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Michigan online casinos didn’t quite see the boost in October one might have expected from the Detroit casino workers’ strike.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board released October’s online revenue numbers and Michigan online casinos recorded $160.3 million in combined revenue.
It’s still the third-highest monthly total in the state’s history and a 13.7% increase from October 2022’s $141 million. However, it is a 3.7% drop from September’s $166.4 million.
October 2023 Michigan online casino revenue
Online casinos in Michigan continue to make big gains from a year ago with October suring last year’s mark by over $25 million.
- Online casino revenue: $160.3 million, down 3.7% from September
- October online casino tax payments: $30.1 million to state and $11.2 million to local entities
- Top online casino app by revenue: BetMGM Michigan with $45.6 million
Three takeaways from October Michigan online casino report
Strike doesn’t lead to record online casino revenue
For 14 days in October, the three Detroit casinos were dealing with the workers’ strike.
While we saw that impact their retail slots and table game revenue by nearly $24 million, that didn’t carry over to the online casinos.
Pennsylvania saw its second-highest total monthly online casino revenue in October ($186.9 million), while New Jersey hit a new monthly record in October ($166.8 million).
Given the national trends and the strike, one would have expected Michigan to push toward the state’s record of $171.8 million from March 2023.
Perhaps the workers’ strike impacted the online casinos to a degree.
Only BetMGM Michigan (MGM Grand Detroit) saw a noticeable drop from its 2023 average. The $45.6 million it generated in October is well below its $49.7 million it was averaging per month in 2023 through September.
FanDuel Michigan (MotorCity Casino) actually set a new monthly record in October with just under $37 million. Barstool Casino (Hollywood Casino at Greektown) did $3.3 million in October revenue, its highest mark since July.
Michigan nearly matches 2022 online casino revenue
Overall online casino revenue for 2023 has already nearly matched the total for all of 2022.
Through 10 months, all Michigan online casinos have collected $1.57 billion in revenue. In all of 2022, the online casinos had $1.58 billion in revenue.
For the year, online casino revenue is up 22% through 10 months compared to where it was at through the first 10 months of 2022 ($1.28 billion).
Michigan is clearly going to set a record for online casino revenue in 2023. The state is averaging $156.7 million in iGaming revenue per month. If that holds up for the final two months, Michigan will hit $1.88 billion for the year.
Three operators set new revenue records
Along with FanDuel Casino hitting a new monthly record, two other operators ed in for October.
BetRivers Michigan posted a record total last month by bringing in $10.6 million in revenue. It’s just the second time BetRivers has ever sured the $10 million mark.
Good news for BetRivers is the last time was in August. It has now record four consecutive months with at least $9 million in online casino revenue.
PointsBet, a “Fanatics Experience” continues to set new marks as well. In September, PointsBet Michigan set a record for itself with $1.88 million in online casino revenue. It followed that up in October with $2.16 million, another new high.
PointsBet continues to see huge overall casino revenue gains in 2023. It’s $15.2 million through 10 months is a 97.5% jump compared to where it was at this point in 2022 ($7.67 million).
Michigan online casino October 2023 revenue by operator
| Licensee | Online Brand | Revenue | Promos | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | BetMGM | $45,629,494 | $4,562,949 | $12,011,964 |
| MotorCity | FanDuel | $36,952,740 | $3,695,274 | $9,727,809 |
| Bay Mills | DraftKings | $32,248,249 | $3,224,825 | $8,126,559 |
| Little River Band of Ottawa | BetRivers | $10,632,070 | $1,063,207 | $2,679,282 |
| Keweenaw Bay | Golden Nugget | $6,453,898 | $645,390 | $1,626,382 |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa | Caesars | $5,925,633 | $592,563 | $1,493,259 |
| Greektown | Barstool | $3,319,682 | $331,968 | $873,906 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi | Four Winds | $3,298,955 | $329,896 | $831,337 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa | WynnBet | $3,213,006 | $321,301 | $809,678 |
| Sagniaw Chippewa | Eagle | $2,982,076 | $298,208 | $751,483 |
| Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa | PokerStars | $2,549,726 | $254,973 | $642,531 |
| Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | PointsBet | $2,158,314 | $215,831 | $537,868 |
| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi | Play Gun Lake | $2,042,821 | $204,282 | $514,791 |
| Hannahville | SI | $1,561,444 | $154,385 | $364,657 |
| Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi | FireKeepers | $1,305,727 | $130,573 | $329,043 |
| Total | $160,273,835 | $16,025,624 | $41,320,550 |
