You can play poker and several other games at a table or in a casino. You can now play them online, too. Poker and the wider casino industry is as popular as ever, partly due to the way operators market the games and the experience so successfully. Some people take up poker or visit casinos as a way to pass the time. Some see it as a way to socialize. Some even go professional and play poker for a living (or if not professional, then to supplement their income). Below is a discussion of the different types of game you can play in a casino, starting with poker itself.
Get PokerStars Casino for Free. Enjoy the ultimate online, free Casino experience. Play now – download for free and find your game in minutes.; Games available non-stop – there’s a huge selection of free games ready and waiting, including classics like Blackjack and Roulette, plus many more. Video poker, on the other hand, you are playing against the house. Video poker is available in land-based casinos in the form of electronic consoles similar to slots but they lack the compatibility and accessibility that online video poker has. The ability to enjoy a game of poker wherever and whenever you’d like makes a huge difference.
Poker And Its Variations
Poker places plenty of variety at the disposal of its enthusiasts, thanks to the different variations of the game, such as Texas Hold’em, which is easy enough to learn but is more strategic, is fast moving and may appeal to more advanced players; through to five-card draw, which is the basic version of poker and you might prefer if you want a more straightforward game with less strategy.
Before Texas Hold’em came along, there was seven-card stud. In this variation, players receive seven cards and have to make the best five-card hand from the seven cards they receive. Three are face down and four are face up and the player has the advantage of being able to see a lot of their opponent’s cards.
Then there’s Omaha, which is similar to Texas Hold’em and is much more pacey; and there’s the Hi/Lo, in which players have to get the lowest hand and the highest hand and, admittedly, could get a bit confusing.
If you’re a more advanced poker player and really want to mix things up, you can try Chinese poker at some casinos. In this intriguing variation, the player receives 13 cards and have to put together three hands: two five-scoring hands of five cards and one set of three. The game steers clear of blinds or ante stakes and uses “units” instead, a monetary amount which the players decide before the game. Players collect units from each player they beat and, since the game doesn’t involve poker chips, they keep the score with good old pen and paper.
Of course, when you go into a casino, online or offline, you don’t have to sit down to a poker table if that doesn’t feel like your bag. A lot of casinos offer some or all of the following games:
Slots
Slots are fun, fast and easy to play, which is all a big part of their appeal. Step into a reputable casino or sign up to a slots site provider online and you’ll be able to play on some of the best slot machines around.
The other beauty of slot machines is the sheer variety when it comes to the themes. You want a slot with a Superman theme? You’ve got it. Want one with a Hollywood blockbuster theme? There will be one out there somewhere. Aching for a bit of nostalgia? You’ll find slots closer to the classic fruit machine variety. Basically, ask and you’ll receive.
Roulette
Roulette is a classic. It’s straightforward and, boy, is it exciting. There are various different ways to win — note that the American and European versions differ, with the American version tilting the edge slightly more in favor of the house. You can place outside bets, simpler bets in which you’ll bet on the ball landing on a group of colors (either red or black), on an odd or even number, on a high or a low number or similar features. Alternatively, and if you’re feeling really lucky, you can place more specific bets, such as a bet that the ball will land on a specific number or will stop on a line between a set of numbers.
Blackjack
Blackjack is card game that has the twist of not putting you up against the other players. Instead, you’re playing against the dealer, who will deal two cards to each player. You then have to get as close to 21 as possible without going bust and still achieve a higher hand than the dealer.
It’s a straightforward game, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to strategize. If you receive two cards that have the same value, for instance, you can split them and give yourself two opportunities to beat the dealer.
Baccarat
Baccarat is where it all gets a bit James Bond, since this was the ultra-smooth secret agent’s preferred card game. The game involves two hands —the “Banker” hand and the “Player” hand — and the objective is to predict which of the two hands will total the closest to nine. Players do this by betting on either of the hands. Jacks, kings and queens all have a value of zero; aces have a value of 1; and all the other cards have the value on the card.
