SI Casino made its understated debut in February 2023 and is currently available to online casino customers in Michigan ages 21+. The online casino operates under the Hannahville Indian Community license.

SI Casino is the product of a collaboration between Sports Illustrated and online gaming juggernaut 888 Holdings. As expected, the app is heavily conceptualized around the iconic Sports Illustrated magazine, which has been a mainstay of sports and news media for nearly 70 years.

Combining Sports Illustrated’s instant brand recognizability with 888’s technical prowess seems like a recipe for success. Yet, SI Casino has gotten off to a slow start in the highly competitive MI online casino market and will need to address some key flaws before becoming a major player.

The following SI Casino review will address its flaws and high points, which include an appealing first-time deposit bonus, daily promos, and exclusive games.

Which States Is SI Casino Available In?

Presently, SI Casino is only available to Michigan customers. Players do not have to hold residence in Michigan, but they must be physically located within Michigan’s borders to place real-money wagers.

SI Casino’s companion site SI Sportsbook is currently live in Michigan, Colorado, and Virginia, and company reps have stated plans to expand into New Jersey, Iowa, and Indiana. If SI Sportsbook were to receive a license from NJ regulators, SI Casino would likely follow suit.

SI Casino Promo Code

SI Casino offers a multi-faceted new player bonus that has a total bonus value of $1,060.

Once customers successfully complete the sign-up process and have their information validated, the bonus is theirs to enjoy.

Sign-ups can be completed from the SI Casino’s desktop or mobile (Android or iOS) applications. Annoyingly, players must be geolocated in Michigan to register, a confine not typical of legal US casino sites. Most online casinos allow customers to sign up for accounts from anywhere and only restrict customers located outside of Michigan from placing real-money wagers.

SI Casino Welcome Bonus Details

The SI Casino bonus is a lot to unpack, which is both a good and bad thing. On the plus side, the monetary value is on the high side and the base wagering requirements are rather low. There is also a no-deposit component, which is always appreciated by players.

On the other hand, there is a lot of fine print, most of which diminishes the bonus’s value.

Starting with the SI Casino no-deposit bonus, the 15x wagering requirement must be cleared on Sports Illustrated branded games, and presently, there are only a few of them. Candidates include Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party and Sports Illustrated Arcade.

The first deposit bonus conditions are even more oppressive, as the 15x playthrough only applies to eligible slots. Now, it is fairly common practice for online casinos to lower the bonus contribute values of their highest RTP slots, but rarely are titles excluded entirely. SI Casino excludes a whopping 70+ games from bonus consideration.

Players who enjoy non-slot games will face even steeper hurdles. The bonus contribution on poker table games like Let it Ride and Mississippi Stud is just 20%, and it’s only 10% on most other table games, live dealer included.

It was surprising to see Roulette included under the “10% contribution” category, as it has a much lower RTP than games like Baccarat and Blackjack. At a 10% contribution rate, players will have to wager their bonus 150x, which is $150,000 on a $1,000 deposit. That’s absurd, and we suggest players stick to the best eligible slots instead.

Craps only contribute a laughable 5%, but at least that’s irrelevant right now, since SI Casino doesn’t offer Craps.

On a positive note, the $10 sports free bet isn’t subject to any strict wagering conditions. The main caveat is that players must use it within 7 days.

Lastly, players who have claimed the SI Sportsbook welcome bonus are not eligible for the casino bonus.

Other SI Casino Promotions

SI Casino has hit the ground running with a series of recurrent and one-off promotions that offer varying value to players:

• Spin to Win: Players who make a qualifying deposit of $10+ earn 30 wheel spins (one per calendar day) where they can win prizes like free spins, bonus cash, sports free bets, or Sports Illustrated gift certificates. Free spins are worth $0.20 each and have a 1x wagering requirement.
• SI Jackpots: One of SI Casino’s defining features is its pooled progressives. How this works is that certain games on the app are designated as Daily Jackpots, and offer players a random chance to win a solid cash prize. If the jackpot doesn’t hit by a certain time, the odds inflate, making for a frenzied period of excitement.
• Table Game Thursdays: Players who deposit $25 on Thursday receive a $10 free play voucher for use at select table and video poker games.
• Match bonuses: SI Casino occasionally rolls out match bonuses, where players deposit a certain amount and SI Casino matches their deposit as a bonus, up to a monetary cap. These reload bonuses tend to have looser wagering requirements than the welcome bonus.

SI Casino Loyalty Program

Unfortunately, SI Casino does not offer a loyalty program at this time. The casino app is still new to the market, so this may change. Otherwise, Sports Illustrated Casino is going to be at a steep disadvantage compared to bigger brands like BetMGM Casino and DraftKings Casino, which support multi-tiered and highly rewarding player VIP programs.

The very best online casino loyalty programs refund 30-40% of players’ theoretical loss. These kickbacks come by way of free play, luxurious gifts, free tickets, crossover benefits with land-based casino properties, and more.

