Gambling in the USA

Michigan Loses Nearly $100M in Casino Tax Revenue, According to PlayMichigan

Published

5 years ago

June 19, 2020

Michigan Loses Nearly $100M in Casino Tax Revenue, According to PlayMichigan

The closure of 26 casinos in Michigan has cost the state and local governments nearly $100 million in tax revenue during the first three months of the shutdowns, according to a new analysis by PlayMichigan.

As Michigan moves toward reopening its casinos, PlayMichigan’s analysis shows how much revenue has been lost over the last three months.

“The closing of the state’s casinos has left a revenue hole in the Michigan budget that will be very difficult to fill. It shows just how difficult the road that lies ahead is as the state begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayMichigan.com, said.

According to the analysis authored by PlayMichigan.com’s Matt Schoch, the closures have resulted in a loss of $44.6 million in tax revenue for the city of Detroit, $44.2 million in tax revenue for the state of Michigan, $7.5 million in revenue for various local governments.

Combined, that is $96.3 million in lost revenue for state and local governments. And that number will continue to increase until every casino has reopened and recovered.

“The response to the pandemic was swift and understandable, but the toll has been significant in terms of tax revenue. And that is just one facet. Operator revenue has completely dried up, and that will have long-term ramifications, too, including job losses,” Gouker said.

The good news is many tribal casinos have reopened, albeit with reduced capacity and other limitations. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has expressed hope that Detriot casinos can reopen before July 4. But that too will come with restrictions that will continue to affect revenue, including a 15% capacity limit and a smoking ban on the casino floor.

In addition, new revenue will flow soon. Sportsbooks, which launched on March 11, were shuttered after collecting less than $600,000 in sports bets over six days. But with the sports world beginning to reopen—including the NBA in late July, which should draw significant interest—sports bettors will drive revenue never realized before.

“With the sports world figuring out a safe way to reopen, sportsbooks will be a key to Michigan’s recovery efforts. After three long months, a return to something resembling normal is welcome for everyone, including state and local governments and the operators themselves. If Michigan can avoid major setbacks, casino revenue will only help as the whole state recovers,” Gouker said.

Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

Up Next

Pearl River Resort Selects Konami’s SYNKROS CMS to Power Bok Homa Casino

Don't Miss

4 important reasons why you need to attend the virtual edition of Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America

Gambling in the USA

Aristocrat Interactive™ to Showcase Innovative iLottery Solutions at NASPL 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show

Published

1 day ago

September 4, 2025

Peter Tolan

Aristocrat Interactive Secures Landmark iLottery Contract with the Michigan Lottery

Aristocrat Interactive™, the Real Money Gaming (RMG) division of Aristocrat, today announced its participation as a Level II Sponsor at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show.

NASPL, the leading trade association representing 53 lottery organizations across North America, serves as a platform for collaboration, research, standards, and best practices that drive the future of the industry. Taking place September 8–11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed “Here to Play”, will gather lottery leaders from across North America to explore the evolving future of the industry.

Aristocrat Interactive will be showcasing its latest innovations for the iLottery sector through an interactive booth setup, one-on-one director’s dialogue sessions, a product and services showcase, and more. Attendees will get a first look at new eInstant titles, featuring fresh game mechanics and the business’s first cross-over game with its iGaming & Sports division. Aristocrat Interactive will also highlight its successful omnichannel solutions, which connect retail and online play to enhance player engagement and experience.

Building on this momentum, Aristocrat Interactive recently launched the New Hampshire Lottery’s new digital platform, signed long-term contracts with the Michigan Lottery and the Massachusetts Lottery, and secured a two-year extension with its NeoPollard Joint Venture in North Carolina—where Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactive’s commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.

“NASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.”

Attendees can connect with Aristocrat Interactive at Booth #209 and meet the team for one-on-one discussions in Room #205. Aristocrat Interactive will also hold a showcase on Wednesday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. at its booth.

For more information about Aristocrat Interactive and its iLottery solutions, please visit aristocratinteractive.com.

Gambling in the USA

Scientific Games Introduces Obsidian, All-Black Holographic Lottery Scratch Games

Published

1 day ago

September 4, 2025

Peter Tolan

Premium Instant Scratch Game Innovation Adds Luxury and Uniqueness at Retail with Exclusive Play Experience

Scientific Games announces Obsidian, its latest breakthrough in instant scratch game innovation. A revolutionary addition to the global lottery company’s holographic product offerings, Obsidian will debut at the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries 2025 Conference taking place September 8 to September 11 in Ontario, Canada.

With 18 unique design concepts, Obsidian games feature a dramatic combination of all-black tones and holographics to create a sleek, glasslike appearance. Named after naturally occurring volcanic rock, the Obsidian line offers a bold, ultra-premium look and scratch experience.

Obsidian is one of a number of new product designs from Scientific Games to be unveiled at NASPL 2025. The new products were developed by Scientific Games’ Innovation and Discovery teams at its metro Atlanta global headquarters, the largest lottery instant game production facility in the world. Obsidian games will also be produced at the company’s Canadian and UK facilities.

“Our game innovators have followed holographic trends on high-end luxury items and were inspired to create fresh, new games centered on value proposition design for our lottery partners,” said Danielle Hodges, Senior Director, Global Product Innovation & Development for Scientific Games. “At a time when the market basket average is increasing, holographic games allow lotteries to differentiate their games by adding a touch of luxury and uniqueness. In sneak previews of Obsidian with several lotteries, the response we’ve received is pure excitement.”

The company continues to lead the industry in scratch game innovation, using holographics to heighten retail appeal and create immersive player experiences.

Scientific Games, the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery instant games, offers more than 100 strategic enhancements for its world-leading scratch products. The company’s products represent 70% of global instant game retail sales.

Innovating products and solutions that move the global lottery industry forward since 1973, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.

Gambling in the USA

ETPL APPOINTS LONDON-BASED OAKVALE CAPITAL AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER TO LEAD CAPITAL RAISE AND GROWTH STRATEGY

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2025

Peter Tolan

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-approved T20 league co-owned by Abhishek Bachchan and backed by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, has appointed Oakvale Capital as its exclusive investment banker.

“Oakvale’s deep expertise in sports finance will be a game-changer for ETPL’s long-term vision. We look forward to working closely with their expert team to help bring our event to fruition,” said Warren Deutrom, CEO, Cricket Ireland.

“Oakvale is one of the leading London-based investment banks in the sports and gaming ecosystem. Their sector depth, global network, and track record advising rights-holders, clubs, and technology platforms make them the right partner for ETPL as we scale,” said Saurav Banerjee, Co-owner and Director, ETPL.

“We’re excited to support ETPL’s bold and innovative approach to cricket. The vision to elevate the sport in Europe with a premium, differentiated offering aligns well with Oakvale’s strategic focus in global sports properties,” said Sandford Loudon, Partner, Oakvale Capital.

Blending world-class cricket with a distinctively European experience, ETPL aims to redefine the sport through elite talent, immersive fan experiences, and data-driven innovation. In addition, KPMG in India has been appointed as ETPL’s strategic advisor.