Real money online poker is now live in Michigan! PokerStars became the first real money online poker site off the blocks in MI and the online poker industry in the US has gained even more momentum.

Background on PokerStars Michigan casino PokerStars is the world’s largest online poker operator. In the US, PokerStars online poker and PokerStars Casino online. MGM Grand Detroit is the biggest live casino in Michigan. This casino giant has led the way in other states when it comes to online poker, casino games and sports betting options. BetMGM offer an online poker site which uses a platform developed by GVC. This is the same software that is used by Party Poker in several states – including Michigan. Is online poker in Michigan legal? Yes Online poker is currently legal in Michigan. Gov Gretchen Whitmer signed a number of online gambling expansion bills in December 2019 that legalized the likes of online poker, online casinos, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports (DFS).However, the online poker market hasn’t yet launched in Michigan, with the expectation that this will not come until. BetMGM Poker, which will be the product of MGM Resorts International and partypoker’s parent company GVC Holdings, is likely to be the next online poker site to launch in Michigan. The two companies established a 50/50 joint venture sports betting and online gaming platform for the US in 2018. BetMGM Poker is expected to launch in the first half of 2021, possibly as soon as.

With a population of 10 million people (about 1 million more than New Jersey), Michigan is immediately an intriguing online poker market. While play is limited to in-state pools at first, adding Michigan as a legalized online poker state adds a nice number of poker players to the total US player pool.

See our page below for all the key information about online poker in Michigan including the best no deposit poker bonuses. Online casinos in Michigan also went live as of Jan. 22, 2021.

Latest Michigan online poker updates

• by StaffMarch 4, 2021
• by Anthony Cicali IIIFebruary 18, 2021

Michigan Online Poker Bonus Codes

Play Real Money Poker on PokerStars Michigan Now!

The online poker era officially began in Michigan on Friday, January 29, when PokerStars became the first platform to launch. That meant Michigan became the fifth state to offer real money online poker along with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware.

It’s the third state for PokerStars, along with PA and NJ. The Wolverine State has also approved allowing interstate compacts, but that will have to wait for various states reaching regulatory approval.

In the meantime, players will be in a fenced-in market. That means Michigan players will only play against others in the state. PokerStars also currently operates “fenced in” poker online in New Jersey and fenced-in poker online in Pennsylvania. That means the player pools aren’t shared between the three states, but that will change eventually.

The addition of the PokerStars platform is welcome news to Michigan online poker players. Given their license also includes casino game and sports betting, your PokerStars Michigan account also offers an integrated online casino and a sportsbook.

Include in the PokerStars launch are first-rate software and game selection PokerStars is known for, from big guaranteed MTTs to Spin & Gos to mixed cash games and plenty of poker variants. If you want to play free online poker with friends, you can play via the Home Games feature.

PokerStars’ casino partnership is with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority. The tribe operates three properties including the Odawa Casino Resort in northern Michigan.

Claim your $30 free play or $600 deposit bonus on PokerStars MI via the link below

Real money poker apps in Michigan

Most Americans are now accustomed to using mobile apps for productivity, gaming, and various other life-organizing tasks. That goes for online poker too and a major percentage of players now use real money poker apps to play.

All online poker sites offer poker apps as well a traditional desktop or laptop-based downloadable software client. These allow for plenty of player mobility. Michigan can expect the same amount of app options starting with one of the best, PokerStars.

Poker apps offer easy-to-use game play features and navigation. Players will find extensive game and tournament options with features specifically designed for phones or tablets.

Players can expect the same level of safety and security on a poker app as well. You can also still sign up, claim any no deposit poker bonus or promotional offer, make additional deposits, and withdraw funds from anywhere. Downloading a poker app is simple and fast.

Download and play on the PokerStars app in Michigan right here:

How to Open a New Online Poker Account

After downloading the app or poker software, signing up is a fast and easy process. Players will first be asked to input some basic information including:

• name
• address
• email
• username
• password

You then need to confirm your identity and email. After that you’ll be ready to give the platform a test drive. New players also usually have the opportunity for some great bonuses for signing up and making a deposit.

