Discover the Best Casinos in Michigan

Overview of the Michigan Gambling Scene

Michigan is home to a thriving casino industry, with 26 land-based casinos that offer a wide variety of real money gaming options for players. The majority of these casinos – 23 to be precise – are tribal casinos. These Native American tribes benefit from favorable regulatory terms, which explains why there are so many more tribal casinos than private enterprises.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is the main authority overseeing casino activity in the Great Lake State. However, the Native American casinos in Michigan operate under a unique set of laws due to a successful legal challenge in the 1980s. As sovereign entities, these tribes are not subject to state regulation, but are monitored by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

A special relationship exists between the NIGC and the MGCB. To ensure compliance, Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compacts have been established. These serve to provide auditing oversight to the tribal casino operations in the state.

Finally, in addition to land-based casinos, Michigan also permits online casinos to operate slots and table games like blackjack. This was enabled by the passage of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act on December 20th 2019.

Types of Casinos in Michigan

Michigan is one of the many states to have already legalized online casinos. However, in terms of physical properties, the USA has three different categories of casino. They are as follows:

• Native American: These casinos are built on tribal land. As previously discussed, in Michigan such casinos fall under the watchful eye of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
• Commercial Enterprise: Any casino operated by a private company, away from tribal lands. In Michigan, these casinos come under state regulation from the MGCB.
• Racinos: A hybrid of a racetrack and a casino. Usually, such casinos are primarily horse racing venues, that just so happen to have a number of slot machines or other casino games. Michigan currently has one operational horse racing venue, which is Northville Downs. But at the time of writing, this race track doesn’t offer slots.

Michigan Gambling Laws and Regulations

The minimum legal age for real money gaming in Michigan is inconsistent. When it comes to betting on horses or playing lottery games, you can do so at 18 years old. But for poker, casino games and sports betting, players must be at least 21. These laws are defined by the Michigan Penal Code, as well as the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.

Passed in 1996, this Act led to the creation of the state’s regulator, the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This body works to ensure that gambling in casinos, or anywhere else for that matter, is conducted in a fair, safe and secure manner. They also oversee tax collection.

Prior to that, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on October 17, 1988. This gave birth to the National Indian Gaming Commission, whose main purpose is to protect the tribes and their casinos from unethical or illegal practices.

Since December 20th 2019, with the passage of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, online casinos are allowed in Michigan. However, not all online gambling sites are legal. Offshore casinos, for instance, are still considered illegal, since they are not under the control of the MGCB. Even though such casinos are difficult to police in practice, it’s not advisable to use them and you run the risk of losing money.

Taxation of Winnings in Michigan

Since October 1, 2012, Michigan has required residents to pay a withholding tax of 4.25% on real money gaming winnings. All forms of gambling are included, from poker and casino games to horse racing and sports betting. Everything needs to be included on your state tax return, even if your winnings fall below the reportable or withholding thresholds.

Gambling taxes must be paid to the federal government, as well as at state level. These should be included on your annual tax return to the IRS. The specific amount will depend on your annual income and specific tax bracket, but the top rate is 37%.

Regardless of your salary, casino winnings of more than $5,000 in Michigan will automatically have a 25% withholding tax applied. If you win at a casino in the Great Lake State, make sure you hand over your Social Security Number at the cage. Refusal to do so will incur a 3% penalty at all casinos in MI.

Top 10 Casinos in Michigan

Okay, now it’s time for the main event in our guide to the best casinos in Michigan. In the following section, we’ll list the top ten casinos at which to play, along with some key information about each one.

Don’t forget that there are 26 brick-and-mortar casinos in total throughout Michigan, so this collection is by no means exhaustive. These ten casinos are selected based on their reviews from real visitors to each property.

Four Winds Casino

In the number one slot we have the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. Located at 11111 Wilson Road, this venue is one of three Four Winds casinos in Michigan, which opened in 2007. It boasts 415 luxury rooms and suites, not to mention an exclusive waterfall feature.

On the 130,000 square foot gaming floor, you’ll find over 3,000 casino games, the bulk of which are slot machines. But there are also 66 table games including roulette and blackjack, as well as poker playing facilities. Indulge in tournaments and cash games alike, before heading back to the comfort of your excellent hotel room. And don’t forget to join the W♣ Players Club to claim your loyalty rewards. Four Winds properties are owned by Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, who also operate the Four Winds Online Casino launched in January 2021 and available to the players physically present in Michigan.

