Detroit casinos’ year-to-date aggregate revenue falls 65 percent through July
The three Detroit commercial casinos’ aggregate revenue fell 65 percent year-over-year through July as the casinos were ordered to close March 16 and remained closed through July because of COVID-19-related public health concerns.
The casinos were allowed to reopen beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 5 under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-160.
In July 2019, the casinos recorded $119 million in aggregate revenue.
YTD Detroit casino results compared with 2019 (through July 31)
| Casino | YTD 2020 Revenue
(in millions) |
YTD 2019 Revenue
(in millions) |
YTD Change in Revenue from Previous Year (in millions) | YTD Percentage Comparison (+ or -) |
| MGM Grand Detroit | $126.5 | $366.8 | – $240.3 | – 65.5% |
| MotorCity Casino | $102.6 | $291.2 | – $188.6 | – 64.8% |
| Greektown Casino | $70.1 | $196.4 | – $126.3 | – 64.3% |
| Total | $299.2 | $854.4 | – $555.2 | – 65.0% |
Through July 31, the three casinos paid $24.2 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan compared with $69.2 million for the same period last year. The state received $45 million less in taxes compared with 2019.
The three Detroit casinos reported submitting $35.6 million to the City of Detroit in wagering taxes and development agreement payments through July 31. They paid $101.7 million to the city during the same seven-month period last year. Payments to the city this year have decreased $66.1 million compared with 2019.
Fantasy Contests
For the month ended June 30, fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $488,050 and paid taxes of $40,996 to the State of Michigan.
Year-to-date through June 30, fantasy contest operators reported aggregate adjusted revenues of $4,052,669 and paid $340,424 in taxes to the State of Michigan.

