Michigan Horse Racing Betting – Comparing the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Michigan

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Michigan offers residents and locals a live horse racing location for an in-person betting experience at Northville Downs. That’s the great thing about the advancement of technology in general as well as its integration within the online gambling industry. And for gambling enthusiasts in Michigan, there are plenty of licensed, legal, and safe betting sites that offer the chance to place bets on horse racing events within the US as well as from around the world.

If you have ever wondered if you can do online horse racing in Michigan, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on for all you need to know about Michigan horse racing and the best places for wagering.

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In This Guide

Ranking the Top 10 Betting Sites For Horse Racing in Michigan

For our readers in Michigan, we have researched and reviewed the various betting sites available and have created a list of our most recommended sites. We have also taken the time to write down the most recent information regarding these websites and what they have to offer as well as the highlight point of each.

  1. TVG – The overall best horse racing sports betting Michigan has to offer
  2. TwinSpires – One of the top leading sites for horse racing betting Michigan
  3. BetOnline – A user-friendly betting site for live horse racing in Michigan
  4. XBet – A large selection of horse races from around the world
  5. Bovada – Most appealing site for Michigan online horse racing
  6. MyBookie – Dedicated promotions for Michigan horse racing
  7. BetUS – Impressive choice of horse racing features for MI bettors
  8. BUSR – Offers over 250 tracks to choose from for MI bettors
  9. Sportsbetting.ag – Offers a $25 Horse Free Play for new MI gamblers
  10. BetNow – A 10% Weekly Rebate for online horse betting losses

Reviewing the Best Michigan Horse Racing Betting Sites

In this section, we take a closer look at the top five betting sites based on our in-depth research and experience. Within these mini-reviews for TVG, TwinSpires, BetOnline, Xbet, and Bovada, we provide a brief introduction to each along with a list of pros and cons.

1. TVG – Best site for horse racing betting in Michigan

TVG was established in 2009 and has offered bettors a well-stocked and exciting horse racing section with plenty of great features to use, too. Horse racing enthusiasts can find all that they could ever dream of in terms of horse racing and betting at TVG. The site and mobile app offer live streaming on-site which is a major advantage that TVG has. Additionally, novice horse bettors can find plenty of advice for their horse betting adventure.

TVG also offers pari-mutuel betting directly on their site which is a great and convenient feature. Because bettors can place bets while on the go with TVG makes this site appealing for Michigan residents. What’s more, you can place wagers on over 150 racetracks from all over the world and earn rewards or bonuses for referring your friends to join the horse betting action!

TVG Racebook

TVG Review –
The Best Site For Horse Racing Betting in Michigan
Pros Cons
✅ Low margins ❌ Credit card transactions have fees
✅ Live streaming features are available
✅ Easily-accessible mobile betting app
✅ Betting lines are released 24 hours before a race begins
✅ Major races from all over the world are offered  here

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you create an account at TVG, you can claim the 50% Match Bonus up to $250 after you make your first deposit. To claim your $250 bonus, all you have to do is make a deposit, and use the promo code: 250DM, at the cashier.

To sign up and start placing wagers on horse racing at TVG, click the link below!

2. TwinSpires – One of the top leading sites for horse betting in Michigan

TwinSpires is our top-rated betting site for placing wagers on first-time horses and greyhounds in Michigan. The reason is that this site offers bettors with essential tips along with insights on how to become a better, more professional horse racing bettor. With these tools, anyone can become a pro, in no time!

Further, users of TwinSpires will find that the website is well organized, which makes it easy to navigate and makes the experience as smooth as ever! Moreover, not only is there a racebook section, but there’s also a sportsbook section and a casino section that offers classic casino games for an all-in-one online gambling experience.

TwinSpires Racebook

TwinSpires Review –
One of the top leading sites for horse betting in Michigan
Pros Cons
✅ Betting lines are strong ❌ Credit card deposits have fees
✅ Horse-specific promotions
✅ Betting tools like handicap tools are available
✅ A big range of international races is covered
✅ Racecards are packed with features

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you become a new player at TwinSpires, you have the chance to claim the $200 Welcome Offer by using the promo code: BET200. Plenty of additional offers is available here such as Free Bets and more.