Four Winds also offers online betting and gaming, all courtesy of their partner, the industry giant Kambi. But to find the physical casino, you’ll need to take I-94 and then Exit 1 for New Buffalo.

Gun Lake Casino

Our second entry is Gun Lake Casino, located at 1123 129th Avenue, Wayland, Michigan. Opened in 2011, the casino floor offers more than 2,500 slots and 47 table games. Visitors can enjoy blackjack, keno, poker and, away from the casino games, there’s even a sports wagering facility.

There is no casino hotel at Gun Lake. Instead, the casino has partnered with multiple nearby hotel companies to provide visitors with special deals. If you intend to drive, take US-131 to Exit 61, then follow the signs to Gun Lake Casino

Repeat visitors to this casino will want to investigate the GLC Rewards loyalty program. While online casino gaming is also a possibility, thanks to a partnership with Parx Casino.

Soaring Eagle Casino

Situated at 6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this top-rated hotel and casino was opened in 1998. A room for two will set you back a minimum of $129, depending on the time of year. Which is more than reasonable given the luxurious suites and spa facilities.

Its vast gaming floor spans 210,000 square feet and is equipped with thousands of casino slot machines, including progressive jackpots. Not to mention a diverse collection of table games. In addition, guests can enjoy bingo, a dedicated poker room and the Access Club, a rewards program that is second to none.

To find it, head to the Mount Pleasant area, then follow signs for Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. The casino is also the land-based partner of Eagle Casino & Sports, launched in April 2022 in partnership with platform provider GAN.

Firekeepers Casino

The Firekeepers Casino and Hotel is a four diamond luxury hotel, renowned for its hospitable staff, delicious cuisine and sophisticated design. Found at 11177 Michigan Ave E, Battle Creek, it is widely regarded as one of the premier casino hotels in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Firekeepers also boasts Dacey’s, the state’s first sports betting facility, plus a spacious 26 table poker room running frequent Texas Hold’em tournaments. Along with an extensive collection of casino slot machines numbering in the thousands, guests can enjoy classic games like baccarat, roulette and blackjack.

To find your way to this 236,000 square foot property that opened in August 2009, you’ll need Interstate 94 and Exit 104. But if you’re content to play at Firekeepers casino online, try their Android and iOS casino apps, courtesy of partner NYX Gaming.

Turtle Creek Casino

Known for its unique architecture, inspired by the natural beauty of Northern Michigan, this casino resort boasts 56,000 square feet of gaming space. This includes over 1,000 slot machines, table games and a high-limit roulette and blackjack area.

Turtle Creek Casino players can also enjoy video poker and one of the best sports betting bars in the region, thanks to Caesars Sportsbook. And a room in the eco-friendly hotel, which is one of the most environmentally conscious in Michigan, starts from as little as $139.

This casino can be found just 11 miles outside of Traverse City in Williamsburg. But Turtle Creek also offers all of its sportsbook markets and casino games to players online as the establishment is the land-based partner of Caesars (William Hill) Online Casino and Sportsbook in Michigan.

Bay Mills Resort and Casino

One of the more affordable casino hotel venues in Michigan, Bay Mills Resort has a partnership with industry giants DraftKings. Through this, they can offer one of the top sports betting products in the area, as well as online casino table games.

A hotel room starts from $139, while the casino gaming floor offers in excess of 800 slots and frequent poker games. Regulars can join the Player’s Club and experience all kinds of loyalty rewards.

Opened in 2008, the casino resort also boasts a full-service spa and a marina with boat docks, plus several high-quality restaurants. To get to Bay Mills Resort and Casino by car, you’ll need to take the US-2.

Northern Waters Casino

Northern Waters, also known as Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino, is situated in the heart of the beautiful Michigan Upper Peninsula. A night in a hotel room will set you back anywhere from $118 to $161. The resort itself offers plenty of leisure facilities, including a golf course.

All of the usual games you’d expect to find in casinos are present here, including 400 slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and poker. While a partnership with Pointsbet ensures that these casino games are all available online, alongside the opportunity to bet on sports. Loyal casino customers will benefit from the Superior Club rewards program.

