The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announces that 2024 marked a record-breaking year for its commercial and tribal gaming sectors. 

The gaming authority claims the state gained over half a billion dollars from the three physical casinos in Detroit, as well as from retail and online sports betting, iGaming, and fantasy sports. The MGCB gathered $501.4 million mainly for the Michigan School Aid Fund, which supports K-12 public education. 

MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown contributed $99.8 million to the state's gaming tax revenues. Retail sports wagering at the three casinos contributed approximately $655K. 

Online gaming, encompassing earnings from tribal casinos with iGaming partnerships with commercial operators, produced nearly $388.5 million in related state taxes. Mobile sports wagers contributed $12.9 million to the Lansing capital. Taxes on fees for fantasy sports reached $297K. 

Banner Year 

Michigan ranks as the fourth-wealthiest state for commercial gaming in the nation, following Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The recent growth of the state’s gaming sector can be attributed to its legal iGaming market, which is steadily gaining popularity among gaming enthusiasts.

"As we look back on another successful year, I am proud of the significant impact the Michigan Gaming Control Board continues to have on our state and its residents,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “From supporting education and first responders to tackling illegal gambling, the MGCB remains steadfast in its mission to protect consumers and enhance the public good.”

There is not unanimous agreement that the growth of online slot machines, table games, and sports betting on the internet served the public's best interest. Mental health and addiction counselors indicate that easily accessible casinos have resulted in increased instances of problem gambling and the accompanying societal issues such as bankruptcies, broken relationships, family breakdowns, depression, and substance abuse.

"Rather than get up and get dressed and go to a casino, I am now able to gamble from my phone, from my computer, from my living room,” Alia Lucas, a gambling disorder specialist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told Michigan Publin Radio. Lucas says online gambling in Michigan, which is one of only seven states with regulated iGaming, has increased the state health agency’s workload.

“Our interest is making sure the public that’s gambling is doing so healthily,” Lucas said. “It’s required us to be more creative in our approach to make sure we’re providing the necessary information as to what to look for as far as the signs, how to get help, and where that help is.”

Gaming Funding 

Together with the School Aid Fund, the MGCB stated that it provided several essential contributions to state programs from the gaming taxes it gathered. They comprise a $4 million contribution to the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund and $3.7 million to the Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund. 

The MGCB keeps supporting responsible gaming initiatives and resources. The agency allocated $3.75 million to the MGCB’s "Don’t Regret the Bet" initiative, an Emmy Award-winning campaign that advocates for responsible gaming involvement. The MGCB also provided $3 million to the state's Fund for Preventing Compulsive Gambling. 

Michigan imposes an 8.1% tax on revenue from in-person casinos (with an additional 9.9% allocated to the City of Detroit). Revenue from sports betting is subject to an 8.4% tax for commercial casino sportsbooks and tribal online platforms. Online sportsbooks that operate commercially face a higher tax rate of 9.65%. Taxes on online commercial and tribal iGaming vary from 20% to 28% depending on total annual revenue.