When ready to make a deposit, there are several options and it’s an easy process. Look for standard industry deposit methods not always available at unregulated sites. Some of those usually include:

• E-check bank payments (ACH transfers)
• Visa/Mastercard
• Wire payments
• E-wallets such as Neteller
• Cash at partner casinos

Once that’s complete, finding a game is as simple as launching the poker client or app and heading to the lobby. Players will find something for most budgets such as:

• Cash games
• Multi-table tournaments
• Sit and go tournaments
• Jackpot-style tournament events
• Major tournament series

An advantage to playing online is that players will find lower stakes and buy-ins than they might at a casino. You can work on your game without breaking the bank or worrying about being intimidated as you learn.

Players also have the option to play for virtual (play money) currency at most sites. This offers a great way to learn the games and software without risking any money.

Sweepstakes poker still an option for Michigan players

While poker players anxiously await for more major brands such as MGM and partypoker to launch in Michigan, they can still play 100% legal real money poker online through sweepstakes poker sites.

Because these sites follow a unique sweepstakes or social gaming model, players in 49 US states (excl. WA) are currently eligible to play.

Global Poker is one of the biggest and best known among these. Players in the US and Canada (excluding Quebec) can enjoy a comparable online poker playing experience with an opportunity to win real money.

Global Poker uses a free-to-play virtual currency called Gold Coins. Players get 1,000 Gold Coins free on sign-up and can use these to play free cash games and tournaments.

Players that purchase more Gold Coins also receive a second virtual currency called Sweeps Coins. These coins are used in separate Sweeps Coin poker games such as:

• Ring games
• Tournaments (& tournament series)
• Sit & go’s
• Jackpot sit & go’s

Unlike Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins can be cashed out for real money. Global Poker’s business model offers a fun social gaming experience with the opportunity to win some real cash.

Global is owned and operated by VGW Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company incorporated in Australia. The Malta Gaming Authority regulates VCW’s social gaming platforms, which include free sweeps cash casinos as well.

Players can expect fair games and feel safe in the knowledge that their account information and player funds are secure. The site offers the following poker variations with stakes for every bankroll level:

• Crazy Pineapple

Michigan players can currently access an exclusive USPoker bonus offer for a free $20 Gold Coin package just for signing up or a $40 package for depositing $20. Click below to start the process:

Which other poker brands will offer online poker in Michigan?

partypoker + MGM Grand Detroit

The MGM Grand Detroit is also the largest casino in the state. MGM partners with partypoker in New Jersey through the Borgata, and that may be an option in Michigan as well. A partypoker entrance into the market offers a nice option for online poker players.

CaesarsCasino doesn’t have a property in Michigan but could reach an agreement to operate WSOP.com. The WSOP online poker platform has the only shared liquidity market among New Jersey, Nevada, and with its partner 888poker in Delaware.

The Greektown Casino is owned by Penn National Gaming. The company owns some online gaming operations in Pennsylvania but hasn’t offered online poker. But that could always change as more states become possible.

Michigan offers another big opportunity for online poker operators and expect some considerable interest from the big players. Other international brands like GG Poker or Run It Once Poker might also be interested as the US online poker market continues to expand.

Can I play on a Michigan poker site from outside the state?

Online poker sites use geolocation software to make sure players are located within that state. According to regulations, you must physically be within the legal jurisdiction to play.

That doesn’t mean you can’t sign up for an account, make a deposit, or withdraw funds from anywhere, however. All of this can be done in other states including, for example, in nearby Illinois, Indiana or Ohio.

Simply sign up and deposit for an account and then be ready to play when you’re in Michigan. It doesn’t matter if you’re a resident of another state for eligibility. You do, of course, need to be of legal age to play as well.

Michigan Online Poker FAQ

Which Michigan casinos have online poker site partners?

So far, only The Stars Group (PokerStars) has a partnership with a casino operator. The company entered into a partnership with the Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority in January 2020.

Stars became the first operator to reach a partnership deal to operate online gaming in the state. That would also be expected to include online poker.

While it hasn’t announced anything yet, the MGM Grand Detroit could also be a player. MGM partners with GVC Holdings (partypoker) in New Jersey and is a good bet to enter the Michigan market as well.

