Press Releases
PlayMichigan.com: First full month a winner for online casinos, sportsbooks
Michigan’s online sportsbooks extended their record-breaking debut into February with more than $300 million in bets in their first full month after launch, becoming the sixth — and by far the earliest — state to surpass that milestone. This total comes while online casinos hit their own impressive milestone, with Michigan becoming just the third state to reach more than $75 million in gross receipts. It adds up to an online debut unlike any other in U.S. history, according to PlayMichigan, a leading source for news and analysis of the Michigan gaming market.
“Michigan’s gaming industry traveled a winding road before January’s launch of online sportsbooks and casinos, but it is difficult to imagine how an online debut could have gone any better,” said Matt Schoch, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “It took less than 40 days to transform Michigan into one of the largest U.S. gaming markets. Operators’ enthusiasm for the state before launch has proven prescient.”
Anchored by Super Bowl betting, February brought $301.9 million into Michigan’s online sportsbooks, according to official data released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. That was up 162.1% from $115.2 million in bets taken during the final 10 days in January, though the per-day average dipped slightly to $10.8 million in February from $11.5 million in January.
February’s bets yielded $9.5 million in total gross sports betting receipts, down from $13.3 million in January. With the Super Bowl as a typical promotion-heavy event, taxable revenue fell to a $10.8 million loss after a combined loss of $5.2 million in January. The state still eked out a $142,240 injection into state coffers.
Michigan’s hot start has rocketed the state toward space only occupied by the largest U.S. sports betting markets. Combined with $23.7 million generated by retail casinos, Michigan sportsbooks took in $325.6 million in bets in February. That supplants Indiana, which tallied $273.9 million in online and retail bets in February, as the nation’s No. 5 market. The nation’s four largest markets, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois have yet to report February data, but all four will likely top Michigan.
“Michigan has long had the potential to be a Top 5 market, but its rapid ascent shows just how much pent-up demand was unleashed,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “As exciting as the early returns are, though, we’re still in a period where enthusiasm is in part a product of legal betting still being novel. That said, there is no reason to believe that the market’s growth will stop after enthusiasm normalizes.”
Now with 12 operators, the race for market share is as intense in Michigan as anywhere in the country. FanDuel, which partners with MotorCity Casino in Michigan and is the nation’s largest online sportsbook operator, topped the market for the second consecutive month with $87.2 million in online handle, up from in the first month with $32.6 million in January. Those bets led to a loss of $78,889 in gross sports betting receipts, down from a $622,372 win in January. BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit’s $75.7 million handle was second, up from $22.8 million in January. But BetMGM topped gross receipts with $5.3 million, up from $5.1 million, which led to $2.4 million in taxable revenue, by far the most in the state.
DraftKings/Bay Mills Indian Community was just behind with a $72.9 million handle, up from $28.2 million in January, but lost $161,496 in gross receipts.
The market leaders were followed by:
- Barstool/Greektown Casino ($40.3 million handle, up from $27.5 million in January; $1.9 million in gross receipts, down from $3.3 million)
- PointsBet/Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians ($7 million handle, up from $1.5 million; $1.1 million in gross receipts, up from $388,381)
- Wynn/Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians ($7 million handle, up from $248,879; $1.1 million in gross receipts, up from $60,232)
- William Hill/Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ($5.6 million handle, up from $692,319; $449,316 in gross receipts, up from $125,659)
- BetRivers/Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians ($3.6 million handle, up from $1.1 million; $120,306 in gross receipts, down from $191,261)
- FOX Bet/Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians ($3.6 million handle, up from $160,052; $120,307 in gross receipts, up from $70,737)
- Twin Spires/Hannahville Indian Community ($1.9 million handle, up from $327,661; -$277,365 in gross receipts, down from $39,792)
- Golden Nugget/Keweenaw Bay Indian Community ($497,693 handle, up from $106,904; $69,788 in gross receipts, up from $21,698)
- Four Winds Sportsbook/Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (launched Feb. 15: $12,680 handle; $3,840 in gross receipt)
“The promotional spend by most operators sapped taxable revenue in the short-term but shows just how competitive the market in Michigan is right now,” Welman said. “The extended roster of online operators is perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of the Michigan market. Having so many quality operators has clearly paved the way for this early success, and fierce competition will continue to benefit bettors as the market matures.”
Online casinos and poker
Online casinos and poker enjoyed another month of record receipts, generating $79.7 million in February, up from $29.4 million in January. February’s results will likely put Michigan as the nation’s No. 2 or 3 market, behind only New Jersey ($103.8 million in January), but on par with the far more mature market in Pennsylvania ($80.4 million in January).
Michigan’s online casinos and poker rooms combined to win $2.8 million per day over the 28 days in February, down slightly from $2.9 million per day in January. Adjusted gross receipts of $75.2 million yielded $14 million in tax revenue for the state. BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit once again led the market with $26.9 million in gross receipts, which yielded $5.3 million in taxes.
