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Michigan October Gambling Figures Show Solid Month

Andrew Reid

Last Updated: November 20, 2024 3:43 PM EST • 1 min 34 sec read.

Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith hugs mascot Roary as we look at Michigan online gambling financials for October 2024.
Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith hugs mascot Roary to celebrate a win over Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. Photo by Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

October was a stellar month for our best sports betting sites and our top real-money online casinos in Michigan. 

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) released its iGaming and sports betting report, which shows that while overall revenue took a bit of a hit from the previous month, that dip was caused primarily by sports betting. The combined revenue for commercial and tribal operators reached $253.7 million, a 2.8% decrease from September. 

But that still resulted in Michigan sports betting operators and Michigan online casinos paying a substantial sum to needy state and local coffers. Tax revenues for the month submitted $42.1 million in taxes, with Detroit's three casinos chipping in $10.5 million. 

There are 15 iGaming operators in the Great Lakes State, and 12 commercial and tribal operators offering online sports betting.

iGaming boom 

The biggest step in the right direct for Michigan came from the iGaming sector. 

iGaming reported $220.7 million in revenue in October, a new monthly high, topping the record of $215.2 million from March 2024. It also showed solid month-over-month growth from $202.6 million reported last month. The adjusted gross receipts (AGR) for the iGaming market was $198.6 million, an 8.9% increase from September and a 37.7% increase from last October. Anyone interested in participating in the burgeoning industry should take advantage of a Michigan online casino no-deposit bonus.

Earlier in the month, it was reported that Caesars would launch its Horseshoe Online Casino brand in the state. The launch was another feather in the company's digital gaming portfolio cap, joining platforms like Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, Tropicana Online Casino, Harrah’s Online Casino, and WSOP.COM.

iGaming accounted for $41.5 million of the tax total paid to the state, and $10.2 million of the total paid to Detroit. 

Sports betting slip

Unfortunately for the MGCB report, sports betting figures did not follow suit.

Michigan sports betting apps accounted for just $33 million of the state's total gambling revenue in the month, a significant dip from the $58.4 million reported in October. The AGR was only $9.9 million, a staggering 64.3% decrease from last month and a 58% decrease from last October.

But the issue wasn't from a lack of interest in the market. Internet sports betting handle was reported at $560.4 million, an 11.7% increase from September. 

Residents taking advantage of Michigan sportsbook promos just battered the books to significantly lower hold figures. 

With the major dip in revenues, internet sports betting was responsible for just $569,374 in taxes to the state, and $323,517 to Detroit.

Written By:
Andrew Reid
Andrew is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He graduated from Acadia University with a degree in Kinesiology, working as a personal trainer and in injury rehab, and then attended the College of Sports Media in Toronto to attain a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting. Andrew has been involved in the sports betting and fantasy sports space since joining the FNTSY Sports Network in 2014, where he worked as a producer, director, and occasional on-air talent on various shows focusing on sports betting and DFS content. Prior to joining SBR, he spent multiple years with the USA Today Network as an editor and writer. Living in Newfoundland, Andrew frequents grey market sportsbooks, but in the past, when he's lived in regulated areas, he's become well-versed with all of our best sportsbooks. As strictly a casual bettor, he enjoys making touchdown parlays with friends (bro-lays), sweating out golf cut parlays during majors, playing same-game parlays for fun, and chasing long-shot bets. He also enjoys using sportsbooks that have solid iGaming and casino platforms. As the old guy on staff, he has an affinity for industry news, which confuses some, but shh ... quiet ... the news is on.