Michigan gaming board applauds budget increases

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(The Center Square) – The Michigan Gaming Control Board thanked Michigan lawmakers coming to a budget resolution.

Despite a slight decrease in the overall budget spending, the board maintained its funding. The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget also included a slight increase in the appropriations for both the state lottery and gaming.

The board’s Executive Director Henry Williams said it is a “responsible” budget that prioritizes Michigan’s citizens.

“This budget reinforces the state’s commitment to protecting Michiganders through strong regulatory oversight, promoting integrity in gaming, and ensuring our agency has the resources needed to uphold public trust,” Williams said.

Comparing the current fiscal budget, which was just signed on Tuesday, to last year’s budget, here is some of the notable information:

• A decrease in the number of full-time employees at the Bureau of State Lottery from 216 to 210.

• Gross appropriations for the bureau increased from $37 million to $38 million. That increase came from an increased expenditure for lottery operations, namely the cost of employees.

• A decrease in the number of full-time employees at the “Casino Gaming” department, which includes the Michigan Gaming Control Board. It decreased by just six positions, from 229 to 223.

• Gross appropriations for the department increased from $52 million to $54 million. That increase came primarily from an increased expenditure for lottery operations, namely the cost of employees.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is a state agency responsible for ensuring the fair, honest, and responsible conduct of all legalized gaming activities within Michigan. Those activities include casinos, iGaming, and sports betting.

Essentially, the board oversees everything from licensing and audits, to tax payments and public-facing services like hotlines.

The board argues that gambling and the tax/fee revenue it raises strengthens the state’s economy.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard consumers, combat illegal gaming, and collaborate with law enforcement and industry partners to maintain fair and secure gambling environments statewide,” Williams said. “The investments made through this budget will allow us to continue serving Michigan with transparency, accountability, and vigilance.”

In 2024, Detroit's commercial casinos reported $1.291 billion in aggregate revenue. Of that, $104.3 million was paid in taxes.

As for iGaming and sports betting, those operators reported $2.861 billion in gross receipts. Of that, $466.1 million was paid in taxes and fees.

These revenues go into funds, which then support the School Aid Fund. In 2024, $400.7 million was directed to the School Aid Fund via the Internet Gaming Fund and Internet Sports Betting Fund.