Michigan is one of only six states that offer legally licensed online poker sites in the US. While it initially started with just PokerStars, BetMGM Poker and WSOP.com have since entered the scene, rounding out a robust Michigan online poker scene. Ready to get in on the action? Read on for our full guide to Michigan online poker.
Best Michigan Online Poker Bonus Codes – Top MI Poker Apps
The best part about signing up to play online poker is the welcome bonuses. In Michigan, new players are enticed to create online poker accounts with welcome bonuses. These often include a no-deposit bonus and a deposit match bonus. Here is a more in-depth look at the different operators in the Wolverine State, and the welcome bonuses they supply:
1. WSOP Poker Michigan Bonus Offers
- Bonus offer: 100% deposit match up to $1,000, Up to $100 Bonus Play on deposit, 7 Spins on the Winner Spinner Wheel, and $10K Main Event Seat Drawing Entry with bonus code: 25BONUS – Click to claim
- The site is not currently part of an interstate playing pool
- WSOP is available in MI, NJ, NV, & PA
- Local Casino Partner: Caesars Entertainment
WSOP is the most popular US poker site based almost entirely on brand recognition, as players can compete in daily online tournaments for a chance at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. In fact, qualifiers start as low as $1, plus the $100K guaranteed tournament every Sunday. But all the money-making potential aside, WSOP also offers an exceptional desktop app, on par with or better than its competitors.
2. BetMGM Poker Michigan Bonus Offers
- Bonus offer: Up to $75 on sign-up with first deposit + 100% match up to $1,000 with bonus code PLAYCHIP
- The site is not currently part of an interstate playing pool
- BetMGM is available in MI, NJ, & PA
- Local Casino Partner: MGM Grand Detroit
BetMGM Poker launched in Michigan in March 2021, ending PokerStars’ two-month monopoly. The Michigan online poker scene gives BetMGM a chance to compete for market share against PokerStars. However, in other states like New Jersey, BetMGM has failed to attract as many players as its competitors.
BetMGM Michigan offers new users two great welcome bonuses. Both are matched to your first deposit.
For the first bonus you get a deposit match bonus of 100%, up to a maximum of $1,000 upon successful creation of an account with BetMGM Poker promo code PLAYCHIP. So if you deposit $50, you’ll get an additional $50 credited to your account. This is paid incrementally, based on how much you pay in rake and tournament entry fees. The more you play the sooner you’ll be able to redeem the entirety of your bonus.
The second bonus gives you the chance to get up to $75 on a sliding scale depending on the amount of your deposit. This bonus is awarded in the form of Tournament Tickets. The more you deposit, the bigger the bonus.
3. PokerStars Michigan
- Bonus offer: Play 1 Hand, Get $150 in bonus play OR 100% deposit match bonus up to $600 with bonus code STARS600
- The site is not currently part of an interstate playing pool.
- PokerStars is also available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Local Casino Partner: The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
PokerStars was the first legal online poker site offered in Michigan when it launched on January 29, 2021. The site is one of the most renowned on the planet, lauded for its top-notch software and customer service.
PokerStars offers Michigan players an offer to play 1 hand, and get $150 in bonus play, or use PokerStars promo code: STARS600 for a 100% deposit-match bonus up to $600.
How Does Michigan Online Poker Work?
Michigan online poker, much like Michigan online casinos and sportsbooks, is regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This state government agency was created in 1997 to license and regulate the state’s commercial casinos, with its responsibilities growing to include the online poker market in Dec. 2019 when it was made legal. The three online poker websites in the state are licensed, regulated, and monitored to ensure safe, secure, and fair play by the agency.
Does Michigan Share Online Poker Player Pools With Other States?
Yes, Michigan participates in multi-state online poker. In April 2022, Michigan became a member state of the Multi-state Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), effectively creating a cross-state player pool with Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Types of Michigan Online Poker Bonuses
As you can see from the table at the top of this page, the types of bonuses for new players vary. This also stands true for online poker bonuses for existing players. Below, we’ll go over the most common types of Michigan online poker bonuses and the intricacies of how they work.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Deposit match bonuses are among the most common types of Michigan online poker bonuses, as you can see from the welcome offers at the top of this page. Put simply, these bonuses match your first deposit by a certain percentage. For example, if you make a $1,000 deposit with a 100% match, you’ll receive an additional $1,000 for a total of $2,000. Keep in mind, however, that those additional matched funds must be unlocked through playthrough requirements before they can be used or withdrawn.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are less common but always worth taking advantage of if when they do pop up. These bonuses are exactly what they sound like – offering players the opportunity to claim various rewards without having to make a deposit at all. So, essentially, these bonuses are risk-free and may award a wide variety of benefits.
