[NEWS RELEASE] Michigan Gaming Control Board renews licenses for three commercial casinos in Detroit, passes resolution to support more small businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: MGCB-Media@michigan.gov

Michigan Gaming Control Board renews licenses for three commercial casinos in Detroit, passes resolution to support small businesses

Pictured from left to right are Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager John Drake, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams, MGCB Board Member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, MGM Grand Detroit Casino President Matt Buckley, MGCB Board Member Joni M. Thrower Davis, MGCB Board Member Andrew Palms, MGCB Board Chairperson Linda Forte, and MotorCity Casino President Bruce Dall at the Aug. 13, 2024 MGCB Board Meeting.

DETROIT, Aug. 13, 2024 — The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced today that Board Members have unanimously approved the one-year renewal of licenses for Detroit’s three commercial casinos — MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown — during its regularly scheduled public Board meeting this morning. The Board also passed a resolution to allow more small businesses to provide goods and services to the Detroit casinos.

This decision to renew the commercial casinos’ licenses follows a thorough review of the operations and compliance of each casino, as required per the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, demonstrating their commitment to upholding gaming regulations and promoting a safe and responsible gaming environment in the city.

“I am pleased to announce the unanimous approval of the license renewals for Detroit’s three authorized commercial casinos,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “This decision reaffirms our confidence in the casinos’ commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity, security, and fairness in their operations. We look forward to continued cooperation with the casinos to ensure the best possible experience for patrons while prioritizing responsible gaming practices.”

The renewal of these licenses underscores the MGCB’s dedication to fostering a thriving and well-regulated gaming industry in Michigan that benefits both the City of Detroit and its residents. Licensees are taxed at a rate of 18% on adjusted gross receipts and remit their wagering tax daily via electronic funds transfer. The state receives 8.1% and the City of Detroit receives 9.9% of the wagering tax plus development agreement payments. The casinos also pay an 8.4% tax on retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts, as well as an annual fee to cover the state’s regulatory expenses. A table detailing how tax revenue is distributed for internet gaming, internet sports betting and fantasy contests is available on the agency’s website at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

The three Detroit casinos will each be eligible for license renewals again next year, in August 2025.

In a move to boost opportunities for small businesses, the Board also passed Board Resolution 2024-03, introducing changes to vendor exemptions and waivers under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Notable changes included revisions offering subcontractors greater flexibility by allowing them to provide up to $500,000 in nongaming-related goods and services to each casino licensee annually, alongside their construction-related services, without the two amounts conflicting.

“This adjustment, known as the ‘Subcontractor 2’ exemption, aligns with the Board’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse supplier landscape within the Detroit casino industry,” Williams said. “Enabling subcontractors to operate similarly to vendor-exempt businesses brings significant positives for businesses, providing new job opportunities and driving economic growth within the industry.”

The next regularly scheduled public meeting of the MGCB will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. A schedule of meetings for the 2025 fiscal year, which runs from October 2024 through September 2025, can be found on the agency’s website at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Michigan citizens can also visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

• 2024.08.13-PR-Detroit-Casinos-Licenses-Renewal.pdf