Press Releases
PlayMichigan.com: Sports betting drops for second consecutive month

Michigan’s sports betting volume slumped for the second consecutive month in May. Meanwhile, online casinos remained achingly close to the state’s first $100 million revenue month — another impressive total for what has already become one of the three largest online casino markets in the U.S. in less than five months, according to PlayMichigan, which analyzes and researches the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.
“Online casinos don’t face the same dramatic seasonal variances as sports betting does, so they act as a steadying force for the industry,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “On the other hand, sportsbooks have been hit by the seasonality of sports betting and struggling local teams. It appears they will have to wait until the end of summer before substantial growth can be expected again.”
Michigan online sportsbooks took in $237.6 million in wagers through the 31 days of May, down 4.9% from $249.9 million over the 30 days of April, according to official data released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Combined with $20.2 million in retail handle, which was announced last week, Michigan’s online and retail sportsbooks took in $257.7 million in bets. That total is down 6.0% from $274.2 million in bets in April.
Gross operator revenue from online betting fell 4.5% to $19.5 million in May from $20.4 million in April. That produced $9.9 million in taxable revenue, down from $10.9 million, yielding $993,784 in state taxes.
With its 28.5% drop in wagering, Michigan’s April handle represented the steepest month-over-month decline among the 10 largest sports betting markets in the U.S. May’s results so far lags behind other states that have already reported April data, too. Iowa’s wagering was down 2.9% in May, for example, while Indiana’s handle rose 7.6%, to $254.4 million.
A slowdown in sports betting from April until the kickoff of football season is inevitable in nearly every state. But Michigan’s decline has been more pronounced because as the initial enthusiasm that came from the launch of online betting began to settle, the sports schedule also waned. Even more, all of Detroit’s professional teams that were in action in April and May — the Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers — struggled mightily.
“A lack of success from Detroit teams naturally saps interest, and Michigan is facing too many short-term factors to overcome completely,” said Matt Schoch, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “Despite the declines in betting volume, there aren’t any systemic issues. Even if the Lions’ prospects are equally dim, substantial growth will almost certainly return with the beginning of football season.”
FanDuel/MotorCity Casino led all online sportsbooks with $71.2 million in wagering, down from $74.2 million in April, and $9.3 million in gross sports betting receipts, up from $7 million. That total yielded $7.4 million in taxable revenue.
DraftKings/Bay Mills Indian Community followed with $66.7 million in wagers, up from $61.5 million in April. Gross gaming revenue fell to $1.9 million from $3.4 million in April. BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit remained third with $51.6 million in bets, down from $54.9 million in April while producing $5.3 million in gross receipts and $2.7 million in taxable revenue.
The online market leaders were followed by:
- Barstool/Greektown Casino ($18.2 million handle, down from $24.8 million in March; $1.1 million gross revenue, down from $2.4 million)
- PointsBet/Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians ($11.4 million handle, down from $14.1 million; $1 million GGR, up from $807,988)
- William Hill/Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ($6.2 million handle, down from $7 million; $217,050 GGR, down from $346,865)
- FOX Bet/Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians ($5.1 million handle, down from $5.5 million; $338,049 GGR, down from $371,271)
- BetRivers/Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians ($2.8 million handle, up slightly from April; $76,004 GGR, down from $172,146)
- Twin Spires/Hannahville Indian Community ($1.5 million handle, down from $1.9 million; $95,645 GGR, down from $163,524)
- Wynn/Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians ($1.4 million handle, down from $1.9 million; $168,874 GGR, down from $177,154)
- Golden Nugget/Keweenaw Bay Indian Community ($923,269 handle, down from $874,114; $10,750 GGR, up from -$2,623)
- Four Winds Sportsbook/Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians ($545,937 handle, up from $345,719; -$20,000 GGR, down from $7,908)
“The next few months should help bring innovation from sportsbooks, as each operator experiments with ways to spur interest during the slow season,” Schoch said. “Those developments could be unique promotions built around the upcoming Olympics, or interesting NBA playoff or baseball bets. Regardless, innovation in a competitive market is ultimately good for the entire industry.”
