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The Michigan gambling market has had its fair share of significant stories in 2025, which are likely to be fleshed out even more in 2026.
Michigan is a rich gambling state that has online casinos, online sportsbooks, online poker, and retail casinos, both commercial and tribal. This year is going to be critical for each vertical.
PlayMichigan takes a look at the gambling stories expected to shape 2026 in the Great Lakes State.
Can iGaming continue to grow?
For each iGaming state, which also includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the question remains how much more can the industry grow.
Through 11 months of 2025, Michigan platforms had generated $2.77 billion in revenue. That already bested 2024’s 12-month total of $2.44 billion.
The vertical is on pace to exceed $3 billion in revenue for 2025, which would be a new record and a 23.8% increase from 2024.
The question on everyone’s mind heading into 2026: Can the vertical continue to grow at a near 25% rate?
Force against illegal gambling
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is not shy about issuing cease-and-desist letters to illegal platforms that operate in the Great Lakes State. Just last month, the MGCB sent letters to three sweepstakes casino operators. It targeted 19 companies earlier this year.
Sweeps have been an issue for many states across the country. New York, New Jersey, and California banned the platforms in 2025. So far, Michigan has not followed suit.
State gaming regulators have been successful in stopping illegal sites from operating in Michigan, MGCB Chief of Staff Kurt Steinkamp said on a panel earlier this year.
“The reason that we’re succeeding is that we’re very public about it. The state not only issues a press release along with each letter, it maintains a public list of the offending companies.”
Predicting the future?
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Robinhood made their way to Michigan in 2025, and across most of the US.
Operators are able to offer “yes” or “no” sports contracts, which are federally regulated under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Because of that, state-enacted consumer protections do not apply to what is essentially sports wagering.
It has become a controversy not only in Michigan but across the country. The MGCB has threatened sportsbooks operating in the state that their licenses could be in jeopardy if they engage in any prediction market offerings.
New Jersey and Kalshi are currently embroiled in a lawsuit that could determine the legality of certain offerings, especially sports contracts. A decision in 2026 could ignite a domino effect across the US, which would undoubtingly include Michigan.
Hard Rock enters the chat
Hard Rock Bet recently became the newest iGaming platform in the Great Lakes State. It is partnered with the Hannahville Indian Community and replaced SI Casino.
Hard Rock had been eyeing the Michigan market for a while. It acquired 888 Holdings, which also owned Sports Illustrated, in 2024. After much anticipation, the operator finally launched last month in Michigan.
Hard Rock is no stranger to the gambling scene. It has a retail and online presence in New Jersey, where it is a top-6 platform in the state, producing $13.4 million in November revenue.
It’ll be interesting to see how the operator performs in Michigan, as FanDuel Casino, BetMGM Casino, and DraftKings Casino are the clear market leaders.
Can BetMGM regain crown?
For the first time since iGaming launched, BetMGM finished behind FanDuel. Through November, the totals are as follows:
- FanDuel: $740.2 million
- BetMGM: $714.7 million
The two operators had flip-flopped back and forth for the first half of the year. However, since June, FanDuel has led the market in revenue every month.
FanDuel Casino has improved its standing not only in Michigan, but in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, too. It leads the market in both states.
FanDuel made the trifecta in Michigan, owning the top three iGaming states in the US. Can BetMGM regain some the magic it had the first four years since iGaming was legalized in Michigan?
These are just some of the stories PlayMichigan will be watching in 2026 as the gambling industry continues to evolve across the US and in the great state of Michigan.
