A PlayMichigan analysis has found that the three Detroit casinos are, collectively, having their best year since 2019. Combined slot and table game revenue for the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown through the first six months of 2024 was $644.7 million.
In 2019, the combined revenue was $735.4 million for the first six months of the year.
While the industry has rebounded from the devastating pandemic years when casino closures were widespread, the Detroit three still have a long way to go to reach pre-pandemic revenue that was typically near or exceeding $700 million for the period January through June.
June total of $104.6 million down from May, but up year-over-year
The rebound trend was clear in the June numbers.
Figures released today by the Michigan Gaming Control Board show the Detroit casinos had revenue of $104.6 million in June. That’s down 6% from May’s total of $111.3 million, but up 2.6%, year-over-year from revenue of $101.9 million in June of 2023. In fact, June of 2024 is the best June total the Detroit casinos have had since 2021 when $105.8 million was earned.
The June comparison over the last four years is as follows:
- 2021 – $105.8 million
- 2022 – $98.2 million
- 2023 – $101.9. million
- 2024 – $104.6 million
Rebound continues despite poor January numbers
The rebound comes despite very soft January numbers that saw the three casinos record only $93.9 million in slot and table game revenue. It was the lowest monthly revenue total that wasn’t impacted by the workers’ strike or COVID limitations since June of 2005 ($92.6 million).
- January: $93.9 million
- February: $104.8 million
- March: $122.3 million
- April: $107.9 million
- May: $111.3 million
- June: $104.6 million
MGM Grand Detroit tops $300 million for the year for third straight year
For the third straight year — and fifth straight if you take out the pandemic-impacted years — the MGM Grand Detroit has exceeded $300 million in revenue at the mid-way point.
Total six-month revenue for the largest Detroit casino was $301 million. That compares as follows:
- 2018 – $309 million
- 2019 – $315.1 million
- 2020 – $126.5 million (pandemic year)
- 2021 – $247.3 million (pandemic year)
- 2022 – $306 million
- 2023 – $301.2 million
- 2024 – $301 million
All three Detroit casinos down month-over-month
June has, traditionally, been a softer month for Detroit casino revenue. That trend continued as the three Detroit casinos each dropped in revenue compared to a robust May:
- MGM Grand Detroit: $48.7 million down 6.2% from May ($51.9 million)
- MotorCity Casino: $31.5 million down 6.5% from May ($33.7 million)
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $24.4 million down 5% from May ($25.7 million)
Going back to 2010, the six-month combined revenue trend for each casino looks like this:
Hollywood Casino at Greektown clear leader in retail sports betting
Hollywood Casino at Greektown led the three casinos in June sports betting handle by a wide margin. In fact, despite a much slower sports betting calendar, the ESPN BET retail sportsbook at the Greektown casino nearly matched its May numbers.
All this comes just a few months after the Hollywood Casino at Greektown successfully opened the country’s first ESPN BET retail sportsbook just before the NFL Draft held in Detroit.
For June, the retail sports betting handle at the Detroit casinos was as follows:
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $4.1 million (down from $4.4 million in May)
- MotorCity Casino: $2.2 million (down from $3.6 million in May)
- MGM Grand Detroit: $2.1 million (down from $3.1 million in May)
Up next: June online numbers due next week
As for the June online revenue figures, the MGCB is expected to drop those next week.
