Jim Townsend Named Chair of the Michigan Gaming Control Board

On July 23, 2026, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) announced that Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed James H. (“Jim”) Townsend of Royal Oak to serve as the next Chair of the MGCB, effective August 1, 2026. Townsend will succeed Jim Ananich, who is resigning from the Board at the end of July. He will serve as the Democratic representative on the Board through December 31, 2028, with his term as Chair beginning August 1, 2026, at the pleasure of the Governor. The appointment remains subject to confirmation by the Michigan Senate.

Townsend brings extensive experience in law, government, and economic development to the role. He currently serves as director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University and previously practiced law at Butzel. Townsend also represented Michigan’s 26th District in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017 and has held several public and private sector leadership roles, including serving as legislative director for U.S. Representative Nita M. Lowey and working for U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg.

“Jim Townsend is a proven leader whose legal, legislative, and economic development experience make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Board,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB. “I look forward to working alongside him as the Board carries out its critical mission on behalf of Michigan residents.”

Townsend earned his undergraduate degree with Highest Honors in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Townsend will serve as Chair alongside current MGCB members Joni M. Thrower Davis, Mark Evenson, Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, and Andrew T. Palms as the Board continues overseeing casino gaming, internet gaming, and sports betting regulation throughout Michigan.

National Council of Legislators from Gaming States Adopts Resolution on Prediction Markets

The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (“NCLGS”) recently adopted a resolution reaffirming that decisions regarding sports wagering and gaming policy should remain under the authority of individual states and tribal governments. The resolution was unanimously approved by the NCLGS Executive Committee during the organization’s July 2026 Summer Meeting in San Diego.

The resolution addresses the rapid expansion of prediction markets and emphasizes that these platforms should not operate outside established state gaming regulatory frameworks. It also comes as Congress and federal agencies continue to examine the role of prediction markets and their impact on existing gaming laws.

“NCLGS exists to provide legislators with objective, substantive education on the most important issues facing gaming policy,” said Juliann Barreto, Chief Operating Officer of Spectrum Gaming Group, which serves as NCLGS Executive Director.

NCLGS stated it will continue serving as a forum for lawmakers to examine emerging gaming issues and support informed policymaking while reinforcing the role of states and tribal governments in regulating gaming activities.

MGCB Public Meeting Notice Tuesday, August 4, 2026

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) released a public notice of its upcoming public meeting.

The meeting will take place at the MGCB’s Cadillac Place Office, located at 3062 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-700, Detroit, MI 48202, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST. The meeting will also be available via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/95141756779.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to conduct official business related to the administration and enforcement of Michigan gaming laws, including the Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act, the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, and the Lawful Sports Betting Act, as they relate to the licensing, regulation, and conduct of casino gaming, internet gaming, and online sports betting in Michigan.

To participate in public comment during the meeting, during which attendees are welcome to ask questions and voice comments, submit a Public Sign in Sheet Form to MGCBweb@michigan.gov by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

For additional meeting details, please refer to “Board Meeting Schedule and Agendas.”

NCLGS Elects New President

During its July 2026 Summer Meeting, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (“NCLGS”) announced elected Georgia State Representative Al Williams as its new President for the 2026–2027 term.

Williams, who previously served as NCLGS President-Elect, succeeds West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluharty and will help lead the organization as it continues to educate state lawmakers on gaming policy and emerging regulatory issues. NCLGS also announced its new slate of officers, representing legislators from West Virginia, Massachusetts, Kansas, and Ohio.

According to NCLGS, the organization’s leadership will continue to focus on key issues affecting the gaming industry, including sports betting, iGaming, tribal gaming, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and other evolving regulatory developments.

Michigan iGaming and Online Sports Betting Operators Report $341.3 Million in June Revenue

On July 21, 2026, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) reported that Michigan commercial and tribal gaming operators generated a combined $341.3 million in internet gaming (“iGaming”) and online sports betting gross receipts for June 2026, representing a 10.8% decrease compared with May 2026.

iGaming continued to drive the majority of online gaming revenue, with operators reporting $301.2 million in gross receipts during June. Online sports betting operators reported $40.1 million in gross receipts during the month.

Combined adjusted gross receipts (“AGR”) totaled $309.36 million, including $289.21 million from iGaming and $20.15 million from online sports betting. Compared with May 2026, iGaming AGR decreased 1.5%, while online sports betting AGR decreased 13.4%. Year-over-year, iGaming AGR increased 28.0%, while online sports betting AGR decreased 33.9%.

Online sports betting handle totaled $366.1 million in June, a 20.0% decrease from May 2026.

Operators paid $62.3 million in taxes and payments to the State of Michigan in June. Of that amount, iGaming operators contributed $60.8 million, while online sports betting operators contributed $1.5 million. The three Detroit casinos also reported $13.96 million in wagering taxes and municipal services fees paid to the City of Detroit, including $13.5 million from iGaming and $460,753 from online sports betting.

Tribal operators reported $8.4 million in payments to governing bodies for June activity.

The MGCB continues to provide monthly revenue reports for Michigan’s regulated online gaming market, including detailed operator results and revenue distributions. As of June 2026, 15 commercial and tribal operators remain authorized to offer iGaming and/or online sports betting in Michigan.