To put Michigan’s growth into perspective, it took New Jersey until April 2020 — more than six years after launching in November 2013 — to surpass $79 million in online casino revenue in a single month.
“The interest in online casino games in Michigan has been off the charts for a new market, but expect the growth to settle a bit in the coming months,” Schoch said. “Regardless, there has never been a more impressive debut.”
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.
Compliance Updates
Licenses received: RockApp strengthens its position in the US iGaming market
RockApp, a leading global media buying agency, proudly announces that it has obtained official licenses in all regulated US states, allowing it to promote iGaming services nationwide, including Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. With these licenses, RockApp is now authorized to operate in all regulated US states, except for New York. This achievement comes amidst tightening regulatory standards, underscoring the agency’s commitment to compliance and excellence in performance marketing. The move positions RockApp as a trusted partner for iGaming companies looking to expand their reach in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets.
These developments enable the agency to work with prominent industry players, including established American brands, and deliver targeted advertising campaigns with measurable results. By securing a legal presence in all regulated states, RockApp reinforces its reputation as a reliable and professional partner, capable of navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
This milestone is part of RockApp’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global leader in the media buying industry. Over the past year, the company has demonstrated impressive growth, achieving a 440% increase in customer acquisition, a 300% boost in turnover, and a record-breaking 4,000 first-time deposits achieved in a single day. These achievements reflect RockApp’s dedication to innovation, strategic planning, and delivering exceptional value to its clients.
“This is a pivotal moment for RockApp,” said Niko Belikov, Founder at RockApp. “Securing licenses in the US not only opens new doors for us but also allows us to bring our expertise in iGaming promotion to a market that values professionalism and results. We’re excited to support our clients as they navigate this dynamic landscape and achieve unparalleled success.”
Compliance Updates
Media Troopers Receives Two-Year Renewal of Colorado Sports Betting License
Media Troopers, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in sports betting and iGaming, has marked its two-year anniversary in promoting sports betting in Colorado as a vendor licensed by the state.
Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers said: “We are very proud of this renewal, as it marks a milestone of two successful years of growth and commitment to the State of Colorado.”
Colorado’s Division of Gaming has renewed Media Troopers’ vendor license, allowing the company to promote sports betting offers for its customers until January 2027.
“Receiving a new license and debuting in a state is always exciting, but it is where the hard work begins,” Segal added. “So I am proud to celebrate two successful years of hard work and dedication in promoting safe and reponsible gaming for our Colorado partners such as BetMGM, bet365, and BetFanatics.”
Latest News
1/ST and Goodwood Racecourse announce Group 1 pathways between the United Kingdom and North America
1/ST, North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company, and Goodwood Racecourse, one of the United Kingdom’s leading racecourses, today announce a new initiative that will see a reciprocal partnership between 1/ST-owned racecourses in North America and Goodwood Racecourse in the United Kingdom.
This exciting new partnership will see horses gain automatic entry following success at the Pegasus World Cup meeting at Gulfstream Park on January 25, and at Goodwood Racecourse’s world-famous five-day festival, the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf winner in 2025 will be granted automatic entry to the 2025 running of the Qatar Sussex Stakes. Likewise, the victor of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf will gain automatic entry to the Qatar Nassau Stakes in 2025.
Additionally, the winner of this year’s £1m, Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Turf in 2026 and the winner of the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2026.
This new partnership will create an easily accessible pathway for horses to compete both in North America and the United Kingdom and help to encourage top-tier racehorses to travel and increase international participation at both fixtures – while also bolstering elite fields for global audiences and deeper fan engagement.
Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, said: “Thanks again to our friends at Goodwood Racecourse as our partnership enters its second year. We can’t wait to see how our Pegasus World Cup Turf winners fare on the other side of the pond and look forward to welcoming the victors of the Qatar Sussex Stakes and Qatar Nassau Stakes back to Gulfstream Park in late January 2026 for one of the most lucrative racedays on the East Coast.
“These reciprocal pathways mark the latest strides in 1/ST’s bid to broaden the appeal and international participation in the world’s major races. We’ve already seen such incentives reap immediate rewards when Crimson Advocate won at Royal Ascot in 2023, having punched her automatic spot via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park. Now, Miami can hopefully work its magic again with the Qatar Goodwood Festival!”
Edward Arkell, Director of Racing at Goodwood Racecourse, added: “We are thrilled to announce this fantastic new initiative, and I would like to thank 1/ST for their enthusiasm and support. By pairing two of our most prestigious races with a pair of turf races at the Pegasus World Cup meeting, we are confident that we have unlocked a well-scheduled gateway.
“This partnership also highlights the importance of collaborating with the best horseracing in the World and allows us the opportunity to showcase the obvious benefits of working alongside the North American horseracing circuit.”
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