Best Michigan Online Poker Sites

Online poker is fully legal and regulated in Michigan. You can choose between three world-class sites — PokerStars, BetMGM, and WSOP — that each offer safe and secure real money online poker.

Each Michigan online poker site offers a great experience, with loads of games and tournaments and excellent mobile apps. Each has a great new player bonus and offers good rewards and ongoing promotions.

So, how do you choose which to play on? That’s where we come in.

On this page, we compare welcome bonuses, tell you where to find the best and biggest tournaments, and give honest, in-depth reviews of all three MI online poker apps.

What is the best online poker site in Michigan?

For most players, we recommend PokerStars as their first choice. It has the best welcome bonus for new players, giving $150 in free-play for playing just one cash game hand. It also offers by far the best selection of cash games and tournaments, and its software is world-class.

For those looking for an alternative, BetMGM has the best deposit match welcome bonus up to $1000 with fast clearance terms. WSOP Michigan is also a great choice if you’re looking to play official World Series of Poker events online, or qualify for the Main Event.

The Best Online Poker Sites in Michigan

There are three online poker rooms in Michigan and all are good choices — but there’s pros and cons of each. If you’re looking start playing online poker, or if you’re a seasoned player looking for a new site, this guide is here to help you choose.

• PokerStars has the most cash games and tournaments, because it connects its Michigan and NJ player pools into one combined network. It has a fantastic welcome offer for new players.
• BetMGM Poker is strong alternative to PokerStars. It doesn’t have the same amount of traffic, but you’ll find a good spread of games during peak hours. The welcome bonus is the best in the market.
• WSOP is a great pick for regular daily and weekly tournaments, you can qualify for the WSOP live series, plus there are even official bracelets you can win online.

PokerStars: Our #1 Pick in Michigan — Great Games, Tournaments and Promotions

If you are just starting with online poker, PokerStars is our top recommendation. The welcome package is perfect for new players, giving you $150 worth of free play after playing a single cash game hand. It’s a fantastic way to experience the online poker product through spending very little of your own money.

Alternatively PokerStars offers new players a welcome deposit match bonus. They will match 100% of $600 deposited by using code STARS600.

PokerStars also offers some of the cheapest cash game tables and tournaments you will find anywhere. The ring game action starts as low as $0.01/$0.02, while you will find tournaments and sit and goes with buy-ins well under $1. So its perfect if you’re just trying out online poker for the first time.

Of course, the site is an excellent pick for experienced players as well, as there is plenty of action across all stakes. Because its player pool is connected to New Jersey, it has by far the best selection of cash games. For tournament players, PokerStars features a rich schedule of daily and weekly events combined with regular series featuring big guaranteed prize pools.

PokerStars offers state-of-the-art software equally fitting for recreational and serious players, and its mobile app is also world-class.

All together, PokerStars ticks every box, and we rank it high in every category. For that reason, it is our first choice for all player types. While BetMGM’s bonus might be bigger, and WSOP has the brand and prestige of the World Series, you’ll likely find the best action on PokerStars.

BetMGM Poker MI: Top Choice for Grinders, Biggest Sign Up Bonus

BetMGM offers quality action on its cash game tables and provides a solid tournament schedule of its own.

BetMGM Poker signup bonus is best-in-class — offering up to $75 in MTT tickets after the initial deposit and the generous 100% deposit bonus of up to $1000 on the first real money deposit when using code POKERFUSE. The bonus also has very good clearance terms, meaning that you’ll earn the bonus much faster than at competitor’s welcome bonuses. If you’ve got a big bankroll, BetMGM’s welcome bonus is the quickest way to grow it.

While it does not offer the same player numbers or variety as PokerStars, BetMGM manages to hold its own with interesting MTT series and decent cash game traffic. Players looking for additional value will find plenty here, as some tournaments, especially the bigger buy-in ones, have been known to feature overlays.

While MTTs at BetMGM Poker feature smaller fields and prize pools, the competition in these events also tends to be softer. They also do not take as long to complete. With smaller fields comes lower variance, allowing you to move up the stake ladder quicker and increase those important numbers.

BetMGM Poker also features some very valuable promotions focused on the players who put in constant volume, allowing you to rake up hundreds worth of rakeback every single week, which is particularly appealing to those who prefer cash games over tournaments.

