Detroit retail casinos produced $104.8 million in revenue during the month of January, making for a significantly stronger start to 2025 than they had last year.
Although 2024 started poorly for the commercial casinos, revenue was accelerating toward the end of the year. The three Detroit properties—MotorCity, Greektown, and MGM Grand—generated $109.3 million in December, capping off a the highest yearly revenue total since 2019. The industry has carried the good vibes into the start of a new year.
With a stronger start in 2025, hopefully it indicates a boost for the rest of the year. Perhaps it can top 2024’s total.
Revenue figures in this article are official numbers reported monthly by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
January revenue to quiet critics
There had been growing concern about the industry, after recording just $93.9 million in slots and table game revenue last January. That was the lowest monthly revenue total that wasn’t impacted by the workers’ strike or pandemic limitations since June of 2005 ($92.6 million).
The silver lining to that is it means the industry’s otherwise-modest performance this January represents 11.6% annual growth, in a retail sector where double-digits rates are rare.
It appears as if that disappointing month was just a blip, considering properties did not drop below $100 million in revenue again in 2024. January is often a slower month for Detroit casinos for a number of reasons, ranging from weather to families’ disposable income having been depleted by the holidays. However, a faster start in 2025 bodes well for the future in the Motor City.
Because of numerous variables with the strike and pandemic, January has been a volatile month for establishments since 2019:
Good signs over the next two months
February and March have increased in revenue in both 2023 and 2024. Last year displayed an even more dramatic bump, which looked like the following:
- January: $93.9 million
- February: $104.8 million
- March: $122.3 million
Last February saw an increase of 11.6% followed by another of 16.7% in March. Should a similar trend continue, casinos would see totals of $117 million and $136.5 million over the next two months.
A total of $136.5 million would be the highest since March 2019.
Detroit casinos trend down MoM
Despite the hot start, revenue dropped from December at a 6.4% clip. All three Detroit properties experienced a decline in January.
Last month’s statistics are as follows:
- MGM Grand Detroit: $49.9 million, down 2.5% from December ($51.2 million)
- MotorCity Casino: $30.6 million, down 7.3% from December ($33 million)
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $21.8 million, down 13.1% from December ($25.1 million)
MGM Grand and MotorCity Casino each increased by an impressive rate on a year-over-year basis. Hollywood Casino at Greektown is the only property to decline from last January:
- MGM Grand Detroit: 11.9% increase
- MotorCity Casino: 12.9% increase
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: 1.8% decrease
MotorCity Casino leads in sports betting handle
January is exciting month of sports with college football and NFL playoffs and a full slate a NBA and college basketball. MotorCity Casino posted impress handle totals:
- MotorCity Casino: $9.1 million
- MGM Grand Detroit: $5.4 million
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $4.9 million
Of the three, MotorCity Casino generated the most revenue of $1.2 million.
MotorCity Casino has led the three properties in handle in each of the last four months.
