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Michigan’s reign as the leading online casino destination was glorious but short-lived, much like the pleasant April weather.
Only four hours following the announcement by the Michigan Gaming Control Board about Michigan online casinos setting a national revenue record of $171.8 million in March, Pennsylvania released its March report and reclaimed the record with $181.5 million.
However, Michigan’s online casino market continues to demonstrate its strength, comparable to any other in the country.
In March, Michigan achieved unprecedented accomplishments due to the following four significant factors.
BetMGM Michigan is the country’s online casino leader
Having the nation’s most thriving online casino can be advantageous if you aim to become the largest market in the country.
In March, BetMGM Michigan achieved an unprecedented feat by generating a staggering $56.2 million in revenue, establishing itself as an unrivaled revenue-generating powerhouse. No other operator in the entire country has ever experienced such a remarkable month of success.
What makes BetMGM so successful in this location?
BetMGM has been making a strong effort to establish itself as a major player in the online gambling industry, even before its official launch. The brand recognized the potential in Michigan, where it could leverage the existing loyalty it had cultivated through MGM Grand Detroit, to compete against the leading online gambling companies.
Insiders were skeptical about the possibility, particularly in the realm of sports betting. Playinmichigan even depicted a flying pig to convey the brand’s ambitious goals. However, BetMGM has emerged as a strong contender alongside FanDuel and DraftKings in the Michigan online sportsbook market, surpassing the competition on the casino front.
BetMGM boasts an extensive collection of games, including a variety of exclusive titles. Notably, they offer Michigan exclusives such as Red Wings Slingo, Tigers Slingo, and Lions Blackjack, Deluxe and Roulette.
BetMGM’s commitment to Michigan is evident and is being acknowledged by online casino players throughout the state, which is directly reflected in the revenue figures.
Michigan online casino launch was well-coordinated and well-timed
We have reiterated numerous times the importance of discussing the quality of Michigan’s online gambling launch in our stories.
During the 13 months following the passing of the bill, regulators and operators diligently prepared for the launch day, which turned out to be an enormous triumph. On January 22, 2021, a total of eight online casinos were made available, and this number increased to 14 by June. Presently, Michigan boasts a total of 15 online casinos.
Michigan quickly became competitive with its predecessors, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, thanks to its fast start.
Due to a range of factors, both Pennsylvania and New Jersey experienced slower beginnings, enabling Michigan to achieve revenue milestones at a much quicker pace. In a span of 27 months, Michigan surpassed $3 billion in revenue by March, whereas Pennsylvania took 38 months and New Jersey took 91 months to reach the same figure.
Coordination is essential for achieving all of this, but Michigan’s advantageous timing also played a role. The availability of legal online casinos coincided with a six-month period of pandemic restrictions imposed on Michigan’s retail casinos. Additionally, even after the restrictions were lifted, some individuals still had reservations about visiting crowded public areas.
This facilitated the opportunity for players, who may not have previously experienced online casino games, to develop a sense of comfort with them from the beginning.
No major online casino launches have followed Michigan
Despite the introduction of legislation in multiple states to legalize online casinos, there has been a lack of significant launches following Michigan’s successful implementation.
Connecticut recently entered the competition, with only two operators – DraftKings and Mohegan Sun (FanDuel).
What is the significance of that? It is because the prominent operators have not needed to shift their attention away from Michigan, if at all.
Instead of investing their time and resources in acquiring new customers from states like Ohio and Massachusetts, online casino operators can prioritize enhancing their product and introducing fresh games to their current markets.
The current situation of Michigan online casinos receiving exceptional treatment is not permanent, as a larger state will likely introduce iGaming in the future. However, that is expected to take a significant amount of time, indicating that Michigan online casinos will continue to enjoy preferential treatment for an extended period.
March set up well for an online casino record in Michigan
March was perfectly positioned for a record, considering all the factors leading up to it.
Despite the calendar hindering their progress, online casinos maintained their momentum in February, setting a record pace. However, March, with its 31 days and a comparable daily average of $5.5 million, successfully achieved what February had previously promised.
Thanks to March Madness, your sports betting handle experienced a month of increased activity. Numerous online casinos offered cross-promotions, but even simply opening the app contributed, even if only minimally.
Lastly, let’s discuss the weather. It wasn’t terrible, yet it wasn’t fantastic either. Essentially, it embodied the typical March conditions experienced in Michigan.
Michigan online casinos typically perform better during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons, which is quite expected. However, their revenue tends to slightly decrease from May to September as we aim to make the most of Michigan’s prime conditions.
Based on these factors, it appears that April may not quite match up to March. With a total of 30 days, April lacks any significant sporting events for cross-promotion. However, the weather is gradually getting better, albeit intermittently.
However, it is worth noting that April set a record last year, and recent events have shown that underestimating the power of Michigan online casinos would be unwise.