To join TwinSpires now, click the button below!

3. BetOnline – A user-friendly betting site for live horse racing Michigan

BetOnline has existed within the iGaming industry since the 90s and has built a good reputation for itself since. Not only does it offer sports betting, live betting, and casino games, now gamblers can take advantage of the horse racing section it has on offer.

BetOnline offers users instant payouts, live track odds for major races in America and across international waters. It also offers free bets and cashback on losses during all the biggest races of the year along with special promotions for each signature racing event. In addition, the BetOnline site has wonderful customer support live chat function that is honest and efficient, in case bettors get stuck anywhere along their betting adventure.

BetOnline Racebook

BetOnline Review –
A
user-friendly site for live horse racing

Pros Cons
✅ Instant payouts and live track odds ❌ Credit card deposits come with extra fees
✅ Website interface is easy to use ❌Doesn’t cover many international races
✅ Offers Free Bets and Cash Back on losses on race day
✅ Flexible and reputable payment options

✅ Industry-leading customer support

Welcome Bonus Offer:

New players to BetOnline can claim a 100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus for your first deposit. This offer comes with a 10x rollover requirement which must be fulfilled to gain any winnings from it.

Sign up for an account at BetOnline with the button below!

4. XBet – A large selection of horse races from around the world

Founded in 2003, Xbet has become one of the leading sports betting and horse wagering destinations for bettors in various states across the United States including Michigan. Not only does this site cover races from within the US, but it also features international races from the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Asia, as well as Africa.

And what’s more is that the racecards are user-friendly, just like the rest of the website, and they offer bet types including Win, Place, and Show. In addition, other bet types are Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta, along with access to Daily Doubles, Pick Bets and Parlay Bets. Players can place bets here knowing that their transactions are within safe hands considering the abundance of well-known and reputable payment methods like Credit Cards and various cryptocurrencies.

Xbet Racebook

XBet Review –
A large selection of horse races from around the world

Pros Cons
✅ International races are covered ❌ Credit card deposits charge fees
✅ Mobile-friendly website
✅ Low margins are charged
✅ Plenty of trustworthy banking methods offered

✅ Many betting markets are available

Welcome Bonus Offer:

The Welcome Offer at XBet is a match deposit type of Bonus of 100% up to $500 with a 10x rollover requirement. This is all stated in the Terms and Conditions of the Bonus.

5. Bovada – Most appealing site for Michigan online horse racing

Bovada is one of the most appealing sites for online horse racing and other forms of gambling. It offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for any type of bettor. And the betting lines here are synonymous with casual punters meaning that the lines for favorites are not the best. However, the horses outside of the favorites are well-priced which is why a lot of the professional bettors use it for these kinds of bets.

Bovada has a great selection of horse racing promotions such as enhanced odds and money-back guarantees. Gamblers that use Bovada can choose from some of the most well-known, trustworthy payment methods that exist for safe transactions. Deposits can be as little as $10 while withdrawals can be up to $5,000. Also, processing only takes 24 hours which is a major advantage of using this site.

Bovada Racebook

Bovada Review –
Most appealing site for online horse racing

Pros Cons
✅ Offers early betting lines on-site ❌ Limited horse racing features
✅ Good odds available for non-favorites
✅ Big range of US races covered
✅ A large sportsbook section is available

✅ 100% Welcome Offer up to $1,000

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you sign up for an online betting account at Bovada, you can claim the 100% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000. This type of bonus is a Match Bonus that comes with a 10x rollover requirement.

More on gambling in Michigan…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Michigan in our expert guides below:

Comparing the Best Sites for Horse Racing Michigan has to Offer

After reviewing these leading horse racing betting sites, we have compared them to see how they do against one another. We did this by taking some of the top features that are key and then testing them out to see how well they work. The below features can be found at most of the Michigan horse betting sites which made comparing them easy.

Horse Racing Odds

Some sites may offer better odds than others for horse racing betting. If this is so, it’s good to do some research beforehand to know where you can find the best odds. From our research, we have concluded that BetOnline offers better odds at the racetrack than most other sites.

