The Best Michigan Online Poker Sites 2024
17 minutes
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
Online poker in Michigan is live, available, and fully regulated. Michigan is one of several US states to have passed the law regulating online poker in 2021, allowing for several sites to apply for and acquire necessary licenses and launch their platforms in the state.
On this page, we cover everything there is to know about MI online poker, from different legal options available to you, over the best bonuses and promotions, to banking options, safety, and legal considerations.
If you’re looking to play online poker in Michigan, you can start today, and this guide will help answer any questions you may have before signing up with one of the licensed MI poker sites.
Best MI Online Poker Sites
After online poker was regulated in Michigan, several major operators acquired licenses from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to set up shop in the state. We’re bringing you a quick overview of the best and safest MI poker sites you can sign up with right now.
PokerStars MI
PokerStars quickly took advantage of the newly-regulated US market, launching its online platform in January 2021. Coming in with an excellent software solution, a familiar name, and decades of experience, PokerStars MI quickly became the player’s top choice in the state.
To establish its rightful place in the new market, PokerStars did what it does best, organizing tournaments with big guarantees and setting up a reoccurring ‘COOP series (MICOOP and MISCOOP).
In early 2023, after Michigan joined the MSIGA, PokerStars became the first (and so far, the only) MI poker site to take advantage of the new opportunities, combining its Michigan and New Jersey platforms creating a much larger player pool. To reflect this, the operator changed the name of its flagship series on MI and NJ platforms to USCOOP.
New players at PokerStars MI can take advantage of a welcome bonus offering a 100% first deposit match of up to $600.
WSOP MI
WSOP is another major brand that has conquered the regulated market in the US. Present in several other states, it was no surprise to see WSOP MI go live. What was a bit of a surprise is that the platform launched in March 2022, over a year after PokerStars.
What makes WSOP MI an attractive option is the selection of bracelet and ring events that the operator organizes regularly. This is the best shot for Michigan residents to win a piece of WSOP jewelry from the comfort of their homes.
Outside of these special events, WSOP offers a solid schedule of daily and weekly events, decent cash game traffic, and popular BLAST jackpot sit and goes.
The welcome bonus at WSOP MI consists of a 100% match of up to $1000, freeroll tickets, and up to $100 in freeplay credits, all issued after the first deposit.
BetMGM Poker MI
A third major MI poker site, BetMGM launched its gaming platform in March 2021, a couple of months after PokerStars. As another well-known name in the US gaming industry, it was recognized by the players as a safe option but never quite reached the same popularity as the other two operators.
In terms of the cash game traffic, BetMGM Poker struggles to maintain regular traffic at higher stakes tables. When it comes to tournaments, the operator offers smaller series with decent prize pools and softer competition, which makes it an interesting option to consider.
New players can claim a rather generous BetMGM Poker MI welcome bonus consisting of a 100% match up to $1,000 and up to $75 in tournament tickets.
Best MI Online Poker Bonuses & Promotions
Michigan poker sites offer a variety of bonuses and promotions for new and existing players alike. Of course, welcome bonuses for new customers are the most generous, as this is the primary tool poker sites in MI use to attract fresh players.
There is a lot of value to be had when first signing up with any of the Michigan sites, and as long as you have the bankroll for it, it probably makes sense to take advantage of all available welcome offers. This is a fast and simple way to get some extra funds.
As with most poker bonuses, the money isn’t awarded ahead of time but rather released in chunks as you play real money games and generate the rake.
Comparing Best MI Poker Bonuses
Here’s a quick comparison of all welcome bonus offers available at the top Michigan poker sites to give you an idea of what you can get for your money:
|
Poker Room |
Deposit Match |
Extra Perks |
|
PokerStars MI |
100% up to $600 |
Alternative: $100 in bonus funds |
|
WSOP Poker MI |
100% up to $1,000 |
Up to $100 in free play |
|
BetMGM Poker MI |
100% up to $1000 |
Up to $75 in MTT tickets |
MI Online Poker Promotions
Licensed Michigan poker sites also offer a variety of promotions that all players can take advantage of. These come in all shapes and sizes, giving players of different bankrolls and game preferences an opportunity to boost their budgets and have more fun at the tables.
