Michigan now has a clean slate when it comes to online gaming and sports betting, thanks to the state’s recent introduction of internet gaming. Michigan hopes to measure up against the competition, even though a few other states have been in the business for a long time. Michigan is tasked to live up to the players’ expectations and to bring Michigan’s online gambling market to a level that equates to that in other US states.
Thanks to a decline of the sports calendar in April, Michigan was among the first US states to see the first month-over-month drop-in sports betting revenue since introducing online sports betting earlier this year. Michigan is now a haven for online casinos.
The region’s online casinos and poker rooms did well in April, taking in $94.9 million, a slight decrease from March’s $95.1 million. For March, revenue per day rose to $3.16 million per day, up from $3.07 million a day in February (Michigan Gaming Control Board, 2021).
Michigan Sports Betting Lags Behind Casino
Michigan sportsbooks admitted $249.9 million in online handle in April, down 30.5 percent from $359.5 million in March, owing to a heavy reliance on regular-season baseball and NBA games to produce a play.
Michigan’s online and offline sportsbooks raised $274.2 million in bets, 91.1 percent of which were placed online when combined with the state’s $24.2 million retail handles, which were released last week. The total handle was down 28.5 percent from March’s $383.7 million in bets (Mitech News, 2021).
Michigan will remain in fifth place in the United States, behind New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, based on the overall handle. However, from the start of online sports betting on January 21 to April 30, Michigan was the first state to cross $1 billion in online wagers, with $1.03 billion (Jordyn Grzelewski , 2021).
Michigan’s sales in April should keep it close to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the country’s two largest iGaming markets, but none of those states has yet posted April results. The most significant distinction is the maturity level of the states.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board established regulations that enable players to open online gaming accounts without visiting a land-based casino. This ease of access to Michigan’s iGaming services is critical in the state’s huge industry. This is why Michigan is ahead of states such as Illinois, which require a visit to a casino in person.
Michigan Casino & Sports Betting FAQ
What age do you have to be to gamble in Michigan?
To lawfully bet in Michigan, you must be at least 21 years old.
Should I join a Michigan casino’s loyalty program?
Yes, especially since loyalty programs are free to join. They were created to give you the best experience.
References
- Jordyn Grzelewski (2021). Michigan’s internet betting revenue takes off. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2021/04/20/online-bettors-wager-hundreds-millions-michigan-march-madness/7300125002/
- Michigan Gaming Control Board (2021). Revenues and Wagering Tax Information. https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/0,4620,7-351-79127_82898-244408–,00.html
- Mitech News (2021). Michigan Online Gaming Revenue Gains Momentum. https://mitechnews.com/internet-technologies/michigan-online-gaming-revenue-gains-momentum/
