Patron wears a mask as he plays the penny slots Wednesday at the MGM Grand Detroit. Photo: Todd McInturf, The Detroit News The Coronavirus pandemic resulted in Michigan enclosures of many public venues. These included theatres, bowling alleys, Michigan casinos, and more. After weeks of being shut down, people in the Wolverine state will now be able to enjoy again the best Detroit casinos that have been closed for more than a month as the state was dealing with an increase in COVID-19 cases.
There is a total of 26 brick and mortar Michigan casinos, of which 23 are Indian Tribal casinos that are regulated by the Federal Government and 3 commercial casinos in the Detroit area which are regulated by the state: MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Greektown Casino. These three have opened this week so punters can already enjoy the best Michigan casinos in Detroit again. However there are some new rules and restrictions in place to protect public health and safety.
The Pandemic dealt to Detroit casinos a harsh blow, costing the City of Detroit the loss of many millions of tax revenues. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the city’s 3 casinos reported in November $50.4 million in revenue. This revenue divided between $48.1 million for table games and slots, while sports betting generated $2.1 million.
These takings were produced on the first half of the month while the casinos operated at a 15% capacity amidst COVID-19 health concerns. But on November 17, all three were then ordered to shut completely on November 17.
Compared to November 2019, revenues from slots and table games dropped by 61.3%. Compared to the previous month (October 2020), Michigan casino revenues dropped by 48.7%. Looking at November 2020 monthly revenue for each casino compared with November 2019:
- MGM Detroit revenues fell by 62.1% to $20.5 million.
- MotorCity Casino revenues fell by 57.1% to $17.5 million.
- Greektown Casino revenues fell by 65.7% to $10.1 million.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and state officials eased the restrictions to allow Michigan casinos to reopen on the week before Christmas. Still, activity will resume with limited capacity and hours of operation. Detroit Casinos will allow to host up to 100 patrons, food and drink venues remain closed and social distancing requirements are still in place. In a press release by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the restrictions will be in effect at least until January 15.
MGM Grand Detroit casinos opened on Wednesday with more than 1,500 slot and video poker machines available to players. Table games were opened a few days later, due to more need for social distancing regulations and supervision. BetMGM Sportsbook also opened within the MGM facility.
David Tsai, President of MGM Resort International’s Midwest Group said to the press: ‘Our team is prepared to welcome back just as many guests on our casino floor as we had prior to our closing.’ He added that all visitors will be ‘socially distanced across our 150,000+ square foot casino floor.’ When asked about the impact on the casino’s workforce, Tsai said that MGM ‘are happy to bring back over 1,000 workers’.
MotorCity Casino Hotel also opened on Wednesday, with all returning employees required to undergo a COVID-19 test. MotorCity Casino will continue to enforce strict measures such as wearing masks, and it shut down many slot machines in order to keep social distancing. The third Michigan casino in Detroit: Greektown Casino also opened on Wednesday under all regulations and restrictions.
All three commercial Michigan casinos which are based in Detroit usually generate an average of $600,000 in tax revenues for the city each day. In November 2020 the tree casinos combined paid a tax of $5.7 million, compared to $19.7 million paid in wagering taxes in November 2019.
Both the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan at large are looking forward for a significant boost in tax revenues expected from the launch of online Michigan gambling that is expected in early January. This will enable anyone over 21 and within Michigan state limits to bet on casino, sports betting and poker through a computer or mobile device.