Live Horse Racing Betting

Live horse racing betting gives bettors the ability to see what is happening in a race, in real-time. And for this to be a flawless experience, it’s important to find a site that runs smoothly. The site should also provide you with the chance to see any changes that are made to the odds without needing to refresh the page each time. For live horse racing in Michigan, we recommend Xbet and MyBookie.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Betting promotions are a huge advantage of online betting. Most sites will firstly give you the chance to claim a Welcome Bonus of some kind, which is a one-time offer and then after that, visitors can enjoy ongoing promotions, some of which are specifically for horse racing. The Xbet betting site for example has a 7% Horse Rebate offer on qualified tracks.

Special Features for Horse Racing

Special features set apart different websites because they are like added bonuses to their offerings and overall experience. Some examples of these at horse racing sites are betting picks, live streaming, special horse promotions, and potentially predictions. Most of the sites that we have recommended on this page have at least one, if not more, special features available.

User-Friendly Design

A user-friendly site is becoming more of a demand for every industry including the betting and horse racing industry. We know how important it is for bettors to be able to get through the site with ease and in a timely manner. That’s why we included user-friendly design into our list because bettors shouldn’t have to spend too much time navigating through a website to place bets. It should be straightforward and with an appealing look so that bettors will want to return to the site time and time again.

Live Streaming

Live streaming is another great feature available at betting sites. This type of live streaming covers horse races that are either held within the US or in other countries. Michigan residents can easily sign up for a free account at BetUS, where they can take advantage of their unique BetUS TV feature which hosts live streaming races from around the world. You’ll also have access to racing predictions and picks.

In the chart below, you’ll have a clear view of our top 10 sites and how they compare to one another in terms of special features.

Comparing Features At The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Michigan
Live Track Odds Horse Racing Betting Markets Horse Racing Betting Promotions Special Features of Horse Racing User-Friendly Design Horse Racing Live Streaming Sports Betting Casino Games
TVG
TwinSpires
BetOnline
XBet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
Sportsbetting
BetNow

How to Choose the Best Michigan Horse Racing Betting Sites

In this section, we will discuss some of the most important points you’ll probably want to contemplate for choosing an online betting site for horse racing in Michigan. With a great range of options available today, we know that it can be hard to decide sometimes. And that is why we have created this list of important characteristics that a betting site should have.

Brand Recognition

Brand recognition is important for online sites whether they are for horse racing betting or not. Therefore, the site should have a good reputation and be recognized for what they excel at like horse racing betting or virtual horse racing, and so on. The sites we have reviewed and mentioned on this page all have great brand recognition along with several years of experience within the industry.

Payment Methods

A good betting site will have a variety of payment methods, all of which should be well-known and reputable. It only makes sense that you would want to make online transactions with trustworthy banking options which is why we have kept this in mind while reviewing these sites. We’d also like to point out that some of these sites might come with a fee of some kind and we recommend that you avoid making deposits with any type of method that charges you fees.

Safety & Security

Safety and security is another important point and that’s why we looked for sites that have SSL certificates along with legitimate licensing. Licensing of any legitimate online website shouldn’t be hard to find. This is something that our readers should remember for their own safety. Considering this, we can assure you that the sites we have recommended are all safe and secure for your gambling activities.

Speed & Design

The speed and design of the online sites are also important factors for any type of online experience whether it’s gambling or now. The overall speed experience and design impression should be close to smooth and without a hitch. That is why we look for sites that don’t take ages to load, are appealing, and have a platform that is easy to navigate by anyone.

Customer Service

The capability of customer service is a major asset to any good online site. If you need help with any sort of issue or inquiry, we know how important it is to want a way to reach the customer service team effortlessly in hopes of a quick solution. That said, we tested the customer service by evaluating how long it takes to get a response and how well they were able to offer a solution.

Overall Value

The above points are all important to a good online horse racing betting site. Because there are so many sites to choose from, it’s important to know if any have weak points and what they might be. That said, in this section, we have outlined the best Michigan horse racing sites with the above characteristics in mind.

