might not be as popular or appreciated as those of PokerStars and partypoker, the absence of the WSOP.com brand in Michigan is one that players are going to feel — especially if 2021 will bring us another online edition of the World Series of Poker.
GGPoker MI: No
While we wouldn't be surprised to see the GGPoker Casinos in reno nv open. brand launch and grow in popularity in the United States sometimes soon, we know this isn't going to start in Michigan.
The up-and-coming poker site that changed online poker in 2020 with the launch of the online World Series of Poker and lots of innovative features is quieter than quiet when it comes to their U.S. plans.
GGpoker is not on the list of the upcoming MI poker sites and is not active in any other American state.
READ ALSO: Facts and Figures from the 2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Bracelet Events
Other Applicants
The list of applicants interested in securing a Michigan gaming license includes more names that might sound familiar to poker players.
None of these, however, seem to be interested in launching an online poker site in the state.
- William Hill applied for a license via a company named American Wagering Inc. and it is expected to launch an online sportsbook as part of the group's expansion in the United States.
- Betfair applied for a license via the Betfair Interactive US LLC and is expected to enter the market with an online sportsbook.
The list of other notable applicants includes also the likes of DraftKings, SugarHouse, Barstool, BetMGM, and Scientific Games.
When will online poker launch in Michigan?
We anticipate Michigan online poker to go live in early 2021. An MGCB spokeswoman noted that they don't know 'whether poker will be among the games included at initial launch.' A lot of elements are at play and it is a huge task to launch both sports and online casinos at the same time, let alone poker.
'The platform providers still must meet other regulatory requirements before online gaming and sports betting can launch in Michigan,' MGCB executive director Richard S. Kalm said in a news release. 'The launch date will depend on how quickly they can fulfill the requirements.'
In January 2019, The Stars Group, a global leader in online gaming, announced its intention to enter Michigan's online poker market. The Stars Group owns PokerStars online poker rooms around the world, including in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The only PokerStars competitor expected to enter the Michigan online poker market is PartyPoker. An existing deal between PartyPoker's parent company GVC Holdings and MGM suggests that PartyPoker will likely enter Michigan through MGM Grand Detroit.
Since there aren't any Caesars' or Eldorado Resorts' casinos in the state, WSOP.com doesn't have an apparent home — yet.
In the fall of 2020, however, Caesars agreed to purchaseWilliam Hill for $3.7 billion. The deal, expected to be finalized in 2021, could be the pathway for WSOP to enter the state.
| Brand | Partner | Projected launch |
|---|---|---|
| PartyPoker | MGM Grand Detroit | N/A |
| PokerStars | Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | N/A |
Will I be able to play poker with players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?
If and when Michigan joins the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association remains unclear. The MSIGA allows New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware to share player pools.
A clause in the Michigan gambling bills would have directly facilitated an interstate compact; however, it was removed before the laws passed.
Lawmakers have indicated its removal was intended to address multi-state progressive slot jackpots.
Multi-state poker could be on its way to Michigan. It's likely a must-have for the online poker market in the Great Lakes State to survive long-term. Curtis Hertel Jr., a state legislator in Michigan, has proposed a bill adding multi-state online poker to Michigan's gambling offerings.
The bill passed through the Senate in October and then moved through the House of Representatives where it passed through committee in early December.
Michigan is slightly larger than New Jersey, where online poker is barely surviving despite pooling players with Nevada and Delaware.
Adding states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, to the mix over the next few years would certainly be a boost to the US online poker market.
Online poker in Michigan
Because sports betting and online casinos will likely generate more revenue than online poker, the latter verticals may take priority.
Only existing casino operators, which include three commercial casinos in Detroit and 12 tribal casino operators throughout the state, will be able to procure online gambling licenses.
Each will be allowed one online casino brand and one online poker brand per license, up to two total brands apiece.
The licenses come with a $50,000 application fee, $100,000 initial licensing fee and a $50,000 annual renewal fee.