This page will be updated as more partnerships are announced.

Can I play on PokerStars in Michigan?

Yes. Online poker went live in 2021 and PokerStars’ parent company has signed a partnership agreement with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority. PokerStars now offers all legal forms of online gaming including poker. PokerStars is the largest online poker operator in the world and also offers poker in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Can I qualify for the WSOP from Michigan?

Players using WSOP.com in Nevada and New Jersey can currently qualify for the WSOP online. They can even play in exclusive WSOP online bracelet events along with players on WSOP.com partner 888poker in Delaware.

WSOP owner Caesars Entertainment doesn’t own a property in Michigan. That doesn’t mean the company can’t reach an agreement with a partner in the state. In fact, it’s probably a good bet that may happen – at some point.

WSOP.com has been a leader in the US online poker industry. While it hasn’t yet launched in Pennsylvania, that state and Michigan offer opportunities to grow its brand and player footprint. A growing US market only offers more opportunities for both the WSOP as a whole and its online platform.

Do I have to live in Michigan to play online poker in Michigan?

No, you can sign up for a new online poker account and even make a deposit from anywhere. However, players must be physically located within the state when playing. Poker sites will make use of geolocation software to make sure of this.

However, those outside the state who register and deposit can easily play once they’re in the state.

Does Michigan share a player pool with any other states?

As of now there are no immediate plans for a shared player pool through interstate compacts. This could be added at a later date however. Pennsylvania went ahead with online poker in a similar situation – waiting for the legalities involved with the Wire Act to be worked out.

That issue cleared up in January 2021, with a federal appeals court ruling that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting. That allows expanded interstate compacts for online poker operators. With PokerStars launching in January 2021, that could mean the company eventually will combine player pools in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Michigan, along with other high population states with poker players including Florida and Texas, has great promise as a legalized online poker market. An interstate compact with shared liquidity could be in the works down the line. That would make for an even better and secure industry with more growth potential.

Will Michigan allow online casino games?

Yes. See the full run down on our Michigan Online Casinos page.

Why choose legal online poker sites?

Players can expect safe and secure legal US online poker sites. Online operators undergo rigorous licensing procedures and regulations just like a land-based casino

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has standards and procedures in place to protect players and they enforce them appropriately. That includes securing player funds, which are placed into separate secure accounts.

Deposits and cash outs are also extremely safe and use encryption technology to make sure account details are secure. A player can feel safe that his personal information is also kept safe.

Legal online poker sites also offer several customer service options to help players sort out any issues. Those can include:

• Phone
• Live chat
• Email
• By mail
• FAQ section
• Information database or help section

Along with these security and help features, online poker platforms work to provide security among players. Anti-collusion and bot software helps weed out elements that might affect game integrity and fairness.

It’s important to note that “offshore” poker sites (ie those based in other countries) can’t offer this same level of security. They aren’t always regulated and players receive no guarantees that their funds and personal information are safe.

Many of these sites have been known for slow payouts and have even gone under and not paid back players. Players will feel much safer using a regulated US site.

Michigan Live Poker Rooms

Poker players have several options to bet and bluff to each others’ faces in Michigan. The state boasts more than 15 poker rooms. Here’s a look at a few that stand out:

MGM Grand (Detroit) – 17 tables with plenty of cash games and tournaments in an elegant, high-end environment. MGM is known for great poker rooms at its properties and that includes Michigan.

Motor City Casino (Detroit) – 17 tables with daily tournaments and cash games. Look for generous comps.

Soaring Eagle Casino (Mount Pleasant) – 14 tables and plenty of promotions. The property also offers a large number of games spread.

FireKeepers Casino (Battle Creek) – The 26-table room is newly renovated and offers a great place to play.

Gun Lake Casino (Wayland) – This 14-table western Michigan room receives nice reviews among players. Action heats up on the weekend.

Greektown Casino (Detroit) – 12 tables and another great option for players located in the Detroit area.

Michigan Online Poker History

Michigan is no stranger to live gaming opportunities. There are three full-service casinos in the Detroit area and 23 tribal properties scattered throughout the state. Other legal gambling options include pari-mutuel wagering and the state lottery. The latter may have gotten the online gaming ball rolling.