Further, the table below gives you an overview of the things we have looked at for each point with hopes you can use it for selecting the very best fit for your needs.

What To Look For In The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Michigan
Brand Recognition ✅ Trustworthy

✅ Reliable

Payment Process ✅ Safe Payment Options

✅ Fast, Secure Payouts

Safety & Security ✅ Safety & Security

✅ Protecting Privacy & Personal Information

Speed & Design ✅ Fast Software

✅ User-Friendly Design

Customer Service ✅ 24/7 Live Chat

✅ Friendly Customer Service

Overall Value ✅ Best Odds

✅ Live Streaming

✅ Promotions Offers

✅ Special Features

Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in Michigan?

Michigan lawmakers authorized online horse betting with the passage of House Bill 4310, signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on December 20, 2019. The legislation allows third-party online racing betting operators to apply for a license in Michigan and accept online or mobile wagers.

Moreover, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) licenses and regulates the conduct of horse race meetings in the state with pari-mutuel wagering on the results of horse races and persons involved in horse racing and pari-mutuel gaming activities.

Horse Betting Guides State by State

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Guide – How to Bet on Horse Races in Michigan

There is plenty of horse racing betting for Michigan residents. For starters, they can make the trip to the Northville Downs racetrack for live racing on weekends throughout half of the year. They can also place simulcast wagering for other races at this location. However, bettors can also choose from the betting sites we have listed on this page for access to tons of racing events within the United States as well as international races.

You can easily, freely, and securely register for an account at our most recommended sites, all of which have years of experience in the industry as well as good brand recognition. Some of the top sites include TVG,  BetOnline, Bovada, and Xbet, all of which are popular sites in other states across the US as well. When you choose to gamble with a site like these, you will have the chance to claim a Welcome Offer Bonus, ongoing horse-related promotions, loyalty rewards or referral bonuses, as well as live horse streaming and more!

Check Out Our Popular Horse Racing Guides

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How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in Michigan?

Horse racing odds will be published by the track at the beginning of each race day. Those odds are then listed in the track’s race program which is often known as the morning line odds. The racetrack then handles the wagers made, keeping a percentage of the revenue as an operator take out. After this, the track odds are re-calculated based on the amount of money that is wagered on each horse and are updated live until the post time for each race. When the race is over, the remaining money is paid out to the bettors.

Also keep in mind that when horse racing odds are shown using fractions, the number shown represents the amount of profit to the amount invested. Therefore, the more money that is wagered on a horse, the smaller the payout.

Many other bet types exist within horse racing like the standard win, place, or show wagers which pay out at different tiers depending on the horse finishing in third place or higher.

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Explained

In this section, we took an example of a racecard from the TwinSpires website to help give an idea of how simple it is to place bets online at these sites. Here you can see the different pools that are available like there are odds, win, place, and show. The great thing about placing bets on these sites is that there are sometimes tools to help you along the way. And so, it’s a great way for newcomers to get a hang of the horse racing betting industry.

TwinSpires Racecard

Horse Racing Betting Odds

We recommend BetOnline, Bovada, and Xbet for the best proven horse racing sites available to bettors in Michigan. These sites are not only easy to access but they are also easy to navigate and have an appealing design. They also offer low margins which is an appealing factor.

For the best proven horse racing sites for residents of Michigan, we recommend BetOnline, Bovada, or Xbet because these sites are easy to access and navigate, are appealing, and they also have low margins. While BetOnline excels in popular bets that are often a shade higher than most, Bovada is the best for longer-priced horses given the vast number of recreational bettors that use their site.

We have listed and briefly described the most common types of betting odds that you can expect to see for horse racing in Michigan below.

Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in Michigan

Fixed odds are when the betting sites set the price, but they can also change it. This is one of the most common forms of odds for almost any type of sports betting aside from horse racing. Usually, fixed odds are displayed as a fraction.

Pari-Mutuel Betting in Michigan

Pari-mutuel betting is when you place a bet into a pool and then a dividend is rewarded at the end of the race. All the money that’s been invested into the pool through bets will be distributed by the betting site based on how many people have wagered in that winning pool as well as how much you have wagered.

