Detroit Casinos Recover in March After Weak Results in January and February

In March, Detroit's gambling scene experienced a notable resurgence, bouncing back from year-over-year losses in the preceding months of the current year. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), the trio of commercial casinos in Detroit collectively raked in $123.86 million, marking the most prosperous March since 2019, when the total GGR peaked at $140.3 million.

• MGM Grand Detroit led the way with approximately $57 million in GGR, encompassing slots, table games, and sports betting.
• MotorCity Casino followed closely, earning $38.9 million, a 7.2% year-over-year increase.
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown generated $28 million, reflecting a modest 1.4% annual decline.

March’s strong results marked a 4.1% overall improvement from 2023, offering hope for continued recovery after a slow start to the year.

Sports Betting and Tax Contributions

Retail sports betting also contributed to Detroit’s gains, with total handles across the three casinos amounting to $17.25 million.

• Hollywood Casino’s ESPN Bet sportsbook topped the charts with $731,389 in revenue.
• MotorCity’s FanDuel book followed with $539,000.
• MGM Grand’s BetMGM sportsbook earned around $327,800.

State and city coffers benefited significantly from March’s uptick, as state tax revenue climbed to $9.9 million, while the City of Detroit received $14.5 million in contributions.

iGaming Growth and Industry Outlook

Despite March’s recovery, first-quarter GGR was still 1.6% lower than Q1 2023, indicating that Detroit’s casinos must sustain momentum to fully rebound. Comparatively, 2023 saw a 3% annual decline, but March 2024 was aided by two extra weekends, boosting visitor traffic and betting activity.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s iGaming market continues to surge:
• In 2023, online casinos generated a record $1.9 billion from digital slots and tables.
• Online sports betting contributed $420.4 million in revenue.
• Early 2024 reports show a 23% year-over-year increase, nearing last year’s record pace.

Detroit’s casino-affiliated iGaming platforms — including BetMGM, FanDuel, and Hollywood Casino’s online ventures — played a pivotal role in this growth, demonstrating their expanding influence in the digital gaming landscape.

The city’s March rebound highlights a crucial turning point for Detroit’s casino market. With traditional and online gaming both driving momentum, the Motor City’s gambling industry appears poised for renewed strength heading into the remainder of 2024.