Tournament Tickets
Many Michigan online poker bonuses will reward tournament tickets. In most cases (with the exception of freerolls), tournaments hold an entry fee. When you earn tournament tickets from a bonus, you’ll be able to enter those tournaments by using the ticket rather than paying the entry fee, essentially granting you access to the tournament prize pool for the cost of what it took you to earn the bonus.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are simply deposit matches for existing players. Because an initial deposit has already been made, they reward you for reloading your account with an additional bonus. They operate by the same percentage match mechanic but usually offer a smaller percentage match than those offered in deposit matches for new players.
VIP Bonuses
VIP bonuses can be any of the bonuses mentioned in this section but are only offered specifically to players who reach a high loyalty tier and/or have a personal account manager. These VIP bonuses usually offer large bonus amounts to encourage high-value players to stick around rather than hopping to a competitor.
Referral Bonuses
Lastly, referral bonuses are another literal type of bonus – you may receive a bonus for referring a friend. However, the bonus isn’t earned as soon as they register, so make sure to check the full terms and conditions to see all of the requirements. Usually, these refer-a-friend bonuses require the referred player to deposit and play a certain amount before they are awarded.
Online Poker Games in Michigan
Hold'em Poker
Hold’em is one of the most popular types of poker games available in Michigan. In hold’em poker, you’ll be tasked with making a poker hand out of two cards of your own and five community cards.
Omaha Poker
Omaha Poker is similar to hold’em, but players are dealt four cards for their hand rather than two. They must then make the best poker hand with two of their four cards plus three of the five community cards.
Stud Poker
Within stud poker, there are quite a few variations. However, the overall concept is that players will receive both face-up and face-down cards that must be utilized through multiple betting rounds. One of the most popular variations here is Caribbean Stud poker.
Sit'n'Go
Sit’n’Go games are popular as they give players the opportunity to participate in a tournament-style game without waiting for a certain time for it to begin. Sit’n’Go games can be considered miniature tournaments that start as soon as enough players have sat at the table rather than at a set time. Sit’n’Go games are also almost always faster than full tournaments.
Tournaments
Tournaments are one of the more popular types of online poker games in Michigan, as they often give players a chance to win a share of massive prize pots. These tournaments consist of multiple games and rounds, and unlike sit’n’go games, they begin at a set time. Prizes may range from small for less popular daily tournaments to massive for special annual tournaments. Many sites refer to these as multi-table or MTTs.
Satellites
Satellites are a special type of online poker game offered by poker sites in Michigan that also host in-person poker events. Satellites give online players a chance to earn a spot in one of the in-person tournaments, which often have even larger and more appealing prize pools.
Michigan Online Poker Tournaments
Michigan online poker sites offer a variety of tournaments, ranging from small recurring daily and weekly options to large specialty one-off tournaments. While we can’t list all of the tournaments that happen across the state every day, we’ve put together a table below that lists some of the most notable entries.
Tournament(s) | Times | Prizes | Available On |
---|---|---|---|
WSOP Online Super Circuit | Varies | Varies (18 events ranging from $50K to $400K guaranteed) | WSOP |
Big Sunday | Weekly on Sundays | Varies ($3,000 to 100,000 guaranteed) | WSOP |
BetMGM Daily Tournaments | Daily | Varies | BetMGM Poker |
Daily C-Note Tournament | Daily at 7 p.m. | Varies | BetMGM Poker |
SPINS Tournaments | Daily | Up to $30K | BetMGM Poker |
Sunday Majors | Weekly on Sundays | Varies | PokerStars |
Wednesday Storm | Weekly on Wednesdays | Varies | PokerStars |
Friday Night Fight | Weekly on Fridays | Varies | PokerStars |
Deepstack Saturday | Weekly on Saturdayas | Varies | PokerStars |
PokerStars Daily Tournaments | Daily | Varies | PokerStars |
How to Play Online Poker in Michigan
Register at an online poker website.
Of course, the first step in playing online poker in Michigan is to find a site you’d like to play on and register. By clicking through our exclusive link to one of the top-rated sites we recommend on this page, you’ll be able to sign up for a trusted, vetted option and claim a welcome bonus while you’re at it.
Download the client or app.
Unlike online casinos and sportsbooks, online poker requires a program download to play. Make sure to download the app or program that corresponds to your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded the installer (or the app), run it and follow the prompts to get set up.
Familiarize yourself.
Next, you should absolutely familiarize yourself with both the site you’ve chosen (layout, game style, game pace) and the type of poker you want to play. In most cases, you’ll be able to enter and view a poker room without sitting at the table. We recommend doing so to get a feel for it. If you need a refresher on how to play the game itself, we have full guides for Texas hold’em, Caribbean stud, and more.
