Great Online Casino
- 7 Things that Make a Great Online Casino With the whole variety of online casinos now present in the online space, players have a vast choice of websites to join and play at. Online casino operators invest their budgets into marketing and promotion in order to attract the target audience, beat the competition, and win the best-online-casino.
- That makes it great for creating online casino games, but it has many disadvantages, which is why it’s being replaced by newer technologies like HTML5. If you are accessing the Casino.guru website using a mobile device or a computer without Flash Player installed, the 'Mobile Devices Supported' filter will be extremely useful to you.
With the whole variety of online casinos now present in the online space, players have a vast choice of websites to join and play at. Online casino operators invest their budgets into marketing and promotion in order to attract the target audience, beat the competition, and win the best-online-casino race, and their investments are definitely rewarded. Players follow the link and get to the website… and here our story starts.
The rise of online gambling undoubtedly started with the online poker boom in the early ’00s. Now, NJ online casinos have incorporated your other favorite casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat into online formats. Many of the top online casinos, like Golden Nugget, are even investing in live dealer games. Online sites that welcome new members with high paying best no deposit offers and this is a great way to get started at any site. With the best casino signup bonus no deposit offers, new players simply create an account and start playing real money games with the bonus funds presented.
What players see once they open the site, what steps they need to go through in order to sign up and make a deposit, which bonuses they are offered, which games they see and how long it takes to withdraw their winnings, and whether live chat support helps quickly and effectively – all these factors decide whether a casino becomes a player’s favorite or not. Let’s have a closer look at each of the factors to help operators avoid some pitfalls which can easily turn players away from the casino.
1. Design
Being the face of the casino, design welcomes the users and makes their first impression of the casino. Shall it be something out-of-the-ordinary to impress and stay in the memory or shall it rather be standard and typical for an online casino? This is a big question. While many casino players have a clear image of an online casino website and feel more comfortable in the traditionally designed space, others appreciate innovation and a smart look.
So it’s up to the operator to decide whether to use the good and proven template design or create a completely new cutting-edge look to surprise the players. But whichever option is chosen, make sure to observe some general rules of casino website design, and the keyword here is user-friendly:
a) The website and the games shall load quickly from whatever region they are accessed.
b) Sign up / sign in and deposit action buttons shall be noticeable and displayed more than once on the home page.
c) To guarantee better conversion rates, the registration process itself shall be as easy as possible.
d) Games shall be easy to navigate through. A nice example is Oshi.io which allows advanced sorting by the provider, game type, character and theme group, ease of play, game popularity and intensity, etc.
e) The home page shall display various interactive widgets, such as the leaderboard showing top winners, the jackpot growing in real-time, etc. This communicates that the online casino is “alive” and other players are getting lucky right at this moment.
f) Mobile-friendly means user-friendly. Players must be able to access the casino from any mobile device and get an equally smooth gaming experience from their computers.
g) The home page shall display all licenses, certifications, and important partnerships that a casino boasts because this helps communicate trust and reputation, which is what most players closely look at.
2. Choice of games
Even if every casino has its set of most popular casino games which make the biggest part of the casino profit and this set may seem sufficient, players still appreciate the choice. The more games a casino can offer, the bigger audience it is able to cover.
Ideally, you need to have some well-known game providers like NetEnt and Amatic, some live leader content like Evolution Gaming, and some fresh, innovative content, e.g. Endorphina or Pragmatic Play. Finally, games from the world’s best gaming software developers show that a casino has partnered with the industry leaders, and that adds to the reputation.
3. Variety of payment options
Just like with the games, players need to have a choice of payment options, so the more you offer, the more deposits you get. The mix of available payment methods strongly depends on the regions the casino is targeting.
4. Easy withdrawals
A factor of critical importance. The less time and paperwork it takes to withdraw the winnings, the more loyal your customers will be. Any player would rather play at a casino that can withdraw his winnings within 10-20 minutes without any hassle, rather than at a casino that asks for a lot of additional documents without clear reasons or simply delays payments for days.
With this said, standard withdrawal procedures such as checks of personal documents (Know-Your-Customer checks) shall not be neglected, because we don’t want any possibility of fraud here. This is why your customer support and compliance teams should be as responsive and as fast as possible.
