Authority and public resources
Jurisdiction: Michigan, United States
The Michigan Gaming Control Board, or MGCB, oversees every legal online casino and sportsbook in Michigan. It’s a fact that numerous players come here to check a license or fix a dispute an operator won't settle.
Keep in mind that no online brand can hold a Michigan license on its own, yet each brand teams up with a commercial or tribal casino. That's been the setup since online play went live on January 22, 2021.
What the Michigan Gaming Control Board Does
The Law That Created the Board
Michigan voters created this board themselves. The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, Initiated Law 1 of 1996, passed as a ballot measure and took effect on December 5, 1996. It also opened the door to Detroit's casinos.
That law places the board inside the Michigan Department of Treasury. It has five members, appointed by the governor with the Senate's consent. Henry Williams now leads the agency day-to-day as executive director.
Today, the MGCB handles those Detroit casinos. It also regulates online casino games, online sports betting, and fantasy contests across the state.
Our guide to US gaming regulators compares Michigan's setup.
Commercial Casinos and Tribal Casinos
Michigan runs on two tracks. Detroit has these commercial casinos:
- MGM Grand Detroit,
- MotorCity Casino, and
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
Federally recognized tribes run casinos across the rest of the state. Both can get online licenses, and in practice, tribes hold most of them. So it's a mistake to think of Michigan as a commercial-only market.
For the bigger picture, see our Michigan gambling hub.
What the Board Regulates Online
Online casino games fall under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Public Act 152 of 2019. Now, what about online sports betting? That one falls under the Lawful Sports Betting Act, Public Act 149 of 2019.
Both were signed on December 20, 2019. Still, play didn't start until January 22, 2021, when 10 operators were approved. The first among them were BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
The internet gaming law limits online licenses to two groups. Those are Detroit casino licensees and tribes running Class III casinos in Michigan. It also sets the minimum age at 21.
How to Check That a Michigan Casino Is Licensed
The Authorized Operator List
The quickest Michigan Gaming Control Board license search is the board's own list. You'll find it in the MGCB internet gaming and fantasy contests section.
This isn't a plain column of brand names, though. Each row pairs a Michigan casino or tribe with the brand and platform provider behind it.
The same names also appear on the board's legal vs. illegal gaming page, right above its cease-and-desist list.
Which Casino Each Brand Runs Under
BetMGM runs under MGM Grand Detroit, and FanDuel runs under MotorCity Casino. DraftKings works through the Bay Mills Indian Community. Golden Nugget works through the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
So the operator license belongs to the casino or tribe. The company running the app still needs its own MGCB license as a platform provider.
Our BetMGM Casino review covers that brand in full. The same goes for our FanDuel Casino review. You can compare the rest on our Michigan online casinos page.
Signs a Site Is Not Licensed
If a brand isn't on the authorized list, it isn't legal in Michigan. Only a Michigan Gaming Control Board license counts here, regardless of what a site's footer claims.
The board also keeps a cease-and-desist list, but it says that list isn't complete. So don't treat a missing name as a green light. Licensed sites must also limit play to adults 21 and older.
Note: Playing offshore has a real cost. The board warns that unlicensed sites can withhold winnings and leave you with no dispute protection.
How to File a Complaint About a Michigan Operator
Step One: The 10-Day Operator Window
- Contact the operator first. Send a written complaint to the operator or platform provider, and keep a copy of your email.
- You should give them time to reply. The MGCB asks you to allow at least 10 days. If nothing's fixed after 10 calendar days, you can escalate.
Step Two: File With the Board
- File with the board through the MGCB internet gaming and sports betting complaint page. It links to an online complaint system, and a paper form, MGCB-AD-2064, is also available.
- Attach the operator's written reply if you got one. Your complaint should show where the law, the rules, or the site's terms weren't followed.
Detroit's retail casinos run on a different clock. For those disputes, you must file with the board within 21 business days of the incident. The board's Detroit office takes calls at 313-456-4100.
Tribal casino disputes follow a separate process on the board's patron disputes page.
Reporting an Illegal Site
Illegal sites go through a separate channel. You can call the anonymous tip line at 1-888-314-2682 or email MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov. You can also use an online form if you'd rather stay anonymous.
If gambling stops feeling fun, call the national responsible gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER any time. The board's Responsible Gaming Database lets you block yourself from all regulated online gaming and sports betting. Also, its responsible gaming team answers at 888-223-3044 on weekdays.
Our responsible gambling guide covers more tools and support.
Casinos and Sportsbooks Licensed in Michigan
Each Michigan casino operates through a commercial brand partnership or a tribe. All of them appear on the MGCB Michigan authorized operator list.
