Where to Play Online Poker in Michigan?

Since December 2019, online Poker has been officially legal in the state of Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of gambling expansion bills into law, which approved and regulated online Poker. Michigan is now one of only a few US states which have legalized online casinos, sports betting, and Poker, making it one of the best states to be in if you love online gambling.

As of yet, online gambling sites haven’t fully launched in Michigan, but licenses are ready, and several sites are planning to go live in the first few months of 2021. The regulation of the gambling industry in Michigan is controlled by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which has been hard at work auditing and licensing sites over the past few months. The MGC is responsible for the safety of gamblers and establishes the rules for casino sites in Michigan [3].

Poker Sites Expected to Go Live in Michigan

Although Michigan approved online Poker in 2019, no sites have gone live just yet. The regulation and control of gambling sites is a fairly slow process. The Gaming Control Board has focused on ensuring that all of the sites are above board and comply with regulations. These regulations help to protect players and ensure that games are fair.

The first Poker sites will most likely go live over the first months of 2021, and while it’s unclear exactly what to expect, we already have a good idea of which sites have received their license. So far, the following sites have been confirmed:

• PokerStars Michigan – PokerStars is easily the world’s largest online Poker brand and already has sites up and running in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The brand has gained a license to operate in Michigan under the Odawa Casino Resort and is expected to bring plenty of tables, tournaments, and bonuses to Michigan players. The PA and NJ sites have been massively successful, and PokerStars is looking to build on that success in MI. In New Jersey, PokerStars offers a $600 welcome bonus to new players. This reward is offered as a 100% matched deposit bonus, which can be unlocked from the player’s first three deposits.
• Partypoker Michigan – Party Poker is another big online Poker brand that used to be present in the US before it left the market due to falling foul of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. [4] In 2013, Partypoker finally returned to the US as the brand set up shop in NJ. Now, it looks as though Partypoker is all but confirmed as launching in MI after it partnered with the MGM Grand Detroit casino. The New Jersey Partypoker site offers a welcome bonus worth up to an impressive $1000. The bonus is a 100% matched deposit offer and is paid out in cash over time as the player pays rake in games on the site.

Will Interstate Play be Allowed at Michigan Poker Sites?

One of the big questions that many online Poker enthusiasts are asking is whether Michigan will be part of an interstate network. Right now, online Poker is legal and live in NJ, PA. NV and DE. An interstate pool would allow players from each of those states to play Poker against one another. Having an interstate pool means better competition and more players, leading to a better online Poker experience overall.

When the Michigan online gambling bill first passed, it only allowed online Poker sites to launch in-state. This rule means that players will need to confirm their location [5] within the state before playing and that, at the moment, an interstate player pool isn’t permitted. However, a recent bill was drafted to allow Michigan players to play against players in other states. The bill hasn’t been signed into law yet, but it’s looking increasingly likely that Michigan’s online Poker sites will be able to join an interstate network.