5. Live chat support
Effective and friendly front-line support is one of the main reasons players return to an online casino again and again. It is of great importance to have 24/7 client-managed service to answer any question and solve any issue in the most amicable way possible. Make sure that your support managers answer live chat inquiries within 60-90 seconds and are quick to offer the solution even in the trickiest situations and to the most demanding players.
6. Bonuses and promotions
There is no casino without bonuses and free spins. The more generous and versatile promotions you offer, the happier your users are. Tip: always display your most attractive bonus offers on the homepage with the links to the registration and deposit pages.
7. Acceptance of cryptocurrencies
We added this extra factor to reach the lucky number 7. On a serious note, with the growing popularity of Bitcoin, the ability to accept deposits in cryptocurrencies is almost a must for any online casino which wants to be at the forefront of the industry. For players websites working with Bitcoin are associated with innovation, a higher degree of privacy, and much faster payment processing time.
Conclusion
As clear and evident as all of the above success factors may seem, not all online casinos have the full set to go with. All the factors are equally important (well, quick withdrawals and great customer support prove to be more crucial for avid players), while failing to be consistently up-to-par on most of them may seriously damage the reputation and “likeability” of an online casino website.
This is a lot of work to do, from creating the high-end design to building a professional support team, and the casino operator alone cannot possess the complete expertise in all of the spheres. Nor does he need to, as long as there are people who specialize in different areas of iGaming and can provide professional support in each narrow segment.
So, you could let your casino software provider care at least about the web design, the choice of games, and the support of payment methods. See if you can outsource client support in order to avoid employment and training hassle. Unless you are a marketing expert yourself, get professional consulting in casino promotions and player acquisition, and get the best pro’s to do SEO for your website. Don’t rely on your own skills only but learn from those who have already achieved success in the industry and see how the mutual efforts bring your website to the top positions in online casino rankings.
You can also read how to start an online casino with SoftSwiss software.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Michigan?
Online casinos in Michigan were legalized at the end of 2019. It’s now perfectly legal for over-21s located in Michigan to play the best slots and table games on their PC or mobile device.
You must be physically located within MI borders to play games for real money. You can make deposits and earn bonuses and promotions.
Timeline For Legal Online Casinos
In December 2019, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple bills legalizing online gaming in the state and creating multiple gambling options. The Lawful Internet Gaming Act paved the way for the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to issue licenses for online casinos, sports betting and poker.
HB 4311 will open up the industry, allowing commercial and tribal casinos to launch their own online casino sites in Michigan. Casinos will be allowed to have one online software partner each. In passing new iGaming laws, Michigan became the sixth US state to have regulated online casino gambling.
MI residents and visitors can now play on legal, licensed and regulated casino sites in Michigan. At GreatLakesStakes.com, we never recommend playing at offshore casinos. These casino sites are not regulated, offer poor security and there’s no guarantee the games are fair. Unlike with a regulated Michigan casino, a player has no recourse should something go wrong.
Which Michigan Casinos Provide Online Services?
Under the new Michigan online gambling laws, every land based casino, whether it be a tribal casino or one of the three Detroit casinos, can form deals with one online partner. Online poker and sports betting are permitted alongside online casino games.
There are currently 26 land-based casinos in Michigan. These include commercial casinos in Detroit, plus tribal casinos spread around the state. Only a handful of offline operators in Michigan have iGaming deals with existing providers. All three commercial casinos in Detroit offer online casinos. Some of the tribal casinos will also launch online casino sites.
Here are some of the main deals that have already been agreed to between land-based operators in Michigan and online providers. Some online operators, like GVC and Golden Nugget, already power established online casinos in other US states.
PokerStars/The Stars Group
Partner: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (launched online poker in January 2021)
partypoker/GVC
Partner: MGM Grand Detroit
Golden Nugget Online Gaming
Partner: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community/Ojibwa Casino
GAN
Partner: Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
William Hill
Partner: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Penn National
Partner: Greektown Casino
Michigan Casinos Licensing & Fees
Under HB 4311, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, prospective online casino operators must apply to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) for an iGaming license.
