All About Michigan Sports Betting Handle And Revenue

The experts at BetMichigan.com have assembled this guide to explain what we mean when we talk about Michigan sports betting financial figures, which include handle, revenue, adjusted gross receipts and tax collections.

Michigan has one of the most expansive menus of legal gambling options in the United States. Michigan has Tribal and commercial casinos; retail and mobile sports gambling; and online casino games (also called iGaming) with options such as slots, table games and internet poker.

Tribal casino gambling in Michigan predated the commercial casinos in Detroit. In 1993, the state signed compacts with several federally recognized tribes in Michigan to conduct Class III gaming on their lands, but some tribal gaming operated even before that time. In 1996, Michigan voters approved commercial casino gambling for Detroit, which allowed for three casinos. They opened from 1999 to 2000. 

Near the end of 2019, the state legislature legalized a raft of gambling options, including in-person and online sports gambling, iGaming and fantasy sports. Commercial and tribal casinos could have retail sports betting and Michigan sportsbook apps. The first in-person sports bet was made in March 2020 and online sports gambling launched in early 2021.

Michigan Sports Betting, August vs. July

Michigan Sports Betting Handle and Revenue: August 2023

Sports gambling handle in Michigan for August took a jump from the previous month but revenue dipped.

In August, the total sports betting handle, both online and retail, was almost $228.5 million, up 9.4% from July (almost $208.81 million). However, the August total adjusted sports betting gross gaming revenue (GGR) of nearly $16.22 million was down 3.9% from July’s $16.87 million.

Breaking down the figures between online and retail betting, the August mobile sports betting handle was $218.46 million, up 8.8% from July ($200.84 million), and the August retail sports betting handle was about $10.04 million, an increase of 26% from more than $7.96 million the previous month.

Mobile sports wagering made up 95.6% of the state’s total sports betting action last month. The vast majority of wagers each month are placed by customers using their phones, laptops or desktop devices.

Following the drop in revenue, taxes were down as well from the previous month. The August total sports betting state tax was $1,089,345 ($1,077,166 for online, and $12,179 for retail), a 2.1% decline from July’s $1,113,274 ($1,093,684 online, $19,590 retail).

The August retail City of Detroit wagering tax (retail) was down 37.8%, from $23,944 in July to $14,885 in August.

Michigan Mobile Sports Betting History

Michigan Sports Betting Handle and Revenue FAQs

What were the handle, revenue and tax figures for sports betting in Michigan in 2022?

In Michigan in 2022, sports betting handle was about $4.8 billion. Adjusted gross sports betting receipts were just over $253 million for mobile and retail sportsbooks combined. Adjusted gross receipts include deductions for the monetary value of free play incentives provided to and waged by bettors. Internet taxes, fees and payments from sports gambling from both Tribal and casino operators were about $20.48 million.

What is the tax rate in Michigan for sports betting?

The tax rate on operators is 8.4%.

How often does Michigan release its online sports betting revenue figures?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board reports its figures for sports betting once a month.

Where do Michigan sports betting tax proceeds go?

For non-Tribal operators, proceeds are distributed among the Internet Sports Betting Fund; the Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund, and the City of Detroit. For tribal operators, proceeds are distributed between Internet the Sports Betting Fund and the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Who regulates sports betting in Michigan?

The Michigan Gaming Control Board.

What is mobile sports betting handle?

Mobile sports betting handle refers to the amount of money wagered on mobile or online apps, using phones, laptops, or other online devices. Many online operators offer Michigan sports betting promo codes to customers. Total handle refers to the combined handle of both online wagering and sports betting done in person at casinos.

What is handle vs. revenue in sports betting?

In sports betting, handle is simply the total of all sports wagers made in the state during any month. In Michigan, bettors wager hundreds of millions of dollars monthly and the vast majority of the action is from people using mobile/online devices. Revenue is what is left to the gambling operators after winnings are paid out. Adjusted Gross Receipts is largely revenue minus deductions for the monetary value of free play incentives provided to and wagered by bettors.