Online casinos and poker
Revenue for Michigan’s online casinos and poker rooms hit $94.9 million in May, essentially even with April but still just below the record $95.1 million reached in March. May’s win breaks down to $3.1 million per day of the 31 days of the month, down slightly from $3.2 million per day over the 30 days of April.
The win produced adjusted gross receipts of $89.1 million, up from $88.9 million in April. That total yielded $18.1 million in state taxes and $7.1 million in local taxes.
Michigan is still trying to join New Jersey and Pennsylvania as the only states to reach $100 million in revenue over a single month. The growth has stalled in recent months, but online casinos overall have grown far more quickly than any other U.S. online casino market. Since January, online casinos and poker have generated $393.9 million in revenue and $99.7 million in state and local taxes. By comparison, online and retail sportsbooks have generated $123.5 million in revenue and just $5.2 million in state and local taxes.
“Online casinos have become a powerhouse of revenue generation,” Welman said. “Revenue has remained high, even as retail casinos around Detroit have become more accessible. Looking ahead, the popularity of these games should remain — and likely expand — over the next few months, even as retail casinos’ operations continue to steady.”
Other highlights from May:
- BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit led with $36.1 million in gross receipts, yielding $10.6 million in state and local taxes.
- FanDuel/Motor City was second with $16.3 million in GGR, producing $4.3 million in state and local taxes.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Michigan, visit PlayMichigan.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayMichigan.com, PlayNJ.com, and PlayPennsylvania.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
awards
EGT Digital won the “Best Aggregator 2025” prize from SiGMA Americas Awards

EGT Digital took the “Best Aggregator 2025” prize from this year’s SiGMA Americas Awards. At an official ceremony held on 7th April, the Bulgarian iGaming provider received the accolade in recognition of its visionary casino aggregation platform, which offers a vast library of over 13,000 gaming titles from more than 130 leading providers.
EGT Digital’s Gaming Aggregator is one of the 4 main modules of the company’s in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave, and can function both as part of the turnkey solution and independently. It stands out with a flexible front-end, allowing the use of iFrame and various widgets for custom casino website development. The easy API integration and numerous fast time-to-market capabilities guarantee quick access to a wide variety of games. In addition the Aggregator offers 24/7 support, as well as in-depth reporting and a comprehensive performance overview. Combined with numerous functionalities for content personalization and tools like the Buy Bonus and Hot and Cold games category, providing live RTP insights, these features enable operators to create offers, perfectly fitting their customers’ preferences and needs.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Celina Guedes, Regional Director Brazil at EGT. “It is an expression of the high appreciation given to our team for their creativity and tireless efforts in enhancing player engagement and operator efficiency. We would like to thank our clients, partners, and friends who have once again shown us their invaluable support. This prize inspires us to continue to contribute to improving and enriching the gaming environment on a global scale through our highly advanced gaming solutions.”
Latest News
NOVOMATIC Argentina hosted a successful event with the ‘NOVOMATIC Experience’ during SAGSE 2025

Held in a private and sophisticated setting at the Rooftop in Puerto Madero, the NOVOMATIC Experience attracted a distinguished audience of 80 industry leaders, strategic partners, and customers. Guests enjoyed privileged access to the latest innovations, live demonstrations, strategic networking, and premium entertainment.
An outstanding showcase of NOVOMATIC’s excellence
The event provided a unique platform for the exploration of NOVOMATIC’s cutting-edge portfolio, featuring state-of-the-art cabinets, Linked Progressives, and advanced casino management systems. Attendees were impressed by the seamless integration of innovation and entertainment that provided a truly immersive experience.
The premiere of GLOBE LINK™ Xtension Volume 2 in the elegant V.I.P. Lounge™ Curve 1.43 drew lots of attention, as did the powerful ULTRA BOOST™ Link on the PANTHERA™ Curve 1.43. Additionally, the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J with NOVO LINE™ GOLDEN LINK™ Edition 2 and the BLACK EDITION II 3.27 with IMPERA LINK™ Series 2, as well as the engaging MONEY PARTY™ Edition 1, which was showcased in the versatile FUNMASTER 2.27 cabinet, further enhanced the presentation, offering a comprehensive showcase of NOVOMATIC’s gaming solutions.
Guests also enjoyed participating in an exciting live tournament, powered by NOVOMATIC’s acclaimed Casino Management System. The event provided the ideal atmosphere for building relationships, exchanging insights, and creating valuable business opportunities.
Positive feedback and regional commitment
Reflecting on the event’s success, Fabián Luis Grous, Managing Director of NOVOMATIC Argentina, expressed his satisfaction: “The NOVOMATIC Experience was an incredible success. We were delighted to welcome so many esteemed guests and present our latest innovations in such an exclusive environment. This event not only strengthened our relationships but also reaffirmed our commitment to the evolution of gaming in Latin America.”
The NOVOMATIC Experience has once again set new standards of exclusivity in the gaming industry. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the event stands out as one of the highlights of SAGSE 2025 week, delivering innovation, networking, and entertainment of the highest quality.
Latest News
Accel Entertainment Names Scott Levin as Chief Legal Officer

Accel Entertainment, Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Levin as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, effective immediately.
Levin brings more than three decades of experience as an executive and senior legal advisor for a variety of high-growth public and private companies and will support Accel’s continued expansion as not only the preferred gaming operations partner of bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country, but also a premier operator of brick-and-mortar retail stores and casinos. As Chief Legal Officer, Scott Levin will oversee all the Company’s legal affairs and report directly to Andy Rubenstein, Chief Executive Officer at Accel Entertainment.
“Scott brings a wealth of invaluable experience to Accel Entertainment across multiple legal disciplines, and we are excited to welcome him to our leadership team as we continue to expand into new markets and adjacent gaming verticals,” said Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein. “In the gaming industry, a strong legal function is essential for long-term growth, and Scott brings the key legal experience needed to help us further strengthen our best-in-class organization.”
Levin has held senior leadership positions with several public and private companies across various industries, including serving as CEO of FTD Companies, leading the company in pursuing strategic opportunities and developing a robust legal function, and as the first General Counsel for Morton’s Restaurant Group, a publicly held restaurant holding company, helping Morton’s expand its leading hospitality footprint internationally. Levin was most recently the Founder and Managing Director of Portco Advisors LLC, where he served as outside general counsel and executive advisor for growing companies undergoing periods of significant transformation. Prior to founding Portco Advisors, Levin also served as General Counsel for companies including Torex Retail, a provider of information technology systems for the retail, fuel and convenience stores, and pub markets in Europe, and several successful startups including Atlas Power Group, Coskata, eMac Digital, and OurHouse. Levin received his Juris Doctor with Honors from George Washington University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College.
“I have been closely following Accel Entertainment’s sustained growth since becoming a public company, and I am thrilled to join the team at such an exciting stage of development,” said Scott Levin. “Accel’s commitment to excellence and determination to fuel growth through innovation is inspiring, and I look forward to working with the incredibly talented leadership team and everyone at the company to help advance Accel’s industry-leading position in the locals gaming sector.”
As a part of this announcement, Derek Harmer, current General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, will now serve as Accel’s first dedicated Chief Compliance Officer and will continue to report to Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein. Harmer will continue to leverage his decades of industry insights and experience to lead Accel’s national Compliance and Government Affairs functions, supporting the company in an increasingly complex regulatory and legislative environment.
“Derek has made a tremendous impact on our organization while leading the legal and compliance teams. His success in this dedicated national role will be a key driver in supporting the Company’s commitment to compliance and growth into new regulated markets,” said Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein.
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