In 2014, the Michigan Lottery launched an online lottery and by mid-2015 more than 300,000 instant tickets were being sold each day. In April 2016, online gambling proponent and State Senator Mike Kowall introduced SB 889. Entitled “The Lawful Internet Gaming Act,” the bill would have authorized online poker and online casino games in Michigan.

SB889 would have granted up to eight licenses to Michigan-based commercial and tribal casinos. That bill died in committee, but set the stage for making the issue a possibility. Michigan voters were hopeful in 2018 for legislation that legalized online poker but, after approving a bill late in the year, outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder ultimately vetoed it. That added yet one more delay to the eventual reality of Michigan online poker.

Fortunes reversed however in 2019 and on Dec. 20, Gov. Whitmer signed a bill into law. So now that Michigan has legalized online poker, when can players expect to jump in to the action at online poker tables?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) made a major announcement in December 2020 that several online casinos had received provisional licenses. This would allow final approvals to begin taking place and what was expected to be a launch of online gaming by mid-January 2020.

That didn’t mean necessarily that online poker would be one of the first offerings to hit the ground running in January. However, the good news for poker players was that two of the companies receiving provisional approval have poker brands. Those two receiving approval were:

• Roar Digital – This is the gaming partnership between MGM and GVC Holdings in the US. GVC is the owner of partypoker.
• TSG Interactive – TSG stands for the The Stars Group, which is a part of international online gaming company Flutter Entertainment. Flutter is also the parent company of PokerStars.

WSOP.com and its software partner 888poker weren’t listed among those companies that had been approved yet.

Beyond PokerStars and MGM/partypoker getting approved, several other gaming entities also received approval in December 2020 from the MGCB. The board had reached agreement on rules for:

• Sports betting
• Fantasy sports

Beyond creating rules for the various gaming offerings, the MGCB had approved numerous other operators in December 2020. A complete list of those groups receiving provisional licenses included:

• TSG Interactive US Services Limited (Fox Bet, PokerStars)
• BetMGM (Roar Digital and partypoker US Network)
• American Wagering, Inc. (William Hill Sports Book)
• Betfair Interactive US (FanDuel Sportsbook)
• Churchill Downs Interactive Gaming (TwinSpires)
• Crown MI Gaming (DraftKings)
• GAN Nevada Inc. (online gaming technology provider)
• Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc.
• NYX Digital Gaming USA (digital gaming supplier)
• Parx Interactive Inc.
• Penn Sports Interactive
• PointsBet Michigan
• Rush Street Interactive MI
• Sports Information Services Limited (Kambi sports betting service)
• WSI US, LLC (Wynn Sports)

Senate approved multi-state legislation

In October 2020, some legislation in the state Senate also produced some good news. The Senate passedSB 991, which allowed the state’s gaming entities to enter into interstate compacts.

The future of these shared liquidity markets remains to be seen. The Department of Justice has argued that the Wire Act applied to more than just sports betting.

The issue remained tied up in court and could have a huge impact on the iGaming industry (more on this below). However, in January 2021 the court ruled in favor of gaming interests. This clears the way for shared liquidity markets among states and could greatly help the regulated US online poker industry.

Michigan has joined Nevada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey as the fifth state to offer legalized online poker in the United States. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a comprehensive gambling package into law back in 2019, and 2021 ushered in the first legal online gambling sites and poker rooms in Michigan.

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Now, a cornucopia of betting sites are active and offering real money gaming over the internet. Users all over Michigan can try their hands at online gambling, including the world’s favorite card game: poker.

MI Online Poker Sites

Michigan online poker is still in its infancy, so there aren’t a ton of sites to play on yet. However, as the laws are set and licensure is on the table for a number of big name providers, the list will grow. Michigan has also built in provisions that allow them to share players with other states. While it hasn’t gone into effect yet, when it does, it will make the proposition of opening a new site all the more enticing.

• PokerStars: The biggest name in online poker has arrived in Michigan. Currently the only game in town, PokerStars is a globally-recognized platform known for having excellent software, service, and the biggest prize pools across the industry. Through a partnership with the tribally-owned Odawa Casinos, PokerStars is available to play in Michigan anywhere you have an internet connection and a supported device. PokerStars Casino and FOX Bet round out the company’s offerings in the state.

