Bingo in Michigan: Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in Michigan?

Yes. Charitable bingo is legal under the Traxler-McCauley-Law-Bowman Bingo Act (1972 PA 382), and the Charitable Gaming Division of the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery licenses the nonprofits that run it.

Michigan is also one of the best states in the Midwest for casino bingo. Twelve federally recognized tribes operate casinos here, and some, including Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant and Island Resort in Harris, keep dedicated bingo halls with regular sessions and big-prize special events. The three commercial casinos in Detroit do not run bingo.

Besides bingo, the Charitable Gaming Division licenses raffles, charity game tickets (Michigan’s name for pull-tabs) and millionaire parties, the state’s version of a charity casino night.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in Michigan?

You must be 18. Rule 432.21309 of the Michigan Administrative Code says people under 18 may not play bingo, operate it or assist with it, and the same rule keeps them from buying or selling raffle tickets and charity game tickets.

Tribal casinos set their own age policies. Many Michigan tribal casinos are 21+ on the gaming floor, though some allow 18-year-olds in bingo or on certain floors, so check the venue’s site before you go.

Can you play online bingo for real money in Michigan?

This one is genuinely unclear. Michigan legalized online casinos in 2019 under the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, and the law defines an “internet game” broadly as any game of skill or chance offered over the internet for a wager, if authorized by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

On paper, that could include bingo. In practice, we could not confirm any licensed Michigan online casino offering traditional real-money bingo rooms as of October 2026. Their lobbies are built around slots, table games and live dealer games. Our online bingo guide explains the categories. If gambling is costing you more than you planned, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in Michigan?

They are effectively off the table. Michigan has not passed a sweepstakes-specific ban, but the Michigan Gaming Control Board treats unlicensed sweepstakes casinos as illegal online gambling.

In September 2023 the board sent cease-and-desist letters to several prominent sweepstakes operators, including Stake.us, and multiple brands withdrew from Michigan over the following months. The board has kept up a steady stream of orders against unlicensed online gaming since then, including letters to 45 offshore operators announced in April 2026. Some smaller sweepstakes sites may still accept Michigan players, but they do so without any state approval. Our sweepstakes bingo explainer covers what that means for your prize redemptions.

Where can you play bingo in Michigan?

Your best bets are tribal casino bingo halls and charity games run by churches, schools, veterans posts and fraternal lodges. Venues we verified are listed in the table below.

Soaring Eagle hosts large special events in addition to its regular sessions, such as a $40,000 Halloween bingo in October 2026. In the Upper Peninsula, Island Resort & Casino near Escanaba runs live bingo on its gaming floor.

How to run a charity bingo game in Michigan

Michigan has a defined path for nonprofits, and first-time groups must qualify before they can license any game:

1. Qualify your organization. Groups that have never held a Charitable Gaming license must complete the division’s qualification process, which checks nonprofit status and purpose.
2. Choose a license. A special license for a one-time event costs $25 and covers up to seven consecutive days at one location. A large bingo license covers regular games.
3. Respect prize limits. Under a large license, total prizes can be up to $1,100 per game and $3,500 per session.
4. Buy from licensed suppliers. All bingo equipment and paper must come from a supplier licensed by the state.
5. Staff the game with adults (18+) and keep the records the Bureau requires.

Our bingo fundraiser guide covers the practical side, from prize tables to volunteer shifts. Living near the southern border? Compare the rules in Indiana.