Online Poker in Michigan - Best MI Online Poker Sites 2025
Currently, there are exactly three state-licensed cardrooms for online poker in Michigan. That being said, offshore gaming is alive and well in Michigan, and there are a lot of great choices for players to take advantage of.
Offshore poker sites are often licensed and regulated in other countries, such as Panama, Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Kahnawake, and they offer their services to citizens of Michigan legally via World Trade Organization rulings (The United States is the biggest partner and participator in WTO).
These Michigan online poker sites, which include such reputable operators as Ignition Poker, allow you to expand your possibilities beyond the anemic state-regulated sites. Keep reading to find out more.
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2. Online Poker Legal? 3. Best MI Poker Sites 4. How to Play Online Poker
5.1. Game Selection 5.2. Cashier Methods 5.3. Bonuses & Promos 5.4. Rakeback
6.1. Ignition 6.2. SB Poker/BOL 6.3. ACR Poker 6.4. CoinPoker 6.5. Everygame 6.6. SwCPoker 6.7. Nitrobetting
7.1. Regulation 7.2. B&M Poker 7.3. Gambling History 7.4. Famous Poker Players 7.5. Alternatives to MI Online Poker
Top Online Poker Sites in Michigan
There's a full complement of real money gaming sites for you to enjoy from your computer in Michigan, and here are the top five of them:
Is Online Poker Legal in Michigan?
Michigan has some truly odd gambling laws, including one that stipulates not that playing cards is illegal but that winning while playing at cards is against the law. And the penalties become more severe if you win more than $50! Another bizarre section of Michigan law allows anyone who loses while playing cards and hands over the money to sue the winner within three months to recover these losses.
These unusual laws have only ever been applied in the terrestrial realm however. No prosecutor has ever even attempted to use them to go after online poker players. Therefore, you have nothing to fear from MI law if you elect to play internet poker within state borders.
Furthermore, there are no Federal laws that make online poker illegal for private citizens. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding laws such as UIGEA and The Wire Act, but the bottom line is that those laws DO NOT – we repeat – DO NOT apply to ordinary citizens and thus do not prohibit said citizens from engaging in real money poker games.
Best Michigan Online Poker Sites
While most poker operators are honest and trustworthy, there are a few that can best be described as lacking in moral fiber. We've compared all available poker rooms against each other to identify the ones that pay out wins honestly, employ sufficient RNG algorithms to ensure a fair deal, and treat their customers right.
- Ignition Casino - Most traffic + fast bonus clearance.
- SB Poker - Bad Beat Jackpots, leaderboards, contests, other promos.
- BetOnline - Excellent mobile poker software.
- ACR Poker - Massive tournament schedule and frequent series.
- Coin Poker - Best site for crypto-currency enthusiasts.
- Everygame - Excellent bonus + promotional value.
- SwCPoker - Multiple poker formats (NLHE, PLO, PLO8, Razz, HORSE, and more).
- Nitrobetting - Bitcoin games and in-browser software.
- BlackChip Poker - ACR sister site, another choice if you have an existing ACR account.
- Juicy Stakes - Great poker and casino promotions.
- True Poker - Secondary room on same network as ACRPoker and BlackChip.
How to Play Online Poker in Michigan
Signing up and playing at one of the best online poker sites Michigan has to offer is not a challenge at all. We've included instructions below for our #1 rated site, Ignition Poker. However, the steps will be similar for any site although there will be minor differences.
- Click on any Ignition Poker link on this page.
- A registration form will appear in your browser, which you will need to complete. Resist the temptation to enter in false information because when it's time to complete account verification, any discrepancies could lead to the closure of your account and confiscation of your balance.
- Whenever you're ready, press “Register” to submit the form.
- Ignition might attempt to confirm your mobile phone number. You will receive a text with a numeric code. Enter the digits into the space provided on the Ignition website.
- Your account will be created, and now you can browse over to the cashier to make your first deposit through whatever payment processor most appeals to you (we highly recommend Bitcoin).
