Detroit Evening Report: Gaming revenue down at Detroit casinos amid strike

Revenue at Detroit’s three casinos fell sharply in October, mainly because of a union strike against the businesses.

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Thousands of unionized employees at MotorCity Casino, MGM Grand Detroit and Hollywood Casino at Greektown walked off the job Oct. 17 over issues such as pay, benefits and staffing. 

The three casinos brought in $82.8 million in revenue last month, of which $81.7 million was generated from table games and slots, and $1.1 million from retail sports betting, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. That’s down nearly 19% from the same month last year. 

The casinos paid $6.6 million in taxes to the state of Michigan for October — and another $10.1 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit. 

According to the Detroit Casino Council, which represents 3,700 casino employees across five unions, each day of the strike could put approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues at risk.

Other headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023:

• The United Auto Workers union members are taking part in ratification votes after reaching tentative agreements a few weeks ago with each of Detroit’s three automakers.
• A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ruled former President Donald Trump can appear on the Michigan ballot next year.
• More Detroiters are working now than at any point in the past decade, according to recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Covenant House is holding its 10th annual “Sleep Out” event on Thursday to support homeless youth.

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