“Top to bottom Michigan is about excellence, greatness.”
University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said this, but many Michigan sports fans had to reiterate this statement in 2019. After lawmakers previously voted against legalized sports betting, they reversed course and signed the bill into law December 13th, 2019.
Detroit is the major city in MI with roughly 630,000 people. They also have the only four professional sports teams located in the state. The Lions, Pistons, Tigers, and Red Wings are staples of the Michigan sports scene. The college teams also have national brands as well. Michigan, Michigan State, Western, Eastern and Central Michigan are the main ones known.
With sports betting legalized, Michigan fans can go from betting against their in-state rivals to coming together and betting on their pro sports teams. The Great Lakes State has become one of the leaders in the sports gambling space. They produce one of the highest handles in the country and have embraced player experience. Excellence and greatness indeed!
Yes, gambling is legal in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4916 on December 13th, 2019, legalizing sports gambling. MI acted quickly and opened their first brick-and-mortar sportsbook in March 2020. Since then, roughly 20 have been opened and are operational.
Online sports betting was launched in January of 2021. There are now 15 online sportsbooks operating within Michigan. They also legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2021 as well making them one of six states to do so.