How We Evaluate Michigan Online Poker Sites – Choosing the Best Internet Poker Room
Each of the Michigan poker online rooms does things slightly differently, and they each have areas in which they excel and others in which they might not do so well. In order to establish a meaningful ranking of them, we have evaluated them according to a set of objective criteria.
Games and Stakes Offered
The poker variants available at any given poker destination will range from the commonplace No Limit Texas Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha to more obscure games, like Razz and HORSE. Even at sites that offer the same types of poker, the blind levels and buyins available will not be identical at every room.
When we consider such innovations as fast-fold poker and lottery-style sit n' gos, the differences between the various Michigan online poker sites becomes even greater. Some welcome such diverse formats while others prefer to stick to simpler forms of poker.
Deposit + Payout Methods
Most online poker sites support a wide range of familiar payment channels, like credit cards and checks. However, all of our recommended rooms also transact in Bitcoin, which has distinct advantages, like fast transaction speeds and low fees.
If you're not yet acquainted with Bitcoin, then you can read this step-by-step Bitcoin walkthrough to learn how to get started and use BTC for your internet poker needs.
Bonuses & Promos
Many poker providers grant new players a welcome bonus that clears as they play. Then going forward, most of them also extend to their loyal users a variety of promotions, like reload bonuses, loyalty programs, freerolls, and more.
Some online poker promos are short-lived and expire only to be replaced by others. On the other hand, many of these promotions are basically permanent and remain active for years.
Online Poker Rakeback
Rakeback is potentially one of the best ways to boost your online poker profits. It's a never-ending rebate on the rake you pay at the tables. We appreciate the worth of rakeback so much that we have included it in the name of our site, ProfessionalRakeback.
Look below for details on all the solid rakeback deals available to players of online poker for real money in Michigan.
- ACR Poker – 27% on demand rakeback
- CoinPoker – 33% weekly rakeback (CHP token holders only)
- Everygame – 36% daily rakeback
- SwCPoker – up to 50% rakeback (depends on playing volume)
- BlackChip Poker – 27% on demand rakeback
- Juicy Stakes Poker – 36% weekly rakeback
- True Poker – 27% on demand rakeback
Reviews of Online Poker Sites for Michigan
If you're almost ready to begin your adventure at one of the best online poker Michigan sites but want some more information first, then keep reading. We've compiled a lot of info about all the top Michigan online poker sites below so that you can educate yourself properly.
Ignition Casino Poker
Deposit Methods
Credit Card, Voucher Code, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, MatchPay
Pros
- Most active players
- Bonuses clear rapidly
- Opposition is easy to beat
Cons
- Can't select table or seat in ring games
Review
Ignition is the largest poker room serving MI residents, and you can play NL Hold'em, PLO, and PLO/8 as high as $10/$20. Other poker formats to look forward to include randomized-prize pool Jackpot SNGs, standard sit-n-gos, fast-fold Zone Poker, Limit Texas Hold'em, and multi-table tournaments. MTT series abound, with seven figures in prizes, and they occur several times a year.
The anonymized gameplay here helps level the field to the benefit of newer players, and this same philosophy is the reason why all table and seating assignments in cash games are handled randomly. Some balk at this way of doing things, but it's undeniable that Ignition's games are very soft and populated by amateurs.
You can play Ignition on almost any PC, Mac, or mobile device. You're eligible for a 150% up to $1,500 poker bonus as well as another $1,500 in the casino as long as you deposit with crypto (100% up to $1,000 otherwise).
SB Poker/BetOnline
Deposit Methods
Credit Cards, Person to Person, Money Orders, Bank Wire, Cashiers Check, Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, USD Coin
Pros
- Top-notch mobile software
- Bad Beat Jackpots for NLHE and PLO players
- All-in-one gaming via attached casino, sportsbook, and racebook
Cons
- Rake is higher than average
SB Poker and its partner BetOnline boast a decent amount of traffic in NLHE, PLO, and PLO/8 tables up to $5/$10, and you can enjoy 5 Card and 6 Card PLO as well as fast-fold Boost Poker here too. There are two Bad Beat Jackpots: one for normal Texas Hold'em tables and another for PLO, giving you the opportunity for a big score of up to six figures!
