- MGM Grand Detroit is one of the top casinos near Detroit, with over 100,000 square feet of gaming space.
- Greektown Casino-Hotel is another great casino not too far from Detroit, with more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space as well.
- If you love the excitement of slot machines, MotorCity Casino’s array of options is sure to please, with its nearly 2,000 available slots.
Detroit is home to three major casinos – the MGM Grand, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown Casino. But if you feel like branching out a little bit, there are plenty of other nearby casinos that are also worth your time and money. (Fact check: There are nine casinos in total within a half hour drive of downtown Detroit).
Roulette Mistakes You're Probably Making - And How to Avoid ThemThere are some incredible casinos located just outside of the city or only a short drive away. I’ve compiled a list below of the five best casinos near Detroit so that next time you’re looking for somewhere new to play your favorite games, you can simply jump in your car and head to a different venue.
1. MGM Grand Detroit
If you enjoy visiting the MGM Grand in Detroit, then you’ll be pleased to know there’s another one only a short drive away in Michigan.
Their sister casino, MGM Grand Detroit, is located in Downtown Detroit, while the other is in nearby Warren. This MGM Grand is also known as MGM Grand Detroit Casino and is only a 30-minute drive northwest on I-696.
red wind casino calendarThis particular MGM Grand is the larger of the two, boasting more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space. It has 2,500 machines, 48 table games, a high-limit room, a VIP lounge, a poker room, and a sports lounge.
You won’t have to sacrifice any of your preferred games when you visit this MGM Grand because it offers the same range as its famous counterpart. You’ll find all the popular slot machines here, including Wheel of Fortune, Cleopatra, and Super Buffalo. They also offer all your favorite table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, pai gow, Spanish 21, and more.
One of the biggest differences between these two casinos is that this one does not have a hotel attached. But at almost 7 million square feet, it’s hard to fit everything into a single building! Plus, the MGM Grand in Detroit is only a short drive away if you want to stay there overnight.
This MGM Grand also features four restaurants: TAP Sports Bar, Harbor Seafood & Steaks, Andre’s Howell Million Dollar Room, and The District Marketplace. It even has a spa and a VIP service so you can travel in style.
Why not make a day of it and see which MGM Grand you prefer? Alternatively, you could plan a road trip and hit up both casinos in the same night.
2. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Soaring Eagon Casino & Resort is a Zipline partner located in Mount Pleasant, which is about an hour and 45 minutes north of Detroit.
It’s the largest casino in central Michigan and one of the most popular in the state. It’s operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and offers tons of slot machines and table games for visitors to enjoy.
This casino has more than 4,000 slot machines, which range from penny slots to $100 machines. Some of the most popular titles include Fire Lightning, Buffalo Gold, Hot Shot Progressive, and Dragon Power.
Best MGM Casino Apps to Consider After Their BetMGM RebrandThere are more than 80 table games spread across two floors of the casino, so there’s always a spot free for your next game of Blackjack, Mini/Mega Baccarat, Pai Gow, Three Card Poker, three different kinds of Roulette, three Craps tables, three kinds of Mississippi Stud Poker, three kinds of Texas Hold ’em Bonus Poker, three Kinds of Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, three kinds of three Card Stud, three kinds of three kinds of Pacific Poker Omaha.
They even offer a low-limit table where you can learn how to play games like Blackjack and Four Card Poker before moving onto higher stakes.
This casino has won multiple awards, including “Best Casino” from Northern Express Readers’ Choice Awards for 16 years in a row. The Northern Express is a local publication that serves Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Cheboygan counties.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort also features seven places to eat, including a buffet, steakhouse, deli, and two bars. The restaurant timing varies depending on the establishment, so be sure to double-check before you go. They are open from early morning until late at night.
If you decide to turn your trip into a vacation, there are several accommodation options to choose from. The first is the Soaring Eagle Casino Hotel, which has 410 rooms and suites. There’s also the Duck Lake Inn, Bay View Wilderness Proper, and Plainfield Village RV Park if you’re feeling especially adventurous.
Best PA Online Casinos ️- Top PA Casino Sites (2023)3. Island Resort & Casino
Island Resort & Casino is another top pick located in Harris, which is about a three-hour drive north of Detroit. It’s nestled between Upper and Lower Boghole Lakes, offering stunning views and lots of fun activities.
In fact, this casino resort has so much going on that you could spend several days there and never get bored.
Aside from the casino itself, guests can also enjoy golfing, mini golf, an indoor water park, arcade, hiking trails, nature preserve, ATV rides, horseback riding, tennis courts, volleyball courts, ziplining, fishing, boating, and more.
Mills Casino Bangkok - Rules, Games & OverviewThat’s in addition to the numerous shows and concerts that take place throughout the year, as well as their annual festivals like Bear Bowl Football Championship and National Sidney & Nancy Laney Bass Tournament.
