Casinos & Communities: Michigan
Gaming is a pillar of Michigan's economy and vital to its tribal nations.
Casinos & Communities: Michigan
$6.3 billion in annual economic impact
38,000 jobs supported
$2.1 billion in supported wages
$1.3 billion in annual tax revenue generated
Since arriving in Michigan, casinos have fueled Detroit’s economic resurgence and provided invaluable resources for the state’s sovereign tribal nations by creating reliable jobs, funding revitalization efforts, and supporting community nonprofits.
Casinos & Communities: Michigan presents an in-depth analysis of gaming’s impact on the Great Lakes State, combining key quantitative analysis—$6.3 billion in annual economic impact and 38,000 jobs supported—with stories from those that live and work around Michigan’s casinos.
Owner and President of Brooks Lumber Ray Formosa comments that “the resurgence of [the Corktown, Detroit] neighborhood started with the emergence of the casinos.” While Brenda Jones, president of the Detroit City Council, says, “The casinos helped the city of Detroit in many ways, not just by revenue, but by entertainment, by tourism.”
“Some of our biggest supporters have come from the gaming industry. It’s literally been hundreds, and it might even be thousands by now, of volunteers who have taken their time to give back to the community.” - Gerry Brisson, President and CEO, Gleaners Community Food Bank
When it comes to Michigan’s sovereign tribal nations, gaming revenue has funded the construction of “state-of-the-art facilities, buildings, and health departments,” says Derek King, Calhoun County commissioner. The impact of tribal casinos extends to surrounding communities as well, including Battle Creek, MI, where City Manager Rebecca Fleury says, “[Tribal gaming] brings people from all over the state and beyond the state of Michigan. They go to the casino, but they also come into downtown Battle Creek, they eat at local restaurants. Some of them like it so much they stay.”
Whether it be creating economic growth and opportunity or supporting charity and critical infrastructure, Michiganders across the state consistently highlight casinos a positive force in their communities.