Michigan Betting Laws Explained
Is Online Blackjack Legal in Michigan?
Casino gambling has been legal in Michigan since the 1980s. And, with major casino resorts like MGM Grand Detroit, Motorcity Casino Hotel, Firekeepers Casino, Odawa Casino, and Four Winds Casino dotting the landscape, visitors to the Great Lakes State would have been forgiven for thinking online gambling has been around for a long time too.
In fact, it was only legalized in Michigan in December 2019, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer passed two landmark pieces of legislation: the Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA) and the Lawful Sports Betting Act (LSBA). These laws allow the Michigan Gaming Control Board to issue licenses for online gambling sites which are run in partnership with Michigan’s commercial casinos and tribal casinos.
Online casinos and sportsbooks went live on 22 January 2021, allowing players aged 21 and over to play online blackjack for real money whenever they like.
How to Play Blackjack
When you play blackjack online, the goal is to beat the dealer by accumulating a higher card total than them, without going above 21. Number cards retain their face value, all face cards are worth 10, while Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 — it’s up to you. Blackjack rules vary between variations of the game, but here are the basics:
- Four cards are dealt — two for you and two for the house. Yours are face up, while one of the dealer’s cards is face up and the other is face down.
- If a natural blackjack — i.e, an Ace and a face card — is dealt to either the player or the dealer, that concludes the round. Otherwise, the game keeps going, and depending on your strategy you can hit, stand, double down or split.
- The game continues until both players stand, someone hits 21, or one of you goes bust by exceeding 21. If both players are left standing, then the one with the hand closest to 21 is the winner.
Here’s a quick run-through of the potential moves a player can make:
Hit — To request another card to be added to your hand.
Stand — To keep your hand as it is, and end your turn.
Split — To divide your first two cards into two hands, which you can do if the cards are of the same value.
Double down — To double your bet, and receive one more card before standing.
Surrender — A move only available in certain games, surrendering allows you to bail out of the round, letting you keep half of your bet.
Understanding House Edge
What sets blackjack apart from other online casino games is its low house edge — also known as the casino advantage. In blackjack, the house edge for a standard game played using basic strategy is around 0.5%, which is lower than many other classic casino games. Because blackjack is partially skill-based, unlike slot machines, craps, baccarat or roulette, it means that players can improve their chances of winning by playing carefully and strategizing. It’s worth noting that house edges can vary, depending on whether you make side bets and which variation of the game you’re playing.
How to Use a Blackjack Strategy
If you’re a blackjack newbie, familiarizing yourself with basic strategy is vital if you want to really minimize the house edge. Simply explained, basic strategy is knowing which moves to make in response to the cards you’re being dealt. Of course, this is gambling, so there’s no absolute sure-fire path to a win, but basic strategy is still a savvy way to play.
Basic strategy moves include always hitting on a hard 11 (ie, when you have two cards that add up to 11) and always splitting Aces. When playing real money blackjack at an online casino in Michigan, it’s worth consulting one of the blackjack strategy charts and videos that are available online. Just remember: even if you’re a master of strategies, the house will ultimately win in the long run, and gambling should be about entertainment, not making money.
In the classic version of the game, the standard blackjack payout is 3:2, or 1.5 times your wager. On the other hand, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealers, or if the dealer goes bust. Payouts can vary depending on the game’s difficulty. For example, if the adjusted rules offer the player a slight advantage — such as allowing them to see both of the dealer’s first cards — then the payout will be lower. Similarly, more difficult variations of blackjack will usually yield higher payouts and jackpots.
Blackjack Variations Available at Online Michigan Casinos
If you like variety, then blackjack is the game for you. From surrender to switch, here’s a quick run-through of some of the most popular blackjack variations available.
Blackjack Surrender
In this take on the game, players are able to bail out if they don’t like their first hand, at the expense of losing only half their bet. While you generally won’t be able to surrender if the dealer gets a natural, some games may give you this option.
Blackjack Switch
Here, players are dealt two hands as opposed to just one. The second cards in each hand can then be switched around, allowing players to create stronger hands.
Double Exposure
As the name suggests, Double Exposure sees the dealer place both of their cards face up. While this variation provides players with an obvious advantage, these games typically offer lower payouts. It’s also worth noting that ties are counted as wins for the dealer unless you get a natural.
Multi-hand Blackjack
This popular version of online blackjack lets you play several hands at once. While you’d expect the rules to be complicated, multi-hand blackjack uses the very same rules as the regular game.
Try Live Dealer Blackjack at a Michigan Casino
Live dealer games are the next best thing to living it up in a real casino. Provided by software developers like NetEnt, they utilize crystal-clear camera technology to beam the action from custom-made, casino-like studios, where real dealers will lay out real cards. Although online Michigan casinos don’t currently have live dealer games available, this situation may change as time goes on. As such, it’s worth keeping an eye out for new developments.