Loyalty programs go a long way toward keeping players in the game and giving them a better chance to win. The absence of one may prevent SI Casino from ever becoming a top-tier brand.

SI Online Casino Games

SI Casino launched with a large and diverse library of casino games, which includes over 500 slots, live dealer games, and a healthy mix of video poker and table games.

Here is a full breakdown, based on the latest count:

• 523 online slots of all types
• 30 Daily Jackpot progressives
• Nine other progressives
• 36 table games
• 11 video poker games

SI Casino has secured partnerships with several top-flight online slots manufacturers, including NetEnt, Playtech, IGT, High 5, Light & Wonder, and of course 888 Holdings. Players should have little trouble finding at least some of their favorite games.

One highlight of SI Casino’s game library is its exclusive titles. In addition to Sports Illustrated branded slots, the app supports an impressive 50 exclusive titles, many of them tied to SI’s Daily Jackpots.

The early addition of Live Dealer games propels SI Casino’s game library to even greater heights. It’s not quite on the level of some of Michigan’s bigger brands, like Golden Nugget Casino, but it’s closer than one might expect.

SI Casino Slots

As is the case with nearly every US online casino, slots account for the bulk of SI Casino’s game selection. The site launched with close to 500 slots and has since exceeded that figure. That’s not too far behind Michigan’s top-tier brands, which is quite impressive considering most MI online casinos had a 1-2 year hard start.

Unfortunately, only a couple of slots are directly connected to the Sports Illustrated brand, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party, and Sports Illustrated Arcade. SI Casino really needs to do a better job leveraging its powerful brand associations.

On a more positive note, thanks to Sports Illustrated’s partnership with 888 Holdings, the site is swimming with 888 exclusive slots. Admittedly, many 888 slots are extremely dated, but there are more than enough standouts, including the iconic Millionaire Genie.

SI Casino also features a dizzying array of slot formats, including screamingly popular Megaways slots like Divine Fortune Megaways, Bonanza, and Endless Treasure Megaways. Slingo and Reveal slots also make an appearance, as well as land-based casino favorites like 88 Fortunes, Dancing Drums, Cleopatra, and Wheel of Fortune on Tour.

Perhaps the most alluring feature of SI Casino’s slot collection is its Daily Jackpot slots. 30 slots feature a linked “Must Pay” progressive that hits every single day. It’s not the biggest progressive, typically topping out at a few thousand dollars, but that figure could swell as the site grows larger.

A novel feature of SI’s Daily Jackpot slots is that if the progressive doesn’t hit by 8 pm EST, all eligible slots enter a “Hot State,” which increases the odds someone will walk away a big winner. Playing during a hot state will vastly increase a slot’s RTP, as not only will the odds be better, but the jackpot would have swelled significantly.

SI Casino also supports a second-linked progressive. This one features a much bigger progressive that commonly tops out over $100k, but is significantly tougher to hit.

SI Casino Table Games and Video Poker

The table game selection at SI Casino is shockingly good. Staples like Blackjack are covered in abundance, with Multihand Blackjack and Blackjack variants like 777 Blazing Blackjack, Zappit Blackjack, and Bet The Set 21 all available at launch.

There are also plenty of solid Roulette games to choose from including European (single-zero) Roulette and a few one-off Roulette variants.

SI Casino also features a fair number of carnival games, like Let it Ride, Casino Hold’em Poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. There are also five versions of Baccarat to choose from.

A fair portion of SI Casino’s table games feature better rules than one might find at a land-based casino, although that’s not an unusual facet of MI online casinos.

The video poker selection is also above average, featuring tough-to-find games like Aces & Faces. Players can also find single- and multi-line variants of old classics like Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus, and Deuces Wild. Ultimate X games are also available and come in three flavors, three-play, five-play, and 10-play.

SI Live Dealer Casino

SI Casino cannot claim a private Live Dealer studio like BetMGM Casino or FanDuel Casino, but just the fact that it has live dealer games this early in its lifespan is impressive.

Live dealer games combine the social benefits of playing live with the comforts of gambling from one’s own home. The dealers are real, the cards are real, and players can interact with their table buddies. The main difference is that all betting is handled virtually, a nuance that not only speeds up the game but allows tables to seat more than a few players.

SI Casino certainly doesn’t offer the most eclectic Live Dealer experience, but it’s more than adequate. There are roughly a dozen Blackjack tables to choose from with table minimums ranging from $1 up to $50. The popular Free Bet Blackjack variant is also available, which allows players to double down or split their hand for free, at the cost of all live hands pushing when the dealer makes 22.

Roulette comes in a few different flavors, with limits starting as low as $0.10. SI Casino also offers a variety of Live Single Zero Roulette games, which is a rarity at both Live Dealer and land-based casinos, especially at low limits.

