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Detroit Casino Revenue Reaches Highest September Mark Since 2021
By Drew Ellis
Published:
The three Detroit commercial casinos recorded $102.8 million in revenue for the month of September.
While that was a 5.6% dip from August, it was still a good showing for the Detroit casinos, as September is typically a down month for revenue.
A year ago, the three casinos tallied only $98.2 million in revenue, so this year is a 4.7% increase year-over-year. This marks the first time since 2021 that September revenue was over $102 million.
MGM Grand Detroit Collects 48% Share
Of the three Detroit casinos, it was the MGM Grand Detroit that took in the most revenue in September, which has been the norm
The MGM Grand Detroit brought in a 47.5% share with $52.9 million of the revenue.
Here’s a look at how each of the three casinos performed in August, according to data from the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
- MGM Grand Detroit: $48,837,911
- MotorCity Casino: $32,600,718
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $21,337,014
These three casinos generated $8.3 million in state tax revenue in September, as well as an additional $12.7 million in Detroit city tax revenue.
Detroit Casino Revenue Up 2.3% in 2026
With September’s numbers factored in, the 2026 revenue continues to separate further from 2025.
Through the first nine months of the year, these three casinos have tallied $971.1 million in revenue, up 2.3% compared to last year. After nine months of 2025, the Detroit casinos had $949.5 million.
| Detroit Casino | Revenue (Jan-Sept 2025) | Revenue (Jan-Sept 2026) | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand Detroit | $451,197,029 | $463,404,788 | 2.7% |
| MotorCity Casino | $284,224,719 | $297,483,521 | 4.7% |
| Hollywood Casino at Greektown | $214,067,170 | $210,187,062 | -1.8% |
| Total | $949,488,919 | $971,075,370 | 2.3% |
Currently, Detroit is on pace to reach $1.29 billion in yearly revenue based on monthly average. A good goal for the casinos should be reaching $1.3 billion, as that would be the first time the trio has reached that milestone since before the pandemic.
If the casinos are able to maintain the 2.3% gap compared to a year ago, that would put them at $1.29 billion in revenue for the year as well.
What Detroit Casinos Need to Reach $1.3 Billion
Should the Detroit Casinos reach $1.3 billion in revenue for 2026, the trio will have to average $109.6 million over the last three months of the year.
That’s not going to be an easy task.
While the last quarter of the years has typically been a stronger period for the Detroit casinos, last year they averaged just $105.3 million over each month from October-December.
Here’s how the average monthly revenue for Q4 has looked in recent years.
- 2025: $105.3 million
- 2024: $106.5 million
- 2023: $89.7 million (two months impacted by workers’ strike)
- 2022: $103.0 million
- 2021: $108.9 million
- 2020: $54.6 million (impacted by pandemic restrictions)
- 2019: $122.6 million
As you can see, pre-pandemic standards are still quite a ways in the distance, but this year could help move the casinos forward with a strong Q4.
Regardless of what happens, this will be the most Detroit casino revenue since 2019. With Michigan online casinos well on their way to a record-setting revenue year, the casino industry is having a positive 2026.
Drew Ellis has experience covering the gambling industries in North America and around the world. Decades of media experience provide him with the background to handle the complexities of different gambling laws and policies around the United States and North America. Ellis has primarily focused on online and retail casino news since 2021. Prior to working in the gambling industry, Ellis spent over 20 years in the newspaper industry, covering sports and the gambling. His work for The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun and The Oakland Press was recognized with awards by the Associated Press and other media organizations. Drew has also contributed to the Detroit Free Press and the Associated Press.