Michigan Online Casinos – Top Online Casino Apps in MI 2021

Which online casinos are live in Michigan

Here is what we know so far about online casino apps in Michigan:

What you can expect from online casinos in Michigan

Some of the above operators are familiar to most people. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand who BetMGM, DraftKings or FanDuel are.

However, you may not know some of the other names. Additionally, you may not be familiar with all the details about BetMGM, DraftKings or FanDuel, either. To that end, below are quick rundowns about several top operators here in Michigan.

DraftKings Casino

Over the past few years, DraftKings has expanded far beyond its somewhat humble roots as a daily fantasy sports provider. The company launched in Michigan through a deal with the Bay Mills Indian Community.

The key feature that sets DraftKings apart is its software. Not many casino apps will move with DraftKings’ speed and fluidity. You will also find some unusual games and offerings with DraftKings Casino.

Few sites can match the variants of blackjack it has available, and there are several other games that you don’t regularly see, such as DJ Wild Stud Poker, Dream Catcher and Wheely Wheely Big Win.

Of course, DraftKings has a sports focus, even in its casino. Many of the table games and slots you find will have sports themes, so you’ll never forget where you’re playing.

FanDuel Casino

FanDuel is another brand best known for its daily fantasy sports offerings. In fact, the company was a pioneer in that space, so it’s a little surprising to see how much the folks at FanDuel have expanded in the past few years. Now, the FanDuel Casino is in Michigan, courtesy of a partnership with MotorCity Casino in Detroit.

FanDuel distinguishes itself through quality over quantity in its casino offerings. Although there are fewer games than at some other sites, there are exclusive titles and content that you cannot find elsewhere.

Needless to say, there is also a great deal of integration onsite with the other functions that FanDuel offers. You can move back and forth between casino and sports betting with the same wallet in a matter of seconds.

BetMGM Casino

BetMGM is the online casino wing of MGM Resorts International, one of the largest casino operators in the world. Unsurprisingly, BetMGM is partnering with MGM Grand Detroit in Michigan.

The MGM online casino app is easy to use. It features 75 slot titles and a full slate of table games. A companion BetMGM Poker service launched in March 2021. Navigating the sites is intuitive.

In addition, the MGM loyalty program, MLife Rewards, is both available and active on the BetMGM Casino app. You can earn free play, comps and perks at MGM locations (including at MGM Grand Detroit) simply through your play. Some perks can include items such as hotel stays, food vouchers and show tickets at MGM properties. Higher tiers in MLife also get preferred seating for MGM restaurants and get to skip the line.

Obviously, we don’t know exactly what bonus BetMGM has in store for its new Michigan clients in the coming months. Rest assured, however, that there will be plenty of money flying around.

Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget Online is the online offering from the casino chain of the same name and is one of the most successful online casinos in the US. It has partnered with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Golden Nugget’s online casino features one of the most diverse sets of games you’re likely to find online. It has more than 100 slot titles and more than two dozen table games ready for you to play.

Like most big online casinos, Golden Nugget offers a rewards program to incentivize return visits from its players. The Golden Rewards Club has a very simple system — earn points, and trade thems for more cash to play.

Best of all, there’s nothing you have to do in order to join. Every Golden Nugget player is automatically a member, so you can start earning points right away.

William Hill Casino

William Hill is a company best known for its sportsbooks. No other company has more active betting shops in Nevada, for instance, than William Hill. So, it’s a bit surprising that the UK-based company wanted to enter Michigan as a casino provider as well. However, a deal with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians confirmed that it does.

William Hill’s offering proves that it is no slouch with casino gambling, either. There are tons of slots, video poker, table games and other types of games available for play onsite. William Hill also features a deep loyalty program for its guests. Playing on-site earns you both complimentary points and William Hill points. Complimentary points are exchangeable for cash rewards and site credits. William Hill points determine your tier level and can result in discounted complimentary point exchanges, faster withdrawals and other perks that make life at William Hill Casino easier.

BetRivers Casino

BetRivers Casino is the online casino arm for Rush Street Interactive. Rush Street is primarily centered in the northeastern US and owns the Rivers brand of casinos. BetRivers Casino enters Michigan in cooperation with the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians.

BetRivers Casino is one of the smoothest online casinos that you will find in Michigan. The sleek, streamlined design makes navigation easy and intuitive. Furthermore, few casinos can match the sheer number of games and types of games that you’ll find on BetRivers. The catalog is extensive, and you will be best served if you use the dropdown menus to sort through the pack of games a bit.

Barstool Casino

• Casino launch date: Feb. 1, 2021

Barstool Casino is the online brand for gambling powerhouse Penn National Gaming in Michigan. The company owns and/or operates casinos throughout the US. It is the operating company for the Greektown Casino in Detroit, so needless to say, it did not have to go looking for a partnership. Barstool Casino launched in Michigan in February 2021.

