The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reported that Detroit casinos produced $106.4 million in November revenue, it’s highest total since before the pandemic for the month. The monthly revenue record the casinos set in November 2019 ($124.2 million) has stood for five years.
The three commercial properties have endured a lot since reaching that previous high. The facilities each got through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and a 47-day strike last year that spanned from late October in early December. Revenue totals in each year were severely affected.
Detroit casinos can take solace in knowing that November was a clean and solid month for the industry.
November revenue gets Detroit properties back on track
Detroit casinos benefitted from a workforce in full operation this November, as properties posted a solid month of earnings. To no surprise, the casinos experienced a 39.9% year-over-year increase and a 2.5% month-over-month increase.
It was Detroit’s best month since 2019 when it posted revenue of $124.2 million. It’ll be a tall order for facilities return to that level again. However, with earnings above $100 million, properties can’t be too dissatisfied.
The graph below shows the peaks and valleys of the industry since 2019.
Detroit casinos on pace for post-pandemic yearly high
November’s total puts the city casinos at $1.17 billion in yearly revenue with one month to go. That puts the properties on pace for $1.28 billion for the year, which would be the highest total since 2019.
The previous three years posted the following:
- 2021: $1.27 billion
- 2022: $1.26 billion
- 2023: $1.22 billion
A goal for 2025 would certainly be to cross the $1.3 billion threshold.
Only one property dips in November
MGM Grand Detroit is the only casino out of the three that experienced a month-over-month decrease. The other properties picked up the slack for the city’s top grossing casino:
- MGM Grand Detroit: $49.2 million, down 0.4% from October ($49.4 million)
- MotorCity Casino: $33.1 million, up 4.4% from October ($31.7 million)
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $24.2 million, up 7.1% from October ($22.5 million)
Each of the three casinos experienced much higher year-over-year increases, too, because of the strike. Here’s how each grew since November 2023:
- MGM Grand Detroit: 60.8%
- MotorCity Casino: 34.6%
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: 17%
Handle down, revenue up for retail sports betting
Betting handle decreased slightly for Detroit retail sportsbooks, but revenue went up in a big way. Overall, handle dipped to to $21 million, which is a 5.4% month-over-month decrease. However, revenue turned in to be $1.9 million, a 131% increase from last month.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown recorded the most revenue at $897,163, but the second-highest handle of with $7.5 million. MotorCity Casino led all properties in handle with $8.4 million in wagers.
