CASINOS

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has rejected a proposal for a $180 million off-reservation casino in western Michigan that a tribe has been working toward for over a decade.

In their most recent report (April 2022), the Michigan Gaming Control Board shows a significant increase in internet gaming and sports betting compared to April 2021.

A new food hall concept offering various types of cuisine is opening at MGM Grand Detroit, replacing what was the Palette Dining Studio buffet.

The commercial gaming industry made over $44 billion in revenue in 2021, surpassing a record set in 2019.

A Harper Woods man who is accused of using disguises and stealing nearly $100,000 from 10 casino patrons will be going to federal prison for four years.

A Harper Woods man accused of using disguises to steal money from casinos pleads guilty to wire fraud and identify fraud.

(AP Photo/John Locher, File)LANSING, Mich. – Online sports betting and casino games will start in Michigan at noon Friday, an expansion of options for gamblers who now wager through offshore sites. State regulators have authorized licenses for all three Detroit casinos and seven of the dozen tribes with “Class III” casinos. Greenblatt said the state's 8.4% online sports betting tax is “very sensible,” allowing licensed operators to compete with offshore sites. “You've got a group of players who have long been betting offshore. Casinos offering online games like blackjack will pay a tax of between 20% and 28%, depending on their amount of adjusted gross receipts.

DETROIT Detroits Greektown Casino-Hotel is laying off 43 workers due to revenue loss from the coronavirus pandemic. These layoffs at Greektown Casino-Hotel are the unfortunate result of COVID-19 related business circumstances that were sudden, dramatic and beyond our control, said the company in a statement announcing the layoffs. The 43 union employees will be laid off beginning Sept. 28 or the 14 day period commencing on that date. The layoffs come as Michigan casinos along with other businesses were closed down for months because of the pandemic. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 106,215 as of Saturday morning, including 6,534 deaths, state officials report.

DETROIT – The three casinos in Detroit can open Aug. 5. Tribal casinos, which are not regulated by the state, have already reopened and have been operating safely, Michigan Gov. The reception was in violation of Whitmer’s order limiting the number of people attending indoor events, county officials said. “The safety and protection of Wayne County residents is our top priority,” said Carol Austerberry, county health officer. In Gladwin County in central Michigan, health officials reported at least 42 cases linked to The Spring Ministries summer camp.

The three casinos in Detroit can open Aug. 5. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Gretchen Whitmer issued amended orders on Wednesday to limit indoor gatherings, while setting a reopening date for Detroits casinos, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state. Indoor gatherings, barsThe amended order requires statewide indoor gatherings to be limited to 10 people. Detroit casinosAdditionally, under the new orders, Detroit casinos will also be allowed to open on Aug. 5, but their occupancy will be limited to 15% capacity. As we see COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Michiganders cannot afford to drop our guard. After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state, we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy.

DETROIT – On Monday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board approved minimum reopening guidelines for the Detroit casinos to protect public health and safety. The casinos will remain closed until reopening can be permitted under Gov. “In compiling these minimum guidelines, we considered CDC recommendations, Nevada Gaming Board guidelines and information from the National Indian Gaming Commission,” said Richard S. Kalm, MGCB executive director. “We required the casinos to propose reopening plans, and we consulted with the casino unions on the guidelines. We believe the guidelines will protect the public when it is safe to reopen the casinos.”The minimum guidelines for initial opening include:Limit of 15 percent the legal capacity at each casinoLimited entrance points with temperature checksA ban on smoking on the casino floorsNo poker roomsHeightened cleaning protocolsSocial distancingThe minimum reopening guidelines approved today will be implemented after the governor issues an order allowing the casinos to reopen.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Detroit’s casinos remain closed, but 7 Indian casinos -- which closed voluntarily -- are reopening in the coming days. That includes Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek and Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. The casinos are taking steps to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19). READ: How MGM Grand Detroit will look when it reopens following coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdownSoaring Eagle Casino will have temperature checks. READ: Greektown Casino-Hotel provides housing for Detroit first responders working during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemicWatch the full report above.

Detroit’s casinos remain closed, but 7 Indian casinos -- which closed voluntarily -- are reopening in the coming days. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

All Detroit casinos close for at least 2 weeksPublished: March 16, 2020, 5:19 pmAll Detroit casinos will close for at least 2 weeks because of coronavirus.

Michigan Casinos can now legally accepts wagers on sports events. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT – The Detroit casinos reported aggregate revenue of $121.7 million during February, topping February 2019 revenue by 6.3 percent. February revenue was up 1.5 percent from January results, and revenue rose 6.7 percent during the first two months of 2020 as compared with the same months last year. Compared with February 2019 results, MGM Grand Detroit’s monthly revenue rose 6.4 percent to $52.6 million. Greektown Casino reported $28.6 million in monthly revenue for an 8.3 percent increase compared with February 2019 numbers. The three Detroit casinos reported submitting $14.5 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the city of Detroit during February.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board made the announcement Friday that sports fans will be able to bet on March Madness games when the legal betting goes live. MGM Grand in Detroit spent $7 million on a sports lounge and sports book. It will have seven walk-up windows and 15 kiosks. Greektown Casino sports book will be on the third level with kiosks, televisions, a bar and food. Motor City Casino didn’t respond to a comment request about what it has ready for sports betting, but it has met the requirements to begin onsite betting Wednesday.

DETROIT – Adjusted gross revenue for Detroit’s three casinos topped $1.4 billion last year. MGM Grand Detroit reported $623.5 million in yearly revenue last year, while MotorCity Casino reported $493.6 million. Both amounts were the highest yearly adjusted gross revenue totals for the casinos since they opened in 1999. Greektown Casino reported $337.2 million in adjusted gross revenue in 2019. The three casinos paid the state nearly $118 million in gaming taxes last year.

As casinos close, what's next for Atlantic City? After a quarter center of the Atlantic City, New Jersey, boardwalk, the Showboat Casino closed its doors. And, with two more casinos closing in the coming weeks, what will become of the gambling city? Anne Marie-Green reports.