Skip to main content

Michigan Gaming Control Board renews licenses for Detroit's three commercial casinos, highlighting continued community and economic impact

MGCB board members, executive staff, and casino executives pose for a photo at the Sept. 9, 2025, MGCB Board Meeting.

Pictured from left to right are MGCB Board Chairperson Jim Ananich, MGCB Board Member Andrew Palms, MotorCity Casino President Bruce Dall, MGCB Board Member Mark Evenson, MGCB Board Member Joni M. Thrower Davis, MGCB Board Member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, MGM Grand Detroit Casino President Matt Buckley, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams, Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager John Drake, and MGCB Chief of Staff Kurt Steinkamp at the Sept. 9, 2025, MGCB Board Meeting.

 

DETROIT, Sept. 9, 2025 — The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) today unanimously approved license renewals for Detroit’s three commercial casinos—MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown—during its regularly scheduled public board meeting.

The annual approval follows a comprehensive review of each casino’s operations, regulatory compliance, and commitment to responsible gaming practices, as required under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The decision ensures that Detroit residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a safe, secure, and well-regulated gaming environment.

“Detroit’s commercial casinos are not only entertainment destinations but also major contributors to the city and state economies,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “By renewing these licenses, the Board reaffirms its commitment to a gaming industry that promotes integrity, accountability, and community benefit. Our oversight helps ensure that patrons have a fair and responsible experience, while Michigan residents continue to see the economic value generated by casino revenues.”

The Detroit casinos play a vital role in supporting public services through wagering and sports betting taxes. Licensees are taxed at a rate of 19% on adjusted gross receipts, with 8.1% going to the state and 10.9% to the City of Detroit, along with development agreement payments. Casinos also pay an 8.4% tax on retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts and annual fees that support the state’s regulatory functions. These funds help sustain city services, economic development, and state initiatives.

The MGCB also emphasized the importance of small business participation in the casino supply chain, with measures in place to broaden opportunities for local vendors and suppliers.

Each of Detroit’s three casinos will be eligible for renewal again in September 2026.

For more information about the MGCB and gaming regulation in Michigan, visit 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.

Media Contact: