MGM Grand in Detroit Michigan

The MGM Grand Detroit opened on July 29, 1999, and became the first ever Las Vegas-style destination to open in a major metropolitan area outside Nevada. This casino has more than 3,500 slots and electronic gaming machines, and nearly 150 table games. There is also a hotel with luxury rooms and suites, restaurants endorsed by celebrity chefs and 30,000 feet of meeting and convention space. The MGM Grand Detroit employs 3,000 staff.

This guide to the casino starts by detailing the history of the site, before moving on to look at the slots, table games and sports betting on offer. Next up, the rewards program is explained, before looking at entertainment options, including the nightlife, the restaurants, and the hotel.

History of the MGM Grand Detroit

Until the middle of the 1990s, casino gambling on non-Native American land was banned in Michigan. However, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act was passed via a voter referendum in 1996. With permission now granted, work started immediately on the MGM Grand, with the casino doors opening just two and a half years after that all-important vote. The opening was a lavish ceremony where fireworks lit the night sky, with stars such as Kid Rock and Ashanti present.

The casino was first hosted at a temporary site, until the Michigan Gaming Control Board approved plans for a permanent casino in December 2005. The current site opened on October 3, 2007. It features more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space, 401 hotel rooms and extensive conference facilities. The entertainment center features some of the best and biggest names in comedy, music and sports.

Slots at the MGM Grand Detroit

With 3,500 slots and electronic table games, video poker consoles, the choice of games at MGM Grand is the biggest anywhere in Michigan. The newest games on the casino floor include the popular James Bond slots and Rakin’ Bacon. These games join classic 3-reel slots, and popular video slots from game providers including Aristocrat, IGT, WMS and more. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Lightning Link Slots
  • Buffalo (many variations)
  • Wheel of Fortune Slots
  • Lobstermania
  • Cleopatra Slots
  • Quick Hits (many variations)
  • Dragon Spin
  • 88 Fortunes
  • Dancing Drums
  • Video Poker
  • Heidi’s Bier Haus

Slot Finder

If you are looking for a specific slot and are not sure whether they have it, you can send a message to the casino on Facebook and they will let you know if it is in the casino. MGM keeps up with the newest releases from all the major providers. You will find an extensive list of new upcoming games on their website.

Jackpot hunters will enjoy the MGM Grand Detroit. Many larger wins, even 5-figure-plus ones, are highlighted on their website. Prizes go much higher, with linked progressives paying life-changing money on a regular basis. Head to the two “Clear” gaming parlors for smoke-free gaming and access to 170 slots.

Alongside the slots, there are around 100 video poker gaming machines, including a collection of Super Star Poker games. These terminals allow you to access a selection of poker, blackjack, keno and video slots from a single screen.

Table games at the MGM Grand Detroit

There are nearly 150 table games at the MGM Grand Detroit. All of the favorites are there, whether you enjoy roulette, blackjack, or casino poker-based table games.

Here is a list of the popular table games:

  • Big Six
  • Blackjack
  • Craps
  • Criss Cross Poker
  • Dragon Bonus Baccarat
  • Four-Card Poker
  • High Card Flush
  • High Tie Blackjack
  • Let it Ride Poker
  • Mississippi Stud Poker
  • Progressive Pai Gow Poker
  • Roulette
  • Spanish 21
  • Two-Way Monte
  • Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em

The Super 4 Progressive Jackpot is the biggest side bet in the casino (and in fact, in the whole of Detroit). If the dealer has blackjack, combine their cards with your two cards and if the resulting combination qualifies for a listed prize – you are in the money.

You can enjoy the table games in locations such as the Party Pit, where you can enjoy blackjack tables with an upbeat, party atmosphere. There is also an Axis Pit, where you can also enjoy live entertainment. Enter “Crystal Clear,” the smoke-free gaming area, the first non-smoking table gaming in the state, where you can enjoy baccarat, single zero roulette and blackjack.

Sports betting at the MGM Grand Detroit

You can enjoy sports betting at the Bet MGM Sports Lounge. This sportsbook is open daily between 9 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. It opened in 2020, following the legalization of sports betting in Michigan at the end of 2019.

There are both comfortable armchairs and high-top seating arranged around the lounge with more than 60 HDTVs to ensure the action is constant throughout the day and night. As well as 14 self-service betting kiosks, there are also six betting windows for that personal touch.

14 bar-top video poker machines can also be enjoyed in the lounge. This bar features a selection of craft cocktails and craft local beer.

Poker room at the MGM Grand Detroit

The Premier Poker Room at the MGM Grand Detroit features 21 tables and is open around the clock. In the poker room you can enjoy No Limit Texas Hold’em (most of the tables feature this format), Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. While the poker action is ongoing you can also enjoy local and national sporting action at one of the 11 large screen TVs in the room.

The majority of the action in the poker room is at the cash game tables. Bounty Hold’em poker tournaments take place on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, where you can take a prize every time you eliminate an opponent.