The casino site itself offers a decent roster of games for players to enjoy. There are roughly 100 slot titles, including games from IGT and NetEnt. There are also licensed titles from WMS and Everi. Barstool also features a few table games to enjoy.

Michigan online casino apps

Mobile gaming is quickly becoming the most popular type of online gambling. That means that in addition to the browser-based online casino that you can access from a mobile device or computer, Michigan online casino sites also release iPhone and Android gambling apps.

These online casino apps feature a similar navigation system as the browser-based casino website. It’s just that the apps often don’t have the full selection of games. The mobile-friendly versions you can download to a smartphone or tablet feature full account management and cashier functionality. Plus, the graphics are held on your phone, meaning most of the games they do have will initiate faster.

iPhone or iPad users will find the casino apps by visiting the Michigan casino and clicking on the Apple logo. Android users will have to download the app directly from the casino’s website.

Online casino bonuses and no-deposit offers

The best Michigan casinos will offer free promos to new and certain existing players. Michigan online casino sites award this free play to new and returning players in a variety of ways, including:

• No-deposit bonuses: Much like they sound, no-deposit bonuses are cash awards online casinos give players just for signing up for an account. No deposit is required. These are usually relatively small and come with a wagering requirement attached so that new players can’t just take the money and run.
• Cash rebates: Cash rebates are like insurance policies that online casinos give new players. Gamble with a limited amount of funds in your first week or so on a site, and if you lose, the casino will give you your money back. Win? Never look back.
• First deposit bonus: Deposit bonuses come in two forms. Online casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your first deposit with them. Or, the casinos agree to match up to a certain percentage of your next deposit with them. Either way, there are wagering requirements attached so that you can’t just pocket the money. The takeaway here, though, is that these deposit bonuses can be some of the most lucrative you’ll find.
• Free spin bonuses: Online casinos can offer free play in the form of free spins on specified slot machines as an incentive for signing up with a site. Take your free spins while you can get them, win big, and turn nothing into something.

Loyalty rewards and comp programs

Online casino ads are often focused on attracting new players with no-deposit and first deposit bonuses. Like land-based casinos, real-money casinos in Michigan will offer player loyalty programs aimed at retaining existing customers by rewarding loyalty. The more you play, the more you earn.

You can convert loyalty points into free play at Michigan online casinos. Plus, since the online casinos are all tied to land-based properties in the state, you should be able to convert your points into various rewards at the brick-and-mortar locations as well. Some of the larger casino corporations may even make their lucrative land-based loyalty programs available online in Michigan.

You need to be in Michigan to play online games

The Michigan law includes language that requires online casino players to be in the state when they play. You don’t have to be a resident to sign up for an account, but you have to be inside state lines when you do decide to play.

Michigan online casinos need to verify your location. Since the law makes it their responsibility to make sure players are where they say they are, online casinos will employ geolocation programs to ensure their players are inside Michigan’s borders.

Basically, geolocation is a positioning system used to pinpoint a player’s coordinates. Geolocation is achieved mostly by tracking the player’s IP address and triangulating his or her Wi-Fi signal. There’s really no getting around geolocation technology. No IP masking software or VPN will help. That’s why Michigan online casinos will employ geolocation technology to make sure online casino players are in Michigan when they play.

Free- or real-money games … the choice is yours

If you’ve ever been to a retail casino, you know that nothing really comes for free. You have to pay for everything. Even the free craps lessons the casino offers come with the hope that you’ll fork over some cash later on in the day when you’re trying out your new “skills.”

However, it is possible to play most slot titles and table games on online casinos for absolutely nothing. Nearly every game you encounter will ask you if you’d like to play the demo mode or for real money.

If you choose to play the demo mode, the casino will take you to the actual game you would play for real dollars. In most cases, the only functionality that you might not be able to enjoy is a progressive jackpot. Instead, the casino will provide you with a certain amount of play money to use on the machine or game. This amount is usually $1,000 or so, and you can bet however you like.

Your play money amount will almost always disappear when you close out the game. So don’t feel as though you have to conserve your resources. Instead, use this money to enjoy the game as much as you can. If you run out of chips, simply reload the game and the “funds” will replenish.

Naturally, you can always choose to play casino games for real money if you click on the title in the lobby. However, even if you want to use the demo version to get your feet wet, most online casinos will keep a button prominently displayed that will instantly switch you to the real-money version.

The ability to use a demo mode is a win-win for both the player and the casino. As a player, you can use the demo mode to figure out all the ins and outs of a game and whether or not you like to play it. The casino doesn’t mind, since it costs nothing to run and may lead to your investment of actual cash.

So don’t be afraid to play for free on MI online casinos. If you decide that it’s all too overwhelming after you’ve played, that’s fine. However, you might find a game or two that you like.

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