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Detroit’s commercial casinos have kicked off 2026 with slightly improved performance, recording a total of $100.6 million in revenue for February, a 2% increase compared to the same month last year. The majority of this figure, $100 million, came from the combined table games and slots, with the remaining portion from retail sports betting.
Casino Market Share in February 2026
Among the three major casinos, MGM Grand Detroit led the market with a 48% share, contributing $48.3 million. MotorCity Casino followed with $29.4 million, holding 29% of the market share, while Hollywood Casino at Greektown earned $22.3 million, accounting for 23%. This distribution highlights MGM’s continued dominance in the Detroit casino scene.
Though February is traditionally a slower month for casino revenue due to its shorter duration, the February 2026 total surpassed $100 million—an outcome that was better than the $98 million posted for the same month in 2025. This small increase shows positive growth for the city’s casinos, signaling a strong start for the year despite the typically lower winter revenues.
As stated in Michigan Gaming Control Board’s press release, retail sports betting also played a role in Detroit’s February 2026 revenue, contributing $560,960 in qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR). This figure came from a reported handle of $6.5 million, a figure that experienced a 31.2% decline in QAGR from February 2025. While the sports betting numbers were lower than the previous year, they remain an important part of the overall casino earnings.
For the three casinos, QAGR for sports betting was distributed as follows: MGM Grand Detroit brought in $134,420, MotorCity Casino earned $159,851, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown recorded the highest sports betting revenue at $266,689. Despite the decline, the sector continues to hold significance in the casino revenue landscape.
Year-over-Year Casino Revenue Growth
Looking at year-to-date performance, Detroit’s casinos have reported $203.1 million in total revenue for 2026 through February, marking a 1.4% increase over the same period last year. This growth, though modest, reflects a positive trend following the inconsistent performance observed in 2025.
2025 saw a dip in overall revenue compared to 2024, marking the second year of decline in the past five years. However, the total revenue of $1.265 billion in 2025 was still the second-highest since 2022, and with the 2026 numbers showing early signs of improvement, the year could see a return toward pre-pandemic revenue levels.
While retail casinos in Detroit show gradual growth, the rise of online casinos in Michigan is undeniable. The state’s iGaming market, which was legalized in 2021, continues to outpace traditional brick-and-mortar casinos in revenue. In 2025, Michigan’s online gambling sector earned an impressive $3.09 billion, a significant boost to the state’s gaming revenue.
In comparison, the retail casino revenue in Detroit is not expected to reach the levels seen before the pandemic, with 2019’s $1.45 billion still a far-off goal. However, the positive figures recorded for 2026 offer hope that the local casino market could stabilize, even if it doesn’t recover to pre-2020 levels.
Despite the challenges posed by online competition, Detroit’s casinos are poised to benefit from the continued expansion of the gaming market. With the advent of mobile betting and a growing number of sports wagering opportunities, the future for Detroit’s casinos remains promising.