WSOP MI: Best for Competitive MTT Players

WSOP Michigan doesn’t have the traffic as its competitors, but it is our recommendation if you want to play official WSOP events. It also has a huge welcome bonus that works well for both new and serious online poker players.

WSOP has a rich schedule of daily and weekly tournaments. The operator also features regular events and series where you can win WSOP bracelets and WSOP Circuit rings, all playing from your home computer or even phone. These tournaments usually have higher buy-ins, costing from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand, so they are best suited for players who already have a solid bankroll and some experience. Plus, no other poker site in Michigan gives you the opportunity to win WSOP gold bracelets.

WSOP has the biggest headline bonus in Michigan, encompassing a deposit match up to $1000, free play money money up to $100, and freeroll tickets. It is the biggest value of any bonus in the state. The deposit match clears quite slowly, so just make sure you can put in the volume if you want to max it out. No deposit code is needed.

While WSOP Michigan is an attractive option for tournament players, it also offers solid cash game action. The new software is also very smooth and provides a quality gaming experience for players of all shapes and sizes.

It is also worth noting that the operator is generous with its frequent bonuses, promotions, and freerolls, giving players a chance to get their hands on a lot of extra value. True grinders will certainly find plenty of reason to play here and put in the required volume to unlock all these extra funds. We recommend PokerStars for new and casual players, but WSOP is a good choice — certainly for those interested in tournaments.

Michigan poker sites in action!

BetMGM Poker MI scheduled tournaments

Get more information about a running or upcoming tournament by opening the lobby

Cash games at BetMGM Poker MI are grouped by stakes and number of seats

PokerStars MI bustling with tournament action on Sundays

Michigan players can try their luck with Spin and Go tournaments for a chance to win up to 1000x the buy-in

Cash game action is live and well around the clock at PokerStars MI

How to Sign Up to an Online Poker Site in Michigan

Signing up with licensed and regulated poker sites in Michigan is easy, even if you have never played before. To get started, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the website of the poker operator on your phone or home computer using these handy links — PokerStars MI, BetMGM Poker MI, WSOP MI
2. Locate the “Join” or “Sign Up” button on the page and click on it
3. In the form that appears, fill in the required information (name, surname, address)
4. Verify your email and/or phone number using the link in the message sent to you
5. Log in using your newly created information (username and password combo)
6. Claim your no deposit bonus (where applicable) or navigate to the cashier to make a deposit
7. Download the mobile app if you plan to play on the go
8. When using the mobile app, you will be able to log in with the same information (no need to create a new account)

How to Download Online Poker Site Apps & Software

Provided you are physically within MI state borders, players should have no problems downloading the relevant software to your device. For the most part, the procedure does not differ from that of downloading any software.

First of all, visit the website of the operator you want to play with — either PokerStars MI, BetMGM Poker MI, or WSOP MI.

If you are playing from a desktop computer, find the download link or button on the site, click on it, and follow the procedure. Usually, it will only take a few clicks and a couple of minutes before the platform is up and running on your device.

For those wanting to play on their phones, you will need to download the relevant app, i.e. Android or iOS, which can also be done via the operator’s website or the relevant app store.

You may have to allow files from unknown locations when prompted by your phone. After a few seconds, you will download the .apk file. Run it, let the installation process complete, and you will be good to go.

Once you have downloaded the software, if you have not completed the registration before, you will be able to do so from the platform or app interface. It is important to note that you will not be able to access any functionalities of the software before you are fully registered and logged in.

Best Michigan Welcome Bonuses

Every online poker site in Michigan has a great welcome offer to new players. However, they are complicated to understand — each one has different terms, bonus codes, and clearance rules. In fact, we have written an entirely separate guide on the Best Michigan Online Poker Bonus Codes. If maximizing your bonus is most important to you, we recommend you check that out first.

However, most players don’t need that level of detail. Here, we break things down into a few simple things to know — split into whether you plan to make a small or big first deposit.

Free-Play and Small Deposit Michigan Online Poker Bonuses

PokerStars stands out here in offering a dedicated bonus for players looking to make a small deposit. In fact, you can deposit the minimum, play one cash game hand, and qualify for $150 in free-play.