- Tournament & SNG Leaderboards – all MI poker sites offer different types of leaderboards catering to tournament players. These represent a combination of volume and results, giving you extra incentives to play more and regularly to win additional prizes.
- Cash game leaderboards – these types of leaderboards reward volume, giving players incentives to play as much as possible. The more you play and the more rake you generate, the better your placement on the leaderboard will be, resulting in higher prizes.
- Reload bonuses – All poker sites in Michigan offer occasional reload bonuses, allowing you to claim some extra funds with your next deposit. WSOP MI does a particularly good job with this, offering regular reload bonuses whenever they have a major tournament series running.
- Loyalty programs – every operator has its own loyalty program, giving you access to even more rewards. As expected, the more you play and the higher you get in the loyalty program scheme, the more you can expect to get back.
No matter what you prefer, if you are playing real money poker games in Michigan, you will surely find a suitable bonus based on your game.
Online Poker Games at Michigan Sites
Online poker sites in Michigan offer a full range of gaming options, from cash games over sit and goes to multi-table tournaments. The games are also available across many stake levels, so you don’t need a huge bankroll to play.
Best MI Poker Tournaments
Tournaments are the most popular type of online poker in Michigan, and they are available at all licensed sites. Depending on your bankroll, general preferences, and skill level, you can pick between different operators to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Small-stakes MTTs and even freerolls are available around the clock at all sites, but WSOP MI and BetMGM Poker MI are your best bet if this is what you are looking for.
All three operators also host regular series with bigger buy-ins and hefty prize pools, so there is plenty to do if you’re a more serious player. PokerStars has its ‘COOP events a few times a year and smaller series almost every month. WSOP offers bracelet and circuit events, where you can compete for WSOPC rings.
You will also find satellites for live events taking place in the US. WSOP MI hosts satellites for the Main Event in Las Vegas, while PokerStars features qualifiers for their live events, such as the recently restored North American Poker Tour (NAPT).
Not surprisingly, outside of special events, the tournament action at MI poker sites is best during weekends, especially Sundays, when you’ll find the biggest guarantees.
MI Poker Sites Cash Games
Michigan poker sites offer a wide range of options for all fans of ring game action. The stakes start as low as $0.01/$0.02, allowing even those with no experience to get their feet wet and get a taste of real-money action without risking too much.
On the other side of the spectrum, the highest stakes you’ll find running are $10/$20. At the highest of stakes, the action isn’t available at all times, but you will be able to find a few tables running during evening hours, especially on the weekends.
In terms of game types on offer, these are the ones you will find readily available:
If you’re looking to play other, less popular variants, the only place you’ll find them in Michigan is PokerStars. The site even offers some of these, like 5 Card Draw or 2-7 Triple Draw, in the tournament format during big series like USCOOP and USSCOOP.
MI Poker Sit & Go Action
If you’ve been around online poker for long enough, you probably know that sit and go tournaments were once the go-to option for many serious players. This is no longer the case, though, and the traffic in these games has seen a major decline across the board, and Michigan is no exception.
While all three operators offer regular sit and goes across multiple buy-in levels, you’ll find that these games take a long time to fill up. So, these are not viable options unless you like sitting around and waiting for games to start.
While traditional sit and go games are not very popular, it is an entirely different story for jackpot games, three-handed sit and goes that feature random jackpot prizes that can be several thousand times the buy-in.
