The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is the state agency that licenses and regulates commercial casino gaming, online gaming, and sports betting in Michigan. It sits inside the Michigan Department of Treasury, and it draws its authority from legislation that voters approved in 1996. This guide explains what the Michigan Gaming Control Board does and which activities it oversees. It also covers the licence categories the agency issues, how to use its public licence search, and how it enforces the rules.
Key takeaways
- Regulator: Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), part of the Michigan Department of Treasury
- Legal basis: Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act of 1996, plus the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and Lawful Sports Betting Act of 2019
- Governance: a five-member board appointed by the governor, plus an executive director
- Oversight: three Detroit casinos, internet gaming, online and retail sports betting, fantasy contests, charitable gaming, and horse racing
- Online market start: internet gaming and sports betting went live in January 2021
- Scope limit: MGCB authority covers gambling offered to players physically located in Michigan
What the Michigan Gaming Control Board is
Michigan voters created the Michigan Gaming Control Board in 1996. The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act took effect that December, and the agency was formed the following year. It is a state body that sits inside the Michigan Department of Treasury.
A five-member board leads the agency. The governor appoints the members, and an executive director runs daily operations. Together they license operators, set technical standards, and enforce the state gambling laws. You can read the agency profile on the official Michigan Gaming Control Board site.
The agency began with a single task: regulate the three Detroit commercial casinos. Since then its remit has widened. So the MGCB now covers online gaming, sports betting, and several other gambling activities across the state. For companies planning to enter the market, our Michigan iGaming licence guide sets out eligibility, fees, and the casino partnership route.
What the Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates
The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates far more than casinos. Its authority now spans six main areas of legal gambling in the state. The table below shows what falls under the agency.
| Sector | What the MGCB oversees |
|---|---|
| Detroit commercial casinos | Licensing and daily regulation of MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown |
| Internet gaming | Online casino and poker under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, live since January 2021 |
| Sports betting | Online and retail sports wagering under the Lawful Sports Betting Act |
| Fantasy contests | Paid fantasy operators under the Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act |
| Charitable gaming | Millionaire party and charity casino events run by qualified nonprofits |
| Horse racing | Pari-mutuel racing and licensing, transferred to the MGCB in 2010 |
Twelve federally recognised tribes also run casinos in Michigan. Those venues operate under tribal-state compacts, so the agency does not regulate on-reservation gaming directly. When a tribe offers internet gaming, though, it does so through an agreement tied to the state framework.
Licence types the MGCB issues
Every company that touches the regulated market needs the right Michigan Gaming Control Board license. Three main categories cover the online market, and employee licences sit alongside them.
First, the internet gaming operator licence sits with a casino. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act reserves it for casinos, so only the three Detroit casinos and the twelve tribes can hold one. That caps the market at fifteen operators, and each operator may run up to two brands.
Second, a commercial brand holds a supplier licence and partners with a licensed casino. Our guide to the platform-provider supplier route sets out the tiers, fees and timeline in full. So a platform provider entering Michigan needs both the licence and a casino deal. Our gaming licence acquisition service handles that application and the suitability file.
Third, any vendor that supplies more than $100,000 of goods or services in a year must complete a vendor registration, which carries a $200 fee. The full operator and supplier fee schedule sits in our Michigan licensing guide, so this article focuses on the regulator itself.
MGCB occupational licences: Level 1 and Level 2
Casino and supplier staff need their own approval, not just the company. The agency issues occupational licences in two levels, and the level depends on the job.
A Level 1 occupational licence applies to supervisory and high-influence roles. It covers people who oversee surveillance, security investigations, or the cashier cage during a shift.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board Level 2 occupational license covers hands-on gaming roles. Dealers, boxpersons, floorpersons, and staff who service or repair gaming equipment fall here, along with anyone who regularly works in a restricted casino area. A Level 2 application carries a $100 application fee and a $100 licence fee.
| Occupational level | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Supervisory and high-influence roles, including surveillance, security investigations, and cage supervision |
| Level 2 | Dealers, boxpersons, floorpersons, equipment servicing staff, and restricted-area workers |
Employees apply through the casino or supplier first. Then the MGCB runs a background check before it grants the licence. The official occupational licensing pages list the forms and current fees.
How to use the MGCB licence search
Anyone can check whether a company or person holds a valid licence. The Michigan Gaming Control Board licence search works through the public licensee lists on the agency website. Players use it to confirm a site is legal, while operators use it to vet a supplier or partner before signing.
The agency publishes separate lists for internet gaming operators, sports betting operators, suppliers, and vendors. So a quick check shows the licence class a company holds and whether it remains current. If a brand appears on no MGCB list, it is not authorised to take bets from players in Michigan.