Games With A Live Dealer
If you visit an online casino, you don’t have to sacrifice human interaction and play as if you were playing on a computer, console or mobile device. Online casinos are forever looking to improve their offering and match the experience of visiting a land-based casino as closely as possible. They have live dealers who host games in real time. The player can join the table and streams the game into their home from a high-quality, high-definition video link. They can interact with the dealer and, generally, relax as they play. It’s a popular option and offers the player comfort and privacy while they play.
A casino wouldn’t be a casino if it didn’t offer poker games in some form, but that doesn’t mean you only have the choice of poker or nothing. Enter a casino online or offline and you have a delightful choice of different games from which to choose. All part of the fun of playing in a casino.
Welcome to Michigan Gambling Online! You’ve arrived at the premier destination for all things gambling in the Great Lake State.
Michigan is an often-overlooked gambling powerhouse. Residents and visitors have a wide selection of both land-based and online options available to them.
Michigan Online Gambling is your source for the best bonuses, updates, and news about gambling locally, whether you’re in the Upper or Lower Peninsula. As it turns out, with so many options, it doesn’t really matter where you are.
When will online gambling launch in Michigan?
To protect against any suspense, here’s the answer – probably in the latter half of 2021.
Michigan’s gambling expansion in December 2019 was alarmingly comprehensive. Few states choose to jump into so many new types of gambling at the same time.
Of course, there’s a difference between making something legal and launching it. Truthfully, there are always many details that must be hammered out before operators can begin to accept customers.
The truth of the matter is that since legalization, Michigan has focused most of its preparation and work on sports betting. Both lawmakers and regulators have understood that launching the sports component of the expansion took higher priority.
So, although it’s possible, it’s unlikely that we’ll see online casino gambling launch in Michigan before online sports betting. Even if online casinos are pushed into a higher priority, regulators are still going to need some time to get all their ducks in a row.
With that in mind, it’s probably unreasonable to expect online casinos in Michigan in 2020. The earliest would be sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2021, and that’s probably pushing it.
Look for your favorite online casino games to begin popping up in the later part of 2021.
Online Casinos in Michigan
Online casino play is soon to be a reality in Michigan. After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019, the launch of casinos on mobile devices could occur at any time.
The law allows for all 26 of Michigan’s casinos to offer online casino games to anyone of legal age across the state. There’s no telling how many operators will take the state up on this option, but given the profit potential, it’s likely that most of them will.
Michigan’s casino operators are not fly-by-night organizations, either – companies like MGM and Penn National already call the Wolverine State home. So, it’s safe to assume that Michigan will soon be home to cutting edge online casino options.
As soon as we get firm information about when the first launches will occur, we will let you know.
Online Poker in Michigan
Michigan poker players can rejoice in the fact that online poker sites are soon to appear in their home territory. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which legalized online casinos in 2019, also legalized online poker sites.
Indeed, each of Michigan’s 26 casinos now has the opportunity to apply for an online poker license. Of course, 26 online poker rooms would likely exceed the demands of the market, but it’s certain that there will be some great options in the Great Lake State soon.
There’s no word about whether Michigan will join the Multi-State Compact and combine player pools with other states yet. However, as advantageous as it is to join, don’t be surprised if Michigan heads that way in the near future.
Casinos and Gambling
There are 26 casino properties located in Michigan. Of the 26, 23 are owned and operated by federally-recognized Native American tribes in the state.
The remaining locations are commercial casinos owned and operated by private organizations. All three are in and around the Detroit area, and serve the Detroit metropolitan area.
In addition to offering slots, table games, and poker, two of these Detroit-area properties are now home to retail sportsbooks. You can place wagers on sporting events at both MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown.
Online Sports Betting in Michigan
Retail sports betting is already underway in Michigan. However, the question on everyone’s mind is about the timeframe for the launch of online sports betting.
The short answer is that online sports betting is probably a year or so away. Regulators are still finalizing the rules for how to manage the operators, and those won’t be complete until early 2021.