Pool Betting on Michigan Horse Races

Pool betting is like pari-mutuel betting. But with pool betting, bettors pay into a pool instead of giving their money to a bookmaker. Then, the money that’s pooled together is shared among those who have placed bets on the winning selection.

What are the Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

All races will come with a set of bets that bettors can wager on. Below are some of the most popular bets that you will come across at the top horse racing betting sites Michigan.

Win

A win bet is the most popular and is where you bet on the overall winner of the race. It is a single bet, and your horse must win to get paid.

Place

The place bet is where you choose the horse you think will finish in either first or second place.

Show

A show bet is where your horse can finish anywhere in the top three places. The order doesn’t matter for either the show or place bets as the payout will be the same regardless.

Exacta

An exacta bet is when you pick the two horses you think will finish in 1st or 2nd place, and in the correct order.

Trifecta

The trifecta bet is where you pick the three horses that will finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, in the correct order.

Superfecta

A superfecta bet is where you pick four horses to finish in the correct order for the top four spots.

Daily Double

A Daily Double bet is where you need to pick the winner of the first two races of a meeting.

Pick 3/4/5/6

Pick bets are extensions of the Daily Double and include the number of races per pick number. For instance, a Pick 3 bet would need the winners of the first three races at that meeting while a Pick 4 would need the winner of the first races.

The chart below gives you a quick overview of each of these bets and how they work in Michigan.

Comparing the Different Types of Bets for Horse Racing in Massachusetts
Bet Type Description
Win The overall winner of the race
Place Horse to finish in the top 2 places
Show Horse to finish in the top 3 places
Exacta First 2 horses in the correct order
Trifecta First 3 horses in the correct order
Superfecta First 4 horses in the correct order
Daily Double The winner of 2 consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 3 The winner of 3 consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 4 The winner of 4 consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 5 The winner of 5 consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 6 The winner of 6 consecutive races from the same meeting

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Terms

Horse racing is one of the sectors of the gambling industry that has a larger selection of terminology. Although you don’t have to know every single term, knowing a good majority of the terms, especially the most common ones are vital for understanding how the whole thing works. We would also like to mention that these terms shouldn’t scare you away from horse racing betting because they can be learned by anyone, and it is possible to become an expert horse bettor over time.

Horse Racing Betting Terms Explained:

It’s highly suggested to do some homework prior to betting on horse racing to get the hang of some of the commonly used terms. Have a look below to get more familiar with some of the most used terms in the horse racing industry.

Across the board

A bet on a horse to win, place, and show.

At the post

Signifies the start of the race.

Claiming Race

A race where the horses racing can be bought for a specific price.

Dead Heat

Two or more horses that finish in a tie at the finish line.

DQ

A horse that has been disqualified.

Exotic Bet

A bet that isn’t a win, place, or show.

Favorite

The horse that is most likely to win the race.

Field

The horses in a race.

Furlong

A unit used to measure distance, equal to one-eighth of a mile.

Handicap race

A race where different horses carry weights to even out the level of competition; the best horse carries the most weight.

Handle

The total amount of money bet on a single race, day, or season.

In the money

Finishing in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.

Long shot

A horse that has little perceived chance of winning a race. The odds are always high on a long shot.

Maiden race

A race for horses looking for a first win.

Morning Line

Handicappers estimate of what the odds on each horse will be.

Odds

The price that you get when betting on a horse or market.

Pari-mutuel

A bet that forms a pool of money and is distributed evenly to those who win the race.

Purse

The prize money that’s distributed to the owner(s) of a winning horse.

Quarter horse

A breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances.

Thoroughbred

A breed of horse that’s known for its speed and endurance while racing long distances.

Tote Board

A board that contains the odds for that race.

Wager

A bet that’s placed on a race or horse.

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Calculator

Many horses betting sites in Michigan will calculate the horse odds for bettors, so you don’t have to worry about that too much. But since many sports betting sites work with betting pools or pari-mutuel wagering, this means that you won’t get to see the final odds until the end of the race once the pools have been counted.

