December proved to be a landmark month for Michigan's online casinos, as operators reported a staggering $315.8 million in gross receipts, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, this impressive figure shattered the previous state record of $278.5 million set in October 2025, marking a remarkable close to the year. They were propelled by the launch of the Hard Rock Bet online sportsbook and casino in Michigan. This marked the 10th state in the U.S. to add Hard Rock's top-rated platform.
As take a closer look at the numbers and trends, it's clear that Michigan has firmly established itself as a major player in the world of online gambling.
Michigan Online Casinos Continue to Break Records
The noticable performance in December shot Michigan's total annual online casino revenue up to an impressive $3.09 billion, surpassing the previous year's total of $2.44 billion.
This substantial growth highlights the increasing popularity and acceptance of online gambling in the state.
In terms of contributions to public finances, operators paid nearly $62 million in taxes to the state for December alone. Additionally, the city of Detroit received $13.8 million, while Michigan's tribes were allocated $8.5 million.
Over the course of the year, these figures amounted to $597.4 million to the state, $152.6 million to the city, and $71.9 million to the tribes—demonstrating the significant economic impact of the online casino industry in Michigan.
Operator Highlights
FanDuel maintained its dominant position in the Michigan online casino market, bringing in $76.9 million for December. This marked the seventh consecutive month that FanDuel topped the charts and set a new personal best for the company in Michigan.
After years of leading the pack, BetMGM secured the second spot with $67.8 million, followed by DraftKings, which saw a resurgence with $45.4 million. DraftKings' strong performance was underscored by a historic jackpot win, where a Michigan player turned a $0.20 wager into a $22.4 million payday—the largest online casino jackpot in U.S. history!
Newcomer Hard Rock entered the fray with an impressive $35.7 million, taking fourth place and pushing BetRivers to fifth with $22.2 million for the month. Meanwhile, Caesars moved up to sixth place, barely edging out Fanatics.
Michigan Online Casinos: A Growing Success Story
Michigan online casinos have been available to residents since January 22, 2021, with online poker launching just a week later. This expansion allowed people across the state to enjoy their favorite games from the comfort of their homes. The state's 12 tribes and the three commercial casinos in Detroit hold licenses for these online casinos, meaning Michigan hosts a total of 15 online sites.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) plays an essential role by releasing a monthly revenue report. This report provides detailed information about the earnings of each online gambling operator in the state. While tribal casinos are not required to report their earnings to the MGCB, their online partners do provide these figures.
In Michigan, taxes on online casinos and poker sites are based on the revenue they generate. If an operator earns less than $4 million in gross revenue, they are taxed at 20%. However, if their earnings exceed $12 million, the tax rate jumps to 28%. Additionally, for the Detroit casinos, there's an extra internet tax of 1.25% that goes to the city itself.
What's Next For Michigan's Online Casinos?
Overall, these online gambling opportunities have become a significant part of Michigan's economy, providing entertainment options and generating substantial tax revenue for the state and local communities. As the market continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the coming years.
The success of Michigan's online casinos in December—and throughout the year—reflects a growing comfort and enthusiasm for digital gambling platforms.
With more operators entering the scene and existing players expanding their offerings, the competitive landscape continues to evolve. Michigan's ability to attract new players and maintain engagement will be crucial for sustaining this upward trajectory in the coming years.
All in all, December was undoubtedly a month to remember for Michigan online casinos.
The record-breaking revenues and burgeoning player interest highlight the state's promising potential as a hub for online gambling. As 2026 unfolds, all eyes will be on Michigan to see if it can maintain its momentum and set new benchmarks in the rapidly growing online casino industry.