Needless to say, it will be a few months afterward before all the licensing can be completed. So, it’s probably more likely that Michigan will have its first online sportsbook in mid-2021.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Michigan
Michiganders have enjoyed access to most major daily fantasy sports sites for years. The two market leaders, DraftKings and FanDuel, offer their services to Michigan inhabitants every single day.
With that said, Michigan does not have a formal recognition of DFS as legal in its statutes. So far, both the legislature and the state attorney general have remained noncommittal about the practice.
With online sports betting coming, however, things might be changing. Keep your eyes peeled for how Michigan decides to go on daily fantasy sports.
Michigan Lottery
Michigan enjoys an extremely robust offering when it comes to its state lottery. Unlike other states, which often dabble in retail draw games and scratch-offs, Michigan has jumped with both feet into the online lottery game.
Players across the state can access the Michigan Lottery app for a wide variety of opportunities. There are keno, instant win, and draw games available in the virtual space, and players do not have to travel off their couches to take part.
Of course, Michigan also offers the prerequisite draw games and scratch-off games, too. Multistate drawings like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto 47 are all available to residents of the Great Lake State.
Michigan Casino Locations
Michigan is home to 26 different casinos. Of the 26, all but three are tribal locations and are situated on tribal lands. The remaining casinos are Detroit-area properties and are commercial casinos.
Here are all of your casino options in Michigan:
Tribal
- Bay Mills Resort & Casino – Brimley
- Dancing Eagles Resort – Watersmeet
- Firekeepers Casino and Hotel – Battle Creek
- Four Winds Dowagiac – Dowagiac
- Four Winds Hartford – Hartford
- Four Winds New Buffalo – New Buffalo
- Gun Lake Casino – Wayland
- Island Resort & Casino – Harris
- Kewadin Casino – Christmas
- Kewadin Casino – Hessel
- Kewadin Casino – Manistique
- Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center – Sault Sainte Marie
- Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel – Saint Ignace
- Kings Club Casino – Brimley
- Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino & Golf Course – Watersmeet
- Leelanau Sands Casino – Suttons Bay
- Little River Casino Resort – Manistee
- Odawa Casino – Petoskey
- Ojibwa Casino – Baraga
- Ojibwa Casino – Marquette
- Saganing Eagles Landing Casino – Standish
- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mount Pleasant
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel – Williamsburg
Commercial (all in Detroit)
- Greektown Casino Hotel
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MotorCity Casino Hotel
Michigan Cardrooms
Michigan is one of the few states that allows for standalone poker rooms to operate in the state. Several bars, taverns, and other smaller facilities can host games of Texas Hold’em in their venues as part of charitable gaming in the state. A few of them also offer blackjack games and other light table game options.
Most of these locations are not very large or glorious. Generally speaking, they are sports bars or bowling alleys that host poker and other card games. If you’re looking for an experience that mirrors a Las Vegas poker room, you should stick to the casinos.
However, if you want a less-serious game that allows players to have fun and be friendly, these rooms might be just the thing for you.
Here are all the standalone poker rooms in Michigan:
- All Star Poker Room – Walled Lake
- Bora Bora’s Charity Poker Room – Warren
- Ciccarelli’s Sports Bar – Utica
- Doc’s Poker and Blackjack Room – Livonia
- Huron Poker Room – Oscoda
- Joey Armadillo’s – Niles
- Krazy Kops at Vision Lanes – Westland
- Live Action Poker Room at B Boomers – Allen Park
- Malarkey’s Poker Room – Westland
- Momo’s Poker Room – Taylor
- B’s Charity Poker Room – Royal Oak
- One Eyed Jacks Poker Lounge – Utica
- OverTyme Charity Poker Room – Waterford
- Owosso Poker Room – Owosso
- Prime Time Poker at 59 West – Highland
- Rosemack Charity Poker Room – Roseville
- Rosie O’Grady’s Poker Room – New Baltimore
- Roundtree Poker Room – Ypsilanti
- Shark Club Waterford – Waterford
- Sinbad’s Charity Poker Room – Madison Heights
- Sportsmen’s Poker Lounge – Utica
- Thompson Card Room – Ypsilanti
- Waterford Card Room – Waterford
- Winning Hand Poker – Trenton
- Wintergarden Poker Room Chesterfield – New Baltimore
- Wintergarden Poker Room Livonia – Livonia
Michigan Horse Racing
Michigan used to be home to several horse tracks throughout the state. The popularity of the “Sport of Kings” has waned in recent years, however.
