It’s still not at nine figures, but the June Michigan online casino revenue totals provide impressive figures for the state, nonetheless.
The Michigan internet gaming sector raised $89.2 million of gross revenue in June, the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Monday. The state teased the $100 million mark for the third month running.
Michigan could become the third state to post nine-figure revenue in a single month of internet gaming. That milestone would put the Great Lakes State in the company of industry leaders New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
June’s revenue total for Michigan internet gaming was down 5.9% from May’s output of $94.9 million. In addition, the state’s internet gaming leader reported a major write-off that impacted the June tax haul.
Michigan’s head regulator said summer weather and the lifting of pandemic restrictions also contributed to the slight slide, which also included a downtick in online sports betting.
“Michigan’s gross internet casino gaming and online sports betting wagering receipts in June roughly matched May,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director, in a news release. “Summer is here, and Michigan is reopening after the pandemic restrictions, so there are many entertainment opportunities. The slight tenth of a percent decline from May to June shows internet gaming and online sports betting continues to draw Michigan residents’ and visitors’ interest.”
BetMGM Casino again leads way in revenue; customer lawsuit ongoing
Thirteen operators were live for the June online casino revenue totals in Michigan. BetMGM led the way in revenue with $33.8 million, a 37.8% market share. BetMGM Casino generates the lion’s share of that revenue, while BetMGM Poker also contributes.
| Licensee | Online Brand | Revenue | Promos | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | BetMGM | $33,760,818 | $17,544,525 | $4,743,266 |
| Bay Mills | DraftKings | $15,474,640 | $1,547,464 | $3,899,609 |
| MotorCity | FanDuel | $14,835,065 | $1,483,507 | $3,905,331 |
| Little River Band of Ottawa | BetRivers | $5,989,809 | $598,981 | $1,509,432 |
| Keweenaw Bay | Golden Nugget | $4,338,753 | $433,875 | $1,093,366 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa | WynnBet | $3,891,726 | $389,173 | $980,715 |
| Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa | PokerStars | $3,289,844 | $328,984 | $829,041 |
| Greektown | Barstool | $2,843,660 | $284,366 | $748,594 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi | Four Winds | $2,088,864 | $208,886 | $413,595 |
| Hannahville | TwinSpires | $1,416,397 | $141,640 | $280,447 |
| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi | Play Gun Lake | $585,200 | $58,520 | $105,336 |
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | PointsBet | $514,809 | $0 | $102,962 |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa | Caesars | $172,651 | $0 | $34,530 |
| Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi | FireKeepers | $11,902 | $1,190 | $2,142 |
| Total | $89,214,138 | $23,021,111 | $18,648,365 |
It’s the continuation of a successful run for BetMGM, which also is facing accusations in a lawsuit filed by a Michigan woman seeking $3 million of what she says is winnings from a malfunctioning online roulette game. The story broke in late June.
BetMGM reported just $16.2 million in adjusted revenue, reflecting a heavy promotional spend.
DraftKings Casino was second with $15.5 million of revenue (17.3% market share), and FanDuel Casino was third with $14.8 million (16.6% share).
FireKeepers Casino widely launched its casino and sportsbook online properties last week and reported $11,902 in June online casino revenue. A FireKeepers representative told PlayMichigan that the MGCB approved a soft launch for the platform last month.
BetMGM finally posts bonus play promo spend, cutting June tax haul
Promotional spend for internet gaming was reported as an all-time high. Operators reported ponying up $23.0 million in the month, according to our lifetime Michigan online casino revenue tally. From January through May, operators reported a total of $24.5 million in casino promotional spend.
In June, BetMGM alone reported $17.5 million on promos. Operators are allowed up to 10% of bonus play deductions for each of the first three years of online casinos. The brand had not reported any online bonus play since launch.
That accounting catchup meant less in taxes for the state, city of Detroit and Michigan’s 12 federally recognized Native American tribes.
June internet gaming raised $13.7 million in state taxes and $3.1 million for the city of Detroit through city casino operators. Tribal operators paid $1.85 million in taxes to Native American governmental operations.
Since the state’s Jan. 22 launch of internet gaming, $483.1 million of revenue has been generated, resulting in $85.2 million in state taxes, $24.0 million in taxes and fees for Detroit, and $9.1 million for tribal operators.
