Mobile Horse Racing Betting In Michigan Gets Approved

The Michigan Gaming Control Board will now allow third-party mobile sportsbooks to apply for licenses to offer horse racing betting in the state.
Northville Downs Race Track, the one horse racing track in the state is currently shut down until at least May 29 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

DETROIT – Horse racing betting in Michigan is now available for bets via the internet and mobile applications after receiving approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) on Tuesday.

The state is home to one race track, Northville Downs, who will not be in charge of these apps for their events. Under the law, third party operators will be taking internet and mobile bets placed on horse races done at Northville.

The Order

Outside sportsbook businesses can now apply for a license for advance deposit wagering (ADW) for horse racing betting, states an order approved Tuesday.

A potential provider will need to apply for a license to operate with the MGCB by submitting their business strategy as well as $1500 for an application fee and background check. The bets that will be offered by these legal sports betting companies must be done under the pari-mutuel system.

“The order should enable the state’s horse racing industry to gain new followers through ADW and maintain protection for citizens who wish to place wagers on live and simulcast pari-mutuel racing in Michigan using their mobile phones,” said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB Executive Director. “Before ADW can go live in Michigan, the race meeting licensee and the certified horsemen’s organizations also must agree to a contract with a provider.”

The Future For Michigan Horse Betting

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Northville Downs race track has been closed until May 29 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to stop the further spread of COVID-19. Applicants can begin applying to offer betting on the horses immediately.

Online Sportsbooks in Michigan have not yet launched, which could make horse betting apps the first online betting platform to be available in the state.

Land-based sportsbooks opened on March 11 for a handful of days before being closed because of the current outbreak. There is no word yet as to how long it will take the MGCB to begin issuing licenses for mobile sportsbook platforms to begin offering horse race betting in the Wolverine State.

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Christina Monroe

Christina has been writing for as long as she can remember and does dedicated research on the newly regulated sports betting market. She comes from a family of sports lovers that engage in friendly bets from time to time. During the winter months, you can find Christina baking cookies and beating the entire staff at Mario Kart…the N64 version of course.