No, You Can’t Bet On The Super Bowl National Anthem In Michigan, And Here’s Why

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Written By Drew Ellis on February 3, 2024Last Updated on February 8, 2024
Casino showing Super Bowl odds

Michigan sports bettors are always spoiled for choice during the Super Bowl, with a multitude of options available. However, it’s natural to question the specific betting opportunities permitted by licensed operators in the state for the grand event.

Although offshore sportsbooks may appear tempting, they are often misleading.

Prior to randomly placing your bets, take the time to familiarize yourself with the safest betting options available.

What are the MGCB rules for sports betting?

In the state of Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board provides extensive information regarding the guidelines for acceptable sports betting wagers.

The MGCB’s Guidelines & Comments section of the Sports Wagering Catalog explicitly states that no negative outcome propositions of any nature are allowed.

Additionally, it is mentioned that authorized leagues and operators have the freedom to provide any type of wager as long as the outcome is determined during gameplay and can be confirmed through a box score or statistical analysis. However, any other types of wagers that do not meet these requirements must be presented to the board for approval when introduced for the first time and cannot be made available for betting until approved by the board.

In addition, they provide instances of player propositions that are deemed impermissible. Such instances encompass more than just wagers that are:

  • Inherently questionable aspects include whether any player will face injuries, arrests, or suspensions, as well as the number of games an injured player might miss, among other concerns.
  • Officiating-related questions include but are not limited to: When can we expect the first penalty flag to be thrown or foul to be called? How many flags or fouls will be called throughout the game? What will be the outcome of the game’s first accepted penalty? Will the coach’s challenge result in a favorable decision or not?

What can you bet on in the Super Bowl?

When you begin to explore various sportsbooks and their Super Bowl markets, you will come across numerous choices.

In addition to the fundamental spread, total, and moneyline options for the game, you can discover the following offerings:

  • Alternate Spreads
  • Alternate Totals
  • Halftime Spreads/Totals
  • Quarter Spreads/Totals
  • Player Props
  • Team Props
  • Game Props
  • MVP Awards Market
  • Player Parlay Props

There are several options available in each of these categories, particularly the player props. If you believe that Stanley Morgan Jr. will score a touchdown, you’re in for a treat. The Cincinnati Bengals receiver, who has only made two catches all season, is listed at +3000 odds to score in the significant game.

Last year, Michigan granted approval for the coin toss market, which has consistently been a favored betting option for the game.

The MGCB has granted approval for betting on various aspects of the coin toss, including which team will win, what the call will be, and what the winner will decide to do. Additionally, wagers can be placed on predicting whether the outcome of the toss will result in heads or tails.

Offshore markets provide greater risks

Offshore markets offer a wide range of betting options for the Super Bowl, including odds for commercials, the halftime show, and the national anthem.

The act of placing bets on the color of the Gatorade shower that the winning coach will receive after the game is prohibited in Michigan. However, other states such as Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Washington DC allow this type of wager.

One of the problems with certain bets is that they can be easily manipulated.

If there is a predetermined time set for the length of the national anthem, the singer may be informed about it. This presents an opportunity for potential collusion that could favor individuals in close proximity to the singer.

Users are cautioned by the MGCB about the potential risk of identity theft when engaging in wagering activities on unregulated gaming sites.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stated in a press release that sharing personal information with an unregulated gambling site comes with no assurance that your information will not be sold or exploited by criminals. He mentioned that identity theft is the primary concern reported to the Federal Trade Commission, with 1.3 million identity theft reports filed in the U.S. in 2020, including over 24,000 cases reported in Michigan.

The Federal Internal Revenue Service cautions that individuals may exploit your personal information to fraudulently seek credit, file tax returns, or acquire medical services.

Furthermore, users who encounter conflicts with an offshore sportsbook lack the support of the MGCB to assist them in presenting their case if they face non-payment of winnings or denial of refunds.

Williams stated that the MGCB lacks the means to address a customer conflict involving an unregulated offshore gambling platform, unlike in the case of regulated gambling. He clarified that the agency lacks the jurisdiction to pursue a dispute with an unregulated site.

In the state of Michigan, there are currently a total of 14 licensed online gaming providers.

Michigan projected to wager $45 million on Super Bowl

According to a PlayUSA report, it is estimated that Michigan will legally bet $45 million on Super Bowl LVI in the upcoming week.

The projected national wager for the game is estimated at $1 billion.

Michigan ranks seventh in the nation in terms of projection, with Nevada taking the lead at $175 million.