Michigan Online Gambling Revenue Smashes Record in May at $301.4 Million

Michigan Online Gambling Revenue Sets New Monthly Online Gambling Record While Cracking Down on Illegal Operators

Michigan’s online gambling sector hit a new high in May, pulling in $301.4 million in total gross receipts. The record-breaking Michigan Online Gambling Revenue was fueled by strong performances in both iGaming (internet casino) and mobile sports betting.

This figure marks a 15.8 % increase over the previous record of $260.5 million set in March, and shows a 26 % increase compared to May 2024. It also topped April’s total by 21.6 %

After accounting for promotional costs, the adjusted gross receipts reached a record $271.8 million which is a 31.4 % jump from May 2024 and 4.6 % above April

Michigan iGaming Revenue: Over $250 Million in May

Gross receipts from online slots and table games amounted to $251.5 million, a 26.6 % year-over-year increase

Adjusted gross receipts hit $236.2 million, climbing 31.9 % compared to last year

Operator rankings:

• BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit – $7.4 million (gross), $63.3 million (adjusted)
• FanDuel/MotorCity Casino – $65.9 million / $61.9 million
• DraftKings/Bay Mills – $36.3 million / $34.1 million

Tax contributions in May included:

• $49.1 million paid by commercial iGaming operators
• $12.7 million to Detroit
• $5.8 million to tribal governing bodies

Sports Betting in Michigan: Up Nearly 20%

• Gross receipts reached $50 million, up 19.3 % year-over-year
• Adjusted receipts came in at $35.6 million, a 27.7 % improvement
• The total handle (amount wagered) was $386.1 million, rising 12.3 % year-over-year
• The hold rate (revenue as a percentage of wagers) was 12.95 %

Top sports betting providers:

• FanDuel/MotorCity: $22.6 M gross, $139.5 M handle, 16.2 % hold
• DraftKings/Bay Mills: $12.5 M gross, $108.2 M handle, 11.55 % hold
• BetMGM/MGM Detroit: $7.4 M gross, $54.7 M handle, 13.73 % hold

Tax contributions:

• $2 million to the state
• $651,441 to Detroit

Detroit Land-Based Casino Revenue: $114 Million

The Michigan Gaming Control Board also released the Michigan online gambling revenue figures for Detroit’s three commercial casinos. They are: MGM Grand, MotorCity, and Hollywood at Greektown:

Combined total: $114 million in May, up 0.4 % year-over-year

• $112.7 million from table games & slots
• $1.3 million from on-site sports betting

Michigan Casino Market share:

• MGM 47%, MotorCity 30%, Hollywood 23%

Taxes paid:

• $9.1 million in state gaming taxes
• $13.4 million to the city of Detroit
• Retail sports betting taxes: $48,431 to state and $59,193 to Detroit

MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist to 5 Illegal Online Gambling Sites

However, it has not all been good news according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) as the took decisive action against five unlicensed online gambling operators.

BoVegas Casino, BUSR, Cherry Gold Casino, Lucky Legends, and Wager Attack Casino have each received a cease-and-desist letter from the MGCB after finding they were deliberately targeting Michigan residents without proper licensing under state law.

Key details of the enforcement action:

Violation of law: All five operators breached the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code, which prohibit unlicensed gaming and sports wagering

Scope of services:

• BoVegas, Cherry Gold Casino, Lucky Legends: offering unregulated slots and table games.
• BUSR and Wager Attack Casino: offering both sports betting and casino gaming without Michigan’s consumer protections

Consumer risks: MGCB highlighted that these offshore platforms expose players to “unreliable payouts, unfair gaming practices, and lack of legal recourse”

Cease-and-desist deadline: Each operator has 14 days to cease all activity or face coordinated enforcement with the Michigan Department of Attorney General

Regulatory response: MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams emphasized protection of the legal market:

“We will not tolerate unlicensed gambling operations that exploit Michigan residents. Our top priority is to protect the public by enforcing the law and shutting down these illegal platforms.”

This crackdown is part of a broader enforcement strategy: the MGCB has previously issued dozens of similar cease-and-desist orders targeting offshore and unlicensed casino and sportsbook operators

Michigan Online Gambling Revenue Summary Takeaways

In short, May 2025 marked a new high-water mark for Michigan’s online gambling landscape—driven by double-digit annual growth in both iGaming and sports betting. On the other hand, brick-and-mortar Detroit casinos held steady. According to Blind Monkey Media, a small business marketing company, this is because this year they have been spending a lot of money on advertising to bolster their visibility.