Lottery-style Windfalls, standard SNGs, and tournaments round out the poker action. Look for leaderboards, contests, the RISE rewards program, and occasional reloads to add some extra cash to your balance.
PC and Mac download clients are available for Sportsbetting.ag Poker and BetOnline. Furthermore, there's an excellent mobile app too for users of Android and iOS. First depositors can redeem a 100% up to $1,000 cardroom bonus along with other offers for the sportsbook and casino.
ACR Poker
Deposit Methods
Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Money Transfer
Pros
- Superb tournament selection
- $10 no deposit bonus (promo code PRB10FREE)
- Elite Benefits delivers ongoing rewards
Cons
- Lengthy late registration period extends tourney runtimes
Review
ACR is beloved by tourney players because it has the largest Sunday tournament, which pays out no less than $150,000 every week, frequent multi-week series, and $5+ million guaranteed VENOM events a couple of times per year. The only issue with this robust MTT schedule is that late reg periods are sometimes in excess of 5 hours, meaning you might have to dedicate an entire day if you're serious about tournaments.
There are also cash games in abundance: NL Hold'em, PLO, PLO/8, 5 Card PLO, 5 Card PLO/8, LHE, Seven Card Stud, and Limit O-8 to be specific. Weekly Beast and Sit & Crush leaderboards reward cash grinders and sit-n-go specialists respectively while Elite Benefits rewards players of all types.
The full ACR Poker client runs on Windows and Mac OS, and there's a mobile client as well. Use our exclusive bonus code PRB10FREE for $10 free, and then make a deposit to score 100% up to $2,000 in bonus funds.
Coin Poker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, CHP, Polygon, BNB
Pros
- Highest-traffic crypto poker room
- Holders of CHP token get 33% rakeback
Cons
- Only a few game formats
Review
There are several cryptocurrency-only poker rooms, and of them all, CoinPoker is the largest. You'll be playing in USDT (Tether) here although you can deposit and withdraw in Bitcoin and several other coins.
In addition to the standard NLHE and PLO tables, you will also find 5 Card PLO games although there are no heads-up, six-max, or 9-player sit n' go. The only type of SNG supported are three-player, lottery-style Cosmic Spins.
CoinPoker has four versions of its software: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You'll be able to benefit from a bonus on your first deposit of 150% up to $2,000. You can also get 33% rakeback weekly if you hold the CHP proprietary crypto coin.
Everygame
Deposit Methods
Credit Card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Lightning Bitcoin, Litecoin
Pros
- Many promos, like reload bonuses, loyalty points, rake races, and freerolls.
- 36% rakeback
Cons
- Last-gen software
Review
Everygame is a bit on the smaller side and seldom has tables above about $1/$2 in Hold'em and Omaha, but it makes up for this with a wealth of promotions. 36% rakeback, weekly rake races, overlay tournaments, freerolls, and a loyalty program really give you the chance to grow your bankroll the more you play.
Everygame Poker can only be installed on Windows systems, but there's an Instant Play client that works on every platform with a modern web browser. The welcome bonus is 200% up to $1,000.
SwCPoker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin
Pros
- Tons of poker variants spread
- Krill rewards worth up to 50% rakeback
Cons
- Low level of action
Review
Most internet poker destinations feature the same kinds of games, but SwC is the answer if you seek something a bit different. There are Hold'em and PLO tables here, yes, but in addition, you'll get the chance to sample Razz, OFC, Triple Draw, Big O, Mixed Games, and many other poker delights.
You can download and run SwCPoker on Windows PCs, Mac, iOS products, and Android systems. SwC lacks an initial deposit bonus, but the Krill rewards program provides 5% - 50% rakeback based upon your volume of play.
