Play Baccarat Online for Real Money
Michigan now features legal online casino games. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is currently setting up the regulatory framework for the market.
When internet casinos go live in the Wolverine State, online baccarat figures to be one of the most popular games. After all, mini-baccarat is a hit in the state’s land-based casinos.
Michiganders appreciate the combination of mini baccarat’s great odds and low stakes. They’ll be able to enjoy these same advantages through internet baccarat, too — all without leaving the house.
The following guide discusses what to expect from Michigan online baccarat regarding depositing, games, bonuses, and apps. It also covers how the internet version compares to what’s available in Michigan brick-and-mortar casinos.
Difference between online baccarat vs. live baccarat
For over two decades, Michigan natives have only been able to legally play live (land-based) baccarat. They’ll soon enjoy another option thanks to the online variation.
The following information highlights the differences between online and live games.
Features of online baccarat
Online baccarat is available through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Therefore, it’s available at any time and from anywhere.
The internet variation also features extremely cheap stakes. Most online tables only require a $1 minimum bet.
Online casinos also offer bonuses to players. For example, they may feature a deposit worth up to $500 to first-time depositors.
Internet baccarat puts more variations at gamblers’ fingertips, too. One can move from virtual table to table without needing to walk across a land-based casino.
Features of live baccarat
Live baccarat is all about the experience. Players can play baccarat with their friends at a Michigan brick-and-mortar casino.
They can also chat with the dealer and enjoy free drinks when playing long enough. These elements add even more to the social experience.
The land-based game boasts interesting comps as well. Frequent players can look forward to free meals, hotel stays, free transportation (e.g., limousine), cashback, and more.
Live stakes are higher than what will be found in Michigan online baccarat. However, most players don’t experience trouble covering the $5 minimum bets in most casinos.
Play baccarat online for free in Michigan
As with other markets, the Wolverine State will no doubt offer free online baccarat. The latter gives gamblers an opportunity to try both internet baccarat and the associated casino before depositing.
Register before playing
Players will need to complete registration before playing for free at MI gaming sites. The registration process will likely call for the following information:
- Full name
- Home address
- Phone number
- Username
- Password
- Social Security number
- Bonus code (if applicable)
Michigan online casinos require this extensive information for two reasons:
- To verify the player’s age.
- To ensure that the gambler isn’t on a self-exclusion list.
Play baccarat at social casinos in Michigan
Michigan gambling sites aren’t the only entities that can offer free baccarat to players. Sweepstakes casinos are legal in the Wolverine State as well.
A sweepstakes casino provides free chips/coins to new signups. People use these coins to increase their bankroll and win prizes.
For example, Chumba Casino pays “Sweeps Coins” to Michigan players, who then use those coins to purchase sweepstakes entries.
Play baccarat online for real money in Michigan
Thanks to the passage of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act (HB 4311), Michigan now boasts regulated real money casinos. Therefore, gamblers can play real money online baccarat as long as they’re within state lines.
Deposit before gambling
The first step to enjoying real money games involves placing a deposit. MI internet casinos will likely provide the same banking methods that are available in other states:
- Cash – Visit a relevant Michigan land-based casino and deposit in person.
- Credit card – Use Visa, Mastercard, or any other accepted credit card.
- E-check – Send an e-check (ACH) from a bank account to an MI internet casino.
- E-wallet – Use e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill to deposit.
- PayNearMe – Visit a 7-Eleven or CVS and deposit with cash.
- Play+ – Casinos issue branded prepaid cards that you can use for depositing.
After funding an account, players can place real baccarat wagers. They can use available betting options and choose how much to risk.
The jury is still out on which baccarat stakes Michigan gaming sites will offer. However, they’ll likely provide a similar range to what other states feature.
Most casinos offer between $1 and $500 stakes. This range ensures that both low rollers and high rollers enjoy themselves.
Withdrawing money
Baccarat offers gamblers almost a 50% chance of winning money on every hand. Therefore, many players experience winning sessions.
Those who want to cash out their winnings can use almost all of the previously covered deposit methods. The only exceptions are cash and PayNearMe, which aren’t available for cashouts.
