AGA and IGA Issued Letter to Congress on Event Contract Legislation
On January 12, 2026, the American Gaming Association (“AGA”) and the Indian Gaming Association (“IGA”) issued a joint letter to Members of the US Senate and House of Representatives addressing unregulated sport event contracts in upcoming cryptocurrency market structure legislation. The AGA and IGA urged legislative action as a bipartisan opportunity to prevent unregulated sports betting and casino gambling from propagated as “’event contracts.’” The letter warns of the exploitation of regulatory inaction by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), which thus far has allowed the exponential growth in trading volume of sports event contracts offered by prediction markets.
The AGA and IGA represent the regulated gaming industry that generates $329 billion in annual economic impact, produces $53 billion in tax revenue, and supports 1.8 million jobs. The letter highlights the benefits of the American approach to gaming followed by these associations and their members: protecting consumers and upholding the integrity of the industry. The American approach to gaming creates a social contract between states, tribes, and the industry that covenants delivering benefits to the surrounding community in exchange for entering its market.
The AGA and IGA cite event contracts of this nature as being contrary to the American approach to gaming. They are inconsistent with state laws in 39 states, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”), the federal Wire Act, and the CFTC’s own regulations.
The AGA and IGA affirm their ability and willingness to work with Congress on the issue. The letter was signed by Bill Miller, President and CEO of AGA, and David Z. Bean, Chairman of IGA.
NCAA, College Sport Prediction Markets
On January 14, 2026, NCAA President Charlie Baker released an announcement calling on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to pause all sport offerings in prediction markets until the agency implements regulation. The NCAA sent a letter to the CFTC requesting safeguards to, most notably, implement age restrictions, advertising restrictions, integrity monitory enhancements, prop market prevention measures, anti-harassment measures, and harm reduction resources.
President Baker stated: “Just as we need Congress to stabilize eligibility, we need federal regulators to stabilize these markets… The answer cannot be the status quo. We need one set of fair, transparent standards.”
The NCAA promises to continue to advocate for reforms and details its willingness and readiness to work with the CFTC to assist with developing these safeguards.
Detroit Casinos Report $105M in December Revenue, $1.2B for Year
Monthly Revenue. On January 13, 2026, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) published a press release announcing the three Detroit casinos’ aggregate revenue (“AGR”) for December 2025 at $105.1 million. The distribution of the market shares was 49% (MGM), 29% (MotorCity), and 22% (Hollywood Casino at Greektown).
Table games and slots generated $103.4 million. The December 2025 monthly revenue results decreased 5.4% when compared to December 2024. The 2025 yearly revenue results decreased by 1.3% when compared to the same period last year.
The three casinos paid $8.4 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan, and they paid $12.8 million in wagering taxes and payments to the City of Detroit in December 2025.
Retail sports betting generated $1.7 million. Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (“QAGR”) were up by $1.4 million when compared to December 2024. The three casinos paid $64,999 in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan, and they paid $79,444 in wagering taxes to the City of Detroit in December 2025.
Fantasy contest operators reported $1.16 million total adjusted revenues and paid $97,032 in taxes for November 2025.
Annual Revenue. The total yearly aggregate revenue for slots, table games, and retail sports betting in 2025 was $1.28 billion. The distribution of market shares for the year was 48% (MGM), 30% (MotorCity), 22% (Hollywood Casino at Greektown). QAGR for retail sports betting in 2025 was up by 45.9% compared to last year. The three casinos paid $102.5 million in wagering taxes for slots and table games, and they paid $535,323 in wagering taxes for retail sports betting.
East Coast Gaming Congress 2026 to Recognize AGEM with Lifetime Achievement Award
The East Coast Gaming Congress announced that its 29th annual conference will take place April 14–15, 2026, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
During the conference, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers will be presented with the ECGC Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of AGEM’s leadership and long-standing contributions to the gaming industry.
The award highlights AGEM’s role in advancing innovation and collaboration across the industry.
The two-day conference, themed “Gaming in Transition,” will bring together gaming industry stakeholders for discussion on current issues, emerging trends, and regulatory developments. Programming will include panel sessions and presentations from senior executives representing major gaming operators and organizations.
Additional information, including registration details, is available through the East Coast Gaming Congress.
JJ Burchman from RMC Legal will be at ECG Congress. If you would like to meet and discuss Michigan iGaming or iSports email him at burchman@rmclegal.com.
Pokagon Band Four Winds Casinos Community Investment Announcement Thursday, January 22,2026
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana, along with its Four Winds Casinos, will host a private event to announce their 2026 community investment contributions.
The event will take place at the Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center located inside Four Winds Casino South Bend, 3000 Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Indiana. Attendees are asked to enter through the main entrance of the hotel. The announcement will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Representatives from the Pokagon Band, Four Winds Casinos, and several recipient organizations will be in attendance. Speakers will include Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, and Scott Brewer, Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations for Four Winds Casinos.
Key announcement details include:
- Voluntary financial contributions made by the Pokagon Band and its Four Winds Casinos
- Check presentations to community organizations across northern Indiana, including:
- Beacon Children’s Hospital
- Bodwéwadmimwen Ėthë ték, Inc.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County
- Cultivate Food Rescue
- Food Bank of Northern Indiana
- Logan Community Resources, Inc.
- Proteus of Indiana
- South Bend Community School Corporation
- The Kwek Society
- Unity Gardens
- YWCA of North Central Indiana
Hannahville Island Resort & Casino Celebrates 40 Years
On December 21, the Island Resort & Casino celebrated their 40th anniversary at the Island Convention Center. Initially a bingo fundraiser for the Hannahville Indian Community, the casino and resort is now one of the largest casino, golf and entertainment resort destinations in the Midwest with 454 rooms, a gaming floor, entertainment venue, convention center, spa, pool, nightclub, and more.
The Island Resort & Casino employs more than 900 people and is committed to their staff. Kenneth Meshigaud, the Hannahville Indian Community’s Tribal Chairperson, said,;
“Our people now have the opportunities to work as hard as they can, attain leadership positions — executive positions — but they gotta work for it. And they know that, and they are. We’ve got some great people now that are department heads and running different areas. I think that’s one of the biggest benefits that the casino has offered the Hannahville Indian community, is the opportunity for jobs and self-reliance.”