Legal Poker For Michigan Residents
Michigan has a well-regulated gambling industry with plenty of licensed commercial casinos running legal poker games. Players can also play home poker games and charity poker tournaments. However, the state is yet to legalize online poker.
On this page, we have tried to clear all doubts related to online poker legalization in Michigan. Besides telling players exactly how they can play at offshore poker sites legally, we have presented a list of legal offshore poker sites for Michigan residents.
Michigan Poker Laws & Statutes
Michigan is one of the latest entrants into the casino gambling world, owing to which it has a mixture of brand new and outdated gambling laws. Although Michigan gambling laws tend to be confusing, one thing is definitely clear—the state has zero tolerance for all forms of unregulated gambling. If residents want to gamble, they should do so at state licensed gambling facilities. Gambling under any other circumstance is against the law.
Section 432.202(2)(v) defines “gambling game” as any game that is played with a machine, dice, equipment, or cards, and the list of “gambling games” include fan tan, faro, roulette, keno, twenty one, seven and a half, blackjack, poker, craps, and bingo, to mention just a few. Any “gambling game” that is not regulated by the state is considered illegal in Michigan.
The state can slap a number of felony and misdemeanor charges against individuals and operators running unlicensed gambling facilities in its jurisdiction. Illegal operators can also be booked for racketeering. While Michigan’s older laws suggest punishing players just a severely, its newer laws are quite lenient toward players. However, players need to be careful because, in 2010, the state raided an illegal poker game and charged the players severely.
Home poker games are legal in Michigan provided the stakes are kept low and the organizers do not make a profit. Home poker games are legal as long as they are conducted in homes and other private places. Michigan, having legalized several forms of charity gaming, has a booming charity gaming industry overseen by the state’s charitable gaming division.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Michigan?
Although Michigan has recently upgraded its gambling laws, it has failed to address the issue of online poker gambling. On its official website, the state warns its residents against playing online poker and suggests that existing laws can apply to online gambling. But the fact remains that no part of the state’s law specifically prohibits its residents from registering at offshore online poker rooms and playing real money online poker.
While it can safely be said that playing online poker is not illegal in Michigan, it is definitely against the law for individuals or companies to run online poker businesses within the state. Since Michigan has not legalized online poker, it does not license or authorize any company to run online poker sites in the state. But there are a number of offshore online poker rooms, based in foreign countries, which are willing to accept Michigan residents and it definitely isn’t against Michigan laws for players to play online poker at these sites.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Michigan?
Players will never get into trouble for playing online poker in Michigan, provided they stick to online poker rooms licensed and regulated in offshore gambling jurisdictions. For instance, the online poker rooms we have listed on this page are safe and legal for Michigan residents. They are all located in foreign countries and are licensed by remote gambling jurisdictions. Since they have to retain their licenses and renew them regularly, they adhere to the highest standards of the gambling industry and give top priority to fast payouts, player security, and customer satisfaction.
Players in Michigan cannot get into trouble playing at offshore online poker sites because the state does not have any online poker law that prevents its residents from playing real money poker online. The state cannot use non-existent laws against its residents. It also has no power over online poker sites that do not operate within its jurisdiction.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Michigan Players
For residents of Michigan, online poker is an appealing hobby that can too often feel out of reach without good guidance. Fortunately, this page has been designed specifically to help guide you toward superior legal poker sites that offer legal and safe means to play poker on line. Join the thousands of Michigan residents who have already signed up at one of these online poker rooms.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Michigan
For those seeking quality, seek no further than Bovada. Through years and years of outstanding service, the Bovada name has become synonymous with legitimacy and customer satisfaction in the realm of legal online poker. Through over 20 years of service, this fantastic legal poker room for Michigan residents has stood a full head and shoulders above the others and continues to do so through this day by providing a thrilling and complete online poker experience.
In order to prove just how devoted the Bovada network is to its many clients, they are willing to practically give money away to get you to try their product. When you open up your account with Bovada and make the first deposit, you’ll find that not only did all the money you deposit make it into your account safe and sound, but that you are eligible to receive a full 100% of your deposit back. The catch? You have to play poker – which is what you created the account for in the first place. Don’t hesitate and miss out on this excellent deal.
SportsBetting Poker - All Michigan Players 18+ Welcome Here
For the discerning Michigan poker player, they just may find a comfortable home within the SportsBetting network for legal online poker rooms. Although their name may say otherwise, this poker network is no stranger to online games of skill as any of their millions of users from around the world will tell you. Any doubts about SportsBetting poker you may harbor will surely be put at ease after a quick visit to their testimonial page upon reading the pages upon pages of rave reviews that real people have to offer concerning their experience with this great poker site for players in Michigan.
The best part about being a member of SportsBetting, aside of course from all the excellent poker available to be played, is the ease with which a player can deposit into their account. Michigan residents can hit the felt faster when their deposits go through quickly, and that’s just the promise SportsBetting hopes to make good on. Whether a player uses their credit card, a bank wire or even a money order, the dollars and cents will pile up in a matter of moments.
| Legal Michigan Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does Michigan Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
Michigan residents can play real money land-based poker in a regulated environment as long as they are playing at a state-licensed commercial casino or Indian casino. Residents can also organize and run as many home poker games as they like. Besides, they can also take part in charity poker tournaments. Playing poker under any other circumstance is against the law in Michigan.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Michigan Players
Michigan residents can safely and legally play poker for real money at the live poker rooms of prominent Michigan casinos such as FireKeepers Casino, Soaring Eagle Casino, Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino, Odawa Casino, Turtle Creek Casino, Bay Mills, Kewadin Casino St. Ignace, and Island Resort and Casino. As previously mentioned, residents can take part in home poker games and charity poker tournaments too.
It is also safe and legal for Michigan residents to play real money online poker at offshore online poker rooms, such as the ones recommended on this page. Most Michigan friendly online poker rooms welcome players with grand new player bonuses and run a number of lucrative promotions, which include free bankrolls, loyalty schemes, and qualifiers for prestigious live poker tournaments.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Michigan
Since Michigan is a cash-hungry US state with a large population, online poker could have a future in the state, but one cannot say anything for sure right now. One of the factors acting in favor of online poker legalization in Michigan is the support of several gambling giants such as MGM. Besides, Michigan has a number of influential politicians who advocate online poker legalization to generate much-needed revenue.
On the other hand, legalized online poker will have a tough time coming to Michigan because of opponents such as commercial and Indian casinos, horse racing industry, and religious and social welfare organizations. If online poker becomes very successful in states such as Nevada and New Jersey, Michigan might go for it.
