Michigan sports betting: Online wagering start date set, plus more updates on what and how to bet

The Detroit Lions are one of four active NFL franchises to never play in a Super Bowl. They have played in just one NFC Championship Game, and that was way back following the 1991 season. Every other NFC team has not only hosted a conference title game but won at least one.

The Motor City Kitties didn't sniff the NFL playoffs this season with a 5-11 record that led to the firing of GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia – since replaced by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, respectively – but good news arrived this week for NFL bettors in the Motor City and the entirety of Michigan.

Michigan sports betting updates

Jan. 2021: Online betting going live Friday, Jan. 22

Bettors in the Great Lakes State will have online wagering available for the first time on Friday.

While betting has been legal in the Great Lakes State since 2019, only in-person wagering was allowed and that had been severely limited by the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering casinos. However, Friday (Jan. 22) at noon ET online wagering officially becomes legalized all over the state.  

March 2020: In-person betting starts in Michigan

Just a few months after the passage of the Lawful Sports Betting Act, sportsbooks began taking in-person bets. Online sports betting in Michigan was expected to come on board in late 2020 or early 2021.

Dec. 2019: Sports gambling bills signed into law

In mid-December 2019, the Lawful Sports Betting Act was passed by the Michigan legislature and on Dec. 20, 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed it into law to legalize sports wagering in the Great Lakes State. You can read more about Michigan's betting laws here.

Michigan sports betting: The basics

The Michigan Gaming Control Board on Tuesday authorized nine operators to begin online sports betting and online gaming at noon ET on Friday, Jan. 22.

While there may be a short delay as sportsbooks get things in order (i.e., perhaps wagers won't be taken immediately at noon), it will mean bettors will be able to wager on both the Tampa Bay Bucs-Green Bay Packers NFC Championship Game on Sunday as well as the Buffalo Bills-Kansas City Chiefs AFC title tilt.

In the NBA, the Pistons' first game after the online legalization is at Little Caesars Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. ET against the Houston Rockets. Detroit also is home Saturday vs. Philadelphia.

Hockey-wise, the Red Wings are at the rival Chicago Blackhawks both Friday and Sunday this weekend.

Michigan sports betting: How to bet

"The Michigan Gaming Control Board and the state's commercial and tribal casinos will begin a new era Jan. 22 with the launch of regulated online gaming and sports betting," said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director.

"Michigan residents love sports and, judging by inquiries we've received, eagerly anticipate using mobile devices to place bets through the commercial and tribal casinos. Online gaming and sports betting will provide the casinos with new ways to engage with customers while the state and local communities will benefit from taxes and payments on wagering revenue."

There have been 15 sportsbooks conditionally approved, and nine will begin accepting online wagers on Friday. Those are:

• Bay Mills Indiana Community (betting offered by DraftKings)
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (William Hill)
• Greektown Casino (Barstool)
• Hannahville Indian Community (TwinSpires)
• Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Golden Nugget)
• Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (Rush Street)
• MGM Grand Detroit (BetMGM)
• MotorCity Casino (FanDuel)
• Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Wynn)  

Michigan sports betting: Types of bets offered

Michigan will be just the fourth state to launch online casino gaming and real money poker, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Potential bettors must be inside state lines to register and wager (both residents and visitors) and must be at least 21 years old. All the major American sports leagues are offered with typical spread, moneyline, total and prop bets.

Some states will not allow wagering on in-state collegiate teams, but Michiganders can bet on the University of Michigan, Michigan State, etc., as well as all out-of-state NCAA schools.

Juwan Howard's Wolverines are one of the best men's basketball teams in the country this season and legitimate national championship contenders. Tom Izzo's Spartans are a possible Final Four threat as they usually are but have been going through a COVID pause. The programs are scheduled to meet Feb. 6 in Ann Arbor (day before Super Bowl 55) and March 7 in East Lansing.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up almost $7,900 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception five-plus years ago. It is a sizzling 24-14 on top-rated NFL picks this season, returning well over $800. The model also enters Championship Weekend in the 2021 NFL Playoffs on an incredible 120-78 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season.