When you’re planning a trip that involves casino visits, I dare say that Las Vegas and Atlantic City are the US locations that will immediately come to mind. There is, though, plenty of reasons to consider Michigan too.

Michigan is the 11^th largest state in the United States and is made of two very distinct regions. The Upper Peninsula is less populated and is a huge tourist attraction with an abundance of natural resources. The Lower Peninsula, meanwhile, is heavily populated and known for its industrial and manufacturing prowess.  

The two areas are separated by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.

Ask anyone what Michigan is famous for and they’ll usually say cars, Motown music or the Great Lakes that surround it. Casinos probably wouldn’t be top of the list, that’s for sure.

But actually, due to the rich history and occupation of Native American tribes in Michigan, there are in fact 28 casinos in the state, 25 of which are tribal and three commercial.

Differing hugely in size, layout, amenities, location and popularity, the quality of Michigan casinos can vary significantly. With that in mind, here’s a look at what I consider to be the top seven casinos in Michigan.

The MGM name is famous in the world of casinos. MGM has a huge portfolio of casino resorts in Las Vegas including the Bellagio, MGM Grand, and New York-New York to name a few.

You can assume, then, that when a casino has the MGM badge, it’s going to be impressive and MGM Grand Detroit doesn’t disappoint.

MGM Grand Detroit is probably the best all-round casino in Michigan for offering everything you could want under one roof, and lots of it.

In the casino, you will find over 2,500 slots, around 160 table games, a BetMGM sportsbook for sports betting, a poker room, bar-top gaming and a high limit slots area. If you love to gamble, what more could you want?

The 100,000 square foot of gaming space rivals even some of the biggest casino floors in Las Vegas. Plus, it comes with its own parking garage and offers both smoking and non-smoking gaming areas.

As well as that, MGM Grand Detroit has a 400-room hotel, a variety of bars and restaurants, live entertainment, a spa complex that includes an indoor heated infinity pool and a TopGolf Swing Suite. They really have thought of everything. 

An added benefit of the MGM name is the fact that MGM Grand Detroit operates the MGM Rewards program. 

Undoubtedly one of the best casino rewards programs in the US, you can build points and climb the tiers to receive incredible rewards. These include complimentary stays, slot freeplay, show tickets and resort credit.

Location wise, MGM Grand Detroit is close to Detroit centre. It is set in impressive grounds and does have a commanding presence. You can get spectacular views of the Detroit skyline from the upper rooms.

The resort overall does suffer from a little lack of character in comparison to other MGM resorts, but as far as casinos go in Detroit it is up there with the best.   

For more information, read our full MGM Grand Detroit review.

MotorCity Casino Resort is also based in the centre of Detroit and makes our list due to its expansive amenities and outstanding design.

Detroit developed the nickname ‘Motor City’ following its dominance in the American automobile industry in the 40’s and 50’s. 

MotorCity Casino embodies this legacy in its design. In fact, they specifically combined elements of classic American cars of the 1950s and 60s with the original architectural features of the 1915 Wagner Baking Company building that was previously on the site.

What that results in is a mightily impressive aesthetic to the resort both inside and out. I particularly love the sweeping roof design which was inspired by the door moulding on a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

The 75,000 square foot casino has around 2,700 slots and over 70 tables games. There is also a poker room, a sportsbook, high limit gaming and bar-top games too. The main casino is non-smoking, but there is a smoking games area as well.

MotorCity Casino resort has a 400-room hotel plus an on-site spa, fitness centre, and a wide range of dining, bar and entertainment options.

The award-winning Iridescence rooftop restaurant offers fine-dining with gorgeous views of the Detroit skyline. If you love a buffet, then the Assembly Line Buffet will tick your boxes but only on a Monday or for special themed events. 

Live entertainment is offered every Friday and Saturday night at Radio Bar, plus Sound Board is a 2,400-capacity venue hosting regular music, comedy and sports events.

If you’re a sports fan, MotorCity Casino is situated close to not one, but three local sports venues and offers free shuttles for hotel guests. 

