One year on from the launch of betting apps in the state’s marketplace, Michigan has been on a steady path of growth in terms of 2021 revenue, according to GreatLakeStakes.com, part of the Gambling.com Group.
GreatLakeStakes noted that the key takeaways for the Wolverine State are: sports betting total handle hit $514.7m in December (up 2.86% from November); total online sports betting handle rose by 60% from the February launch; and a $3.5bn 2021 sports betting handle was achieved, with its revenue earning $13m in state and local taxes.
In 2021, Michigan also eclipsed the $500m handle mark twice in November and December, and the Motor City Casino (partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook) generated the most revenue of all casinos with $993m.
In 2022, an item that will be looked at in the state is the multi-state poker agreement, which would allow residents to play online against other people residing in other states.
Former Michigan Rep. Brandt Iden, who helped create the Lawful Sports Betting Act & Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019, commented: “The opening year of sports betting has absolutely been fantastic. What I love most is that, when we were originally passing the legislation, various entities projected that by the end of the first year — between sports betting and icasino — the total handle would be somewhere around $50m.
“The biggest surprise for me has been the immense popularity and seeing both mobile and retail sports betting operators come together, whether it’s through the tribal properties, whether it’s through the commercial properties.
“And it’s one (a model) that I think that other states have replicated. We’ve seen Arizona replicate this. We’ve seen Connecticut replicate this. And it’s become a success story, I think, across the country.”
