Michigan Becomes Second-Largest iGaming Market for 2024 After Record-Breaking December

Written By Corey Sharp on January 21, 2025
a second-place silver medal laying on a black surface

Michigan online casinos positioned the state as the second-largest US market in 2024, behind only Pennsylvania, after setting a state record last month. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reported that operators produced $244 million in December revenue.

It’s the third straight month Michigan has beaten its own iGaming revenue record. November was also a record month with a total of $226 million, but December beat that by a comfortable 8%.

Michigan and New Jersey have been involved in a back-and-forth battle for the title of second-largest iGaming market. While New Jersey online casinos earned more revenue in five out of 12 months in 2024, Michigan’s December surge cemented its victory.

The state generated a yearly record of $2.44 billion, shattering 2023’s mark of $1.92 billion. By contrast, New Jersey’s total was $2.38 billion. Pennsylvania is on another level, churning out nearly $2.71 billion in 2024 revenue.

The “Big Three” iGaming states, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey, each broke monthly records in December. While Pennsylvania is the leading US market, Michigan is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, too.

Where Michigan compares to PA and NJ

The Keystone State had been leading the market for awhile. Michigan and New Jersey have been neck-and-neck for the No. 2 spot. The Great Lakes State passed the Garden State comfortably in 2024.

Here is how each state has fared since Michigan launched online casinos in 2021:

YearMichiganNew Jersey
2021$1.11 billion$1.37 billion
2022$1.58 billion$1.67 billion
2023$1.92 billion$1.92 billion
2024$2.44 billion$2.39 billion

New Jersey legalized iGaming in 2013, but it didn’t start to take off until the pandemic in 2o20. Michigan came late to the party, but has appeared to out-pace the Garden State just four full years in operation.

Three straight records broken

During 2024, Great Lakes State operators broke four records in total, which came in March, October, November and December.

The football months are important for online casinos, who get a sizable crossover from sports bettors. The revenue in those months are as follows:

  • March: $215.2 million
  • October: $220.7 million
  • November: $226 million
  • December: $244 million

Revenue was up nearly 8% month-over-month and 34.5% year-over-year. Despite football winding down, the first three months of 2025 usually garner high online casino results.

BetMGM outduels FanDuel in 2024

BetMGM and FanDuel provided a fascinating battle the ultimately came down to the former winning by producing $640.1 million to the latter’s $614.6 million.

BetMGM had led the market for 39 straight months until FanDuel dethroned them last month for the first time. After leading the market in April, too, FanDuel did not finish ahead of BetMGM again in 2024.

BetMGM created some separation in December, generating $65.1 million compared to FanDuel’s $60.7 million.

Fanatics eyes $8 million

Fanatics Casino stole headlines in November by recording $7 million for the first time ever. The operator came close to clearing $8 million in December.

Fanatics has come a long way from recording $3.7 million as late as August 2024. Since then, it has been on a tear:

  • September: $5.7 million
  • October: $6.4 million
  • November: $7.2 million
  • December: $7.9 million

Look for the operator to break $8 million in January.

December 2024 online casino revenue by operator

LicenseeOnline BrandRevenuePromosTaxes
MGM Grand DetroitBetMGM$65,136,663$6,513,666$17,147,226
MotorCityFanDuel$60,749,081$6,077,022$15,991,578
Bay MillsDraftKings$41,560,490$4,093,517$10,490,752
Little River Band of OttawaBetRivers$16,157,412$1,615,741$4,071,668
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and ChippewaCaesars$15,873,301$1,587,330$4,000,072
Keweenaw BayGolden Nugget$11,142,687$1,114,269$2,807,957
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior ChippewaFanatics$7,928,445$792,845$1,997,968
GreektownHollywood$5,571,346$557,135$1,466,657
Pokagon Band of PotawatomiFour Winds$3,932,577$393,258$991,009
Sagniaw ChippewaEagle$3,782,549$378,255$953,202
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of ChippewaHorseshoe$3,403,050$340,305$857,569
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of PottawatomibetParx$3,296,705$329,671$830,770
Little Traverse Bay Bands of OdawaPokerStars$2,683,029$268,303$676,123
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of PotawatomiFireKeepers$1,944,368$194,437$489,981
HannahvilleSI$824,239$82,424$192,872
Total$243,985,944$24,338,176$62,965,405
Photo by Sergii Gnatuiuk/Shutterstock
Corey Sharp Avatar
Written by
Corey Sharp

Corey Sharp joined Catena Media in 2022 and is the go-to expert for Michigan gambling. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he previously worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC Sports Philadelphia as a sports journalist and content producer. In Corey’s role as Lead Writer for PlayMichigan, he works alongside a talented team of expert journalists and analysts to bring you the most comprehensive and accurate coverage of gambling news in Michigan. Corey’s contacts around the industry makes him a trusted source. Corey produces daily stories and features about the gambling space. Corey graduated from Holy Family University in Philadelphia with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.

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