So, whether you want to catch a ride to see Tigers games at Comerica Park, Lions games at Ford Field, or Pistons games, Red Wings games, and concerts at Little Caesars Arena, then you are perfectly located for all.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is the first tribal owned casino on our list and also the first located outside of Detroit.

Situated in Mount Pleasant, the casino is operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation and offers the biggest gaming floor in Michigan with 210,000 square feet.

With so much space to play with, you’d expect a lot of games, and you’d be right. Over 3,200 slots and 70 table games to be more precise, plus a separate poker room, high limit lounge, sportsbook, and an extensive bingo hall as well.

However, Soaring Eagle has a lot more to offer than just the casino. The 500-room hotel has recently been renovated offering good sized rooms, great views, and high-tech amenities. 

They not only offer a pool and spa complex but also an indoor water park with slides and a lazy river, making it a great family destination too.

Soaring Eagle has both indoor and outdoor entertainment space which hosts large-scale events all year round. The 3,200 capacity Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall hosts many big names for the world of music and comedy.  

Current line-up artists include Keith Urban, Blake Shelton and Chicago. Meanwhile, the outdoor event space hosts rock concerts and music festivals.

Dining options are plentiful too. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Siniikaung Bistro and the classic American Diner – Legends are all brilliant choices, but are many quick eat options too.

Soaring Eagle has an authentic Native American theme running through it, from the signage, the extensive use of wood in the décor and. However, there are some really contemporary elements too.

Ascend Sports Bar and Nightclub is a perfect example of this which offers a sleek modern design, and goes from a casual sports bar in the day to a cool nightclub on the evening with live DJ’s and a dancefloor.

FireKeepers is another tribal casino on our list, situated in the Battle Creek area of Michigan.

Underdoing major renovation in 2021, including a second hotel tower, FireKeepers offers a modern, popular, jam-packed casino resort with lots of extra amenities.

The casino floor is around 110,00 square feet with 2,900 slots, and 65 live table games. Poker is big at FireKeepers as well, and its 26-table poker room has hosted major poker tournaments such as the Mid-States Poker Tour.

FireKeepers also has a cool sportsbook with a mezzanine floor overlooking the casino, bar-top games at several bars, and the Aurora High Limit Lounge for bigger stakes players.

The hotel has 446 rooms, plus there’s a multi-level indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. For those who like to keep fit, there’s a 24-hour fitness centre on site too.

Entertainment wise, the FireKeepers Event Centre has a 2,100 capacity and hosts regular music and comedy shows from some well-known acts. There’s also weekly live music in the lobby bar.

If you enjoy fine dining, then FireKeepers signature restaurant is Nibi. Situated just off the main lobby, the restaurant offers upscale cuisine in luxury surroundings. The ever-popular Smoke ‘n Fire, meanwhile, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a great reputation for quality.

FireKeepers is a real all-rounder when it comes to casinos. It has been designed well with both a contemporary and stylish theme both inside and out. 

In terms of location, it is a little out of the way for public transportation. However, if you have a car, it is situated directly off Interstate 94 and can easily be reached from Kalamazoo, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.

Car parking is free, and if you have an RV, there’s also five sites across the road in the FireKeepers Pit Stop gas station.

All-in-all FireKeepers does offer a Vegas-esque type casino experience right in the heart of Michigan and that’s why it’s made the list.

For more information, read our full FireKeepers Casino Hotel review.

Situated in the centre of Downtown Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown stands out for its unique design.

Its 30-storey neon blue tower dwarfs the buildings around it, plus it has retained much of the industrial structure and architectural elements of the historic building in which is sits. 

A former 1890’s fur tannery and a 1980’s shopping centre called Trappers Alley, Hollywood Casino at Greektown celebrates the rich history of the building by showing it off. 

Throughout the resort, you’ll see exposed brickwork, metal walkways and an inner bridge, giving it lots of personality and a unique identity. 

Games wise, there are 2,200 slots and 60 live table games. The total casino space is around 100,000 square feet but it feels like more due to it being spread over three floors. There are a mix of smoking and non-smoking gaming areas.

Hollywood Casino at Greektown also has a designated poker room, bar-top games at the Rock Bar, a large high-limit lounge with a separate baccarat suite, and an ESPN sportsbook.