Other Live Dealer games offered include:

• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Buffalo Blitz Live Slots
• Football Studio

Whereas most US Live Dealer tech is provided by Evolution, SI Casino went with Playtech for its platform. Admittedly, the Playtech product is somewhat less refined than Evolution’s suite, but it offers a nice alternative for players looking to mix in more game variety.

SI Casino App Review

Players can download the SI Casino app for iOS and Android devices. To get started, either navigate to the casino’s mobile homepage and click on the Google Play or App Store link, or simply search for “SI Casino app” from your preferred browser.

A fully functional version of the app is also available on desktop.

SI Casino is a standalone app, so players looking to weave in bets on SI Sportsbook will have to download both. Even the desktop casino website is distinct from its sports betting counterpart. Better integration is something SI and 888 should seriously consider down the road.

Players outside the state of Michigan will immediately notice that SI Casino has overly strict geolocation requirements. Unless they’re within MI borders they won’t be able to sign up, check their account information, or make deposits. They won’t even be able to log in, which is absurd.

If SI Casino hopes to raise brand awareness and build trust, it needs to allow players to create accounts and access them from anywhere. This is how it works on most legal US casino apps, where players must be within state lines to gamble for real money, but can perform a variety of other actions from out-of-state.

The app itself is aesthetically pleasing and quite functional. Much like the sportsbook, the app uses a clean red and black design that’s easy on the eyes. Games are represented with colorful icons and jackpot amounts are clearly displayed below eligible slots.

One minor quibble is that there’s too much whitespace on the desktop app, resulting in a lot of unnecessary scrolling. This issue doesn’t exist on mobile.

The Live Dealer section could also use some work, as right now it feels cluttered, and the bloated game icons are low-res snapshots of the dealers, often looking miserable.

Gaming categories are nestled in the app’s hamburger menu, and players can filter online slots by provider, which is a nice touch that more US online casinos should incorporate.

SI Casino also provides a bunch of predesigned slots categories. Some of these provide solid value, especially the “Just Released!” and “Totally Exclusive” categories. Other categories, like ones that break down slots into thematic elements, will be pretty irrelevant to most players.

The casino also provides a full and relatively easy-to-navigate help section, where players can find answers to common queries.

Finally, the app provides links to SI.com, SI Tix, and the SI Shop. It still has a long way to go before it fully leverages the Sports Illustrated brand, but this is a good start.

SI Casino App Screenshots

SI Casino Deposit Methods

SI Casino offers a fair number of depositing methods, on par with most legal US online casinos:

SI Casino claims to process all withdrawal requests within one hour. Once processed, expect payouts to hit your account within 2-3 business days, depending on your withdrawal method. Here are your options:

• ACH transfers
• Play+
• PayPal
• Visa/MasterCard debit cards

SI Online Casino Customer Support

SI Casino has limited support options. Players that wish to contact customer service can fill out a form with pertinent details and will receive an email response back, usually within 24 hours.

There is no live chat or phone option, which means turnaround times will be on the longer side.

At least SI Casino doesn’t bury its contact information under a barrage of text or behind several FAQ pages. Each self-help page has a distinct “Contact Us” icon located at the bottom of the page, which directs players to the support form.

More About SI Casino

888 Holdings first announced its sports betting partnership with Sports Illustrated in June 2021. The newly forged team went straight to work, launching in Colorado ahead of the 2021 NFL Season.

Ahead of SI Sportsbook’s Virginia launch in May 2022, 888 shuttered its underperforming New Jersey sportsbook, paving the way for SI Sportsbook to eventually land in the Garden State.

SI Sportsbook seized a valuable opportunity when TwinSpires pulled out of the Michigan iGaming market. In August 2022, it received regulatory approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to be the platform provider for Island Resort & Casino, operated by the Hannahville Indian Community and previously partnered with TwinSpires.

SI had no other path into the market, as all other iGaming licenses had already been scooped up by other providers.

SI Sportsbook went live in Michigan in early November 2022. This was followed by the launch of the first SI Casino in February 2023.

In its first full month in the MI market, SI Casino generated $2.1 million in gross receipts, dipping to just $1.5 million by May 2023. This places it in the bottom tier of MI online casinos. However, given the casino’s strong branding and strong platform, there appears to be room for significant growth.

SI Casino FAQ

Expert Opinion: Is SI Casino Legit?

As a regulated online casino in Michigan, SI Casino must adhere to a series of strict rules designed to ensure game fairness and protect customer identities and funds.

If that weren’t assurance enough, the online casino is powered by 888 Holdings, which has been one of the largest and most reputable iGaming providers in Europe for over two decades. 888 has also held a presence in the legal US online casino market since its inception in 2013 when it first launched in New Jersey.

On the other side of the partnership is Sports Illustrated, a brand that even non-sports fans know and respect. It’s also a brand that would never ruin the reputation it built over 70 years.

SI Casino has its share of flaws. There’s no player loyalty program, the app could be more accessible to players outside Michigan, and the bonus wagering requirements could be lower. Yet, its legitimacy as a fair and reputable site is not in question.