Coming Soon for MI Online Poker

Additional online poker platforms are on the way to Michigan. Based on the activity in other states and current developments in MI, the following represent excellent candidates to join PokerStars:

• BetMGM Poker
• PartyPoker
• 888Poker
• WSOP.com

Online Poker Michigan

Poker Networks in Michigan

Online poker sites need a network to operate on. Game offerings like cash tables, tournaments, and Sit & Gos are generally hosted across an entire network. This allows any player, across any site on that network to participate in the same games and sit at the same tables. Some online poker rooms choose to share a network, which gives their players access to a better selection of games, and the opportunity to win larger prizes.

PokerStars is the only Michigan-based online poker client available right now, and as such, is the only poker network available in the state. As new sites launch, so too will new poker networks. While PokerStars doesn’t traditionally share its network, other operators have been more inclined to do so.

For example, in New Jersey, players on the WSOP.com platform are able to play poker against players using the 888poker platform since they share the same network. Similarly in NJ, PartyPoker, BetMGM Poker, and Borgata Poker share a network, and by extension, their player bases can compete against one another. As Michigan online poker develops there will be similar groupings.

Michigan Online Poker Bonuses

If you’re at all familiar with the world of online gambling, you’re probably aware of bonuses. Either way, here’s a quick primer: it’s in the best interest of online poker providers to offer incentives for both new and existing users. They get new players to the tables for the first time, and existing players to jump back in.

Particularly of interest are the welcome offers, which are promotions intended to entice new users to a service. Online poker providers in Michigan generally offer some sort of bonus for new users. Let’s look into some of the most common online poker bonuses and how they work:

No-deposit bonuses / free money bonuses

No-deposit bonuses are as they sound– you don’t have to deposit any funds into your online poker account before you get access to them. In a sense, they are free money. For example, a site like PokerStars might offer Michigan players something like $30 in tournament tickets or bonus cash to use at the tables just for signing up. These sorts of offers are typically waiting in a new users account immediately after they are created, though some may require an opt-in… be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Deposit bonuses

A deposit bonus, often referred to as a match bonus, is where an online poker provider will match a certain amount of your first deposit with bonus cash. For example, with use of a specific promo code an online poker room might offer a 100% up to $600 deposit match bonus. That means the site will match your deposit, dollar for dollar (100%) up to a total of $600. With poker offers the bonus dollars aren’t available for use right away. Instead, as you play you gradually unlock the bonus cash to your account.

Reload bonuses

Reload bonuses, in a nutshell, are deposit match bonuses that apply to deposits other than your first ever deposit. These are offered as an incentive for existing players to “reload” their bankrolls and keep playing with the service. It’s a great to see online poker providers incentivizing existing users to stay with the site.

Michigan Online Poker Eligibility

Michigan’s online gambling law has been fraught with complexity, but has now taken shape. As of 2021 online poker is legal, licensed, and live in the state. Plus, the way is pretty much clear for Michigan to offer interstate online poker tables (joined with other states) due to a confirmed interpretation of 1961’s Federal Wire Act (more on that below).

Are MI Poker Sites Legal?

Yes – MI online poker is 100% legal. PokerStars is already offering their full selection of tables and tournaments to Michigan-area players, and is expected to start offering interstate play in the near future. More poker rooms will be launching soon. You can get online and start playing legal online poker in Michigan today.

Who can play online poker in MI?

The following eligibility requirements are in place for Michigan online poker:

• Users must be 21+ to sign up with online poker sites in MI.
• You must physically be located in Michigan to wager real money using a Michigan online poker site or app. Platforms will need to be able to access your location whenever you are wagering with real money, so make sure you enable location services when prompted. It is possible to live outside of Michigan, but in order to play a hand you must be in the state – there are no exceptions.
• If you’ve participated in self-exclusion as a part of Responsible Gaming initiatives, you won’t be able to wager using any online poker sites until your “cooling off” period is over.

Is Michigan online poker safe?

