In November 1996, voters in Michigan approved Proposal E, authorizing three commercial casinos in Detroit, the largest city.

The Proposal was expanded and signed into law in 1997 as the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.

[5] On October 8, 2009, the Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, signed Executive Order 2009–45, abolishing the Racing Commissioner and transferring its duties to the Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director, effective January 17, 2010.

The change is expected to generate "tens of millions" of dollars in new tax revenue for the state.

[4] The agency's four divisions license and regulate the state's commercial casinos, horse racing, some charitable gaming, and related suppliers and employees; and audit the Native American casinos' Class III revenue.