Michigan Responsible Gambling: Rules, Regulations & Guidelines

Michigan is home to an expansive gaming market that includes traditional casino gaming, a state lottery, horse racing, and both retail and online sports betting. In May 2022, Michigan formally joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Compact with Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia, permitting the offering of multi-jurisdictional online poker.

The state’s responsible gambling regulations apply to casino gaming, internet gaming, and sports betting operations. These requirements protect players while ensuring the gaming industry operates with integrity.

Michigan has several responsible gaming requirements in place, including provisions for self-exclusion, wager and time limits, and compulsive gambling treatment funding. In October 2024, the Michigan governor signed a package of bills to increase problem gambling funding. 

At a Glance

1. Self-Exclusion and Player Limits

Statute: MCL 432.225 | Regulations: Mich. Admin. Code 432.674, 432.774.

Michigan maintains separate self-exclusion systems for land-based casinos and online gaming platforms, each with distinct requirements and procedures. 

Disassociated Persons List for Casino Gaming 

The Michigan Gaming Control Board maintains a permanent list of disassociated persons for land-based casinos. This system requires: 

• Written notification from individuals pledging not to visit casinos in Michigan 
• Submission of comprehensive application including full name, aliases, physical description, occupation, addresses, Social Security number, date of birth, statement acknowledging problem gambling, and photograph
• Signed affidavit confirming placement on the list and authorizing release of information to all casino licensees 
• Release forms absolving the state, board, and casino licensees from liability 
• Acknowledgment that criminal trespassing charges will be filed if found on casino premises 
• Understanding that any winnings will be confiscated by the board 

Permanency: Individuals placed on the disassociated persons list remain on it for life. Michigan does not provide a removal process once an individual has been added to the list.

Consequences: Disassociated persons found in casinos face criminal trespassing charges punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Any winnings are confiscated and deposited into the compulsive gaming prevention fund. 

Internet Gaming Self-Exclusion 

Internet gaming and sports betting operators must establish and maintain separate self-exclusion lists. Requirements include:

• Self-exclusion lists designed to safeguard confidentiality 
• Submission through internet wagering accounts or other board-authorized means 
• Release agreements protecting the state, board, operators, platform providers, and their agents from liability
• Options for both temporary and permanent self-exclusion
• Immediate prohibition of wagering account access upon self-exclusion 
• Cancellation of any wagers placed by prohibited persons 

Prohibited Persons: Operators must make reasonable efforts to prevent prohibited persons from establishing accounts or placing wagers. Upon detecting a prohibited person, operators must:

• Immediately prohibit account access 
• Seize any winnings or things of value obtained from gambling 
• Provide written notice to the executive director of the board 
• Cancel any wagers made and suspend or close the account

Third-Party List Sharing

Operators may disclose self-exclusion lists to licensed or registered third parties solely for removing individuals from targeted mailings or advertising. Third parties receiving such lists:

• May use the information only to exclude names from marketing campaigns 
• Cannot distribute or disclose the information to the public or other persons 
• Face potential disciplinary action or civil fines for unauthorized disclosure 

2. Property Signage and Responsible Gaming Disclosures

Statute: MCL 432.209c, MCL 432.412 | Regulations: Mich. Admin. Code 432.654, 432.754.

Michigan requires comprehensive posting of responsible gaming information across all gaming platforms. 

Land-Based Casino Requirements 

Casino licensees must conspicuously post toll-free compulsive gaming helpline numbers at:

• Each entrance and exit of the casino 
• All electronic funds transfer terminals (ATMs) 
• Every credit location

Additionally, casino licensees must include the toll-free compulsive gaming helpline number on all printed advertisement and promotional materials.

Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Requirements 

Online gaming and sports betting operators must display a responsible gaming logo approved by the board that directs players to a dedicated responsible gaming page. The responsible gaming page must: 

• Be accessible during any authorized participant session 
• Display a prominent message stating: “If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Gambling Disorder Helpline at: 800-270-7117” 
• Provide a direct link to the Michigan Gaming Control Board Compulsive/Problem Gambling website 
• Include links to other U.S.-based organizations dedicated to helping people with potential gambling problems
• Contain a clear statement of the operator’s or platform provider’s policy and commitment to responsible gaming 
• Include other responsible gaming measures required by the board 

Sports betting operators must display the toll-free compulsive gambling hotline in a “clear, conspicuous, and accessible manner” on internet sports betting platforms.

