Detroit Casinos Report $90.84 Million in January Revenue
The three Detroit casinos – MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown Casino – reported $90.84 million in January monthly aggregate revenue while operating at limited capacity, according to a press release.
The January market shares were:
- MGM Grand Detroit – 38%
- MotorCity Casino – 38%
- Greektown Casino – 24%
January 2021 table games and slots revenue fell 27.7% compared with January 2020. Monthly revenue increased 293.5% when compared with December 2020. The casinos reopened at limited capacity on December 23 after closing on November 18 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Year-over-year revenue declined 32% to $34 million at MGM Grand Detroit, 20.7% to $33.2 million at MotorCity Casino, and 30.4% to $19.6 million at Greektown Casino.
The three casinos reported $7 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan during January, compared with $9.7 million in January 2020. They also reported submitting $10.3 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit during January 2021.
The Detroit casinos reported a total retail sports betting handle of $35,684,194 in January. Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts for January were:
- MGM Grand Detroit – $863,439
- MotorCity Casino – $1,566,019
- Greektown Casino – $1,633,659
Qualified adjusted gross receipts are gross sports betting receipts minus the monetary value of free play incentives provided to and wagered by bettors.
The Detroit casinos paid $153,586 in taxes to the State of Michigan on retail sports betting in January, and reported submitting $187,716 in retail sports betting taxes to the City of Detroit in January.
Fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $1.9 million for December 2020, and paid $158,726 in taxes to the State of Michigan. During 2020, fantasy contest operators reported $16.7 million in aggregate fantasy contest adjusted revenues and paid $1.4 million in taxes to the State of Michigan.
In a press release issued Wednesday, The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of the Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) announced the 10-year anniversary of the Gun Lake Casino, which opened on February 11, 2011. An economic impact report of the past ten years shows that the Tribe has invested $415 million into Gun Lake Casino, paying $502 million in wages. In total, the casino contributed $2.8 billion to Michigan’s economy since its opening.
“This is a proud milestone for the Gun Lake Tribe, our team members, and the supporters in this community who played an integral role in Gun Lake Casino becoming a reality,” said Tribal Chairman Bob Peters. “As illustrated in the ten-year economic impact report we released today, the Casino provided $2.8 billion to Michigan’s economy in the last ten years. We intend to protect this economic engine for many more years to come.”
Gun Lake Casino directly employs nearly 1,000 team members in gaming operations and pays out approximately $55 million in annual wages. The Casino has paid over $410 million in wages over the past ten years, and purchased over $285 million in goods and services from Michigan-based vendors.
“It is gratifying to celebrate Gun Lake Casino’s 10th anniversary. We are extremely thankful for all of our guests and team members – whom have supported our mission over the past decade,” said Sal Semola, President and COO for Gun Lake Casino. “As we move into the future, I look forward to maintaining our reputation as an economic mainstay in the local community.”
Including the current $100 million casino expansion, the Tribe has invested $415 million into Gun Lake Casino. The current expansion will add more gaming space, entertainment options, and restaurants, bringing the total footprint to 228,000 square feet. Direct construction wages over the past ten years exceed $92 million, with indirect and induced impact of construction generating $148 million in wages.
The Tribe has shared over $150 million in revenue sharing distributions with State and local governments, schools, law enforcement, and civic organizations. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation received over $98 million, while the local revenue sharing board received over $35 million over the past ten years.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has finalized a tribal-state compact with the State of Indiana to authorize Class III gaming at its Four Winds Casino in South Bend, Indiana. Class III gaming includes any non-bingo gaming such as traditional slot machines, table games, and sports betting. The Four Winds Casino in South Bend currently offers Class II bingo and electronic forms of bingo games. Matthew Wesaw, Chairman of the Pokagon Band, and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb reached an agreement on January 21, which was presented to the Indiana Senate in Senate Bill 356. The Senate voted 36-11 to approve the compact on Tuesday, February 9, and was referred to the House for vote.
“A first in Indiana’s history, this compact was executed in accordance with state law and federal law and obligations and recognizes the sovereign rights of both the State of Indiana and the Pokagon Band,” the Pokagons said in a news release. “It demonstrates the value of our ongoing government-to-government relationship and the commitment of each party to fulfill their responsibilities to their citizens while working cooperatively to comply with all applicable laws.”
If approved, the compact will be Indiana’s first tribal-state compact. After being approved by the Indiana General Assembly, the compact must also be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.
The Pokagon Band agreed to pay 8% of its slot machine win to Indiana with an exclusivity agreement within a 50-mile radius of Four Winds Casino South Bend. Four Winds would be allowed to offer any gambling game permitted at Indiana casinos, however, mobile sports wagering and any future iGaming would be limited to the tribal property in South Bend.
Gun Lake Casino, a long-term partner of Dégagé Ministries, is serving over 400 meals to those in need in celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 12, as reported in a press release.
“Gun Lake Casino is proud to carry on the beloved tradition of providing winter meals for Dégagé Ministries. This year, we celebrate a 10-year partnership with the organization,” said Sal Semola, President and COO of Gun Lake Casino. “Our team takes pride in creating a special menu for those utilizing the services at Dégagé. We hope our dedication to Dégagé’s mission brings hope to those in need.”
Gun Lake Casino hand-delivered freshly prepared food, refreshments, and dessert to the facility, along with a donation of $2,500. Gun Lake Casino’s chef, Keenan Fifield, and other team members prepared breakfast including eggs, sausage, and biscuits and gravy, and lunch including Italian food and red velvet cake.
“Thank you, Gun Lake Casino, for a special Valentine’s Day meal for men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness in the Heartside community. We are so grateful for your ongoing partnership and your commitment to giving back to the community,” said Thelma Ensink, Executive Director for Dégagé Ministries.