How the MGCB investigates and what it charges
The licence fee is not the full cost of MGCB approval. The agency can bill an applicant for the actual cost of its suitability investigation on top of the published fee. That figure depends on how complex the ownership and finances are, so it is not fixed in advance. Our cost guide sets out what a Michigan iGaming licence really costs once investigation and testing are included. New Jersey runs its equivalent through the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Testing adds another variable cost. The MGCB uses independent testing laboratories to certify games and platforms, and the licensee pays for that work. Sports betting systems follow GLI-33 standards. Internet gaming platforms need a written determination of approval against the MGCB lab testing requirements before they go live.
The suitability review itself is broad. The board weighs an applicant character, reputation, integrity, business probity, and financial ability. It examines criminal records, prior licence actions in other states, and business associations. Our platform certification and RNG testing team prepares the technical file, while our gaming licensing compliance team builds the suitability submission.
MGCB enforcement, penalties, and news
The Michigan Gaming Control Board enforces the rules against licensed and unlicensed operators alike. It can suspend or revoke a licence, impose fines, and refer matters for prosecution. A licensee facing action has a right to a contested-case hearing, so a denial or a disciplinary decision can be challenged through an administrative process.
Unlicensed operators draw the firmest response. In April 2026 the agency issued cease-and-desist orders to 45 illegal offshore gambling operators in a single action. Enforcement of this kind is a regular feature of Michigan Gaming Control Board news, and the agency publishes each notice on its website.
Player protection runs alongside enforcement. Operators connect to the state responsible gaming database and honour the self-exclusion list across every licensed site. Our guide to the Michigan internet gaming rules covers those operating duties in detail. These duties need named owners inside the operator, so our compliance and key function roles cover them day to day.
What the MGCB does not regulate
The agency authority stops at the state line. A Michigan licence lets a company serve players who sit physically inside Michigan, and nothing more. It gives no access to other US states, because each state runs its own regulator. Inside the state, the market is large: see our breakdown of the Michigan market’s revenue figures for the yearly totals and tax split. Operators comparing markets often weigh the New Jersey iGaming market and the Pennsylvania iGaming licence alongside Michigan.
Two further limits matter in practice. First, the MGCB does not license a commercial brand to trade on its own. A platform provider must partner with one of the fifteen casino operators to reach players. Second, on-reservation tribal gaming falls under tribal-state compacts rather than direct MGCB regulation. Players must be 21 or older, and geolocation confirms they sit within the state.
Working with the Michigan Gaming Control Board
Entry to Michigan runs through a licensed casino and an MGCB supplier licence, and the suitability review is where most timelines slip. A full supplier licence takes roughly seven to nine months, while a provisional licence can clear in two to four. To plan a Michigan application and casino partnership, contact the DD Consultus advisory team at contact@licencegaming.com or +356 99408536.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Michigan Gaming Control Board do?
The Michigan Gaming Control Board licenses and regulates commercial casino gaming, online gaming, and sports betting in Michigan. It also oversees fantasy contests, charitable gaming, and horse racing. The agency sits inside the Michigan Department of Treasury.
When was the Michigan Gaming Control Board established?
Michigan voters approved the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act in 1996, and the act took effect that December. The board was formed the following year to regulate the three Detroit commercial casinos. Its remit later grew to include online gaming and sports betting.
How do I use the Michigan Gaming Control Board license search?
The agency publishes public licensee lists on its website for operators, suppliers, and vendors. You can check a company against those lists to confirm the licence class it holds and whether it stays current. A brand missing from every list is not authorised to take bets in Michigan.
What is a Michigan Gaming Control Board Level 2 occupational license?
A Level 2 occupational licence covers hands-on gaming staff such as dealers, boxpersons, floorpersons, and equipment servicing workers. It also applies to anyone who regularly works in a restricted casino area. The application carries a $100 application fee and a $100 licence fee.
Does the MGCB regulate tribal casinos in Michigan?
On-reservation tribal casinos operate under tribal-state compacts rather than direct MGCB regulation. Twelve federally recognised tribes run these venues. When a tribe offers internet gaming, it does so through an agreement tied to the state framework.
How does the Michigan Gaming Control Board handle illegal gambling sites?
The agency issues cease-and-desist orders to operators that take bets from Michigan players without a licence. In April 2026 it ordered 45 illegal offshore operators to stop. Each enforcement action is published on the MGCB website.
How much does an MGCB licence cost?
An internet gaming operator licence costs $50,000 to apply and $100,000 for the initial five-year term. A supplier licence costs $5,000 to apply and $2,500 a year to renew. The MGCB can also charge the actual cost of the suitability investigation on top of these fees.
Where can I find Michigan Gaming Control Board news?
The agency posts press releases, enforcement notices, and market figures in the news section of its website. It also publishes monthly internet gaming and sports betting revenue reports. Both sit on the official michigan.gov/mgcb pages.