Michigan online poker operators will be subject to the same tiered tax structure as online casinos.
It starts at 20% for adjusted gross receipts of less than $4 million and peaks at 28% for more than $12 million. Detroit commercial casinos will also pay an additional 1.25% city tax.
Michigan online poker partnerships
PokerStars + Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Global online poker giant The Stars Group secured a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority in early January 2020.
The deal gives The Stars Group first-skin market access for all gambling verticals in Michigan, including online poker.
The Stars Group owns and operates PokerStars, which operates in NJ and PA. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians operates three Michigan tribal casinos, with the largest being the Odawa Casino, near Petoskey.
Both entities will still need to secure a license and get regulatory approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. However, it appears it's a matter of time before PokerStars Michigan launches.
Partypoker + MGM Grand Detroit
Though there wasn't a formal announcement, MGM Resorts International and partypoker's parent company GVC Holdings established a 50/50 joint venture sports betting and online gaming platform for the US in July 2018.
The idea is that MGM Resorts and GVC will deliver their assets, brands, proprietary technology, and industry expertise wherever sports betting and online gaming are legal in the US.
The press release announcing the joint venture specifically named the partypoker brand.
The launch of partypoker Michigan through MGM Grand would appear to be the perfect example of a joint venture in action.
How Michigan online poker will work
Michigan's online poker will launch as a fenced-in market.
Players who are 21 years or older and within state lines will be eligible to play online poker cash games and tournaments.
Online poker operators will use geolocation technology to ensure all live players are inside the state.
Players will need to sign up for an online account with an operator of their choice and go through identity and age verification before they can play.
One day, state lawmakers may enter into a multi-state compact to allow operators to share player pools with sites in other poker states.
A clause initially included in the state's online gambling bills that would have directly facilitated an interstate compact was removed before the legislation was passed.
Lawmakers have indicated its removal was intended to address multi-state progressive slot jackpots. Therefore, multi-state poker is still a possibility down the road.
Online poker bonuses and rewards
Michigan online poker sites will offer free play to attract new customers.
Tax breaks allowing Michigan online poker operators a percentage of gross receipts for free play over the first five years of operation all but guarantees this.
Plus, giving free bonus cash as an incentive to sign up has proven to be a successful poker marketing strategy elsewhere.
PokerStars PA has shot out of the gate, posting four to six times the revenue it averages in NJ.
Players who open a PokerStars account in Pennsylvania using the PokerStars PA bonus code PLAY30 and deposit at least $20 will earn $30 in free play.
This offer includes $20 in free play and $10 in Spin and Go tickets.
New PA players also receive a ticket to the depositor freeroll event on the last Sunday of every month. It features cash prizes and a zero-entry fee.
PokerStars' players in Pennsylvania can also use the promo code STARS600 when they sign up and make their first deposit (or three qualifying deposits within 60 days), and can also earn a 100% bonus of up to $600.
Players need to earn redemption points to unlock the bonus, but get 5 points for every $1 paid in tournament fees or rake in most games. Once earning 100 redemption points, PokerStars PA will release $10 in bonus cash into their account.
PA players can only receive the free-money bonus or the deposit bonus, not both.
PokerStars Michigan should roll out with something similar.
Any tournaments that launch will attempt to stay competitive with a bonus structure to try to attract new players.
Fund your online poker account
There's little doubt Michigan online poker operators will want to make getting your money on and off the sites as easy as possible.
That means offering a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, including third-party payment processors like PayPal, debit or credit cards, and cash.
Here's an example of the variety of deposit methods at PokerStars PA:
- Instant E-checks: ACH payment.
- Skrill: A secure online third-party payment option.
- Mastercard or Visa: Credit or debit card transactions through approving issuing banks.
- Neteller: A secure online third-party payment option.
- Stars Transfer: Instant deposits with online banking.
- PayNearMe: Make a cash payment at retail locations, including 7-Eleven and CVS.
