Detroit’s three privately-owned casinos reported $50.4 million in monthly aggregate revenue for November, despite being forced to close for three weeks per an epidemic order issued on November 15, 2020, by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and enforced by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
The trio of casinos has also had to operate at just 15 percent capacity, one of the most stringent occupancy thresholds issued for a commercial casino, since August 5 after executive orders issued by Dem. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed all three on March 16 when the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Table games and slots:
Market shares:
According to the MGCB, November market shares based on aggregate revenue including slots, table games and retail sports betting were 42 percent for the MGM Resorts International-operated MGM Grand, 37 percent for the Marian Ilitch of IH Gaming (Detroit Entertainment, LLC)-owned MotorCity, and lastly, 21 percent for Greektown Casino.
Extended closure:
As COVID-19 surges on in Michigan, on Monday, December 7, 2020, an updated order put in place by MDHHS Director Robert Gordon, closes casinos and other entertainment venues through at least December 20. The original order in effect from November 18 was set to expire Tuesday, with Governor Whitmer announcing the 12-day extension on Monday, according to multiple news outlets.
Michigan’s 24 American Indian tribal casinos, which are owned by federally recognized sovereign nations and governed by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), do not fall under the jurisdiction of the MDHHS and therefore are not subject to the order.