3. Advertising Restrictions

Statute: MCL 432.225, MCL 432.209c | Regulations: Mich. Admin. Code 432.674, 432.774.

Marketing to Disassociated and Self-Excluded Persons 

Casino licensees cannot:

• Extend credit to disassociated persons 
• Offer check cashing privileges to disassociated persons
• Offer coupons to disassociated persons 
• Market services or send advertisements to disassociated persons 
• Solicit patronage from disassociated persons

Exception: Casino licensees may market or advertise nongaming amenities (such as hotels, restaurants, and event centers) through non-direct mail methods. 

Required Helpline Disclosures

All printed advertisement and promotional materials from casino licensees must include a toll-free compulsive gaming helpline number.

Third-Party Marketing Restrictions 

Licensed or registered third parties that receive self-exclusion lists from internet gaming or sports betting operators: 

• May use the lists only to exclude self-excluded individuals from targeted mailings or advertising 
• Cannot distribute or disclose the information to the public or any other person 
• Face disciplinary action or civil fines for improper disclosure 

4. Wager and Time Limits

Statutes: MCL 432.312, MCL 432.412.

Michigan requires internet gaming and sports betting operators to offer responsible gambling services and technical controls to all authorized participants. 

Required Player Control Options

Operators must provide: Temporary and Permanent Self-Exclusion: Options for both short-term breaks and permanent exclusion from all internet games or sports betting offered by the operator.

Periodic Deposit Limits: The ability for authorized participants to establish their own limits on deposits made to their accounts within specified time periods.

Internet Wagering Limits: Tools allowing participants to set maximum amounts they can wager within defined timeframes. 

Maximum Playing Times: Options for participants to set limits on the duration of their gaming sessions. 

Display Requirements 

Sports betting operators must display these responsible gambling services and technical controls on their internet sports betting platforms in a “clear, conspicuous, and accessible manner” alongside the toll-free compulsive gambling hotline number. 

5. Credit Restrictions 

Statute: MCL 432.209d, MCL 432.225 | Regulation: Mich. Admin. Code 432.11206.

Prohibition on Liens 

Casino licensees cannot accept liens on real or personal property from players to extend credit or for payment of debts.

Credit Extension Restrictions 

Casino licensees generally cannot make loans or provide credit to enable individuals to gamble. Failure to deposit a negotiable instrument for collection by the next banking day after receipt constitutes an extension of credit.

Permitted Credit: Casinos may extend credit only in the manner provided in internal control systems approved by the board. These systems must ensure: 

• Each credit transaction is promptly and accurately recorded 
• Credit is extended only in a commercially reasonable manner considering the patron’s assets, liabilities, prior payment history, and available income information 
• Credit is not extended beyond the approved credit line 

Disassociated Persons 

Casino licensees cannot extend credit to any person on the disassociated persons list. This prohibition is absolute and applies regardless of the individual’s financial standing. 

6. Financial Instruments Restrictions 

Statute: MCL 432.209a.

 Michigan imposes geographic and operational restrictions on electronic funds transfer terminals (ATMs) and gaming devices.

 ATM Location Requirements

Casino licensees cannot install, own, operate, or allow others to install, own, or operate electronic funds transfer terminals on casino premises that are less than 50 feet from any game in the casino. 

Credit and Debit Card Restrictions

Casino licensees cannot install, own, operate, or allow others to install, own, or operate any game on casino premises that allows players to operate the game by transferring funds electronically from a credit or debit card.

Definition

“Electronic funds transfer terminal” means any information processing device used for executing deposit account transactions between financial institutions and customers through either: 

• Direct transmission of electronic impulses, or 
• Recording of electronic impulses for delayed processing

The fact that a device serves other purposes does not prevent it from being classified as an electronic funds transfer terminal. 

7. Treatment and Research Funding 

Statutes: MCL 432.212a, MCL 432.253-256, MCL 432.316, MCL 432.416.

Michigan funds compulsive gaming prevention and treatment through multiple dedicated revenue streams.

Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund

The Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund receives funding from: Casino Assessments: $2 million annually from the total regulatory assessment paid by casino licensees. The total annual assessment ($25 million in the first year, adjusted annually by the Detroit consumer price index) is divided equally among casino licensees, with no single casino paying more than one-third of the total.

Internet Gaming Fund: $500,000 annually from the internet gaming fund after payment of the board’s regulatory and enforcement costs. 

Internet Sports Betting Fund: $500,000 annually from the internet sports betting fund after payment of the board’s regulatory and enforcement costs. 

