Detroit casinos eke out modest revenue gains in 2017

Detroit’s three commercial casinos reported a modest revenue increase in 2017, despite the city’s largest operator reporting flat numbers.

Figures released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board showed the state’s three commercial casinos earned combined revenue of $1.4b last year, a 1.1% improvement over 2016’s $1.385b. Slots accounted for 81% of 2017’s overall casino revenue.

The figure marks the city’s second straight year of modest growth but still well shy of the market’s peak of $1.42b set in 2012. The city’s share of casino revenue and development agreement payments totaled $177.4m. Detroit, which declared bankruptcy in 2013, derives as much as 16% of its municipal government income from its three casinos.

MGM Grand Detroit didn’t contribute to the year-on-year gain, as its $592.2m revenue was up only 0.01% from 2016. The MGM venue’s share of 2017’s overall revenue pie slipped one point to 42%.