Michigan MGCB Michigan Gaming Control Board
This is the gambling regulator of the U.S. state of Michigan. It launched online casino and sports betting at the same time in January 2021, and with $3.1 billion in online casino revenue in 2025, Michigan became one of the largest markets in the U.S.
| English | Michigan Gaming Control Board |
|---|---|
| Classification | Licenses & Regulation |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Location | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Legal basis | Lawful Internet Gaming Act (signed December 2019) |
| Online launch | January 22, 2021, at noon |
| Approved on day one | 9 operators |
| Online casino operators | 15 (December 2025) |
| 2025 revenue | $3.1 billion online casino, $671.3 million sports betting |
| Online casino tax rate | 20-28% (by revenue tier) |
| Sports betting tax rate | 8.4% |
| 2025 tax revenue | $624.6 million to the state, $161.4 million to Detroit |
Overview
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is the gambling regulator of the US state of Michigan. It was created in 1997 after Detroit casinos were approved by a 1996 statewide vote, and it is headquartered in Detroit. It oversees Detroit’s three commercial casinos, horse racing, charitable gaming, and also online casinos and sports betting.
Michigan signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019, and on January 22, 2021 at noon it launched online casinos and sports betting at the same time. Nine operators were approved on day one, and as of December 2025, 15 operators run online casinos.
History
Participation structure
Michigan online casinos operate under licenses held by Detroit’s three commercial casinos and Michigan’s tribal casinos, each partnering with an online platform company. Major online brands operate under the names of these casinos. A distinctive feature compared with other states is that commercial casinos and tribal casinos compete in the same online market.
Players can only access the sites while physically in Michigan, and must be 21 or older.
Market size
Michigan’s online market has grown significantly every year since launch.
| Category (2025) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Online casino revenue | $3.1 billion |
| Sports betting revenue | $671.3 million |
| Total | $3.8 billion (up 29.5% from the previous year) |
Online casino revenue is more than 4 times that of sports betting. This figure shows that in the US as well, most online revenue comes from casino games such as slots.
Taxes
| Products | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| Online casinos | 20-28% depending on revenue tier |
| Sports betting | 8.4% |
In 2025, the state government of Michigan received $624.6 million in taxes ($597.5 million from online casinos), and the city of Detroit received $161.4 million. Native American tribal governments were also paid $71.9 million. The tax revenue goes to the state school aid fund, Detroit city services, and problem gambling prevention programs, among other things.
Comparison with other states
| State | Online casino launch | Slot tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2013 | About 15% (before the 2025 increase) |
| Pennsylvania | 2019 | 54% |
| Michigan | 2021 | 20~28% |
Player protection
The MGCB stresses the principle that “all gambling is entertainment only,” and runs a self-exclusion list and a problem gambling helpline (1-800-GAMBLER). It also keeps sending cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed offshore online casinos.
Location
The MGCB is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.