This bonus is released over the course of six days, and gives you loads of play in both the online poker room and casino. You’ll be playing with the site’s money, not yours, with basically no strings attached — an amazing offer for those trying out online gaming for the first time. That’s why it’s our top pick for new players.

BetMGM and WSOP don’t have special bonuses like this, but their standard offer is still great. At BetMGM, if you make a minimum deposit, you’ll get this matched as bonus, but you’ll also get $25 worth of MTT tickets. That will give you loads of play to experience the online poker site if you like tournaments.

At WSOP, if you deposit $10 you’ll also get that matched in bonus, but you’ll also get a $25 free-play bonus and 7 freeroll tickets for your first week.

So all three really offer a decent amount of play for a minimum deposit. We recommend PokerStars first, so later you can max out the deposit match bonuses of the other sites, but really you can’t go wrong with any of these offers.

Below is a table giving an example of the bonus you’d get if you deposited $10 at each site.

Deposit Match Bonus for New Michigan Online Poker Players

All three sites also offer a deposit match bonus. They all look similar, but as always — the devil’s in the details. Here’s what you need to know.

Our top recommendation for big first deposits is BetMGM. This will 100% match your first deposit up to $1000. Deposit $1k, get $1k in bonus money which is released to you as you play. There’s three reasons why we recommend BetMGM:

1. The clearance terms are the best. The bonus releases in what amounts to 42% rakeback.
2. You have 120 days to clear it. These two things combined means you’ll have a good shot at clearing the entire amount.
3. You also get those free MTT tickets, a nice extra perk.

Compare that to WSOP: That bonus looks great in that it will also match a $1000 deposit. And it is good! And you also get $100 on free-play and the freeroll tickets on top.

It’s a huge bonus, but the caveat is that it releases at only 20% clearance (half the speed of others) and you only have 90 days to clear it. That’s a tall order for most players, so you probably won’t clear the whole amount. It’s still a great deal, and it clears in small chunks ($10) so even if you don’t clear it all, you’ll still get lots of value out of it.

PokerStars’ deposit match is also really good — 100% up to $600, and it clears fast (almost as quickly as at BetMGM). You have 120 days, and another nice feature is that the bonus applies to your first three deposits made in your first 60 days, so you don’t have to put in the full whack in one go. The only real downside of the PokerStars bonus is you have to pick this or the $150 free-play, you can’t do both.

Online Poker Tournament Series

Michigan is home to three major poker operators, and all three of these try to cater to tournament players in the state in their own way. Depending on the type of player you are and what you are looking for, you might prefer one poker room over the other, but you are almost certain to find a good fit at one of them.

PokerStars MI Tournaments

PokerStars is arguably the leader when it comes to real money online poker tournaments in Michigan. This comes as no surprise, seeing how PokerStars primarily built its reputation on a global scale, hosting some of the largest online events in the world.

With PokerStars combining its NJ and MI player pools, the operator has started using a different name — PokerStars US — instead of state-specific ones. With larger player pools, these tournaments have become even more attractive, offering more action and bigger prize pools. Iconic tournament series now include USCOOP — which falls into the PokerStars Championship of Online Poker branding.

Other than this, PokerStars has frequently hosted other, smaller series, such as the Fall Fest and the Winter Series.

WSOP MI Tournaments

WSOP Michigan has captured its fair share of the online tournament action in Michigan, focusing on its biggest advantage over the competition — the ability to award prestigious WSOP bracelets.

WSOP has regularly hosted online bracelet series, usually taking place simultaneously with the live iteration of the World Series in Las Vegas (June and July). Michigan poker players have a shot at over half a dozen bracelets every year, and we expect that number will increase with time, especially if WSOP combines its MI player pool with that of New Jersey and Nevada.

Players on the site also get to enjoy several online circuit events every year, where they have a chance to compete for large prize pools and WSOP rings — again, something that only this operator can offer in the US.

Beyond this, WSOP has also kept its finger on the market’s pulse, trying to cater to players’ expectations. The operator was the first to bring the increasingly popular Mystery Bounty format to the US.

BetMGM Poker MI Tournaments

BetMGM Poker is the smallest of the three operators in terms of player traffic, making it hard to organize big tournaments and promise large guarantees. However, they have emerged as a differential of sorts for the players looking for smaller, more manageable fields and softer competition.

