The online gambling world in Michigan State has been doing well in the past few months. It is on track to set an impressive record in regard to revenue. Legal online casinos were introduced to the state on January 22 this year. Online poker followed just a week later.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the law allowing license-holders to work with online poker and online casino brands in 2019. The arrangement covers Detroit’s three commercial casinos and the 12 tribes in the state.
Online Gambling Revenue Sets New Record
In just ten months, the best Michigan online casinos, as researched in detail here, have drawn in impressive numbers. The state’s online gambling revenue has set records in both online sports wagering and casino gambling.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that the state recorded more than $100 million in gross gaming receipts for online activity in September alone. The revenue boost can be attributed to the effects of the pandemic.
Commercial casino revenue may have dropped in 2020, but it has done well in 2021. Combined with the revenue from online casinos, MI commercial casinos are doing much better than in 2019.
The Projected Tax Revenue from Online Gambling
When the online gambling law was signed, the Michigan Department of Treasury estimated that they would get $19 million in tax revenue for both sports betting and internet gambling. However, things didn’t go as planned as all casinos shut down in response to the spread of COVID-19.
The state’s tax revenue was paused for five hard months. According to an analysis in September 2020, online casinos were expected to bring in $18 million. The state would also earn $7 million from online sportsbooks.
However, some believe this to be an underestimation. With the increasing popularity of online casinos, the total revenue for online gambling could hit the roof.
Since the legalization of online gambling, the state’s betting hotline has received more than 2,000 calls. The Department of Health and Human Services reports the increase to be almost 33 percent higher than the previous year.
Breaking Down September Numbers
In September, the state reported $126.1 million in revenue from online gaming and sports gambling operators. That number included a $102.4 million state record in gross receipts related to internet gaming. The last record was hit in August, and it was 5.3 percent lower than in September.
Today, Michigan has joined the likes of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They are the only states to ever earn a monthly income of $100 million. Live dealer games are more popular than ever. They have pushed the online gaming industry to new levels.
According to Eric Ramsey, a PlayUSA.com network analyst, live dealer games are the future of the industry. It is almost obvious that the industry will hit $1 billion in revenue by the end of its first year. The market may be young, but it is already doing great.
The September revenue from internet sports betting was an impressive $23.7 million in total gross receipts. It was 49 percent higher than the numbers in August. The total handle was $354.3 million, 84.2% higher than the previous month. The adjusted gross receipts for internet gaming were 2.3 million.
Michigan operators paid over $19.3 million in taxes and state payments. $18.9 million was attributed to online gaming, and $426,873 was from online sports betting.
The three casinos in Detroit paid $5.5 million in municipal service fees and wagering taxes. The wagering payments for tribal operators to their governing bodies was $2.1 million.
The aggregate internet gaming adjusted gross receipts hit $698.5 million. The number for internet sports betting was $60.5 million.
The Best Online Casinos in Michigan
Michigan’s online gambling scene is thriving. It doesn’t show any indications of slowing down. If you would like to explore the industry, you have plenty of great options to choose from. Here are a few of the top online casinos in the state.
1. BetMGM
This is the leading Online Casino in the state. It is regulated all across the United States, so you can safely play in Michigan. The selection of games is impressive. There is a splendid mix of slots, live dealer games, and table games.
The casino’s welcome bonus is amazing, and it has two unique aspects. You may get $25 free play and a first deposit match of 100 percent up to $1000. You don’t need to make any deposit to enjoy your $25 bonus. If you have a BetMGM casino account and you are a verified player, you are eligible.
The casino is well-designed and easy to use. The menu is easy to navigate, and the colors look clean. Being a product of GVC Holdings, the platform holds up pretty well. The casino app is just as great on Android devices as on iOS.
2. TwinSpires Casino
Although TwinSpires is mostly popular for its horse racing, it has a lot more to offer. It has become one of the leading names in the Michigan online casino and sportsbook space. It has all the makings of an amazing casino- a healthy variety of games, a generous welcome offer, and an intuitive interface.
Although most promotions are directed to horse racing and sportsbooks, online casino lovers also have a lot to enjoy. There are offers that involve weekly free spins for slots, leaderboard wins, and a risk-free wager period with 250 free spins. Although the number of games may not be as high as in other casinos, the quality is impeccable. You can enjoy your favorite games with no buffering or lag.
3. BetRivers
This is the best roulette casino in Michigan. It has a massive games catalog with five slots. The slots are available in various themes, with the most popular ones being sports, weather, ancient Egypt, TV, and crime. There are nine table and card games, including Baccarat, Blackjack, and Roulette.
The functionality of the app is just as amazing as the website. The app is smooth, and it contributes to the player experience. The only downfall is that it isn’t available for iOS. The range of software providers is amazing as well.
