Sweepstakes casinos are banned in Michigan as of 2024. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) classified sweepstakes platforms as gaming under Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Chapter 432, removing them from the state’s promotional gaming framework. No sweepstakes casino platform legally operates in Michigan as of May 2026. Michigan players have licensed real-money options under the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA): BetMGM Michigan, DraftKings Michigan, FanDuel Michigan, and BetRivers Michigan are all MGCB-licensed operators. Lines.com tracks licensed gaming platform data and regulation updates across the United States.
Sweepstakes casinos are banned in Michigan. The MGCB classified sweepstakes casino platforms as gaming under MCL Chapter 432. That classification removed sweepstakes operators from Michigan’s promotional gaming framework. No sweepstakes casino platform currently operates in Michigan.
The MGCB issued regulatory guidance in late 2023. Major sweepstakes platform operators began exiting Michigan following that guidance. Full enforcement was in effect by mid-2025.
The MGCB determined that the sweepstakes casino model constitutes gaming under Michigan law. Two elements of the dual-currency model factored into that determination.
First, the optional Gold Coin purchase pathway allows players to buy additional virtual currency. Second, the Sweepstakes Coin prize redemption system allows players to redeem winnings for real prizes. The MGCB concluded that both elements bring the sweepstakes model within the scope of MCL Chapter 432.
Federal sweepstakes law permits casino-style games when no purchase is required to participate. Most U.S. states accept that federal framework. The MGCB determined that Michigan’s gaming statutes take precedence over federal promotional gaming standards.
Important: The MGCB’s action is a regulatory determination, not a standalone criminal statute. Sweepstakes casinos are classified as “not permitted to operate” in Michigan under MCL Chapter 432. They are not criminally prohibited under a specific sweepstakes statute.
Ban timeline
A sweepstakes casino is an online gaming platform that uses a dual-currency model to offer casino-style games without requiring a purchase.
Players receive two types of virtual currency:
Gold Coins (GC): Used for entertainment play only. Gold Coins carry no cash value. Players can obtain Gold Coins for free or through an optional purchase.
Sweepstakes Coins (SC): Used for prize-eligible play. Sweepstakes Coins are redeemable for prizes in eligible states. Players cannot purchase Sweepstakes Coins directly. Players obtain Sweepstakes Coins through free promotions, bonuses, or mail-in requests.
The no-purchase requirement under federal sweepstakes law allows these platforms to operate legally in most U.S. states. The MGCB determined that Michigan law classifies this model as gaming regardless of that no-purchase option.
Nine or more U.S. states restrict or ban sweepstakes casino operations as of May 2026. New state-level legislation was introduced across multiple jurisdictions in 2025 and 2026.
Note: State-level regulation is active in 2026. Indiana has passed legislation banning sweepstakes casinos effective July 1, 2026. Verify the current status of your state before registering at any sweepstakes platform.
Michigan has licensed real-money online casino gaming since 2021 under LIGA. The MGCB licenses and regulates all platforms. The legal gambling age for online casino play and sports betting in Michigan is 21.
BetMGM Michigan is an MGCB-licensed online casino operating under LIGA since 2021. BetMGM Michigan offers slots, table games, and live dealer games. Sports betting is available through the BetMGM sportsbook.
DraftKings Michigan is an MGCB-licensed online casino operating under LIGA. DraftKings Michigan offers slots, blackjack, roulette, and live dealer options.
FanDuel Michigan is an MGCB-licensed online casino and sports betting platform operating under LIGA. FanDuel Michigan combines casino and sportsbook under one account.
BetRivers Michigan is an MGCB-licensed online casino operating under LIGA. BetRivers Michigan focuses on casino play without a standalone sportsbook product.
The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-270-7117. The helpline is funded through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The MDHHS administers statewide prevention, education, and treatment programs.
The MGCB administers a self-exclusion program covering all LIGA-licensed online casino platforms in Michigan. Players can register for self-exclusion directly through the MGCB website.
Players using MGCB-licensed platforms should review deposit limits, session time limits, self-exclusion options, and reality check notifications before starting play.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) operates a national helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. The NCPG helpline is a secondary resource available to all U.S. players.
Sweepstakes casinos are banned in Michigan as of 2024, with full enforcement in effect since mid-2025. The MGCB classified the dual-currency sweepstakes model as gaming under MCL Chapter 432, and no sweepstakes platform legally operates in the state. Michigan is one of at least nine states taking that position as of May 2026, and the list continues to grow. If you are a Michigan player, your legal path to online casino gaming runs through LIGA: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are all MGCB-licensed, fully regulated, and available to players aged 21 and older. Compare current bonus offers and platform ratings for all four on Lines.com.
No. Sweepstakes casinos are banned in Michigan as of 2024. The MGCB classified sweepstakes platforms as gaming under MCL Chapter 432. Full enforcement has been in effect since mid-2025. No sweepstakes casino platform legally operates in Michigan.
The MGCB determined that the sweepstakes casino model constitutes gaming under MCL Chapter 432. Both the optional Gold Coin purchase pathway and the Sweepstakes Coin prize redemption system factored into that determination. Major platform operators began exiting in late 2023 following MGCB regulatory guidance.
Platform operators began exiting Michigan in late 2023. Full enforcement was in effect by mid-2025. No sweepstakes casino platforms operate in Michigan as of May 2026.
Michigan has licensed real-money online casinos since 2021 under LIGA. MGCB-licensed platforms available to Michigan players include BetMGM Michigan, DraftKings Michigan, FanDuel Michigan, and BetRivers Michigan. Players must be 21 or older.
At least nine U.S. states restrict or ban sweepstakes casino operations as of 2026. Confirmed banned states include Michigan, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Montana, New York, and Washington. New Jersey restricts but does not fully ban sweepstakes platforms. Indiana has passed legislation with a July 1, 2026 effective date. Verify your state’s current status before registering at any platform.
Yes. Real-money online casino gaming is legal in Michigan under LIGA, with licensed platforms operating since 2021. Online sports betting is also legal and regulated by the MGCB.
The legal gambling age for MGCB-licensed online casinos and sports betting in Michigan is 21. Sweepstakes casinos are not accessible to Michigan residents regardless of age.
The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-270-7117. The MDHHS funds statewide prevention and treatment programs. The MGCB administers a self-exclusion program covering all LIGA-licensed online casino platforms. The NCPG national helpline is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.
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