The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.
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The Fire Joker has returned, his blazing grin wider than ever. Hes back in control of the reels, where classic fruits and symbols light up under his fiery touch. But this time, theres more than just mischief in the air. The heat has intensified, the stakes are higher, and this scorching slot is cranked up to a full 100.

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PlayMichigan.com: Sports betting drops for second consecutive month

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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.

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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.

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Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration

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Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration

 

Partnership accelerates supplier’s continued expansion across North America

 Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has bolstered its presence in Canada after securing a new partnership with Casino Time, one of Ontario’s fastest growing regulated operators.

Casino Time will benefit from Playson’s comprehensive Hold and Win portfolio, which consistently features among the supplier’s top-performing titles released to market.

Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins: Hold and Win, and Diamonds Power: Hold and Win are among the releases now available to the Casino Time player base, courtesy of a seamless integration via Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform.

Renowned for its retail presence across Ontario, Casino Time has successfully bridged the gap between physical and digital gaming since entering the province’s regulated iGaming market in 2024. Its online offering is set to reach new heights with the addition of Playson’s titles, which offer immersive gameplay and captivating visuals that are proven to increase player retention and satisfaction.

The latest agreement coincides with a significant period of growth in North America for Playson, underlining its long-term vision of expanding its market share in regulated territories with key operators.

Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Ontario is a market of major significance for us in North America and so it is great to join ties with such a household name.

“Casino Time’s online expansion continues to soar and we are confident our Hold and Win collection will resonate with local players, offering them alternative ways of engaging in captivating slot experiences.”

Jeffrey Holmes, Chief Operating Officer at Casino Time, said: “Partnering with Playson is an exciting step in our mission to deliver the very best in online casino entertainment. Their Hold and Win titles are a proven hit in multiple markets, and we are certain these will add a unique dynamic to our slot library.

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“This collaboration strengthens our ability to bridge the gap between retail and digital gaming, while giving our players fresh, immersive experiences.”

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BetMGM Unveils First Major Corporate Brand Repositioning with “Make it Legendary” Campaign

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BetMGM Unveils First Major Corporate Brand Repositioning with “Make it Legendary” Campaign

 

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, unveiled the next evolution of its brand in collaboration with leading independent ad agency Highdive. The refreshed brand identity highlights BetMGM’s dynamic entertainment ecosystem — one that unlocks a world of possibilities, elevated experiences and exceptional hospitality. Bringing the brand to life, the new “Make it Legendary” campaign is anchored by a series of multi-channel spots featuring BetMGM’s newest brand ambassador: EMMY® Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jon Hamm.

“This isn’t just a campaign — it’s a reimagining of what BetMGM stands for. We’re at the forefront of entertainment and gaming, with the spirit of Las Vegas woven into our DNA,” said Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer, BetMGM. “Our new positioning celebrates the thrill, spectacle and storytelling potential in every spin, play and reward. With Jon Hamm’s talent and universal appeal, he’s a natural fit to represent the refined essence of our brand.”

Highdive worked hand-in-hand with BetMGM’s creative team on the transformation, informed by extensive customer research. The first of six new spots is scheduled to premiere Saturday, Aug. 30 during college football games, with additional spots rolling out across TV, social, digital, out-of-home and BetMGM properties nationwide. Directed by two-time Directors Guild of America Director of the Year Noam Murro, the spots leverage Hamm’s charisma and storytelling charm to make every interaction feel like an elevated experience.

Hamm said, “BetMGM is all about style, and the ‘Make it Legendary’ campaign captures that energy. It’s witty, cinematic, and shows that betting with BetMGM is an unmatched experience.”

Mark Gross, co-founder and co-chief creative officer at Highdive, emphasized the strategic depth of the repositioning and said, “We didn’t just create ads — we built a creative platform that gives BetMGM a long-term advantage. This is about storytelling, connection and creating a brand that truly speaks to today’s players, not at them.”

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly.

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Spintec Strengthens its Partnership with Merkur in Colombia and Peru

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Spintec Strengthens its Partnership with Merkur in Colombia and Peru

 

At the Peru Gaming Show in June, strategic partners Merkur Gaming and Spintec entered a new chapter in their partnership in Latin America. The two companies signed a distribution agreement for Colombia and Peru, marking an important milestone in their collaboration. Their united presence at the show highlighted the strength of this alliance, which continues to deliver considerable advantages to their already winning cooperation across the region.

Spintec’s debut appearance this year was a highlight of Merkur Gaming stand at Jockey Plaza in Lima. The Slovenian specialist in Electronic Table Games (ETGs) featured an impressive range of products that combined innovation, reliability, and performance.  Their Karma and Charisma product lines were the big showstoppers with their unbeatable combination of innovation and reliability. These products are gaining traction and popularity all over the world for a very good reason: they are fully engaging and attractive to look at, while also being extremely dependable.

And the quality of Spintec’s portfolio is already delivering measurable results in the region. The renowned research company Eilers & Krejcik recognized Spintec as the top-performing ETG supplier in South America in their April 2025 Latin America Game Performance Report. This achievement propels the partnership in Peru and Colombia even further. It not only underlines the seamless integration of Merkur’s powerful regional presence with Spintec’s technological leadership in ETGs but also serves as a testament to the importance of companies’ growing strategic alliance.

“ETGs are a valuable and strategic addition to Merkur’s already robust product portfolio,” said Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games. “Our partnership with Spintec is built on a shared vision of delivering excellence, innovation, and value to our customers. The joint market presence we are creating in Latin America is only the beginning.”

Goran Sovilj, Global Sales Director at Spintec, echoed the sentiment: “Our collaboration with Merkur Gaming continues to deepen, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together. With their strong local teams, infrastructure, and sales support, we are perfectly positioned to take the leading role in the ETG market in Latin America, and beyond.”

As the companies continue to strengthen and widen their strategic alliances in the region, their commitment to joint innovation, market leadership and next-level gaming experiences grows even further. The optimism is based on past achievements, but also on a very positive outlook towards future growth.

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