Initial applications will cost $50,000, plus $100,000 for the license itself, and another $50,000 for an annual renewal. Operators will be taxed 20% on gross revenues up to $4 million. There is a top tax rate of 28% on revenues over $12 million. Detroit casinos are subject to an additional tax.
Proposals include a tax deduction from revenues for any free-play bonuses. This could be good news for Michigan online casino players looking for a good deal.
Does Michigan Have Online Casino Apps?
Yes. Michigan has followed other regulated states like New Jersey in offering mobile apps for casino players.
Mobile casino apps in Michigan are available on Apple (iOS) and Android devices. You should find download apps from the App Store and Google Play, or just install the apps direct from the casino.
The best MI casinos should also offer instant-play mobile apps. You can play instant slots and table games through your mobile browser. Here’s how to download your first Michigan mobile casino app:
Step 1: Find the app in the App Store or Google Play Store. Android apps may also be available from the casino website.
Step 2: Install the app on your portable device. If downloading on an Android smartphone, open the .apk file and adjust your Settings to allow apps from Unknown Sources.
Step 3: Create a unique username and password to log in with. You should also be able to access the mobile app using your existing desktop username.
Popular Games at Online Casinos in Michigan
Michigan online casino sites offer a wide selection of video slots and table games. Here are some of the games you can enjoy playing for real money.
Online Slots
Spin the reels and win real money in one of thousands of online slots. Choose from 3-reel classic slots and 5-reel games with bonuses or load a branded slot with exciting HD sound and graphics. You can also test out free slots to find games you like.
Progressive Slots
Progressive jackpot slots offer special big-money prizes for the high-stakes players. Bet the max stakes and hit jackpots that are linked across participating online casinos in Michigan.
Online Roulette
Play the inside numbers or bet it all on red or black on this popular online casino game. Just about every Michigan online gambling site will offer a choice of American Roulette and European Roulette from the biggest developers.
Online Blackjack
Play against the computer and win 3/2 with a natural blackjack. Online blackjack is easy to play and caters for a wide range of stakes. You’ll never have to fight for a spot at the table again like you would at a commercial casino.
Online Poker
No need to go to your local poker room. After PokerStars launched Michigan online poker in January 2021, you can play real money poker online against other players. While you won’t be able to spot tells, you can look at betting patterns to try to sniff out bluffs.
Card Games
Top Michigan online casinos will offer a variety of exciting card games like baccarat, Caribbean Stud and Casino Hold’em. Discover interesting games you may not find in your local casino.
Table Games
Want to try a new casino game? Try online craps or Sic Bo and make real money on the roll of a dice.
Live Dealer
Live casino gamesare legal in all regulated US states, and we expect Michigan to be the same, though not every legal online casino offers live dealer games. With those that do, you can play games like live blackjack, live roulette or live baccarat against a human croupier via webcam. It’s just like being on the casino floor with none of the crowds.
How to Sign Up to An Online Casino in Michigan
Registering an online casino account in Michigan will be a simple process. In states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, sign-up processes are simple and only take a few minutes. There will be a few things to remember before you get started:
- You must be 21 or over
- You must have a valid home address and email address
- You must have a Social Security number
To register a Michigan online casino account, just follow a few easy steps:
- Download the desktop client or app if available
- Create a unique username and password
- Provide an email address, date of birth and home address
- Provide last four digits of your Social Security number
- Verify your email address
- Install a geolocation tool or plugin
To confirm your identity, a Michigan online casino will request a copy of your photo ID like a passport or driver’s license. You will have to upload the document before playing for real money. This is an important security process to prevent underage gambling.
The gambling site will use geolocation to verify you are in Michigan when you log on and play. This is important to prevent gamblers living outside Michigan accessing slots and games.
Legal Michigan online casinos will also provide resources to help problem gamblers. You will get access to problem gambling helplines and you’ll be able to set limits on your gaming time. You will also be able to close your account on a temporary or permanent basis.
Common Payment Methods for Michigan Online Casinos
Online casinos in Michigan are legal for real money players. But what payment methods will you be able to use? Here are some of the common deposit options you will have.
Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard)
Min/Max Limits: $10-$25,000
Withdrawal Time: 3-5 days
Make deposits and withdrawals using your Visa or MasterCard. Not all issuing banks will honor online gambling payments, but limits should be high.
Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
Transfer Limits: $20-$25,000
Withdrawal Time: N/A
Make instant deposits using your credit card. You will incur a cash advance fee, but payments are totally secure. Withdrawals will be prohibited, but you can cash out to a checking account or e-wallet. Some financial institutions automatically block gambling transactions even though they are legal.
Play+/Prepaid Cards
Min/Max Limits: $10-$25,000
Withdrawal Time: 3-5 days
Prepaid cards like Play+ are available at many legal online casinos in the US. We expect you to be able to use a prepaid card at a Michigan online casino.
Load funds onto your prepaid card with a credit card or bank account and transfer the cash in seconds to your casino account. You can even enjoy higher deposit limits if you’re a VIP player, then cash out your winnings at an ATM.
e-Check/ACH
Min/Max Limits: $20-$50,000
Withdrawal Time: 2-3 days
Use the US ACH (Automated Clearing House) to send casino funds direct from your checking account. A top e-check provider like VIP Preferred is accepted at most legal US casinos online. Expect to find VIP Preferred at the best online casinos in Michigan.
Bank Transfer/Wire Transfer
Min/Max Limits: $10-$10,000
Withdrawal Time: 3-5 days
Make an instant deposit via wire transfer straight from your checking account. Limits are high with a wire transfer and you can enjoy the same security you get when making online payments.
e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill)
Min/Max Limits: $10-$40,000
Withdrawal Time: 1-2 days
An e-wallet is a virtual account where you can store funds from multiple cards. You can transfer cash instantly to your casino account, and the process is anonymous. An e-wallet like PayPal or Skrill will be perfect for making safe, reliable online deposits and withdrawals.
PayNearMe
Min/Max Limits: $10-$500
Withdrawal Time: N/A
Make quick cash deposits at your nearest 7-Eleven with PayNear Me. It’s a great way to fund your online casino account in Michigan without using a card.
Simply visit your nearest Michigan 7-Eleven, CVS or Family Dollar, make a cash payment and pay a small fee. Funds will appear in your casino account within half an hour.
Cash at Casino Cage
Min/Max Limits: $10-$100,000
Withdrawal Time: Instant
Michigan casinos may let you make online deposits in person at the cage of the affiliated commercial casino or tribal casino. Just present a form of ID and pay cash direct into your online casino account. You can even make large withdrawals with no fee.
Check by Mail
Min/Max Limits: $300-$10,000
Withdrawal Time: 2-3 weeks
Making a deposit by check is slow but it’s a good way to fund your casino account without using a credit card. You can even make withdrawals and receive a paper check by mail.
Michigan Online Casino Bonuses & Promotions
Michigan online casinos offer players a range of exciting promotions. Earn real money from a welcome bonus for playing your favorite online casino game or play free spins on your favorite slot machine. These are some of the casino bonuses you can expect to claim when the first gambling sites appear. Always read the terms and conditions so you understand any playthrough requirements.
Welcome Bonus: A welcome bonus rewards new players making their first deposit. Sign up, make a qualifying deposit and earn 100% in matched bonus funds.
Great Online Casinos
Then, use your bonus funds to play eligible slots and games. To unlock and withdraw your winnings, you will have to meet the wagering requirement. That means gambling your deposit total between 20 and 50 times before any winnings and free cash is released.
A welcome bonus will reward free cash, so we recommend you deposit the maximum amount possible. You can always keep any winnings you make, even if you fail to meet the wagering requirements.
Reload Bonus: A reload bonus is a casino promotion reserved for regular customers. The casino will match your second or third deposit at a smaller rate than a welcome bonus.
The maximum deposit amount will also be smaller. For example, you might be able to deposit and claim 25-50% up to $200.
Free Spins: Most welcome bonuses will include a free spins offer. Make a first deposit and receive free spins to use on a selected slot.
You can keep any winnings once they have been wagered several times over. Wagering requirements vary, so always check the bonus terms before you make a commitment.