Absolutely, as long as you’re playing with a site or app that’s licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. There are a lot of offshore operators (meaning, not based in a state with legal online wagering) claiming to be legal, but they should be avoided. While you won’t necessarily be prosecuted for using an offshore operator, your funds there are not guaranteed by federal or state law, meaning a provider could just up and close up shop, taking your hard-earned money with them. When looking for an online poker site to try, always check here on MIBets and make sure to look for the MGCB logo before you make a deposit.

Additionally, all legal online poker rooms have passed numerous rounds of testing to make sure they’re compliant with state law and not “rigged” in any way. They also offer ways for users to opt-out of playing for a while if they feel their action is getting out of hand. Any way you look at it, using legal and regulated sites is safe, and a much better bet than using anything based offshore.

Anti-cheating measures

Anytime that players are competing against other players, some will try to gain an edge. The MGCB has several measures in place to assure that players aren’t cheating, colluding, or otherwise gaming things to give themselves an advantage. Quite obviously, cheating isn’t worth it on an online poker site. Modern platforms allow for so much collection of information including hands, who you played with at a given table, etc. If you’re trying to get an edge by playing with a friend, the service will notice that you continue to share tables with another player, and can suspend or close your account.

Pokerstars Real Money In Michigan

Additionally, all modern poker platforms have incredibly sophisticated algorithms with 80+ key metrics that look for bots, collusion, third-party software, or any number of ways to cheat. Fact is, you don’t hear a lot about online poker cheaters because it’s A) extremely difficult to pull off, and B) the punishments are severe. Don’t be concerned, Michigan online poker games are fair.

Michigan Poker FAQs

What formats are available on Michigan poker sites?

• Regular cash games are available in a wide variety of game types. With minimum stakes ranging from $.01/$.02 where you can buy-in for less than a buck – to $25/$50+ where you’ll need a few thousand to ante up. On Michigan poker sites it’s possible to play for just about as much, or as little as you want.
• Multi-table tournaments (MTTs) are what you typically see on TV. The World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour popularized tournament play as the tension and excitement builds with each elimination. The goal is simple – stay alive and accumulate chips. MTTs generally begin with a large number of players. It can be 18 people, or 18,000. The deeper you go, the more you earn as a payout, with the last man standing taking the lion’s share.
• Sit & Go games are available on pretty much every online poker site. In essence, SNGs are single table tournaments. Rather than beginning at a set time like a MTT, sit & go tournaments will start as soon as the required number of players is met. 3 player, 6 player, and 9 player SNGs are extremely common. They offer lower variance than large field MTTs, while still giving participants a genuine tournament experience.
• Unique, site specific game types will be available on each site. For example, PokerStars offers Spin & Go games that are quick, lottery style poker tables where you select your buy-in and play a lightning fast round of poker. For each game the prizepool is randomly determined by a drawing. It could be small, or it could be humongous.

What poker games can I play in MI?

Michigan has legalized all sorts of poker games. While No Limit Hold’em remains the biggest draw, there are plenty of real money options out there to enjoy:

• No Limit Texas Hold’em (and other limits)
• Pot Limit Omaha (and other limits)
• 5 Card Omaha
• Omaha Hi/Lo
• 7 Card Stud
• 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo
• 5 Card Draw
• 2 – 7 Triple Draw
• 2 – 7 Single Draw
• Badugi
• 8-Game Mix
• HORSE
• HOSE

What is the traffic like in Michigan?

Traffic in the early stages of Michigan’s online poker industry has been very promising. PokerStars has regularly boasted more than 1,000 concurrent players at a time, with a solid number of cash games running. Multi-table tournaments often run with hundreds of players.

Take a look for yourself by downloading one of the available online poker clients and scrolling through the available tables. You’ll note a wealth of populated tables from penny stakes to nosebleeds. Once interstate play gets the go-ahead, these numbers will increase substantially, too.

Do sites offer major tournaments and events?