But of course, the main event is the casino. It offers more than 1,200 slot machines, live table games, high-stakes bingo, and a poker room.
Some of the most popular slot machines at Island Resort & Casino include Hot Drop Jackpots, Buffalo Gold, Fire Link, Prince of Lightning, and Golden Bull. They also offer electronic roulette and baccarat, along with traditional table games like Blackjack, Craps, Mini/Mega Baccarat, Spanish 21, and Pai Gow.
If you get hungry during your gaming session, head to one of their six restaurants for a quick bite to eat. They serve everything from burgers and sandwiches to seafood and steak. There are even two grab-and-go options if you prefer to eat on the move.
To make a reservation at Island Resort & Casino, call 1-800-894-0887. Alternatively, you can book online through their website.
4. MotorCity Casino
Do you love playing slots? Then you need to check out MotorCity Casino.
Located right in the heart of Detroit, this casino is just a 30-minute drive from the other Motor City Casino. It’s known for having one of the best selections of slot machines in the area, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit.
While it’s true that MotorCity Casino has fewer slot machines than some other casinos in the area (around 2,000), they are carefully selected to provide the best experience possible.
Here, you’ll find all the classics like Wheel of Fortune, Blazing 7s, and Wolf Run. There are also plenty of progressive jackpot slots if you’re hoping to win big.
If table games are more your thing, there are 50 options to choose from. Play Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, English Roulette, or Fortune Pai Gow. No matter what your budget is or how experienced you are, there’s a game suited to you.
MotorCity Casino has won multiple awards since opening in 2009, including “Casino of the Year” from the American Gaming Association in 2018.
Best Online Casino Sites in Texas - Top TX Online CasinosWhen you need a break from gaming, there are lots of other things to keep you occupied. Enjoy a show at Sound Board Theater, dine at one of eight restaurants, or treat yourself at the luxury spa. There’s also a fitness center if you want to work off all the delicious food you’ve been eating.
No matter what type of game you enjoy, MotorCity Casino has something to entertain you. To make a reservation, call 1-866-782-9622.
4. Great Lakes Casino & Hotel
Great Lakes Casino & Hotel is located in Watseka, Illinois, which is about an hour and a half south of Detroit. While it’s technically not in Michigan, it’s such a popular destination that I had to include it on this list.
Great Lakes Casino opened in April 2022 and quickly became one of the most popular venues in the area. In fact, it drew around 2 million visitors in its first six months of operation.
This casino features all the latest slot machines, so you won’t have to deal with the hassle of old machines that are past their prime. Stake Logic, AGS, Konami, Everi, and Scientific Games are just a few of the brands you’ll recognize in the gaming floor.
There are lots of popular titles to choose from, including Buffalo Gold, Hot Drop Jackpots, Fire Link, Prince of Lightning, and Golden Buffalo.
Free Tumbling Reels Slots for a Thrilling Cascading ExperienceGreat Lakes Casino also has several table games, so bring some friends and compete against each other over a friendly game of Blackjack, Roulette, or Craps.
Hungry? Head to the casino’s Italian-American eatery, Angelo’s, for some delicious food. For a lighter meal or snack, stop by the GalaxSeum Lounge or Wager Wedge Buffet.
This casino also features a hotel with 85 rooms and suites. Each room has a luxurious king size bed, large flat screen TV, refrigerator, coffee maker, safe, iron & board, and private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub combo.
Make a reservation at Great Lakes Casino & Hotel by calling 877-876-946.
Best Casinos Near Detroit
Now that you’ve had a chance to read through my list, I hand the reins over to you. Which of these casinos do you think you’ll visit first?
Free Casino Games Online You Can Play Right Now (2023)If you have the time, I certainly recommend hitting up multiple casinos in one day. That way, you can compare them side by side and figure out which one you like best.
Perhaps one has a wider selection of slot machines, while the other offers better table games. Maybe you prefer the restaurants at one casino but like the hotel at the other. By visiting multiple casinos in a single day, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about which one suits your needs best.
Of course, you might discover that you prefer a completely different casino to these ones. Perhaps you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a downtown casino or prefer a smaller, cozier venue.
Maybe you like to mix things up by visiting a variety of casinos or tend to stick to your favorite one no matter what. Whatever your preference may be, there’s no denying that these five options are among the best casinos near Detroit.
Looking for more advice on gambling in Michigan? Here are some additional resources to help you out:
Footnotes:
- Call hours for Island Resort & Casino were pulled from their website
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more. He also covers other various topics such as entertainment, general sports betting tips, and more.
His favorite teams are the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. He also will be a temporary fan of any team if it means winning him bets.