Loyalty Program: Top Michigan online casinos will offer VIP programs to their most loyal customers. Earn points when you play qualifying slots and table games. Points can then be redeemed for real cash later on.
The best loyalty plans offer a range of benefits, including faster cash-out times, party invites, and special gifts.
Top 10 Casinos In The United States
Online Casino Software Providers Expected in Michigan
There are around a dozen software providers already offering legal slots and games in US states. These providers are well-placed to offer regulated games at the first Michigan online casinos. Here are some of the software developers we expect to see when online casinos in Michigan launch.
IGT (International Game Technology)
Games: American Roulette, progressive slots, online slots, video poker, baccarat, blackjack
IGT is a US iGaming giant which supplies hundreds of games like slots, roulette, and blackjack. Many legal online video slots in the US are provided by IGT.
NetEnt
Games: Online slots, progressive slots, live casino, baccarat, Casino Hold’em, blackjack, European Roulette
Scandinavian developer NetEnt was one of the first European providers to launch in the US market. We are sure that NetEnt branded slots and table games will be available in Michigan soon.
WMS (Williams Interactive)
Games: Online slots, American Roulette, Playboy Bonus Blackjack
WMS is a leading supplier of offline and online slots and table games in the United States. They are best known for big-money online slots like Raging Rhino and Zeus III.
BTG (Big Time Gaming)
Games: Online slots
Great Blue Online Casino
BTG is a slots provider and the mastermind behind the Megaways brand. Megaways slots feature special staggered reels which allow for up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin.
Bally
Games: Slots, video poker
Bally is one of the biggest iGaming providers in the US. They already supply slots and video poker games to many legal online casinos in New Jersey.
H5G (High 5 Games)
Games: Online slots
H5G is a leading social casino and online casino slot machine supplier. They are already licensed in New Jersey, and Michigan players could well play its games too when online casinos go live.
partyGaming
Games: Online slots
partyGaming already has a foothold in legalized US markets like New Jersey through its Win Studios division. partyGaming supply exclusive online slots to casinos through their various partnerships.
Playtech
Games: Slots, roulette, blackjack
Playtech launched its first legal casino content in the US in summer 2020. They are one of the world’s largest iGaming suppliers, and we expect to see their slots and table games at Michigan online casinos.
Evolution Gaming
Games: Live blackjack, live roulette, Dreamcatcher
Evolution Gaming is the world’s biggest supplier of live casino games. The developer is legal in most regulated US states and Michigan online casinos could certainly see Evolution games in their lobbies.
In live casino games, you play against the dealer via HD live stream. Win real money playing live roulette, live blackjack or live baccarat using real-life equipment.
How to Choose the Best Michigan Online Casino
GreatLakesStakes.com only recommends the best regulated MI casinos. We will put all casinos through their paces with a thorough review of the games, payment options, bonus offers and customer support.
If you’re new to online slots and games, the new world of Michigan casinos might be daunting. But you can rely on our expert opinions so you can cut to the chase and get playing right away.
RELATED: Takeaways from Michigan August Sports Betting & iGaming Report
FAQ
A Michigan online casino will use geolocation tools like GeoComply to verify your whereabouts. If the casino can’t confirm your location, you won’t be able to log on and gamble.
The first online casinos in Michigan launched in January 2021. Land-based casinos must strike deals with established online casino partners.
Yes. You will be able to join a VIP program and earn points as you play slots and games. You can then convert points into real cash or benefits.
You will need to be in Michigan to play games for real money. You may be able to log on and make deposits if you are outside the state.
You will need to be 21 or over to log on and play slots and table games for real money. Casinos will carry out ID checks to confirm your age.
Offshore gambling sites are illegal and have unreliable security and poor games. At an offshore gambling site, there’s no guarantee the games are fair and no legal recourse should a dispute arise. We will never recommend opening accounts at unlicensed offshore casinos.
Yes. Michigan has several helplines and organizations to help problem gamblers. Find a full list of resources at the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.
Contributors
Bryce Derouin
Reviewer sinceAugust 2020
With a decade in the media and gambling space in Michigan, I aim to bring you the latest news and developments in Michigan online casino and sports betting.