All three MI poker sites have their own versions of these games, with different buy-in levels and prize multipliers:
|
Michigan Jackpot Sit & Goes |
||||
|
Operator |
Games |
Min BI |
Max BI |
Max win |
|
PokerStars MI |
Spin & Go |
$1 |
$25 |
2,000x |
|
WSOP MI |
BLAST |
$0.10 |
$30 |
10,000x |
|
BetMGM MI |
SPINS |
$1 |
$50 |
1,000x |
Jackpot sit-and-go offers a chance to win huge, and players at MI online poker sites can look forward to multipliers going as high as 10,000x the buy-in, so it’s no surprise these games are so popular.
Signing Up With MI Poker Sites
If you want to get started with one of the regulated poker sites in Michigan, the procedure is quite simple and fairly uniform across the board. You’ll need to follow a few easy steps and be able to start playing in a matter of minutes.
- Pick the site you like and visit their home page.
- Find the signup link or button (usually, it’s very hard to miss).
- Fill in the registration form – enter your email, desired password, and username, and fill in your personal details (name, surname, date of birth, etc.).
- Make sure to enter all the information correctly, as you will need to verify it later down the line.
- Check out your inbox to find the verification email, and click the link contained inside.
- Log into your newly created account.
- You can now make your first deposit, claim the welcome bonus, and hit the tables.
- Make sure to also download the mobile app if you plan to play on the go (you should use the same login details and not try to open a new account)
In most cases, as long as your provided information is all correct, you’ll be able to start playing straight away. The verification part usually comes into play when you make your first withdrawal request, so that’s not something you have to worry about straight away.
That said, having the required documents handy when the moment comes is good. You will usually need to provide pictures of your photo ID and a document proving your address, like a utility bill or a bank statement. You might also need to provide a photo of the card used to make deposits, but you’ll usually be allowed to cover sensitive info.
Michigan Online Poker Laws & Regulations
Online poker in Michigan officially went live in January 2021. PokerStars was the first operator to accept players from the state, followed by BetMGM Poker a couple of months later. The third MI poker site, WSOP MI, joined the party in April 2022.
Laws regulating MI online poker are similar to those in other states. All operators must be licensed by the state regulatory body, which is, in this case, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The Board is in charge of issuing licenses, overseeing the operations of regulated sites, and handling player complaints.
The minimum legal gambling age in Michigan is 21, and this applies to online poker as well.
You won’t be able to register for an account with any of the regulated sites if you’re not at least 21 years old.
MI poker rooms accept players from all over the United States, so you don’t have to be a resident of the state to register. However, all players must be physically present within state borders when actually playing for real money.
All regulated sites in the state have to partner up with a licensed land-based casino that serves as their local base of operations. Without this component, no poker room can obtain a Michigan license.
MI Online Poker Mobile Apps
All Michigan poker players can enjoy their gaming sessions on their home computers and laptops, but they can also play on the go via their mobile phones and tablets.
All licensed poker sites in Michigan feature quality real money poker apps available for Android and iOS devices. Since these are fully legal and regulated companies, you can usually download the apps straight from the respective store without any unnecessary complications.
You’ll be able to download and install these apps from anywhere in the United States and even use them to register for an account, make deposits, and request withdrawals. However, you’ll only be able to access real money games while physically present within Michigan borders.
As long as you’re in Michigan, which will be determined by the apps’ geolocation software, you’ll be able to access cash game tables, tournaments, and everything else available on the platforms. Different apps have different functionalities and possibilities in terms of multi-tabling, but you can play on more than one table on all of them.
MI Online Poker Banking
All licensed MI poker sites offer safe, reliable, and reputable payment options for deposits and withdrawals.
Your payment details are stored safely and can only be accessed by those responsible for handling payments. All transactions are protected with high-level encryption, making it very unlikely that your sensitive information will become compromised in any way.
Deposits are quick and seamless, as you’ll have no problems transferring money from your e-wallet, bank account, or credit card to one of these sites. Since they are completely legal, your financial institution will give you no problems when making these payments.
