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US – Michigan’s online sportsbooks enjoy ‘historic debut’
By Phil - 18 February 2021
Michigan’s online sportsbooks and casinos are off to a historic debut with more than $115m in sports bets in the final 10 days of January, while online casinos generated $29.4m in gross receipts.
Combined with the state’s retail handle, Michigan’s sportsbooks are off to the best start of any state that offers both online and retail sportsbooks, but offers just a narrow window into the future for one of the most promising legal markets in the US, according to PlayMichigan analysts.
“The circumstances for Michigan’s online launch could not have been better ahead of two of the biggest sports betting holidays of the year,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “Ultimately, it’s a small sample size, and the results of which are less important than sportsbooks launching and engaging sports bettors and setting the groundwork to flourish for years. By that metric, Michigan’s launch was a success.”
Michigan’s online sportsbooks generated $115.2m in bets in the 10-day period in January, according to official data released Wednesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. That produced $13.3m in total gross sports betting receipts. Promotions whittled taxable revenue down to a combined loss of $5.2m, yielding $111,696 in state tax revenue.
Combined with January’s retail sportsbook handle, Michigan’s sports betting handle hit $150.8m. That makes Michigan the highest total monthly handle for a state debuting online sports betting in US history.
In all, online sports betting accounted for 76.3 per cent of the state’s handle.
“There is no questioning the power of online sports betting at this point,” said Matt Schoch, analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “January was just a snapshot, but online betting will eventually account for 90 per cent or more of the state’s total handle, which would put it much more in line with other legal jurisdictions that offer both online and retail betting.”
Michigan got off to a quick start in large part because it launched on Jan. 22 with 10 online sportsbooks. That list includes the nation’s two largest operators FanDuel and DraftKings, as well as its main challengers.
FanDuel/MotorCity Casino topped the market with $32.6m in online wagers. That produced just $622,372 in gross sports betting receipts. DraftKings/Bay Mills Indian Community was second with a $28.2m handle, yielding $3.4m in gross receipts.
“Launching with 10 operators ready to go from the beginning is unlike anything else we’ve seen before,” Mr. Gouker said. “Having FanDuel and DraftKings, in addition to BetMGM, BetRivers, and Barstool, accepting bets on the first day of operation makes Michigan instantly one of the most competitive markets in the US. The vastness of choices is great for consumers, obviously. But it shows just how much confidence operators have in the future of the Michigan market.”
Online casinos and poker tallied $29.4m in gross receipts, or $2.9m per day in gross receipts, more than any other in US history in online casino gaming’s first month. That yielded $4.3m in tax revenue in its 10-day debut in January.
The BetMGM/MGM Grand Detroit easily led the market with $11.1m in gross receipts.
“Online sportsbooks draw more attention, but online casinos are typically a far more consistent revenue generator for state governments,” Mr. Schoch said. “With nearly $30 million in 10 days, Michigan is well on its way to becoming one of the giants in online gaming.”