The operator does not have such a fixed schedule for its big series, so it is somewhat harder for the players to plan ahead. Its major events seem to be concentrated around holidays, as we saw with the Winter Poker Championship.

Michigan Online Poker Cash Games

Tournaments are just one side of online poker in Michigan. Players have access to a wide range of cash game options across all regulated sites as well.

In terms of stakes, games are available as low as $0.01/$0.02, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of what their bankrolls might be. On the other side of the spectrum, those looking to play for big money can find stakes as high as $100/$200 and even more at heads up tables.

When it comes to available games, No-Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha are available across the board. Those looking for more exotic variations can turn to PokerStars MI, where they will find options like 8-game, Stud, Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw, and even Badugi.

PokerStars is by far the biggest site when it comes to cash game action. Because it connects its Michigan player pool to New Jersey, it caters to a lot more players. Usually, more than half of all cash games in the Michigan online poker market are running on PokerStars Michigan.

Second is BetMGM, which has been steadily growing its traffic. While smaller than PokerStars, you’ll find a good selection of cash games running at peak times. WSOP is the smallest, with most of its action taking place at tournament tables.

Michigan Traffic History

Banking Options for Players in Michigan

Michigan poker players have access to a fair number of banking options. Most importantly, all these methods are completely safe and reliable, so you don’t have to worry about your personal information getting into the wrong hands or your money not reaching its intended destination.

As for the available options, this is one of those things that always change and develop, so if you do not see an option that works for you, this does not mean that it will not be added at some point in the future.

When it comes to banking, more is almost always better, as the more options there are, the easier it gets for everyone to fund their poker account in the most suitable and convenient manner.

Popular Online Poker Payment Methods

While different MI poker sites support different methods, a majority of the operators recommended on our site will feature payment options listed below:

PokerStars MI, BetMGM MI, WSOP MI also enable deposits and withdrawals at their land-based casino partner. This is a very convenient and safe method if you happen to live nearby the casino or visit the area often.

Like in other states, credit and debit cards should not be your first choice. While these are perfectly legal options on any regulated poker site, banks seem slow to get the memo.

Many financial institutions in the US still block transactions to gambling sites, even the licensed ones. This should change in the future, but if you have other options, try them first. Credit cards are also not the best option as they only work one way — you can deposit with them, but you will need to use a different method to cash out.

Online Poker Sites in Michigan FAQ

What is the best online poker site in Michigan?

All three sites are great options. For most players, we recommend PokerStars, because of its welcome bonus, great cash games, and huge tournament schedule. However, BetMGM is good for high volume players, and WSOP has the brand and cache of online bracelets which will appear to some.

Do I have to be physically present in Michigan to play online poker?

All players must be physically present within Michigan state borders to legally play online poker for real money. All licensed operators use geolocation software solutions to ensure all of their active players comply with this requirement at all times. Whether on a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device, you can only play on MI poker sites if you are actually in Michigan.

Are MI online poker rooms safe?

Yes. Sites offering legal online poker in Michigan are safe to play on. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is in charge of vetting and licensing all online poker operators in the state. To receive a license, the operator must meet stringent requirements that guarantee the safety of the players and their funds and ensure the fairness and randomness of the games on offer.

Are MI online poker rooms rigged?

No, online poker games in Michigan are not rigged. The MGCB oversees and regulates all online gambling operations in the state, including online poker.

How do I cash out at MI online poker sites?

Those looking to play online poker in Michigan have a variety of deposit and withdrawal options at their disposal. These include credit and debit cards, wire transfers, e-wallets like PayPal and NETELLER, some prepaid cards, ACH, etc.

Are there Michigan online poker apps?

Yes, Michigan players have access to quality poker apps for mobile phones. PokerStars, for example, offers a top-quality mobile solution for Android and iOS users alike. This is one of the best poker apps you can find in Michigan and worldwide.

Can I win a WSOP Bracelet by playing online poker in Michigan?

You can win WSOP Gold Bracelets by playing online poker in MI. WSOP regularly offers its Michigan players chance to win WSOP bracelets and circuit rings via its online tournament schedule.