Nitrobetting
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, Visa, PayPal
Pros
- Broad device compatibility
Cons
- No bonuses or rakeback
- Only two types of poker offered
Review
You can play No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and PLO/8 at Nitrogen although action in all formats is a bit scarce. Nitrobetting runs directly in your web browser without any software to download, so it enjoys wide compatibility across different systems. There is unfortunately no deposit bonus.
Facts About Michigan's Poker Industry
This section will aim to provide information detailing live poker options, current state regulation of interactive poker, the history of poker and gambling across the state of Michigan, and similar topics.
Michigan Regulated Online Poker
Michigan naturally possesses many characteristics favorable to the implementation of online poker licensing. It has financial problems and so could benefit from the revenues that online poker sites would pay. Michigan also has a fairly liberal voting history and a large population to draw from.
All of these factors came together in 2019, after several unsuccessful attempts over the years, in the form of HB4311. This law was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. It established a legal system for internet casinos and poker endeavors to operate in the state.
The necessary regulations were drawn up by the Michigan Gaming Control Board over the next year or so, and then online sportsbook, casino, and poker operations began offering their services to the state with the blessing of Michigan's official leaders.
Right now, there are three licensed online poker providers in Michigan: PokerStars, WSOP Online, and BetMGM. In April 2022, Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, allowing its regulated poker sites to combine traffic with their counterparts that have also signed the MSIGA. PokerStars and WSOP have taken advantage of this opportunity, joining their Michigan player liquidity to that of other states to form larger cardrooms.
Still, the sites for legalized internet poker in Michigan remain on the smaller side. By partaking in offshore poker, you'll have more tables and games to choose from along with bigger tournament guarantees.
Live Poker
Michigan has commercial casinos in Detroit and tribal casinos throughout the rest of the state. Both types of casinos are permitted to host cardrooms, and many of them do. Moreover, there are charitable cardrooms too. Adding all these options together, Michigan residents have a robust menu of around 30 venues for live poker.
The largest used to be at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, but this room was closed in August 2024. Nowadays, you can head over to Battle Creek and Firekeeper's Casino, which has 26 tables spreading low-limit NLHE, PLO and occasionally, Limit Hold'em. Moreover, there are a couple of small tourneys every day as well as series, like the Mid-States Poker Tour, every once in a while.
History of Gambling in Michigan
Michigan has almost always had gambling going on whether in “Hell's Half Mile” in Bay City during the 19th century or in speakeasies during the Prohibition Era.
Legal wagering is a different beast and only got started in 1933 with pari-mutuel racetrack betting. Then in 1972, the Michigan Lottery came along, and charitable bingo and raffles were allowed for the first time.
In 1993, tribal gaming compacts were signed, paving the way for tribal casinos. In 1996, it was decided to establish three casinos in Detroit, which wound up being Greek Town, MGM Grand, and Motor City.
In December 2019, an internet gaming bill was passed. It made Michigan-licensed online poker and casino gaming a reality along with sports betting.
Famous Poker Players From Michigan
Michigan is a large state with a bustling poker environment, so it should not be surprising that it has produced its share of recognizable poker pros. There's Joe Cada, for instance, from Shelby Charter Township who won the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event for $8.5 million. Another Main Event winner from Michigan came along shortly: Ryan Riess from East Lansing who prevailed in 2013 for $8.4 million. Other MI poker players of note include mixed-game veteran Dan Heimiller from Livonia and poker streamer Jeff Gross of Ann Arbor.
Alternatives to Registering Your Poker Account in the State of Michigan
If you are lucky enough to have another address in a nearby state, be it your business address, summer home, second apartment, family home, etc, you may have other online poker options. Here is a list of the states near Michigan and Professional Rakeback's reviews of them: Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. If you're curious about the poker situation in some other part of the country, then our U.S. online poker description page should prove informative.