However, there are ways you can try to work them out for an approximate number. To start, you can work out the percentage of money staked on your chosen horse and then use a betting calculator to change it to an implied probability and then into odds. There are some sites that will give you the chance to switch between bet totals and percentages so that it’s easier if you can take the percentage and then put that directly into the calculator.

How to Calculate Horse Racing Betting Odds

The odds are always calculated at the end of a race which all comes down to the amount of money that’s in the betting pool along with the number of people who have placed bets into the pool. For example, if there was a pool of $1K and 20 people placed wagers into that, this would create what’s called a dividend. Then, $50 would be paid out based on how many units each person has wagered like if a bettor wagers 5, they would get $250.

Michigan Horse Racing Odds Chart:

Below we have provided a table to show an example of some of the most common odds that you might encounter at horse racing sites. You can see the odds on this table with a return from a $2 bet along with implied winning percentages.

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Odds Chart
Odds Payout on $2 Bet Implied Winning Percentage
-500 $2.40 83.33%
-400 $2.50 80%
-300 $2.60 75%
-200 $3.00 66.67%
-150 $3.33 60%
-100 $4 50%
+200 $6 33.33%
+300 $8 25%
+500 $12 16.67%
+1000 $22 9%
+5000 $102 1.96%

Michigan Horse Race Tracks

To this day, Michigan only has one live horse racetrack that is open for bettors and that is Northville Downs. This horse racetrack offers live standardbred racing, simulcast standardbred, thoroughbred racing, and pari-mutuel wagering. Read more about horse racing in Michigan below:

Northville Downs – 301 S Center St, Northville, MI 48167

Northville Downs began operating in the 1940s and now it offers live harness racing for bettors from March to October. Northville downs also offer year-round simulcast races from other tracks. The Michigan horse racing tracks is also connected to the TwinSpires and TVG horse racing apps, their wagering partners. Also, in case bettors get hungry, there are plenty of food options on-site to fulfil any rumbling stomachs.

Northville Downs Michigan

List of Horse Race Tracks in Michigan
Michigan Horse Race Track Address Phone Number Notable Races
Northville Downs 301 S. Center St., Northville, MI 48167 248-349-1000 Not stated

The History of Horse Racing in Michigan

Horse racing was originally established by the Racing Act of 1933 to authorize and regulate pari-mutuel horse racing in Michigan. Horse racing currently functions under the Horse Racing Law of 1995, with all horse racing objectives being achieved through the regulatory activities of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Since pari-mutuel wagering was first authorized in Michigan nearly 90 years ago, almost a dozen horse tracks have come and gone, like the old Detroit Fairgrounds Track which saw the first major race in the same year that pari-mutuel wagering was legalized in 1933. In 1950, the Detroit Racecourse was built as the new Michigan horse racing tracks to replace the old track which was then the first track in Michigan to host a thoroughbred meet.

Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, horse racing continued to develop. However, in the 1990s, horse racing in Michigan, unfortunately, began to decline and hasn’t been able to recover since. The Detroit Racecourse and Muskegon Downs both went out of business. Today, the only racetrack that remains is, Northville Downs.

However, online horse race wagering is also legal, providing Michigan residents with plenty of options. Still.

A Timeline of the History of Michigan Horse Racing
Date Description
1933 Pari-mutuel wagering was legalized
1950 The Detroit Racecourse was built to replace the old track and it was the first track to host thoroughbred meetings
1960s-1980s Horse racing continued to develop in Michigan
1990s Horse racing began to decline
Today Only one racetrack remains in operation – Northville Downs

Michigan Horse Racing Schedule 2022

The horse racing schedule at Northville Downs is not yet available on the official website. However, it does mention that live racing is going to return on March 11, 2022. It also states that live racing will be on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM until mid-December, 2022.

The Michigan Mile

The Detroit Racetrack in Livonia was the most successful of Michigan’s tracks way back when. And, once a year, for more than 4 decades, it games some of the best horse racing that this state had to offer. In 1949, at the old state fairgrounds track, was when the Michigan Mile found a new and more permanent home the following year when the all-dirt Detroit Racecourse opened up for business. By the end of the 1950s, the race began to gain popularity.

