Legal Age for Gambling in Michigan

Written by Paul Parish
Updated Apr 03, 2024

The age limit for participating in games of chance in Michigan USA varies depending on the operator and the service used.

The gambling age in Michigan casinos ranges from 18 and up. Regarding sports betting, the legislation is determined differently. Find out below what the casino gambling age in Michigan is, as well as for sports betting.

What is the legal age for gambling in Michigan?

gambling age in michiganThe Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), the regulatory body that enforces Michigan gambling law, has set the gambling age in casinos to be 18 to 21 years old. You must be wondering what is the gambling age in Michigan for online casinos. Due to the fact that the MGCB also regulates online gambling in MI, gamblers must be 18 or older to legally gamble online.

Although providing legal casino games, Michigan does not yet have a platform for online gambling in the state. The sites of the best Michigan online casinos that are licensed and regulated to do business with Michigan residents are located in other countries. These websites require their players to be at least 18 years old, whether they are from the United States of America or another country.

Native American tribes are sovereign nations that now operate casinos throughout the state of Michigan. Since tribes are sovereign entities and are not under the supervision of the MGCB, each tribe sets its age limits for accessing casino content. The National Indian Gaming Commission established the legal gambling age in Michigan to a minimum of 18 years.

Casinos in Michigan gambling age 18 years and up

Several reputable casinos in Michigan USA allow their users free entry if they are not minors. Casinos in Michigan gambling age 18 offer their players top entertainment, but access to the room where the games are located is only allowed with valid government-issued identification.

Not only classic casinos but also casino hotels in Michigan allow gambling. One such location is the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant. You are probably interested in what is the gambling age at Soaring Eagle in Michigan.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort offers a free room to people on their 18th birthday or if they show an activity on their player card that meets the conditions for free accommodation. Therefore, the gambling age in Michigan Soaring Eagle is more than 17 years.

19 years gambling age in Michigan casino

As was the case with 18 year old casinos in Michigan, several places for gambling allow entry to people at the age of 19. Some of the famous ones are Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley and Kewadin Casinos which are available in multiple locations, including St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, Manistique, Hessel and others.

The 19 years gambling age in Michigan casinos do not differ in any way from the one that allows access to persons of 18 years. The same gambling content will be available to both of these players. The only difference is that when accessing the casino, the user will have to show an identification document as proof that he is 19 years old.

Tribal casinos: legal gambling age in Michigan set to 21 or more

The question of what is the legal age for gambling in Michigan tribal casinos can be confusing for players, given that each one determines the limit independently. Even though tribal casinos have the option to set their age restrictions, very few of them choose to set this limit at less than 19 years.

Currently, there are only three gambling locations in Michigan USA that allow gambling to 21 years old or older persons, and they are shown in the following list:

  • FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek
  • Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo
  • Island Resort & Casino in Harris

The gambling age in Michigan FireKeepers is, as you could see, 21 years. A person younger than the specified age is not able to access the FireKeepers Casino Hotel game room or enter the facility’s restaurant.

What is the legal gambling age in Michigan for poker?

legal age for gambling in michiganNow we will tackle the question of what is the legal age for gambling in Michigan, which is a dilemma for poker fans. Any person who wants to participate in poker tournaments must respect the state of Michigan online gambling rule that states that he must be at least 18 years old.

Considering that Michigan does not have its poker sites for legal gambling, offshore casino companies determine the age limit of their users, which can be 18 or more. These sites, where the legal age for gambling in Michigan is 18 or older, contain all types of poker, live dealer, and tournament games.

What’s the legal gambling age in Michigan to play the lottery?

gambling age in michigan casinoThose who are in doubt about what is the legal gambling age in Michigan for playing the lottery will now find out the answer. The Michigan Lottery in the United States has an online platform that can be used by fans of this type of casino entertainment.

In addition to the website, residents of Michigan can access the game and follow the results of played tickets via the Lottery mobile app. The gambling age in Michigan casino sites for the lottery is set, as for poker, at 18 years.

The same applies to offshore online casino sites that have an available lottery in their offer. Although it is forbidden to sell lottery tickets to persons under the age of 18, adults have the right to buy a ticket as a gift to a minor.

What is the gambling age in Michigan for sports betting?

egal age for gambling in michiganThe legal age for sports betting in the state is set to 21. In addition to being 21 or older, you must also be physically located in the state to be able to bet on sports in Michigan. Verification of where you place your bets is done using the geolocation software that all 15 MI sports betting apps are equipped with.

Online offshore betting companies are another option for placing bets on sporting events. The minimum age to use these websites is 18. Apart from the fact that they differ in legal gambling age in Michigan, both national and foreign companies are the same in terms of sports offers, betting markets, and other services.

The above sports betting rules do not apply to horse racing. Read more about horse racing betting legislation below.

Gambling age in Michigan to bet on horses

casino gambling age in michiganHorse racing fans can start betting without fear of being prosecuted because we will resolve the issue of what’s the legal gambling age in Michigan in the field of this sport. Racing fans can use both land-based Michigan sportsbooks and online bookmakers.

Sportsbooks under Michigan regulation are likely to cover horse racing that is closer to the area of the USA. However, offshore sports betting sites will have world-famous horse races available. As for the legal gambling age in Michigan for horse racing, it is set at 18 years.

Legal gambling age in Michigan for Daily Fantasy Sports

what is the gambling age in michiganWith the adoption of the Law on Legal Internet Games in December 2019, betting on DFS was legalized in the country. The legal gambling age in Michigan Lansing and other cities for DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) is 21.

Many different bookmakers are available for players to bet on Michigan DFS if they are 21 and over. But, when it comes to foreign online bookies, the situation is different. Offshore betting sites allow users to bet on DFS even if they are only 18 years old.

What is the penalty for illegal gambling in Michigan?

casino gambling age in michiganAnyone who is not of legal age for gambling in Michigan will be legally punished for the violation. A minor may be issued a warning or may be punished with fine, mandatory educational programs, or community service. For adults, the fine is 1,000$ or imprisonment for up to 90 days.

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