Light & Wonder Closes Michigan Facility, Cuts 92 Jobs
Light & Wonder is pulling the plug on its Farmington Hills, Michigan, facility, a move that’ll see around 92 workers let go starting late April. Through its subsidiary LNW Gaming, the gaming tech firm is winding down operations at the site as part of a broader pivot away from certain market segments.
Michigan Shutdown
The axe falls on April 27, when LNW Gaming begins layoffs at the Farmington Hills plant. The cuts span a wide range of roles, totaling roughly 92 jobs.
These employees, who aren’t unionized, won’t have the option to shift to other positions within the company, leaving them without a safety net. So far, LNW Gaming hasn’t released an official word on the closure.
Farmington Hills, just northwest of Detroit, has been a hub for Light & Wonder’s operations, but the shutdown marks the end of that chapter. The move’s set to wrap up by the end of April, shuttering a facility that once buzzed with gaming production and support roles.
Ditching Live-Dealer Games
The Michigan is a part of a larger shake-up. During its latest earnings call, Light & Wonder dropped a bombshell: it’s stepping back from the live-dealer iGaming market entirely.
The company’s leadership, including CFO Oliver Chow, explained that live casino games aren’t delivering the clarity or returns they’d hoped for. Instead, they’re redirecting resources to other corners of the business that promise stronger growth and profitability.
This retreat from live-dealer action, a niche that’s boomed with players craving a brick-and-mortar vibe online, suggests Light & Wonder’s betting on its strengths elsewhere, likely slots, digital platforms, or tech services where it’s long held sway.
Why It’s Happening
While the company’s stayed mum on Michigan specifics, the dots connect to this strategic realignment. Shutting down a physical site and shedding live-dealer ambitions could free up cash and focus on higher-return ventures.
Light & Wonder is a big player, its tech powers casino floors and online apps nationwide, so trimming fat to sharpen its edge makes sense.
The Michigan facility, possibly tied to live-dealer production or support, might’ve been a casualty of this shift, especially if it wasn’t pulling its weight financially.
The timing aligns too. With 2025’s first quarter winding down, firms like Light & Wonder are recalibrating after last year’s numbers. Michigan’s closure and the iGaming pivot could be a one-two punch to streamline operations before summer.
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