Michigan’s gaming industry reported combined gross receipts of $175.4 million in online casino gaming and sports betting for August, a marginal 0.4% decrease compared to July’s $176.1 million. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) revealed that online casino gaming accounted for $152.2 million in gross receipts, while gross sports betting receipts totaled $23.2 million.
Details of the Report:
Online Gaming vs. Sports Betting: The combined adjusted gross receipts (AGR) for online casino gaming and sports betting reached $153.1 million in August, with $137.2 million attributed to online gaming and $15.9 million to online sports betting. This represents a minor decline of 0.7% in online gaming AGR and a 3% decrease in online sports betting AGR compared to July.
Year-on-Year Comparison: When compared to the same month in the previous year, online gaming AGR experienced significant growth, surging by 16.8%. Conversely, online sports betting saw a modest decrease of 1.3%.
Online Sports Betting Handle: The online sports betting handle in August amounted to $218.5 million, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous month’s $200.8 million.
Tax Contributions: Michigan’s gaming operators contributed $29.7 million in taxes and payments to the state in August. Of this amount, $28.6 million was generated from online gaming, and $1.1 million came from online sports betting. Additionally, the three Detroit casinos paid $7.3 million in wagering taxes and municipal service fees to the City of Detroit, while tribal operators made payments totaling $3.6 million to governing bodies.
Discussion on Combatting Illegal Gaming:
Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, recently engaged in discussions with Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and State Rep. Cynthia Neeley to explore strategies to combat illegal gaming in the state. The meeting aimed to address the impact of unregulated storefront casinos and illegal gaming operations on residents and the broader perception of regulated gaming.
While Michigan’s gaming industry witnessed a slight dip in combined gross receipts in August, it remains a robust and growing sector. Online gaming continues to show impressive year-on-year growth, and the state’s efforts to combat illegal gaming demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the integrity and reputation of regulated gambling within Michigan.