Play Blackjack on the Move
You can play blackjack online anywhere in Michigan, so long as you have a reliable internet connection. All the best online casino websites give players the option to gamble on the move, via mobile-optimized websites that work on both iOS and Android devices.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that downloadable online casino apps are also available. These apps offer a greater level of convenience as you can access the online casino without needing to fire up your browser. Native apps also offer additional features like push notifications which will alert you to the latest casino bonuses and promos as they become available.
Boost Your Blackjack Bankroll
Casino bonuses can give your bankroll a boost when you’re gearing up to play online blackjack for real money at Michigan casinos. Here are some to look out for.
No Deposit Bonus
Some Michigan casinos extend a warm welcome to new players by providing a no deposit bonus. This means you’ll be given an amount in bonus credits simply for creating an account, without having to deposit any of your own money. While the value of the bonus is often pretty modest, no deposit offers provide a great way to try a website’s features and games without risking your own balance. Check the small print to see what wagering or playthrough requirements apply. These will mean you’ll have to bet your bonus amount a certain number of times before you’re able to cash out winnings.
Free Spins
Available as standalone bonuses, or as add-ons to other bonuses, free spins let you try out slot games without spending any of your own money. These will usually be limited to specific titles, and any winnings you make may be subject to wagering requirements, so make sure you check the terms and conditions.
First Deposit Bonus
If you’re ready to jump right in and play real money blackjack, then a first deposit bonus can be an attractive proposition. Also known as a matched deposit bonus, it sees the casino match the value of your first deposit up to a certain amount. For example, if a first deposit bonus is advertised as “100% up to $1000” and you credit your account by $200, then you’d receive $200 in additional credit. Once again, double check the finer details regarding wagering conditions and other conditions that will impact how you use the bonus.
Play Blackjack for Free
If you’re pretty new to online casino gaming, or blackjack specifically, you might want to try the game out without putting your money on the line. Free play blackjack is very much on the agenda at Michigan casinos. Just simply think of it as a trial run — you can play with virtual credits and really get a feel for the gameplay before going ahead with real money bets.
Depositing and Withdrawing at Michigan Casinos
Operators like DraftKings, Fanduel Casino and BetMGM Casino make it easy for Michiganders to manage their account by providing a number of ways to deposit and withdraw.
Depositing
For many players, depositing money into their casino account with a debit or credit card is a no brainer. Encrypted payment pages keep things secure, while you can speed things up by giving a website permission to remember your card details. Transferring money directly from your bank account using ACH payments is another tried and trusted payment method. But you can also deposit in person at the cashier cage of the online casino’s land-based counterpart.
There are other ways to deposit, if you prefer to keep your gambling budget separate from any other spending. You can use an e-wallet like PayPal, prepaid cards like Play+, or even pay by cash through a platform like PayNearMe. Just remember that not every payment method is supported by every website, so always double check.
Withdrawal
Which payment method you’ll use to claim your winnings with also deserves some thought. Popular options include drawing your money to your Play+ card, or making a transaction through ACH or PayPal. If you’re an old school gamer, you may even choose to have a paper check sent to your address. Alternatively, you can travel to the relevant casino cage and withdraw your cash in person.
Problem Gambling Support in Michigan
While both lawmakers and casinos have put regulations in place to ensure the welfare of players, problem gambling is still a serious issue for some. At its worst, it can lead to financial difficulties, strained relationships with loved ones, health issues, and problems at work. The good news is anyone with a gambling problem can find support from these organizations.
Michigan Association on Problem Gambling
Phone: 517-672-6904
http://www.michapg.com
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/national-helpline-1-800-522-4700/
Gamblers Anonymous
Grand Rapids Hotline Number: (616) 776-0666
Michigan Hotline Number: 855-2CALLGA (855-222-5542)
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (resource website)
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2941_4871_43661_64090-295819–,00.html
Sign Up to a Michigan Blackjack Casino
And that’s all there is to online blackjack. It’s always best to make sure you go into each game with at least a basic strategy and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. All that left to do for you to do now is read through our list of recommended Michigan online casinos and sign up to the one that is right for you.
FAQs
Yes, each state has its own unique gambling laws which means that in order to play at a Michigan blackjack site, you need to be located within state lines.
We strongly advise against using any unlicensed or unregulated online casino sites – offshore casinos included. This is because you’ll have no legal recourse if anything goes wrong with your money, or if your personal data is compromised.
You must be 21 years of age or older to play online blackjack for real money in Michigan – or partake in any legalized gambling at all.