The 400-room hotel has quite a boutique feel to it. The rooms are fairly small but have excellent amenities such as refrigerators and coffee machines. The big bonus of the location though is that you can get stunning views of the Detroit River and Canada from the higher floors.

Hollywood Casino at Greektown doesn’t have a pool complex, spa or an events centre. However, it has a few bars on site, and it almost doesn’t need to provide its own entertainment due to its location.

Positioned right in the heart of Greektown it is surrounded by restaurants, bars, nightclubs and lots of cultural activities and events too. Plus, the Detroit Music Hall is just a ten-minute walk away hosting regular concerts and shows.

Finally, Hollywood Casino at Greektown is slap bang in the middle of Detroit sports central. 

Whether you support Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, or Detroit Lions, all of the home grounds are within a few minutes of the casino, making it a perfect central hub for Michigan sports fans. 

For more information, read our full Hollywood Casino at Greektown review.

Four Winds New Buffalo is owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and is situated just outside of the picturesque New Buffalo on Lake Michigan.

From the casinos on our list so far, I would say Four Winds New Buffalo is the least modern in design, but it is still packed full of great amenities and offers a fabulous gambling experience for visitors.

The 130,000 square foot gaming floor is a good sized-space with 1,900 slots and 45 live table games with minimums from $5. There’s also a sportsbook, bar-top gaming and a high-limit gaming area too.

The hotel has 415 rooms which aren’t the most up-to-date décor wise, but they are quite spacious and include some great extra amenities such as a refrigerator, microwave and a Keurig coffee maker.

Four Winds New Buffalo has a pretty outdoor pool complex, which operates seasonally. When the weather is good, you might even be able to catch a themed pool party out there.

For a casino that’s not particularly central, Four Winds New Buffalo has quite a lot going on entertainment wise. The Silver Creek Event Center has 1500 seats and hosts headline music and comedy acts from the likes of Michael Bolton and Don McLean.

There’s also Kankakee Live every weekend showcasing local musicians and bands and live DJ sets on at C-Bar too.

Four Winds New Buffalo offers an all-you-can-eat buffet four days a week ranging from $32 - $36 while other dining options include Copper Rock Steakhouse, Timbers and the Kankakee Grille.

Most of the charm and character at Four Winds New Buffalo comes from the authentic tribal design. The casino's rotunda is built in the style of the Potawatomi people's traditional lodges and there are a lot of timber structures, a stone fireplace and a real log-fire too.

The location of Four Winds New Buffalo means that it is surrounded by golf courses, wineries and you’re only three miles away from 16 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline and the region's largest recreational harbour.

For more information, read our full Four Winds New Buffalo review.

Situated in Manistee, Little River Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.

Designed in the style of a ski-lodge, the theme of the casino resort is bringing the outside inside, and you can see that with lots of exposed brick, rock and timber throughout. It has a lovely cosy charm about it and instantly makes you feel welcome.  

The Little River casino floor is the smallest on our list at 44,000 square foot, but it still has quite a lot of slots. Just over 1,100 to be exact, and around 26 table games.  There’s also a dedicated sportsbook.

There are other casinos in Michigan with bigger casino floors that haven’t made the list, but in terms of overall amenities I felt that Little River Casino Resort deserved to be here.

The 292-room hotel offers luxury rooms and suites and they all have that lodge type feel in both style and décor with lots of natural elements used. 

Plus, the range of amenities on offer to guests is extensive. There are three pools in total, two indoor pools, a heated outdoor pool, sauna and hot tub. There’s also a fitness centre, spa and salon on site too.

The Wolf River Golf Course is currently under development but when finished will comprise of an 18-hole golf course, putting course and a nature path.

If you prefer to bring your RV, then Little River Casino Resort has 95 sites offering water, wifi and electrical hook-up. RV guests can also use all of the Little River Casino Resort amenities.

If you’re looking for entertainment, then Little River Event Center is a 1,600-seated venue hosting regular concerts and shows. And for dining options, you can choose from the Big Lake Buffet, which is open every day for breakfast and dinner, Rapid’s Bistro or River Rock Sportsbook and Grill.

All in all, a casino resort that punches well above its square-footage.