Detroit’s three commercial casinos — MGM Grand, Greektown, and MotorCity — employed 7,633 permanent workers and paid its employees $400 million in wages, benefits, and tips in 2013, according to a new report from the American Gaming Association.
Although employment decreased by nearly 350 employees from the year before, casino gaming is still one of the city’s top 10 private sector employers, says Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the AGA in Washington, D.C.
“Casino gaming has created thousands of jobs in Detroit that pay well above the minimum wage and offer fulfilling careers in a range of professions that extend beyond the casino floor,” Freeman says. “Americans feel more favorably toward casino gaming than ever before, and they recognize that gaming creates jobs, boost small businesses, and positively affects local communities. We’re proud that casinos are playing an important role in Detroit’s recovery and we look forward to being a partner for years to come.”
Freeman adds that the wages and benefits paid to casino employees in Michigan last year was nearly $50 million more than the payrolls of Detroit’s four major sports teams combined.
The casino employment numbers — which include jobs in accounting, hotel management, information systems, technology, software, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment — were released today as part of the AGA’s “Get to Know Gaming” campaign, which aims to promote the value of the gaming industry and encourage regulatory policy that helps sustain gaming communities.
For more information, visit americangaming.org.
