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As Gambling Revenue Tops $293 Million, Michigan Targets Illegal Sports Betting

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: April 23, 2025 3:23 PM EDT • 1 min 47 sec read.

Pictured: Detroit Tigers designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy celebrates after he hits a home run at Comerica Park. Photo by Rick Osentoski via Imagn Images.

Gambling revenue in Michigan totaled $293.5 million in March, at the same time as the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) launched an investigation into unlicensed sports prediction firms. 

Gross receipts encompass revenue from commercial and tribal gaming companies, encompassing both iGaming and online sports betting. The combined figure represents a 9.3% increase from February.

It was real-money online casinos, however, that produced the lion’s share of that growth, with gross receipts for March of $260.5 million, up from $222.5 million in February, setting a new record of monthly receipts since internet gambling was legalized in the state in December 2019. On the other hand, sports betting receipts fell significantly, from $46 million in February to $33 million.  

Adjusted gross receipts (AGR) for iGaming also increased in the Wolverine State, operators reported a total of $246.1 million, up 17.7% compared to February, while sports books declined by 46.4% month-on-month, reporting $14.6 million in AGR. 

Yet, the best Michigan sports betting operators did experience a month-on-month increase for its combined handle, with wagers up 25.1%, producing $475.1 million in March. 

The record iGaming figures were good news for statewide authorities. Michigan’s Gaming operators submitted $51.4 million in state taxes, while the three commercial casinos located in Detroit contributed a combined total of $13.4 million in municipal fees and gambling taxes. Tribal operators reported a total of $6 million paid to their governing bodies in the same month. 

Michigan’s gambling sector includes 15 commercial and tribal operators, with all 15 offering iGaming in some form and 12 providing sports betting services. It leaves no shortage of Michigan sportsbook promos for residents to choose from.

Unlicensed sports predictions

Meanwhile, the Michigan Gaming Control Board, along with several other state regulators, has begun investigating the operations of unlicensed sports prediction companies in Michigan. 

The platforms provide what they describe as financial products, allowing customers to trade predictions of sports events. As they are not directly offering sports betting products, the platforms are not subject to the regulations governing sports betting and Michigan sports betting apps. They are effectively unlicensed. 

The companies concerned do not make any contribution to Michigan state revenue through gambling taxes or licensing fees. The MGCB has also expressed concern for the safety of its customers, as these platforms are not required to adhere to the range of regulations, including Know-Your-Client (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and integrity monitoring, that licensed sports betting operators are subject to. 

“Unlicensed entities not only pose a risk to consumers but also undercut the integrity and revenue-generating potential of the state’s regulated sports betting industry. We are actively investigating these practices and will pursue appropriate measures to protect Michigan bettors,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB. 

The regulator’s concerns extend to presenting sports betting as an investment vehicle, which they say goes against responsible gambling principles.

Written By:
Ziv Chen
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.