The first noteworthy winner of the Michigan Mile was Nearctic, who captured the 1958 edition en route to the Horse of the Year honors in his native Canada. Nearctic is now best known for establishing Northern Dancer, the 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner whose influence at stud and in pedigrees was felt globally for many generations.

The Michigan Mile had many other impressive races and winners throughout history. And, the Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap, which had maintained Grade 2 status since the grading system was introduced in the early 70s, was run for the final time in 1993. The Detroit Racecourse permanently closed just five years later.

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack with Online Horse Racing Betting

There are pros and cons to placing wagers on horse racing in person or at live racetracks. As an example, when you place bets online, you have a much larger selection of races to choose from as well as more odds than at a land-based location. But, on the other hand, when you go watch horse racing at racetracks, the atmosphere is so exciting and can’t be replicated online with the crowd cheering and the sounds of the horses running to the finish line.

This considered, before you read our list of pros and cons of each, we would like to mention that going to the racetracks in person is an experience that should be enjoyed at least one time. But, for daily, weekly, or monthly wagering on horse racing throughout the year, online betting sites are the way to go.

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting
Betting at the Racetrack Online Horse Racing Betting
✅ Have the option to view prices from multiple bookmakers at once without having to register for an account ✅ Can look for the best prices available
✅ Can see what shape the horse is in before the start of the race ✅ Tons of races to choose from
❌ Racetracks don’t have bonuses or promotional offers ✅ Many banking options available
❌ The best price isn’t always available ✅ Claim a Welcome Package some sort
❌ Limitations on what races you can wager on ✅ Mobile-friendly sites for easy and accessible options

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in Michigan

The general terms and conditions you’ll find at horse racing sites are similar to terms you’ll find anywhere else. There are a set of terms and conditions for when you register for an account at an online betting site or when you claim a bonus of some sort. Terms and conditions are essentially a set of terms (rules) that must be followed to legally participate in having an account at one of these sites or for opting in on a promotional offer.

The legal gambling age in Michigan for pari-mutuel wagering at a horse race is 18 years or older while casino gambling requires visitors to be 21 years old. That said, we encourage anyone of the legal age that is interested in wagering within Michigan to thoroughly read through the terms and conditions on betting sites for registration as well as bonuses.

Rollover Requirements

When you create an account at an online betting site, you can claim a Welcome Bonus or package of some kind. This usually comes in the form of a Deposit Match Bonus which means that your first deposit (or first four deposits) will be matched up to a certain amount that’s stated. At BetOnline for example, the Welcome Offer on your first deposit is a 100% Match Bonus up to $1,000. But, to claim any winnings earned from this bonus, you first must fulfill the rollover requirement, which is always stated in the Bonus Terms and Conditions.

The chart below highlights the Welcome Offers available at our most recommended betting sites in Michigan.

Comparing Welcoming Bonuses At The Best Online Horse Racing Sites
Brand  Welcome Bonus Offer Rollover Requirement
TVG 50% Deposit Match up to $250 Risk Free Bonus
TwinSpires Up to $200 Bonus Money Risk Free Bonus
BetOnline $1,000 Welcome Bonus 10x Rollover of Bonus
Xbet 100% up to $500 Welcome Offer 7x Rollover of Bonus
Bovada Up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus (BVD1000) 10x Rollover of Bonus
MyBookie 100% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000 10x Rollover of Bonus
BetUS 150% up to $3,000 Bonus 15x Rollover of Bonus
BUSR 20% up to $500 (WELCOME20) 5x Rollover of Bonus
SportsBetting 100% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 10x Rollover of Bonus
BetNow 100% Welcome Bonus 15x Rollover of Bonus

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

The leading betting sites for horse racing that we have mentioned on this page, all offer newcomers a Welcome Bonus. These types of offers are a one-time thing, only for new players to claim. Apart from these one-time Welcome Bonuses, there are also ongoing promotions available like Moneyback Offers, Loyalty Rewards, Free Bet Offers, and more that existing visitors can benefit from as well.