Absolutely, major tournaments and events are a poker website’s bread and butter. If you’ve got the stamina, tournaments are a great way to get a feel for a platform and have a day’s worth of fun. The following are great examples of major offerings in-state:

Is Online Poker Legal In Michigan

• PokerStars Sunday Majors are available at the end of every week. Sundays are THE day for online poker tournaments, and PokerStars has designed its schedule accordingly. The variety on Sunday’s is unmatched by any other day of the week. If you’re gonna get on your online poker account only one day every week, let it be Sunday. The prizepools and variety are unmatched.
• The MICOOP, or Michigan Championship of Online Poker, will be the premier tournament series in the state. There’s no set schedule of events just yet, but keep an eye out!
• Daily tournaments on PokerStars include The Daily Bigs, The Hot Turbos, Bounty Builders and more, each with their respective rules and formatting. For example, Bounty Builders is a progressive knockout tournament, meaning you win cash for knocking out other players, but doing so increases the bounty on your own head. This extra competitive aspect makes this game type particularly thrilling if you’re on a roll.

What kind of loyalty programs are there?

Michigan poker sites offer solid VIP rewards. Often, a loyalty program will reward you points for every dollar you spend in rake on the website. Spend a certain amount, and your reward tier level is increased, granting you access to a variety of bonuses and perks. Stop using your account, and your tier can be downgraded. This is essentially a way to incentivize people to stay active on the site, hence the name “loyalty program”. Loyalty bonuses include:

• Cashback rewards granting you credit to play with based on how much you’ve spent and your reward tier.
• Express comps at participating casino resort locations, netting you hotel stays, meals, and unique experiences.
• VIP promotions not available to the general public, like bigger bonuses.

MI Poker Sites: Looking Ahead

Can MI poker players compete with people in other states?

Not right now, though it is likely to be available soon. Before a poker website or app is allowed to offer interstate play, three things must be in place:

1. Interstate play must be allowed by all participating states’ gambling law.
2. States must enter compacts, agreements allowing for online poker funds to be transferred between states, and taxes paid.
3. Sites must configure their platforms to connect to users in other states, and in the case of poker networks, users of other platforms.

It sounds a bit daunting, but almost every poker provider offering legal online tables already has experience offering networked, interstate play. We’re not reinventing the wheel here– as soon as Michigan’s interstate portion of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act is triggered, state compacts and interstate poker tables are soon to follow.

What about international player pooling?

Not going to happen. Player pooling, whether national or international, mainly hinges on something called shared liquidity— when Michigan begins allowing poker platforms to offer interstate play, those funds must be available (“liquid”) for operators in each state to pay out winnings and other fees. This requires the participating online poker rooms to share the liquidity, so that each platform can pay out prize winnings irrespective of where the winner was located. Without a compact agreeing on this shared liquidity, states are unable to offer interstate play.

For example, if users in Michigan and New Jersey are all buying in to a legal online poker tournament, the winner will be receiving payout funds from both states, necessitating a compact. When you add in international borders and regulations, it gets significantly more complicated.

International player pooling is not likely to be a reality until there is a compact between the U.S. and another nations to share the liquidity and enable them to pay out prizes and fees across international borders. Online poker legality on an international stage is still quite complex. For now, Michiganders should keep their fingers crossed for the addition of new legal online poker states – new countries are a pipe dream.

Circuit Court and the Wire Act

In January 2021, the First Circuit Court of Appeals held up a previous clarification of the 1961 Wire Act, namely that said act only applies to sports wagering. The 1961 Wire Act was suggested by Robert F. Kennedy and enacted by his brother, then-President John F. Kennedy, in an attempt to curb trafficking by organized crime groups, a major issue in the country at the time. Essentially, this act barred any gambling money to cross state lines by means of electronic transfer, making it more difficult for illegal bookies to hide their operations.

In 2011, the definitions of the Wire Act were clarified to mean “only wagering on sporting events is limited by the Wire Act”; then, in 2018, the Trump administration’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) came out with a new opinion: that the Wire Act limited more than just sports betting.

Are you still with us? With legal online gambling becoming an increasing practice in the States, questions about the language of the Wire Act were again brought up by several District Courts in 2019 and 2020. The whiplash is considerable, but hopefully our sore necks will get a rest– after a 2021 case settled in the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals, the opinion of the U.S. government seems likely to remain thus: online poker games between states for real money is not federally illegal.