There are a number of promotions available for poker players on site, including the following:

  • Splash Pot – Play poker between 5 a.m. on a Monday and 5 p.m. on a Friday and you can enjoy the chance to win a $50 “Splash Pot” every half hour. There is no limit to how many times you can win this prize – simply be playing in the room to have a chance.
  • On the Quarters – Similar to Splash Pot, this time around you can win a $50 chip at 15 minutes past the hour and 15 minutes to the hour. This promo runs from Monday at 9.15 a.m. to Thursdays at 4.45 p.m.
  • Free Blind – Play for 10 hours or more at the tables in a week and you will be able to get a $10 free blind offer at the kiosk.
  • Bad Beat Jackpots – There are two bad beat jackpots that can be won in the poker room. The largest jackpot is the Texas Hold’em progressive prize, which at time of writing was in excess of $100,000. Land this prize and you will be the luckiest loser in Detroit. A prize is also available for Omaha players, with the prize at time of writing a little under $50,000.

Players can download the Bravo Live poker app, where you can keep up with the current live action and tournaments at the MGM Grand Detroit, as well as promotions and more.

Mlife rewards program

Players at the MGM Grand Detroit can sign up for the Mlife rewards program. As part of this program, you can earn reward points every time you play a slot, enjoy video poker or head to the tables or poker room. You will also earn points every time you book a hotel room, enjoy entertainment, and eat at a restaurant at any MGM property.

As a member of the program, you can also enjoy exclusive free play promotions. Slide your Mlife Rewards card into your favorite slot to see your current free play balance.

There are four tiers to the Mlife Rewards Program, each offering a wider range of exclusive benefits. You start at Sapphire level, while Pearl, Gold and Platinum levels can be reached by hitting points goals. The highest level – “Noir” – is by invitation only.

Benefits from the Mlife rewards program include the following:

  • Bonuses on points earned when playing slots (Pearl and up)
  • Priority check-in (Pearl and Up)
  • Dedicated lines at the buffet (Pearl and up)
  • Valet parking (Gold and up)
  • Advanced hotel and restaurant reservations (Noir)
  • Complimentary limousine service to and from the nearest airport with a hotel stay (Noir)

Entertainment at MGM Grand Detroit

Entertainment takes place in three different areas of the MGM Grand Detroit:

  • The Event Center – This intimate setting features the best in music, comedy, sports and more. Whether it’s the latest hit band, boxing action or an appearance by your favorite sports star, the Event Center is the place to head.
  • Axis Lounge – Enjoy live music in the relaxing and plush setting of the Axis Lounge. Hear the best of Motown, modern jazz, and pop music in a closed off area next to the casino.
  • TopGolf Swing Suite – Wednesday through Sunday, you can enjoy a virtual round of golf. This immersive experience is fun for all, so grab your friends and family and head to the virtual fairways. Massive virtual screens and arcade games await, so non-golfers can enjoy the experience just as much as those who play regularly.

MGM Michigan restaurants

There are five different restaurants at the MGM Grand Detroit:

  • Wolfgang Puck Steak – Enjoy a mouth-watering array of grilled steaks and a collection of meat, shellfish and roasted whole fresh fish. This restaurant is part of a nationwide chain owned by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
  • Palette Dining Studio – An all-you-care-to-eat restaurant, where the food is designed with an artistic flair. The creations are described as “a delicious canvas of color, texture and flavor.”
  • TAP at MGM Grand Detroit – The place for comfort food at the MGM Grand Detroit, where you can enjoy savory wings, fried mac-n-cheese, and their renowned TAP Classic Burger.
  • Breeze Dining Court – If you are in a hurry and want to grab something on the go, this is the place to be, offering multiple distinctive dining experiences.
  • The Roasted Bean – Coffee lovers will head straight to this location, where you will be served the finest coffee from beans roasted daily in Royal Oak, Michigan. Enjoy snacks from Michigan-based companies such as Better Made, Detroit Popcorn Co, Faygo or the Detroit City Nut Company.

The MGM Grand Detroit Hotel

This venue also features a 400-room hotel. It is the only hotel in Detroit to receive both AAA Four Diamond and Forbes Four Star Awards. Standard rooms at the hotel are relatively spacious, starting at a minimum of 510 square feet. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, leather sitting chairs, marble showers with dual shower heads, Keurig coffeemakers, work desks and complimentary bottled water.

The Immerse Spa, for those staying at the hotel, includes eight treatment rooms. The fitness center features cardio machines, strength-training equipment, and free weights. As part of the hotel there is 30,000 square feet of event space, most of which is taken up by the Grand Ballroom. Three conference rooms and two boardrooms offer flexible approaches for all businesses. Weddings can be hosted at the hotel for up to 1,200 guests.

Online partnerships with MGM Grand Detroit

A recent announcement has seen sports betting now offered at the MGM Grand Detroit.

“Michigan is home to some of the nation’s most enthusiastic sports fans. MGM Resorts and Roar Digital are excited to be opening BetMGM Sports Lounge at MGM Grand Detroit in time for college basketball’s tournament season,” said Scott Butera, president of interactive gaming for MGM Resorts.

BetMGM is the marquee betting app from Roar Digital, the joint venture between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings.

Party Poker is the poker provider for online gaming at the MGM Grand Detroit. The company, famously one of the largest poker sites on the planet, already had a presence in New Jersey and has now made the move into Michigan.

To enjoy the online gambling options, you do not have to be a resident of Michigan, though you have to be within state lines to gamble for real money.

Visit MGM Grand Detroit

With more than 3,500 slots and 150 table games, the MGM Grand Detroit is an imposing casino presence in the city. The luxury hotel, the entertainment, the array of restaurants and the events center all combine to create what is considered by many to be the ultimate entertainment and hotel destination in Michigan.