Michigan’s online sportsbooks accepted $338.9 million in wagers in August 2025, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The monthly handle rose 19.9% from July as football season approached.
Sportsbooks reported $49.27 million in gross receipts and $34.2 million in adjusted revenue for the month. Detroit’s three retail sportsbooks added $6.8 million in handle, a small share compared to online activity.
August by the Numbers
“Handle” is the total amount wagered, and Michigan’s online number moved up sharply from $282.7 million in July. Year over year, August’s handle was up around 21%, showing steady growth ahead of fall sports. Put simply, more bets were placed, and bettors staked more money than in the same month last year.
Revenue figures help explain how much Michigan sportsbooks actually kept. With $49.27 million in gross sports betting receipts on $338.9 million in wagers, books held about 14.5% of the handle in August.
The state collected $2.1 million in sports betting taxes and fees, while the City of Detroit received $561,471 tied to online sports wagering. These numbers can swing from month to month based on betting results and promotional spending.
Retail betting remains a smaller slice of the market. Detroit’s three brick-and-mortar sportsbooks posted $6.8 million in handle in August, compared with hundreds of millions placed online. The convenience of mobile betting and a wider range of markets continue to keep most wagering on phones and computers.
What it Means for Bettors and the Market
For bettors, a higher handle doesn’t mean better or worse odds—it just means more money was wagered. The hold (what sportsbooks keep) changes based on outcomes and bet types. Futures and parlays can lift hold; big underdog wins can lower it. In August, the hold landed near 14.5%, which is on the higher side compared with many months.
The jump into late summer lines up with football interest. As preseason chatter grows and regular season games near, more fans place futures and early bets. Operators also tend to roll out sign-up offers and odds boosts before September, which can nudge activity higher. There are currently 11 licensed online Michigan sports betting operators, giving players plenty of choice on lines, markets, and promos.
Looking ahead, September and October usually bring stronger volumes as college football and the NFL get into full swing.
Keep in mind: handle tracks dollars bet, not profit for sportsbooks or losses for players. If you’re betting, set a budget, stick to it, and treat wagering as entertainment. Michigan offers responsible gaming tools and helplines if you need them.
