The Michigan Gaming Control Board released data on how much state tribal casinos paid to local governments in 2023. As reported, gaming payments at 23 tribal casinos in the state fell for the second year in a row.
1.4% Less Short Payments:
Citing the Michigan Game Control Board's (MGCB) official 2023 Tribal Games Annual Report (pdf), Play Michigan said payments to local corporations in tribal casinos fell 1.4% in 2023 over the amount introduced in 2022.
Annual decline for 2 consecutive years:
The 23 tribal casinos account for nearly 90% of all land-based gaming operations in Michigan, with only three other Detroit-based resorts. According to a report by Play Michigan, the commission's report reflects tribal payments made to local state authorities among slot machine revenue. These payments account for about 2% of tribal net gaming revenue, and the reported reduction in payments indicates that tribal casinos' revenue levels are slightly lower in their second year, according to the sources.
$30.4 million in shortfall payments:
According to Play Michigan, MGCB's report is the only means for regulators to monitor gaming revenue trends at tribal casinos in Michigan, which represents the basis for state revenue and contribution leverage. These payments to state agencies reportedly reached $30.4 million in 2023. Payments fell 1.4% compared to $30.8 million paid in 2022, indicating a slight decline for a second year.
Potawatomi Payments Decreased 12%:
As reported, 23 tribal casinos in the state are operated by 12 Native American tribes. Of these, four casino operators experienced declines in 2023, better than in 2022, when eight tribes reported declines. In 2023, three operators reduced their payments by 2%, which was between 1.3% and 4% lower than the previous year. However, Pocagon Band of Potawatomi Indians saw a 12% drop in payments due to gaming revenue generated at its three Pocagons casinos, according to a Play Michigan report.
Chippewa Payments Up 17.7%:
Eight out of a dozen tribal casinos in the state increased payments to local state agencies in 2023, according to the same source. The Salt Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which runs the Kewadin Casino, reported the highest increase of 17.7%. The operator reported the highest shortfall payments in the state in 2023, exceeding the 2022 improvement of 12.4%. Bay Mills Resort & Casino owner Bay Mills saw a 15% increase in payments in 2023, compared to a 3.3% decline in 2022. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa Indians saw payment increases of 5% and 3.8%, respectively.
Michigan tribal casinos saw a 1.4% drop in payments in 2023 compared to 2022 when they compared their total payments from 2021 to 2023. Play Michigan reported shortfall payments of about $31.5 million in 2021, and testified that payments fell about 3.6% from 2021 to 2023 to raise regulators' concerns. 슬롯머신사이트