Michigan Retail and Online Casinos Help Drive Record-Setting Year


Over $500 Million Generated for Michigan in 2024

Michigan’s retail and online casinos, combined with sports betting, delivered in a big way during 2024, pulling in over $500 million in state revenue. The School Aid Fund saw an injection of $501.4 million earmarked for K-12 public education. Additionally, another $14.5 million supported responsible gaming programs, public safety initiatives, and agricultural and equine industries.

Retail vs. Online Performance: Notably, approximately 77% of all gaming tax revenue came from online casinos, dwarfing the combined contributions of retail casinos, sportsbooks, and other gaming operations. Fantasy contests, while a much smaller sector, added nearly $300,000 to the total.

Sports Betting Records Continue Toppling in 2024

November 2024 was all about record-breaking sports betting numbers. The monthly handle reached $671.2 million, blowing past the prior high from December 2023 by nearly $58 million. This performance marked a 15% increase year-over-year and month-over-month. Gross revenue for sports betting in November 2024 surged 62.7% from the prior year, hitting $60.2 million, with adjusted revenue skyrocketing 333% month-over-month to $39 million.

A Historical Perspective

Since sports betting launched in January 2021, Michigan has handled over $5 billion in total wagers. Sports betting tax revenue has remained a steady contributor, climbing from $1.5 million in 2020 to over $25 million in 2021. Rapid growth in the market saw Michigan’s 2024 sports betting handle exceed $4 billion by October.

Detroit Casinos Maintain Steady Growth

The three Detroit-based casinos reported a boost in monthly aggregate revenue for August 2024, bringing in $112.5 million. Of that, $110.8 million came from table games and slots, while retail sports betting contributed $1.7 million. MGM, which controlled 48% of the market share, continued to dominate, followed by MotorCity (28%) and Hollywood Casino at Greektown (24%).
Gaming tax contributions in August 2024 were as follows:
– $8.97 million paid to the State of Michigan.
– $17.3 million was distributed to the City of Detroit through wagering taxes and development agreement payments.

The Role of Platforms in Michigan’s iGaming Surge

Michigan’s record-breaking iGaming revenue in 2024 can be credited to a combination of competitive platforms offering seamless access to online casino games. Operators like BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel saw sharp growth in user engagement, contributing to record monthly receipts in November. These platforms provide not just traditional games like poker and blackjack but also emerging niche options that attract a broader demographic.
Among these, Michigan online casino operators stood out, driving $388.5 million in tax revenue, or 77% of the state’s total gaming collections. Their contributions surpassed retail casinos and sportsbooks, which generated $100.5 million in tax revenue, cementing their dominance.

iGaming Smashes Records for November

Internet gaming receipts hit an all-time high of $226.0 million in November 2024. When combined with online and retail sports betting, the total monthly gross gaming revenue reached $284.3 million—marking a 35.9% increase from the previous year and 12.1% higher than October 2024.
Adjusted gross receipts for iGaming and sports betting after accounting for promotional spending totaled $240.4 million in the same month, a 51.9% jump year-over-year. This performance reinforces the dominance of online platforms, which overwhelmingly lead Michigan’s gaming market.

Fantasy Contests and Smaller Markets

Even amid the surge from iGaming and sports betting, ancillary sectors such as fantasy sports contests contributed consistent, albeit smaller, figures. In July 2024, fantasy contest operators reported $555,117 in revenues and paid $46,630 in taxes. While these numbers pale in comparison to online casinos, they remain part of Michigan’s robust gaming ecosystem.

Retail Casino Wins Continue into Late 2024

November 2024 saw retail casino operations generate $108.4 million in total revenues, a 37% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Among these earnings:

  • Table games and slots accounted for $106.4 million.
  • Retail sports betting added $1.91 million.
    The revenue for retail casinos hasn’t matched the online casino sector but has shown steady growth, with numbers outperforming both October 2024 and the prior year’s November figures.

The Long View: Sustained Growth Across Sectors

Michigan’s 2024 gaming industry saw strength across the board, from iGaming dominance to Detroit’s strong land-based performance. Sports betting continues to defy seasonal expectations, consistently exceeding prior records. Online platforms remain Michigan’s gaming powerhouse, cementing the state’s standing as a leader in the competitive nationwide market.

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