Make a deposit.
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the game, it’s time to make a deposit to play. Make sure to keep in mind any welcome bonuses you may have claimed, as many include deposit matches for your first deposit or other requirements to make the most of them.
Pick your table and enjoy!
Now that everything else is out of the way, you can pick a game you’d like to play and a table that offers that game. We recommend starting with ring games before jumping into longer formats such as Sit’n’Go’s and MTTs to get used to playing online. Once you’ve chosen a table, you can click or tap it and then do the same to an open spot at the table. You’ll be asked to pay your buy-in and purchase chips, and then you’re in and ready to play. Controls are generally intuitive and should offer no confusion or issues.
Popular Online Poker Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
There are plenty of options for money management at Michigan online poker sites. Below, we’ve listed the most common so that you are aware of what’s usually on offer and which would work the best for you.
Online Poker Deposit Methods
- ACH/eCheck
- Apple Pay
- Credit/Debit Card
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Venmo
- Wire Transfer
Online Poker Withdrawal Methods
- ACH/eCheck
- Debit Card
- PayPal
- Play+ Prepaid Card
- Venmo
Live Poker Rooms in Michigan
Poker Room | Address | Number of Tables |
---|---|---|
Bay Mills Resort & Casino | 11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI | 1 |
Burton Eagles Poker Room | 3317 E. Bristol Rd, Burton, MI | 8 |
DiCicco's Poker Room | 52963 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Twp, MI | 6 |
FireKeepers Casino | 11177 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI | 26 |
Gun Lake Casino | 1123 129th Ave, Wayland, MI | 8 |
Huron Poker Room | 849 S State St, Oscoda, MI | 6 |
Ironwood Poker Room | 6902 E. Highland Road, Howell, MI | 6 |
Island Casino | W 399 US-2, Harris, MI | 10 |
Kings Poker Room | 6209 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI | 6 |
Krazy Kopz at Vision Lanes | 38250 Ford Rd, Westland, MI | 8 |
Langan's All Star Poker Room | 257 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI | 4 |
Legends Poker Place of Metamora | 3546 S Lapeer Rd, Metamora, MI | 8 |
MGM Grand Detroit | 1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI | 14 |
MotorCity Casino | 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI | 37 |
Muskegon Poker Room | 1751 Evanston Ave, Muskegon, MI | 6 |
Odawa Casino | 1760 Lears Rd, Petoskey, MI | 6 |
Owosso Poker Room at American Legion 57 | 201 E Mason St, Owosso, MI | 5 |
Paradise Poker | 13461 Hall Rd, Utica, MI | 6 |
Rosemack Poker Room | 20791 E Thirteen Mile Rd, Roseville, MI | 9 |
Rounders Poker Room Saginaw | 48922 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Township, MI | 7 |
Roundtree Poker Room | 2203 Ellsworth Road, Ypsilanti, MI | 5 |
Soaring Eagle Casino | 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant, MI | 14 |
The Event Spot Poker Room | 5601 W Saginaw Hwy Ste. B, Lansing, MI | 6 |
The New Saginaw Poker Room | 7212 Gratiot Rd, Saginaw, MI | 8 |
Thompson Poker Room | 100 Ecorse Rd, Ypsilanti, MI | 3 |
Waterford Card Room at 300 Bowl | 100 Cass Lake Rd, Waterford Twp, MI | 8 |
Westgate Poker Room | 4486 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI | 5 |
Michigan Online Poker Summary
As one can see, there are plenty of excellent options available for online poker in the state of Michigan. Players have no shortage of options in terms of types of games, tournaments, prize pools, buy-ins, and more, allowing everyone to play at the level they’d like for the prizes they’d like. Add into the equation interstate player pooling and you’ve got one of the best online poker states in the country.
Michigan Online Poker FAQs
21 and up. While poker is a game of skill as well as luck, it is still gambling. Like with any form of gambling in Michigan, players must be 21 or older to play on real money online poker sites.
No. The only real-money online poker sites currently available in Michigan are WSOP, BetMGM Poker, and PokerStars.
Yes. PokerStars was the first site to launch in Michigan in January 2021. The global leader in online poker, there is hardly a better site to christen the state’s online poker market.
Depositing money on Michigan poker sites is simple. After proving your identity and verifying your account, you will need to decide on a payment method. Most users pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Once your deposit has gone through, the cash will show up in your account, and you will be able to hit the tables.
Withdrawing your winnings is just like depositing. When you decide you’d like to take money out of your account, you will need to go to the cashier menu, select withdraw, and specify an amount. Most players select to have their winnings paid to them via a bank transfer. This will usually take a few days for processing.
WSOP. WSOP holds the largest player network not only in Michigan but nationwide.