It seems 2025 wasn't the jackpot year for Detroit's casino sector. According to a report from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the city’s casino trio – MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown – pulled in $105.1 million during December. While this might sound like a win, the numbers mark a slight slump in the economic vitality that these establishments once enjoyed. The December figures reflect a 5.4% decline in year-over-year comparison for table games and slots. Also, digging into the details reveals retail sports betting wasn’t the game changer one might have hoped, bringing in just $1.7 million.
Breaking down the market share, MGM continued to lead with 49%, followed by MotorCity's 29%, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown holding 22%. This revenue distribution echoes the downward trend, with MGM being the standout, only marginally down by 1.0%. MotorCity saw a steeper decline, down by 9.2%, and Hollywood Casino by 9.5%. Interestingly, despite the stumble in numbers, retail sports betting gross receipts actually saw an uptick. Totaling $1.8 million in December, it ushered in a subtle 0.7% rise from November, and a more noteworthy $1.4 million increase from December 2024. Such data suggest a growing interest in sports betting as part of Detroit’s gaming portfolio.
Considering the broader timeframe, from January to December, Detroit's casinos accumulated $1.2 billion in revenue. Slot machines continued to dominate, paying dividends with $1.02 billion of the total, while table games and retail sports betting found their supporters with $247.8 million and $14.2 million respectively. Slots and table games remain the linchpins of the industry. But the optimization of retail sports betting's potential could be pivotal in altering the course of future revenue streams, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The tax implications for these revenue figures are substantial. The State of Michigan collected $8.4 million in gaming taxes from the casinos in December, a slight decrease from 2024's $8.9 million. Meanwhile, the City of Detroit benefited from $12.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments. And let’s not gloss over the year’s total taxes: $102.5 million went to the state from slots and table games, with an additional $535,323 from retail sports betting, marking a growth in this sector over the previous year's takings.
Outside the bright lights of the casino floor, another form of wagering has been making its mark. Fantasy sports have carved out a niche, and as of November, operators reported revenues of $1.16 million, leading to $97,032 in tax payments. The year-to-date figure is more impressive: $8.9 million in revenue with $744,022 funneling into tax coffers. This entertainment form, while a relatively small player, is on an upward trajectory that demands attention from industry watchers and policymakers alike, as per the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
