Michigan Gaming Control Board

3062 West Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700
Detroit, MI 48202-6062
313-456-4100
Website

The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates casino gaming and sports betting in Michigan, including online. The MGCB is part of the state’s department of treasury. The MGCB consists of five members, who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Terms on the board last for four years. The MGCB is run by an executive director who is appointed for a six-year term. The MGCB promulgates the administrative rules necessary to operate the state’s three commercial casinos, sports betting and online casino gaming.

The MGCB is run by an executive director who is appointed for a six-year term. The MGCB promulgates the administrative rules necessary to operate the state’s three commercial casinos.

AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
Casino Operator License
Supplier License
Internet Gaming Operator
Internet Gaming Platform Provider

For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

Michigan has tribal-state gaming compacts with 12 tribes. There are seven tribes operating under compacts agreed to in 1993, four tribes under compacts agreed to in 1998 and one tribe operating under a compact agreed to in 2007.
The tribes operating under 1993 compacts are:

• The Bay Mills Indian Community
• The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• The Hannahville Indian Community
• The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
• The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa
• The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

The tribes operating under 1998 compacts are:

• The Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (2003 and 2008 amendments)
• The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians (2009 amendment)
• The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (2008 amendment)
• The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (2008 amendment)

The tribe operating under the 2007 compact is the Gun Lake Band of Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians.

A representative from the state, as authorized by the governor, has the right to inspect Class III gaming facilities and tribal records related to Class III gaming.

The 1993 compacts had an initial term of 20 years and were extended an additional five years. The state and tribes have commenced negotiations for a new compact.

The 1998 compacts also had an initial term of 20 years but were later extended until 2028, except the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians extended their compact until 2030.

The 2007 compact has a 20-year term and can be renewed for an additional five year period.

AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
Providers of Class III Gaming Equipment or Supplies License

For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

GAMING TAX RATE
There is an 18 percent tax rate on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) with 9.9 percent going to the city of Detroit and 8.1 percent going to the state. Additionally, Detroit commercial casinos are subject to an additional municipal service fee of 1.25 percent of adjusted gross receipts or $4m, whichever is greater.

TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
Yes

WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
4.25 percent withheld

TAX ALLOCATION
The city wagering tax is used for, among other things, the bolstering of the police force, neighborhood and development programs, public safety programs, anti-gang programs, capital improvements, and road improvements.

The entire State Wagering Tax is deposited into the School Aid Fund for statewide K-12 classroom education.

TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
None

WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
None

STATE USE OF REVENUE
2 percent to Local Revenue Sharing Board, the rest given to Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

TRIBAL USE OF REVENUE
Requirements as described in IGRA.

STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
$2 million is deposited into a Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund

SELF-EXCLUSION
Participation is voluntary, but once on the list, a self-excluded person’s name will be on it for life.

COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Yes

ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
A casino licensee shall not market its services or send advertisements to those persons whose names are on the list of disassociated persons.

ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
The compulsive gaming helpline number must be posted at each entrance and exit of the casino, on each electronic funds transfer terminal, and at each credit location.

AGE RESTRICTIONS
21+ years of age to gamble.
Employees 18+ are permitted on floor. An employee under the age of 21 shall not perform any function involved in gambling by the patrons.

STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
None

SELF-EXCLUSION
Not expressly required in Compacts but some tribes do offer self-exclusion

COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
While the compacts are generally silent on the treatment of alcohol in the state, some tribes offer alcohol on complimentary or at a reduced cost while other tribes in the state do not.

ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
None

ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
None

AGE RESTRICTIONS
Persons must be 18 – 21 years of age, depends on particular compact.

OPERATION ON HOLIDAYS
Yes

TESTING REQUIREMENTS
MGCB must approve all machines, can use independent gaming test laboratory.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
Federal compliance requirements.

SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Five-day notification to the MGCB before delivery.

RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
None.

CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
Credit may only be offered in a commercially reasonable manner.

SMOKING BANS
No

CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
Yes. However, cryptocurrency is not currently permitted as a form of payment for gambling transactions.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Games must meet the technical equipment standards of the State of Michigan or applicable standards established by the National Indian Gaming Commission, whichever is more restrictive.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
Federal compliance requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.

SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Federal shipping requirements under the Johnson Act apply.

RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Yes

CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
Tribes may offer credit to patrons at casinos.

SMOKING BANS
No

CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
Yes. However, cryptocurrency is not currently permitted as a form of payment for gambling transactions.