Most people are fairly ignorant about internet poker in the United States. If you'd like to do your part to spread knowledge and alleviate concerns, then you can share this page with your friends and family members who want to learn more about it.
Summary of Online Poker in Michigan
There's nothing holding you back from engaging in real money online poker in Michigan. The laws are unclear, but they don't seem to outlaw Michigan online poker, and anyway, state officials have never tried to penalize online poker enthusiasts. Sign up at one of the sites that we've outlined in this article, and you'll soon be raking in the dough.
Responsible Gaming
We here at Professional Rakeback appreciate online poker its combination of fun, skill, luck, patience, and real cash. However, we acknowledge that there are some for whom it may be problematic and who should therefore step away before they develop issues. If you think internet gaming is negatively affecting your life, health, or financial well-being, then we recommend the following resources:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Michigan Gaming Control Board Responsible Gaming Page
- Michigan Lottery Responsible Gaming Page
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're still uncertain about anything relating to Michigan online poker, then the answer might be presented below. We've tried to address some of the most common questions that our readers have.
In effect, yes, internet poker is legal in Michigan. The state’s rather bizarre and archaic anti-gaming laws have never been applied to individual online poker enthusiasts. The federal laws that relate to gambling don’t touch regular players either, instead being targeted toward the operators of wagering enterprises.
You aren’t required to restrict your play to the licensed Michigan online poker sites either. You are perfectly safe legally if you frequent one of the many international poker rooms that serve Michiganders.
Yes, you can play at PokerStars if you live in Michigan. This is because the company has obtained a license to do business over the internet in the state.
The PokerStars Michigan site was made possible by an agreement between PokerStars and the Odawa Indians Gaming Authority. Still, this is a pretty small internet cardroom, so you might appreciate what offshore poker sites offer instead.
Michigan's laws are a bit complicated when it comes to the age one must be in order to legally gamble. Charitable gaming, the state lottery, and parimutuel race betting are allowed to patrons who are 18 years old or above. Michigan-licensed online gaming, including casino games, sports betting, and poker, demands a minimum age of 21 for users to participate. The exception is Daily Fantasy Sports, which users can engage in at the tender age of 18.
As far as brick-and-mortar casinos go, there's again a dual standard. The commercial Detroit casinos must adhere to the 21-or-older rule. Tribal casinos are permitted to allow patrons to access their gaming at just 18 years of age, and several of them do so. However, other tribal casinos follow the stricter 21 age limit.
Offshore poker and gambling sites can't possibly keep up with all these wrinkles in Michigan law not to mention the similar legalities involved in thousands of jurisdictions worldwide. To keep things simple, they allow you to sign up and play as long as you're 18 or above. Should you fall short of this minimum age, we counsel you to avoid any such sites until you have reached the appropriate age. If you play while underaged and get caught, you'll be permanently banned, and your entire account balance will likely be confiscated.
Michigan treats gambling winnings like any other income, and you therefore must pay what you owe to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Furthermore, the federal Internal Revenue Service also expects its cut of your poker income.
Failing to properly report your poker earnings and discharge the tax liability associated with them could subject you to various penalties, legal and financial. Should you require assistance with filing the necessary paperwork, you should obtain the services of a qualified CPA or tax attorney.
Yes, with the growth of mobile computing, nearly every internet poker site provides a solution for phone and tablet users. This sometimes takes the form of a dedicated app that you can download and run on your machine; in other cases, there's a web-compatible poker room that you can open up in your device's web browser. However, even the best mobile poker rooms have a limited display area, and multi-tabling is sometimes difficult, so for the best gaming experience, you'll probably want to play on a desktop computer whenever practical.
Additional Resources
There's plenty more to discover about gaming in Michigan, and you can begin with these fine links:
We strive to maintain this information and update it frequently with our research. However, we are not immune to making mistakes or omitting information that you, dear reader, may find of use. If you have any further questions not addressed in this guide or have noted any discrepancies or inaccuracies we urge you to contact us with your questions and concerns so that we may swiftly address them!