At present, only one horse track venue (with simulcasting) remains active in Michigan. Northville Downs is the only location that will still offer a chance to see the ponies run.
Michigan Gambling and the Law
Clearly, Michigan is neither inexperienced nor hostile to the notion of gambling. With more than two dozen casinos in the state, Michiganders have a wealth of options to play their favorite games of chance.
However, gambling in Michigan is about to take a huge leap forward, thanks to the passage of a pair of laws in 2019. The Lawful Sports Betting Act and the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, which were signed almost simultaneously by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are making online sports betting, retail sports betting, online casinos, and online poker a reality in the next couple of years.
Any person who is inside the state and over the age of 21 will be able to play these new games. All they will need is a mobile device and an internet connection that can validate their presence in Michigan.
Here are a few other points of interest from the two laws:
- All casinos in the state can apply for licensure.
- The licenses will grant the ability to launch an online casino and an online poker site separately.
- Only one skin is allowed for online sportsbooks.
- In both cases, applicants must pay a $50,000 fee to apply for licensure.
- The licenses themselves require a $100,000 payment, and must be renewed each year for $50,000.
- Sports betting will only be taxed at 8.4% of gross revenues throughout the state. The three commercial casinos will have to pay an additional 1.25% to the city of Detroit.
- Online casino revenues will be subject to tax rates of 20% – 28% at the three commercial casinos. Tribal casinos remain subject to the rates on their compacts with the state.
Overall, the taxation and fees are reasonable in comparison to the systems in other states. With that in mind, expect to see many of the eligible properties throwing their hats in the ring soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online casinos legal in Michigan?
Yes! Thanks to a law passed in December 2019, online casinos are now legal in Michigan.
What online casinos are open for business?
None so far. After a law passes, there’s always a delay before the first site can open, due to the fact that regulators have to put together their rules for how things will work.
When will online casinos be available to me?
It’s not clear just yet, but our best guess is that the first online casinos will begin launching in mid-2021.
Are there any live casinos in Michigan?
Yes. Plenty. There are 23 tribal casinos and 3 commercial casinos scattered across the state.
Am I able to play poker in Michigan?
Yes. Several of the casino locations have poker rooms that will welcome you. In addition, Michigan is also home to 26 charity or standalone cardrooms, and these facilities spread poker, blackjack, and a few other table games on a limited basis.
Can I play online poker in Michigan?
Not yet, but you will be able to do so soon. Online poker became legal via the same law that allowed online casino play to become legal.
Can I bet on sports in Michigan?
Yes. Two of the three commercial casinos in Detroit have retail sportsbooks that are open for your business.
Can I bet on sports online in Michigan?
Yes! Online sports betting became legal in Michigan in late 2019.
What sites are available for sports betting?
None. Regulators are still getting their ducks in a row in terms of rules, regulation, and licensing.
When can I expect online sportsbooks to open?
It’s not certain, but there is good reason to believe that online sportsbooks will begin launching in Michigan in early-to-mid-2021.
Will I have to be a resident of Michigan to bet online there?
Online Casino Poker Gambling Vegas World
No. It is not necessary to be a Michigan resident in order to play on its online casinos and sports betting apps.
Online Casino Poker Gambling Sites
Will I be able to play on Michigan sites from out of state?
No. Regardless of your residence, you must be physically inside the state in order to play on its online gambling sites. Each site will use geolocation software to verify your location, and if there’s even a question about whether you’re in Michigan, you won’t be allowed to play.