State Lottery Revenue: A percentage of the net revenue in the state lottery fund equal to no less than 10% of each year’s state lottery advertising budget, not to exceed $1 million. 

Horse Racing Revenue: 1/10 of 1% of gross wagers made annually at racetracks licensed under Michigan’s horse racing law. 

Confiscated Winnings: Any winnings collected from disassociated persons under MCL 432.225. 

Fund Distribution

Up to $1,040,000 may be distributed annually to the domestic violence and treatment board. Remaining funds are distributed as determined by the director of community health exclusively for: 

• Treatment of pathological gamblers and their families 
• Prevention programs 
• Education initiatives 
• Training for treatment providers 
• Research and evaluation 
• Funding the toll-free compulsive gaming helpline 

Administrative Authority 

The director of the Department of Community Health authorizes fund distribution after consulting with: 

• The racing commissioner 
• The commissioner of the state lottery 
• The chairperson of the Michigan Gaming Control Board 

Additional Assessment Authority

If the director determines that fund money is inadequate, the Michigan Gaming Control Board may assess additional fees on the three Detroit casinos licensed under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to equal the additional amount needed. 

Dedicated Funding 

Public funds for the treatment of pathological gamblers must be taken exclusively from the compulsive gaming prevention fund. This protects funding appropriated for the Department of Community Health for treatment under Michigan’s mental health code.

Fund Management 

• The state treasurer directs fund investments 
• Interest and earnings are credited to the fund 
• Money remaining in the fund at fiscal year end does not lapse to the general fund but remains in the compulsive gaming prevention fund 

The Department of Community Health may establish fees for the treatment of pathological gambling addictions. 

8. Statewide Responsible Gaming Database

Statutes: MCL 432.312, MCL 432.412.

Michigan maintains a statewide responsible gaming database for internet gaming and sports betting.

Database Purpose

The Michigan Gaming Control Board may develop responsible gaming measures, including a statewide database identifying individuals who are prohibited from: 

• Establishing internet wagering accounts 
• Participating in internet gaming offered by operators 
• Establishing internet sports betting accounts 
• Participating in internet sports betting 

Criteria for Inclusion 

The executive director may place individuals in the responsible gaming database if any of the following apply: 

• Conviction in any jurisdiction of a felony, crime of moral turpitude, or crime involving gaming 
• Violation of Michigan gaming acts or other gaming-related laws 
• Performance of acts or possession of notorious or unsavory reputation that would adversely affect public confidence and trust in internet gaming 
• Presence on a valid and current exclusion list maintained by Michigan or another U.S. jurisdiction 

Voluntary Self-Exclusion Integration 

Authorized participants may voluntarily prohibit themselves from establishing internet wagering or sports betting accounts. The board may incorporate the voluntary self-exclusion list into the responsible gaming database and maintain both confidentially. 

Operator Input 

Internet gaming and sports betting operators may provide the board with names of individuals to be included in the responsible gaming database in a format specified by the board. 

Confidentiality Protections 

The self-exclusion list, responsible gaming database, and any information or records used by the board in administration of these systems are:

• Exempt from disclosure under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act 
• Maintained in a confidential manner 
• Protected from public disclosure

Rules and Regulations

The board may promulgate rules for the establishment and maintenance of the responsible gaming database. 

9. Annual Reporting and Minor Protection 

Statute: MCL 432.215.

Michigan Gaming Control Board Annual Report

The board must file an annual report with the governor by April 15 for the period ending December 31 of each year. The report is also submitted to chairs of legislative committees governing casino-related issues and must include: 

• Account of board actions 
• Financial position and results of operations 
• Recommendations for legislation 
• Information about minors and compulsive gaming 

Casino Licensee Annual Study

Each casino licensee must annually conduct a study on minors and compulsive gaming, compiling the following information: 

Minor Access and Detection: 

• Number of minors denied entry into the casino 
• Number of minors physically escorted from casino premises 
• Number of minors detected participating in gambling games (other than slot machines) 
• Number of minors detected using slot machines

Law Enforcement and Compliance: 

• Number of minors taken into custody by law enforcement agencies on casino premises 
• Number of minors detected illegally consuming alcohol on casino premises

Definition

Under Michigan law, a “minor” is defined as any person less than 21 years of age.

These annual studies provide ongoing data to assess the effectiveness of responsible gaming measures and identify areas requiring additional attention or resources.