Geolocation requirement
The MGCB requires that all online gamblers be within state lines before playing baccarat for real money. Gaming sites will use geolocation software to verify where players are.
Geolocation works to a high degree of accuracy. Therefore, gamblers who are in Michigan should experience little trouble playing online baccarat.
Issues may arise for those located around the border. In these cases, players can contact the relevant casino and seek help.
Online baccarat games available in Michigan
Looking at other markets, most internet casinos offer two main forms of online baccarat:
- The traditional version
- Live dealer baccarat
Perhaps Michigan gaming sites will surprise us and offer more baccarat games with unique side bets. In the early going, though, they’ll probably only feature the classic and live dealer versions.
A beginners guide to online baccarat
Internet baccarat rounds begin with players placing their chips in one of three designated betting circles:
- Banker hand – A wager on the banker’s hand wins the round. Pays 1:1.
- Player hand – A wager on the player hand winning the round. Pays 1:1.
- Tie – A bet on both hands tied with the same score. Pays 8:1.
Some online baccarat variations feature additional areas for side bets. However, we don’t know if or when Michigan will offer such games.
Per baccarat rules, the side with a score closest to 9 wins the hand. If a side lands a double-digit score, then the first digit doesn’t count (e.g., 18 = 8).
Software providers feature rules within a game’s info section. Players can view a detailed summary of the rules at any time.
Internet baccarat is a simple game. Gamblers only need to place chips in one of the aforementioned circles.
The dealing and scoring are automatically sorted out by the software. Players should learn to score and dealing rules if they want a deeper understanding of the game.
What will Michigan live dealer baccarat look like?
Markets don’t typically feature live dealer baccarat right after regulating online gaming. Michigan will probably follow suit and not offer live dealer gaming for the first few months after casinos launch.
However, the Wolverine State will surely deliver this game at some point. When Michigan live dealer baccarat does become available, it should be a hit.
This brand of baccarat is similar to the live version played in brick-and-mortar casinos. It uses a human dealer, a real table, and real cards.
Unlike land-based baccarat, though, the live dealer variation takes place remotely. It streams action from a casino studio to one’s smartphone or computer.
Therefore, players enjoy the casino atmosphere without needing to travel anywhere. They can also chat with the dealer via the chat function.
Michigan real money baccarat apps
Most people play online baccarat via their smartphones. Michigan gaming sites will undoubtedly meet this demand by offering Android and iOS baccarat apps.
Android app download
The Google Play Store doesn’t allow US real money gambling apps. MI online casinos will need to offer such apps through their websites.
The download process in Michigan is set to be as follows:
- Visit a Michigan internet casino’s website.
- Select the Android icon on the homepage.
- Complete the download instructions.
iOS app download
The App Store allows real money gaming apps under the condition that developers use Apple’s native programming language.
The iOS download process will work as follows:
- Head to the App Store.
- Search for the relevant MI online casino.
- Download the app.
Alternatively, one can visit a gaming site and select the iOS icon (if available). This action will take a player to the relevant App Store section.
Instant play mobile baccarat
A few Michigan online casinos may choose not to provide an Android or iOS app. In this case, they’ll offer instant mobile play.
Instant play refers to when one plays directly through their mobile browser. A player doesn’t need to download anything in this case — they just need to visit the casino’s website.
Some Michigan gaming sites won’t provide apps because they don’t agree with Apple and/or Google Play’s policies. Instant play provides a suitable alternative.
Earning online baccarat rewards
Michigan gaming sites will surely feature loyalty programs. These programs help baccarat players earn extra money through their gambling action.
How will MI loyalty rewards work?
There’s a chance that not every Michigan internet casino will deliver loyalty perks. However, most, if not all, MI gaming sites are set to offer VIP programs.
Those that do provide loyalty programs will likely give baccarat players points based on their betting volume. Gamblers, meanwhile, can exchange their points for cash.
Here’s an example of how this process might work:
- An online casino offers one rewards point for every $10 wagered on baccarat.
