Play Online Poker in Michigan

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Poker is the most popular card game in the world, and as a result, it should be no surprise to hear that people want to play online. The online gaming industry has steadily risen over the past decade, and now it is one of the strongest businesses in the world.

Michigan has been a hot spot for poker for a long time, and now people can enjoy their favorite card game online. While it is not legal everywhere, online poker is legal in Michigan. After getting legalized in late 2019, the first online casino launched in Michigan on January 29th, 2021.

Looking at Online Poker Laws in Michigan

Unfortunately, legalizing online poker in the United States and Michigan is not as easy as you might think. That is why Michigan is only the fifth state to legalize online gaming in the United States. Most states only allow people to gamble when they are at sanctioned in-person casinos. However, in Michigan, you can enjoy playing poker online.

There are several laws in place to ensure that online gambling is regulated in Michigan. All online poker rules run through the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The control board is charged with regulating and establishing new rules for online poker and other online games.

Part of the agreement to legalize online poker in Michigan required online gaming sites to associate with a brick-and-mortar casino. Online casinos cannot operate independently. Instead, in-person casinos can establish online versions for their players far from the establishment. This system is similar to the ones in place in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Acquiring an online gaming license in Michigan takes a long time, and it is expensive. A license costs $100,000, and there is also a $50,000 application fee. Online casinos must also pay an annual renewal fee of $50,000.

There are currently 26 live casinos in Michigan with internet gaming sites associated with them. These companies are taxed on a tiered structure from 20% to 28%.

What Are the Best Online Casinos in Michigan for Playing Online Poker?

There are several online casinos for you to choose from in Michigan. Unfortunately, all of the sites are not of equal quality. As a result, you need to figure out which ones are the best options for online poker. Do not worry, we have some recommendations for you.

WSOP Michigan

If you want to play online poker in Michigan, there are not many better places than WSOP Michigan. The World Series of Poker is the most recognizable poker brand in the world. As a result, it should be no surprise to hear that they sponsor several online gaming sites.

One of the sites they launched most recently was WSOP Michigan. It officially launched in March of 2022. The biggest draw of this site is the opportunity to play in big tournaments.

If you are unable to make it to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, you can enjoy some of the online events at WSOP Michigan. There are also several opportunities to earn entries to live events such as the WSOP Main Event.

Another popular event is the weekly $100 buy-in. This tournament has a guaranteed minimum grand prize of $50,000. You can enter this event every Sunday.

The WSOP Michigan website uses the Poker 8 software. This software is used by all 888poker websites around the world. This software is a significant improvement on the software used by the WSOP sister sites in Nevada and New Jersey

Players visiting this site will earn rewards from online poker through the Caesars Rewards program. Additionally, while players are on the site, they will enjoy the dark color scheme. This design makes it easier on the eyes of players at night.

BetMGM Poker MI

BetMGM is another one of the biggest poker brands in the world. The BetMGM Poker MI website is easy to navigate. The design is simple, making it a great option for people who have never explored an online gaming site before. 

This site launched in March of 2021, becoming the second legal online poker site in Michigan. It uses the software used on partypoker network websites. Additionally, the in-person casino partnered with BetMGM Poker MI is the MGM Grand Detroit casino. It is the largest casino in Michigan.

When this site first launched, it did not get off to the start the owners expected. Traffic was slow and it trailed sites like PokerStars. While that remains the case, traffic has improved and the player base has grown. Today, players can enjoy the monthly tournament series. In this series, buy-ins are ranging from $20 to $1060. There are also cash games for players to enjoy on this site.

PokerStars Michigan

We mentioned them briefly in the section above, but PokerStars Michigan is one of the top online casinos in Michigan. PokerStars is the most recognizable online poker brand in the world. As a result, you should not be surprised to hear that they launched the first online casino in Michigan in January of 2021.

PokerStars Michigan quickly became the most popular PokerStars website in the United States. Big tournaments such as those in the COOP series brought in lots of players. Additionally, being able to earn Stars rewards means players are incentivized to stick with the site for longer.

PokerStars Michigan can be accessed via desktop and mobile devices. PC users must download and install the PokerStars client. Conversely, mobile users must download the app.

If you are looking for a safe place to enjoy online poker, there are no better options in Michigan than PokerStars Michigan.

Who Can Play Online Poker in Michigan?

Anyone who can legally play poker in an in-person casino can play online poker. Michigan requires that you are 21 years old or older to play games in a casino. You also must be a resident of Michigan to use most online casinos in Michigan.

Final Thoughts

Online poker should continue to grow in the coming years. As a result, getting a handle on things now could help you in the future. Any of the sites discussed above are safe online poker websites.