Popular MI Online Poker Payment Options
While there are some differences between different poker sites in MI, these are some of the most popular banking options you’ll find available at a majority of operators:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- PayPal
- Skrill
- PayNearMe
- E-checks
- ACH
- Online banking
- Cash at cage
The minimum deposit is just $10 at most MI online poker sites, so you will not need to break the bank to start playing.
Offshore Sites vs. Legal MI Poker Rooms
Just like in the rest of the United States, people in Michigan have access to a number of offshore, illegal poker sites. These rooms continue to accept US players, neglecting and skirting laws that forbid them from doing so.
Some of these sites have been in business for years and have built quite a reputation with the player base. So, some players may wonder why not play on these sites, which have better traffic and larger tournaments, instead of smaller but properly licensed and completely legal MI sites.
If you have these questions, we’ll provide some answers as to why you’ll be better off sticking to regulated MI poker sites and staying away from offshore operators.
⭐ No Legal Risks
The legal situation may be the biggest consideration when deciding where to play. With licensed MI poker sites, there is nothing you have to worry about in terms of legality. You can enjoy the play, knowing full well that you’ll never have any problems with the law because of it.
This isn’t necessarily true for offshore operators. Although it’s very unlikely the US government would ever go after actual players, there is always a distinct possibility you’ll get dragged into something, even if it’s just the whole procedure of getting your money back after one of these sites gets shut down.
⭐ Questionable Business Practices
It’s hardly a secret that offshore poker sites cut corners and ignore regulations to be able to operate in the United States. While personal opinions on this approach may differ, the fact of the matter is these are businesses that put their profit above all else.
As a player, this is something you should consider very carefully. If a poker site is willing to disregard laws and regulations on such a large scale, what do you think will happen if you ever have a personal dispute with them, and can you really expect fair treatment?
On the other hand, Michigan poker sites adhere to very strict laws and are constantly overseen by the MGCB. They run their operations transparently, which makes them much more trustworthy.
⭐ Safer & Smoother Banking
Anyone who’s ever played a hand at an offshore poker site knows that deposits and withdrawals can be a real ordeal. These operators have to set up complicated schemes to make it possible for US players to get the money to and from the sites, so it’s hardly a surprise there are frequent glitches, delays, and even failures to process your withdrawal.
Regulated poker sites in Michigan are fully lined up with state laws in every sense. Thus, you’ll experience no such issues when it comes to banking. Your deposits will come through without a glitch, and your withdrawals will be quick, simple, and hassle-free.
⭐ Bonuses & Promotions You Can Trust
Offshore poker sites tend to offer big and attractive bonuses to attract US players. At first glance, these bonuses seem to be worth a risk, but there is often more to the story.
Since these sites aren’t properly regulated and there is a serious lack of oversight, their promotional offers frequently feature complicated and shady terms and conditions. You often won’t even be aware of these until something goes wrong or you try to cash out, only to realize that you can’t do it because of promotional terms that were buried somewhere in the text.
Legal MI poker sites don’t employ such practices. Their terms and conditions for bonuses and promotions must be clear, concise, and easily accessible. What you see is what you get, and the truth is that some of these bonuses are great value.
⭐ Access to Proper Help if Required
Even with regulated sites, it’s always possible for something to go wrong, and you don’t accept a decision made by the operator. If that happens at one of MI's licensed rooms, you’ll have official channels to go through and lodge your complaint.
If the same scenario occurs while playing at an offshore site, you’ll be pretty much out of luck. There is no real path for you to file a complaint, and if the operator decides they want to cut off the communication, you’ll be at the end of your rope.
MI Online Poker Summary
Online poker is legal and regulated in the state of Michigan. There are currently three MI poker sites fully licensed by the MGCB at Apr, 2024.
You can register with any of these sites from anywhere in the United States, but you’ll only be able to play while physically present in Michigan.
Hopefully, the information presented on this page has answered any questions you may have had about online poker in Michigan, and now you’re ready to take the next step: pick a site and get started!
