Michigan online casinos were definitely not in vacation mode in July. The iGaming sector had its fourth-best revenue month in state history with combined earnings of $191.4 million. The numbers were released today by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The revenue was up 4.5% from the June total of $183.2 million. July was also up 25% year-over-year compared to July of 2023 ($153.6 million).
It was the eighth straight month Michigan iGaming revenue exceeded $180 million.
Lifetime, only March 2024 ($215.2 million), May 2024 ($198.6 million) and April 2024 ($193 million) were better revenue months than July.
Through seven months, Michigan online casino revenue has now reached $1.35 billion for the year. The 2024 monthly average now sits at more than $193 million.
PlayMichigan is now projecting online casinos will set a yearly record with more than $2.32 billion or the complete year. In all of 2023, online casino revenue was $1.92 billion.
July numbers up 25% year-over-year
The substantial year-over-year increase shows the steady growth of the Great Lakes State’s iGaming sector.
July of 2024 produced nearly $38 million more than the same month in 2023, an increase of 25%.
There were a number of other notable takeaways in the June numbers.
Takeaway #1: BetMGM tops FanDuel for third straight month
The battle between BetMGM and FanDuel remains intense, but BetMGM widened the gap on FanDuel a little in July.
Though only $4 million in revenue separated the two operators in July — $50.7 million for BetMGM, $46.7 million for FanDuel — that’s a wider gap than June when BetMGM led by only $2.3 million.
BetMGM Casino Michigan had led the Great Lakes State market for 39 straight months ever since online casinos launched in January of 2021. However, that run came to an end in March after FanDuel surpassed it.
FanDuel Casino Michigan enjoyed the online casino crown for two months, but that short-lived run came to an end in May. In one of the closest finishes you’ll see, BetMGM produced revenue of $51.6 million to FanDuel’s $51.5 million.
However, BetMGM is starting to pull away again now, with its lead growing marginally each month since it regained its crown. Though, the fight for the top spot in the Michigan online casino market is far from over.
Takeaway #2: DraftKings rebounds with best month since April
The DraftKings MI online casino has long been the state’s long-time number three operator. But, lately, it had been slipping in revenue, posting declines in each of the last three months.
That trend was halted in July when DraftKings posted its best month in Michigan since April with revenue of $37 million.
In July, DK was $9.6 million behind FanDuel and $13.6 million behind BetMGM.
It’s a significant drop off from DraftKings to fourth-place BetRivers MI online casino, which posed revenue of $12.7 million in July. That was was slightly more than Caesars Palace MI online casino ($11.5 million)
Takeaway #3: Lifetime iGaming tax revenue tops $1.5 billion
Total lifetime state and local tax revenue from online casinos in Michigan exceeded $1.5 billion in July.
BetMGM alone has contributed one-third of the tax revenue (over $510 million), followed by FanDuel ($311 million) and DraftKings ($263 million). Combined, Michigan’s Big 3 operators are responsible for $1.1 billion or 72% of the tax revenue from the iGaming sector.
Takeaway #4: Golden Nugget bucks upward trend
Golden Nugget online casino Michigan continues to have a rollercoaster 2024.
On the heels of earnings of $2.9 million in April, Golden Nugget rebounded sharply in May and June with $8.7 million and $8.66 million, respectively.
Yet, despite most operators being up in July, Golden Nugget posted another head-scratcher with earnings of $7 million, down 19% from June.
Still, it did rank sixth in Michigan, with $1.6 million more than ESPN BET in seventh.
Here’s a closer look at Golden Nugget’s turbulent 2024 monthly revenue in Michigan:
- January: $6.8 million
- February: $4.6 million
- March: $7.7 million
- April: $2.9 million
- May: $8.7 million
- June: $8.66 million
- July: $7 million
Takeaway #4: Michigan will top $6 billion in lifetime online casino revenue in August
Through July, Michigan now has total, lifetime, online casino revenue of $5.97 billion.
PlayMichigan is predicting revenue will exceed $6 billion in August.
July 2024 online casino revenue by operator
| Licensee | Online Brand | Revenue | Promos | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | BetMGM | $50,714,455 | $5,071,446 | $13,350,580 |
| MotorCity | FanDuel | $46,680,736 | $4,668,074 | $12,288,704 |
| Bay Mills | DraftKings | $37,104,824 | $3,710,482 | $9,350,416 |
| Little River Band of Ottawa | BetRivers | $12,721,010 | $1,272,101 | $3,205,694 |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa | Caesars | $11,475,711 | $1,147,571 | $2,891,879 |
| Keweenaw Bay | Golden Nugget | $6,981,271 | $698,127 | $1,759,280 |
| Greektown | ESPN Bet | $4,407,075 | $440,707 | $1,160,162 |
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | Fanatics | $4,019,159 | $401,916 | $1,012,828 |
| Sagniaw Chippewa | Eagle | $3,672,714 | $367,271 | $925,524 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi | Four Winds | $3,618,058 | $361,806 | $911,751 |
| Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa | PokerStars | $2,697,898 | $269,790 | $679,870 |
| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi | betParx | $2,402,755 | $238,418 | $606,014 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa | WynnBet | $2,095,138 | $209,514 | $527,975 |
| Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi | FireKeepers | $2,013,518 | $201,352 | $492,885 |
| Hannahville | SI | $835,618 | $83,562 | $165,452 |
| Total | $191,439,942 | $19,142,137 | $49,329,016 |