To find the casino resort by car, head towards Watersmeet, Michigan on the US-45. The nearest major airport is the Houghton County Memorial Airport, about 60 miles away.

Greektown Casino Hotel

Located in the heart of the Greektown neighborhood in Detroit, this urban casino has a unique atmosphere and energy. A popular destination for both tourists and locals, it offers over 2,700 slots and other casino games on its 100,000 square foot floor.

Frequent visitors to the Greektown Casino Hotel in Detroit can enjoy regular slot tournaments and other perks courtesy of the mychoice rewards program. There’s also a betting lounge, thanks to online partner Barstool.

Opened in the year 2000, Greektown Casino is approximately 20 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. It is accessible by taxi, shuttle or rental car. The price of a double room for one night in the hotel is starters from just $149.

MGM Grand Detroit

Just a 20 minute drive from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the MGM Grand casino is right in the heart of the city. Stylish and modern, it opened on October 3, 2007 and has over 100,000 square feet of gaming space.

All the traditional casino favorites are on display, including roulette, blackjack and card games like poker. There are also well over 3,000 different slots to keep you entertained.

As an MGM property, new players are eligible for the lucrative MGM Rewards scheme. Plus there’s the option to sign up for online casino gaming.

Hotel stays can be expensive, priced as high as $499. But for one of the most luxurious casinos in the city of Detroit, it’s worth every cent.

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MotorCity Casino Hotel

The MotorCity Casino Hotel is another of Detroit’s top casino venues. Established back in December 1999, it clearly takes inspiration from the city’s automotive heritage. From the name MotorCity, to the sleek and modern design incorporating elements of chrome, steel and leather. Few casinos are this stylish.

A partnership with leading fantasy sports providers FanDuel allows this Detroit casino to offer online betting and casino games. But at the property itself, you can play more than 2,800 slots, as well as poker and classics like roulette and baccarat. Keep an eye out for casino and slots tournaments too.

Located at 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, the hotel is available for $149 per night. The nearest airport to this casino is Coleman A. Young International Airport, just a 14 min drive away. One final point to note is that regulars are eligible to join the Club Metro casino rewards program.

Methodology

This collection of Michigan casinos was compiled based on public ratings from popular review sites, including TripAdvisor, Hotels.com and Google Maps. All of the information is in the public domain, but we’ve pulled it all together into a more easily digestible format. Hopefully, this list of top casinos in MI will help you to make the right decision about where to play.

If you feel that your favorite casino is missing from the list, make sure you leave them a nice review to improve their rating!

Gambling Responsibly in Michigan

Responsible gambling is a serious subject that all US casinos take seriously, not only in Michigan. Casinos have a duty of care to protect vulnerable players from harm, including those at risk of developing a gambling problem.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board works closely with land-based casino properties, as well as MI online casinos. A range of safer gambling tools are available to help players remain in control of their real money gaming at all times. We’ll discuss some of these shortly.

Finally, if you or a loved one needs help with controlling their casino gambling, there are plenty of organizations you can turn to. In the following sections, we’ll provide some useful contact details.

Tips to Stay in Control

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to set aside a sum of money that you can afford to lose before heading to a casino. Never gamble with funds that are required for everyday life, such as paying the bills. If you lose that bankroll, walk away from the casino and don’t be tempted to chase losses. If the option is available, such as when playing at a casino on the internet, consider utilizing deposit limits and other safer gambling resources.

If you’re struggling to stay out of the casino, your first port of call should be the individual property. All casinos in and around the state of Michigan offer self-exclusion programs, which bar you from entering the venue.

Alternatively, you can make use of the Disassociated Persons List, operated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This is a voluntary program that requires you to complete a form and make a legally binding pledge to stay away from casinos in Detroit. For more information about this casino exclusion program, call 1-888-223-3044.

Resources for Help

Alongside nationwide charity organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-522-4700), there is locally-based support available too. The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline, for instance, can be found by dialing 1-800-270-7117 24 hours a day.

Both hotlines are confidential and can help you to address all of your gambling concerns, whether they’re about online or land-based casinos. Trained counselors are there to offer support and guidance, for both the affected individual, as well as their families. You can also receive a referral to a specialist treatment center or support groups, after a screening.