Detroit’s casino industry showed strong financial performance in October, as new figures reveal, despite overall 2025 results remaining slightly below last year’s pace. The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported the city’s three commercial casinos – MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown – generated $107.4 million in total revenue for the month.
The latest numbers depict a mixed scene: October saw increased activity across several segments, yet the year-to-date figures still reflect a market seeking consistent momentum.
Table Games and Slot Revenue Boost October
Detroit’s October revenue was mainly driven by table games and slot machines, accounting for $105.9 million of the monthly total. This represents a 2.2% increase compared to October 2024 and a 7.9% rise since September 2025, indicating stronger visitation and wagering as the fall progresses.
Despite the monthly uptick, the first ten months of the year present a more cautious narrative. Combined revenue from table games and slot machines between January 1 and October 31 is down 1.1% from the same period in 2024, highlighting a year of inconsistent performance across Detroit’s gambling sector.
Market-share distribution remained steady in October. MGM Grand Detroit led with 49%, followed by MotorCity Casino at 29% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown at 22%. Revenue for each casino varied significantly year over year:
– MGM Grand Detroit generated $52.7 million, marking a 6.6% annual increase.
– MotorCity Casino posted $30.5 million, reflecting a 3.8% decline.
– Hollywood Casino at Greektown reported $22.7 million, improving 0.8%.
This uneven performance among the three casinos underscores how competition and changing consumer behavior shaped the local gaming market throughout 2025.
Retail Sports Betting Sees One of Its Strongest Months of the Year
Sports wagering added another positive angle to Detroit’s October outcomes. Across the three properties, sportsbooks recorded a $13.5 million handle and $1.6 million in total gross receipts. Qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) rose $2.4 million over October 2024 and increased $794,016 from September, marking one of the sharpest month-over-month gains of the year for retail betting.
Performance varied widely by property:
– MotorCity Casino led with $786,929 in QAGR.
– Hollywood Casino at Greektown followed closely with $727,254.
– MGM Grand Detroit, traditionally the weakest of the three in retail betting, reported $27,258.
In total, retail sports betting contributed $58,266 in state taxes and $71,215 in wagering taxes to the City of Detroit.
State and Local Tax Payments Rise
October also saw an increase in state and municipal tax contributions. The three Detroit casinos paid $8.6 million in state gaming taxes, up from $8.4 million in the same month last year. Additionally, the properties submitted $13.1 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the city.
Fantasy contest operators reported $986,178 in adjusted revenue for September 2025, resulting in $82,839 in taxes paid.
With October concluded, the rest of 2025 will determine if Detroit’s gaming industry surpasses or continues to trail last year’s totals. While the month showed encouraging signs, especially in retail sports betting, overall casino revenue remains just below 2024 levels, leaving November and December as the decisive period for the city’s gambling market.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com