In the table below, you’ll see the kind of offers you can find at our most recommended betting sites.

Betting Site Welcome Bonus Loyalty Racebook Moneyback Enhanced Odds
TVG
TwinSpires
BetOnline
Xbet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
Sportsbetting.ag

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in Michigan

Virtual horse racing in Michigan is becoming more of a popular way to wager on horse races. The reason is that bettors can watch these races in 3D while having access to proper race cards as well as odds attached to each horse. The concept of virtual horse racing will continue to evolve and expand as time goes on with new features being integrated along the way. If you’ve never experienced virtual horse racing, we recommend the Bovada website for this. They have a superb virtual horse racing experience.

Bovada Virtual Horse Racing

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Apps

The TwinSpires betting app is clean, sleek, and modern. It’s easy to navigate and provides horse racing bettors with the opportunity to place bets while on the go or just via mobile device because that is the preference. Additionally, there is a customer support team available that can be reached via email, phone, or live chat, for any visitors that have any issues throughout gambling.

TwinSpires Mobile App

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Apps for iPhone

Most online betting platforms are available for iPhone users today. Many of the sites we have mentioned on this page such as TVG, TwinSpires, and BetOnline have free apps for iOS platforms. The TVG app itself, covers over 300 tracks from all over the world, connecting bettors to many more races.

Michigan Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android

There are also plenty of options for Android users to place bets online for horse racing. TwinSpires for instance has an app that is also compatible with Android platforms. The app is modern and can be navigated by anyone. Furthermore, bettors can choose from over 150 live racetracks with some of the best horse racing in the United States.

How to Start Betting at Horse Racing Sites in Michigan

The first step to start betting at horse racing sites is to register for an account at your preferred site that offers horse racing, which all the sites on this page do. Below is a quick guide on how to sign up for an account at BetOnline where you only need to follow a few steps to register for a new player account.

Step 1: Join Now

Once you land on the BetOnline website, you need to click the ‘join’ button that can be found at the top right-hand corner. This can be done from your desktop and/or your mobile device.

BetOnline Sign Up Step 1

Step 2: Complete the registration form

After you click on the ‘join now’ button, you’ll be brought to a landing page that has a registration form on it. This is where you’ll need to fill in your details which will include things like your first name, last name, a valid email address, mobile number, and address. This is also when you’ll have to read through and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Once this is finished, follow the prompts to bring the process to a finish. After this is finished, you can make your first secure deposit and make your way to the racebook section.

Step 3: Choose a race you want to wager on

This is when you can choose a race that you want to wager on. To wager on it, click on it and the racecard for that race will appear.

BetOnline Sign Up Step 3

Step 4: Wager!

Once the racecard appears, you can click to select the horse and the bet you want to make. You’ll be able to see the selection here, where you can enter your stake and confirm your bet. It is that easy!

BetOnline Sign Up Step 4

Other Types of Gambling in Michigan

Michigan is an open state to other types of gambling other than pari-mutuel horse racing betting. Gambling enthusiasts in Michigan can participate in casino games, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, poker, and charitable gaming bingo only. Players can participate in betting at online sportsbooks or online casinos that are legal, offshore sites. These types of online casinos offer players from all around the world access to casino gambling any time of the day or year.

What is the Best Site for Horse Racing Betting in Michigan?

We are confident that all the top betting sites we have found for gamblers in Michigan, and we believe that each of these sites has something special to offer. But, if we had to pick just one of these sites for horse racing and betting activities, it would be BetOnline. There are several reasons why we say this starting with its strong betting lines, low margins, early line released, a quality platform, and a great Welcome Bonus.

New players can claim a $1,000 Welcome Bonus after registering for a new account at BetOnline and making their first deposit. Other ongoing promotions available for horse racing specifically are a $25 risk-free first bet and daily rebates on losses. Not only can bettors place wagers on horse racing, but there are also other options to place bets on other sporting events or plenty of casino games to play!

FAQs

Are there horse races in Michigan?

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Alan is an experienced writer of online betting and casino guides. He is one of the main editors of Basketballinsiders.

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