- Players can exchange 100 points for $1.
- A gambler bets $5,000.
- 5,000 / 10 = 500 points.
- 5,000 / 500 = $10 in cashback.
What other casino rewards will be available?
Cashback won’t be the only perk available at MI online casinos. Loyalty programs will likely include the following rewards as well:
- Deposit bonuses
- Free live dealer baccarat bets
- Free slot spins
- Land-based casino rewards (e.g., meals, hotel stays)
- VIP host (for the biggest players)
Online baccarat bonuses in Michigan
Along with VIP rewards, Michigan online casinos will also offer baccarat bonuses. The Wolverine State’s most likely deals should include a no-deposit bonus, deposit bonus, and cashback.
No-deposit bonus
A no-deposit bonus becomes available after one completes registration. It provides an opportunity to win money without depositing any.
Baccarat players must satisfy playthrough and other terms and conditions before cashing out no-deposit winnings.
Here’s an example:
- A casino offers a $20 no-deposit bonus.
- The bonus features 20x playthrough on baccarat.
- 20 x 20 = $400 must be wagered
- A gambler keeps what’s left from the offer, plus winnings if they satisfy playthrough.
Deposit bonus
A deposit bonus matches a percentage of a gambler’s deposit amount. Typically, the match percentage is 100% of the bonus.
Gamblers get to cash out the entire bonus in a lump sum after satisfying T&Cs. Casinos limit the amount that players can win through these deals.
Here’s an example:
- An online casino offers a 100% match bonus worth up to $500.
- The playthrough is 10x.
- A gambler deposits $200.
- 200 x 10 = $2,000
- The player must wager $2,000 before cashing out their $200 bonus.
Cashback
Cashback pays a percentage of a gambler’s losses back. This deal only covers a specified period.
For instance, cashback might only entail losses stemming from the first week. Players must also meet T&Cs before withdrawing the cashback amount.
Here’s an example:
- An online casino features 20% cash back for up to $100 in losses.
- The deal lasts for the first week after a deposit is made.
- The playthrough is 5x.
- A gambler loses $250 in their first week.
- 250 x 0.2 = $50 cashback.
- 50 x 5 = $250 must be wagered before receiving the $50 cashback.
Michigan gambling laws on online baccarat
The Wolverine State has offered land-based gambling for decades. However, it didn’t feature legal online gaming until late 2019.
Rep. Brandt Iden introduced the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in 2018. Iden’s legislation breezed through the State Senate and House. A surprise veto by former Gov. Rick Snyder killed the legislation, though.
Iden reintroduced the Lawful Internet Gaming Act under HB 4311 in 2019. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer initially expressed doubts over the legislation.
Whitmer didn’t want to jeopardize online sales for the Michigan Lottery, which generates $1 billion annually for the school fund.
She eventually came around after agreeing to a 20% to 28% tax on online gambling. Whitmer signed HB 4311 into law, thus legalizing baccarat and other internet casino games.
Michigan land-based casinos with baccarat
Online casinos won’t be the only places to enjoy baccarat in the Wolverine State. Michigan also features 26 land-based casinos, many of which offer baccarat and other table games.
Notable Michigan baccarat casinos
- MGM Grand Detroit: The state’s largest casino, MGM Grand, features more than a hundred table games and thousands of slot machines. It also boasts a sportsbook and poker room.
- Motor City Casino: Motor City is Detroit’s second-largest casino with 60+ table games and over 2,500 slots. It also offers a poker room with a dozen tables.
Full list of Michigan land-based online casino partners
- Bay Mills Resort & Casino
- Kewadin Casino Christmas
- Kewadin Casino Hessel
- Kewadin Casino Hotel (Sault Ste Marie)
- Kewadin Casino Manistique
- Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel
- Kings Club Casino
- Leelanau Sands Casino
- Little River Casino Resort & Hotel
- Motor City Casino Hotel
- MGM Grand Detroit
- Ojibwa Casino Baraga
- Odawa Casino Mackinaw City
- Ojibwa Casino Marquette
- Odawa Casino Petoskey
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel