The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulates commercial casinos, horse racing, internet gaming, internet sports betting, and fantasy sports. Offshore online casino sites targeting Michigan players can be said to be “black market operators” rather than “gray market” in the sense that the state provides a licensing framework that said operators have chosen to ignore.
Michigan law MCL 750.301 prohibits wagering money, goods, or services on the results of unknown races, contests, or games, which is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of not more than $1,000. Michigan defines gambling as “accepting money or valuable thing contingent on uncertain event.”Īll gambling is illegal unless expressly authorized and licensed by the state. Two months earlier, the state legislature passed the Lawful Sports Betting Act. Michigan became the fifth US state to legalize and regulate online gaming when it passed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019. There are tribal and commercial casinos, parimutuel betting, online lottery games, land-based and mobile sports betting, and online casino gaming and poker. In gambling terms, Michigan is a progressive state that licenses most forms of gaming and wagering.
