Michigan Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Michigan
While casinos in Michigan are quite easy to come by, the state has been a little slower to consider legalizing online casinos. If you want to play in an online casino in Michigan, you’re limited to U.S.-friendly casinos established in other countries. That said, there are still plenty of land-based Michigan casinos ready to welcome you.
History of Gambling in Michigan
Michigan’s rich history of gambling got its big start in the 1930s when horse racing was legalized. Like many other states, horse racing was there was until the ‘70s when the state lottery gained approval. Finally, the legalization of tribal casinos on reservations led to the first casinos in the state.
In 1996, a proposal was placed on the ballot for voters to decide if cities with a population of 800,000 or more could build three casinos. To gain approval, those cities had to be within 100 miles of another state or Canadian province where casinos were legal. The proposal passed by 51.5 percent and casinos in Michigan became a reality. Detroit was one of the first cities to take advantage of this new law and had three casinos ready to build by 1998.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Michigan
Tribal casinos have the authority to set their own age restrictions, so there is a chance you’ll find some that allow you to gamble at the age of 18. Otherwise, most land-based and online casinos in Michigan require you to be 21 before you can gamble.
Michigan’s Casino Gambling Outlook
While Michigan hasn’t been jumping up and down to bring in online gambling, there is talk that that might change. Governor Snyder has been reluctant to legalizing online gambling, but Michigan’s House and Senate recently agreed to hear testimony from owners of Michigan’s racetracks. As these racetracks keep losing money, they’re hoping the government will consider allowing online and telephone bets to help them boost revenues. The hearings took place in May 2015, so news of any decision to consider a bill legalizing online gambling in Michigan could be forthcoming.
Local Casinos
There are currently more than two dozen casinos in Michigan. Here’s a current list (as of May 2015):
• Bay Mills Resort & Casino
• Chip-in Casino
• FireKeepers Casino
• Four Winds Casino (Locations in Dowagiac, Hartford, and New Buffalo)
• Greektown Casino
• Gun Lake Casino
• Island Resort & Casino
• Kewadin Casino (locations in Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie, and St. Ignace)
• Kings Club Casino
• Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino
• Leelanau Sands Casino
• Little River Casino Resort
• MGM Grand Detroit
• Motor City Casino
• Odawa Casino Resort
• Ojibwa Casino (Locations in Baraga and Marquette)
• Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
• Soaring Eagles Casino
• Turtle Creek Casino