- PokerStars Play+ Card: This prepaid card pairs to a Stars' account.
- Cash Deposit: Cash at the Mount Airy Casino cage.
Poker and cardrooms in Michigan
There's a massive live poker scene in Michigan with as many as 10 live poker rooms operating across the state.
Walk into any one of the Michigan poker rooms on this list, and you'll find securing a seat at affordable stakes is as easy as asking for one.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, in Brimley, features a four-table poker room that is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
There are regular cash games and low-buy-in tournaments. Players must be at least 18 years or older.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
The newly renovated 26-table poker room at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, in Battle Creek, is the premier poker room in the state.
The room spreads Texas Hold'em, Omaha and stud cash games at a variety of low to mid-stakes. Plus, there are low to mid-stakes buy-in tournaments every day, including a regular stop on the popular Mid-States Poker Tour.
Promotions include a progressive bad beat jackpot.
Greektown Casino Hotel
Mgm Online Poker Michigan News
Greektown Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 12-table poker room offering Texas Hold 'em and Omaha games. There are regular tournaments and high-hands promotions.
- Instant E-checks: ACH payment.
- Skrill: A secure online third-party payment option.
- Mastercard or Visa: Credit or debit card transactions through approving issuing banks.
- Neteller: A secure online third-party payment option.
- Stars Transfer: Instant deposits with online banking.
- PayNearMe: Make a cash payment at retail locations, including 7-Eleven and CVS.
- PokerStars Play+ Card: This prepaid card pairs to a Stars' account.
- Cash Deposit: Cash at the Mount Airy Casino cage.
Poker and cardrooms in Michigan
There's a massive live poker scene in Michigan with as many as 10 live poker rooms operating across the state.
Walk into any one of the Michigan poker rooms on this list, and you'll find securing a seat at affordable stakes is as easy as asking for one.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, in Brimley, features a four-table poker room that is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
There are regular cash games and low-buy-in tournaments. Players must be at least 18 years or older.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
The newly renovated 26-table poker room at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, in Battle Creek, is the premier poker room in the state.
The room spreads Texas Hold'em, Omaha and stud cash games at a variety of low to mid-stakes. Plus, there are low to mid-stakes buy-in tournaments every day, including a regular stop on the popular Mid-States Poker Tour.
Promotions include a progressive bad beat jackpot.
Greektown Casino Hotel
Mgm Online Poker Michigan News
Greektown Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 12-table poker room offering Texas Hold 'em and Omaha games. There are regular tournaments and high-hands promotions.
Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, features a 14-table poker room spreading Texas Hold'em and Omaha games.
There are low-stakes tournaments happening five days a week, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot.
Kewadin Casino
Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center, in Sault Ste. Marie, features a four-table poker room open Wednesdays through Sundays.
There are low-stakes tournaments on Wednesdays and cash games every day.
MGM Grand Detroit
Mgm Online Poker Michigan Real Money
The poker room at MGM Grand Detroit features 17 tables with Texas Hold'em and Omaha action.
There are bounty tournaments three days a week and promotions include splash pots, bad beat jackpots and hot-seat drawings.
MotorCity Casino Hotel
The MotorCity Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 17-table poker club spreading Texas Hold'em and Omaha games.
There's a regular tournament calendar, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, high-hands and a gas card giveaway.
Ojibwa Casino Baraga
Mgm Online Poker Michigan Wolverines
The Ojibwa Casinos, in Baraga, spreads poker on a single table running on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m.
Ojibwa Casino Marquette
The Ojibwa Casino, in Marquette, has poker on three tables on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, in Mount Pleasant, features a 14-table poker room open 24/7.
There's a six-day per week tournament schedule and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, early bird rake, lucky ticket draws and high-hands.
The room spreads Texas Hold'em, Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, Omaha, seven-card stud and Razz. Multi-game formats include round by rounds, dealer's choice, HORSE, SHOE and HOP. Players may request any game type with any limit.
