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Michigan sports operators rebounded in October to produce $619.4 million in handle and $75.4 million in revenue, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Both handle and revenue went up 15.2% and 70.2%, respectively, on a month-over-month basis.
Michigan sportsbooks certainly got its lick back against the public.
October sports betting by the numbers
- Handle: $619.4 million ($605.9 million online)
- Revenue: $75.4 million ($73.8 million online)
- Hold: 12.2%
- Month-over-month: Total handle increased 15.2%
- Sports betting taxes: $4.6 million to state and local coffers
- Top online sports betting app by handle: FanDuel Sportsbook with $235.3 million
- Top online sports betting app by revenue: FanDuel with $30.7 million
Read More: Michigan sports betting revenue lifetime totals
Solid month for operators
Bettors started the football season strong as operators reported just $44.3 million in revenue and a 8.2% hold rate.
Sports wagering platforms flipped the switch in October, compiling a 12.2% hold rate, which resulted in $76.5 million in revenue.
A double digit hold rate is certainly what operators are looking for as November and December looms with the NBA, college basketball and NHL in full swing with the NFL.
Changes are coming
The progress of ESPN BET had been worth monitoring, since it’s partnership with PENN Entertainment could end in 2026 after a three-year opt-out clause. However, both parties decided to pull the plug.
Though ESPN BET will cease to exist on Dec. 1, PENN is going to launch theScore Bet, its flagship brand in Canada. The app is essentially rebranding, which means accounts and balances should transfer over.
ESPN BET did not gain the market share both sides had hoped for when partnering in 2023. In October, ESPN BET improved slightly from September:
- January: 5.6%
- February: 5.3%
- March: 5.9%
- April: 5.7%
- May: 4.9%
- June: 5.2%
- July: 4.5%
- August: 5.1%
- September: 5.3%
- October: 5.4%
November is going to be the last full month of ESPN BET.
Fanatics cracks top 4
Fanatics Sportsbook finished as the No. 4 operator in terms of handle for the second straight month in October. It finished behind the usual market leaders of FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM.
Fanatics produced $50.4 million in handle and $4.6 million in revenue. It was the only operator in the top five in handle to record single-digit hold rate.
It’s unlikely for Fanatics to catch any of the top any of the top four operators, however, it is carving its own niche in the market.
October 2025 MI online sports betting revenue by operator
| Licensee | Online Brand | Handle | Revenue | Hold | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MotorCity | FanDuel | $235,346,107 | $30,691,515 | 13.00% | $1,752,095 |
| Bay Mills | DraftKings | $180,494,675 | $21,420,929 | 11.90% | $1,408,705 |
| MGM Grand Detroit | BetMGM | $74,388,331 | $10,685,782 | 14.40% | $704,974 |
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | Fanatics | $50,343,142 | $4,634,936 | 9.20% | $209,601 |
| Greektown | ESPN Bet | $33,371,867 | $4,313,260 | 12.90% | $291,742 |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa | Caesars | $25,440,858 | $2,073,618 | 8.20% | $143,159 |
| Little River Band of Ottawa | BetRivers | $9,638,557 | $1,079,995 | 11.20% | $62,290 |
| Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi | FireKeepers | $3,259,071 | $193,362 | 5.90% | $0 |
| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi | betParx | $3,010,681 | $182,230 | 6.10% | $12,526 |
| Sagniaw Chippewa | Eagle | $2,413,470 | $16,819 | 0.70% | $0 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi | Four Winds | $1,684,537 | $81,651 | 4.80% | $0 |
| Total | $619,391,297 | $75,374,096 | 12.20% | $4,585,091 |
