• MotorCity Casino Hotel features a bonus system operated through custom flat-screen installations mounted above slot machines that allow interaction with customers. Through the system, the casino can award instant bonuses to players on their birthday, notify winners of special promotions, and more. citation needed Sound Board.
• When you step into MotorCity Casino, you enter a world that's been fine-tuned for action. It's all here: Over 2,900 slot machines including the latest multi-line video and 5-reel slots. 59 table games including Blackjack, Roulette, Casino War, Pai Gow Poker, Mini-Baccarat and Craps.
• The 1996 Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act paved the way for the commercial properties that occupy the Motor City today. All three properties have slot machines. The list of casino properties with slot machines swelled over two dozen in the next 20 years.

After the restrictions for operating during the pandemic were revised, the MotorCity Casino Hotel based in Detroit is planning to reopen on December 23. According to an official statement, the relaunch of the casino is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, a couple of days before Christmas.

Before the casino reopens, the entire staff will be tested for COVID-19. To be able to operate, the casino will follow strict health and safety protocols. Those include wearing masks by customers and casino employees while being inside the casino, temperature checks upon entering the facility, enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the casino. Smoking will be prohibited inside MotorCity Casino and to ensure social distancing, seats on table games will be removed and slot machines will not operate. To provide even bigger protection, there will be plexiglass barriers installed on table games.

Michigan Revises COVID-19 Restrictions to Allow Reopening of Entertainment Venues

Unfortunately, after searching all three floor of MotorCity, I couldn't find any two coin quarter slots. All the two coin machines I found were $0.50 and $1.00 wagers. I continued trying a few more quarter slots here and there until I lost my very small winnings plus $10 more.

On December 18, the state of Michigan announced its revised COVID-19 order to allow high schools and some entertainment businesses to reopen. According to the new restrictions, casinos in the state will be allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 100 guests, while indoor bars and restaurants should remain closed. Indoor establishments will be allowed, however, to offer delivery services. The consumption of any food or beverages inside the casinos, however, is prohibited.

In a statement published on Sunday, MotorCity Casino expressed its appreciation for the revised order. By being able to resume its operation, the casino will be able to provide the much-needed healthcare and employment to the staff that works at MotorCity Casino in Detroit. Despite the limited capacity, the company ensured that it will not lead to long waiting lines to enter the MotorCity Casino.

During the pandemic, the casino industry in Detroit suffered great losses that resulted in millions of dollars missed tax revenue. The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported a 55% year-over-year slump in slots and table games revenue in 2020.

The revised restrictions also allowed bowling centers and movie theaters to reopen, following the health and safety protocols. The maximum capacity of 100 people also applies to these facilities and indoor food and drink establishments should remain closed. The current state order is in effect until January 15, 2021.

Following the news for the revised pandemic restrictions, MGM Grand Detroit also announced its plan to reopen on Wednesday, at 5 p.m. While slots and video poker machines, as well as BetMGM Sportsbook, will be instantly available on the relaunch day, the table games will open on Saturday.

Two of the three Detroit casinos have already stated their reopen dates, following the revised COVID-19 order. The only one left is Greektown Casino, which currently has not announced its relaunch but tweeted that customers can soon find out the official date of its reopening.

After 139 days without legal gambling in the city of Detroit, at least one local resident was very ready for Wednesday.

Word is the first Michigan resident to get in line for MotorCity Casino and its 10 a.m. opening arrived at 5 a.m. By the opening hour for two city casinos on Wednesday, dozens were lined up.

After nearly five months of closures for Detroit’s casinos, two gambling houses reopened Wednesday to steady crowds, despite an order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to maintain a 15% maximum capacity.

After being closed since March 16, Greektown Casino-Hotel and MotorCity reopened their doors to customers, while MGM Grand Detroit will reopen at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Different feel to Detroit casinos in COVID-19 era

The marquee atop Greektown has had #DETROITSTRONG lit up high in the Motor City sky for months.

On Wednesday, it was changed to “WELCOME BACK WE ARE OPEN!” for the occasion.

No smoking, plexiglass everywhere, and required masks were the biggest noticeable changes at the venues on Wednesday.

The casinos are operating under the guidelines from the Michigan Gaming Control Board this summer and approved by the governor.

Table games were not open yet at Greektown on Wednesday afternoon but were all outfitted with plexiglass to protect the dealer and the maximum of three customers per table from each other. Table games were scheduled to open later on Wednesday.

The casinos have implemented social distancing measures for slot machine play, with banks of three slots featuring only the middle one open at MotorCity. At Greektown, banks of five machines had only two of them working.

15% capacities not yet reached on opening day

MotorCity Casino was nearing its temporary capacity of 1,600 customers early on Wednesday afternoon, but the line outside was still steadily streaming in customers.

Earlier, customers were lined up on Temple Street for the reopening.

At Greektown, there’s only one way in and one way out these days.

The street-level entrances on Monroe and Lafayette streets are closed and customers were lined up at three checkpoints Wednesday, including two before and after the third-floor skywalk over Monroe.

The poker rooms at all of Detroit’s casinos will remain closed temporarily. Valet service is suspended temporarily. None of the casinos have opened their hotels yet.

MGM will have space for about 1,800 patrons with the new capacity restrictions, according to a spokesperson last week.

MGM was reportedly open for VIP guests on Wednesday and also will be on Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Greektown Sportsbook is back; others coming soon

Sports betting opened in Detroit on March 11, five days before the coronavirus shutdown.

Greektown opened its sportsbook as part of its reopening on Wednesday. About 10 people were placing bets in the Kambi system about 15 minutes after the reopening.

The Penn National Gaming casino is still working out of its temporary facility, the old poker room.

However, construction started on the new facility during the hiatus. Permanent walls are up around the future sportsbook, which will be branded as a Barstool Sportsbook and be in the middle of the casino floor.

A Greektown spokesperson did not return messages from PlayMichigan concerning an expected launch date for the new sportsbook.

MotorCity will reopen its FanDuel Sportsbook at 11 a.m. on Friday. Little Caesars Pizza and Pit Stop Deli, both in the food court, are the only dining options for now.

Raise your hand ✋ and retweet if you’re ready to get #BackintheGame! 2 DAYS until we welcome you back at the re-opening of the @FDSportsbook on AUGUST 7 @ 11AM. 🚨 https://t.co/bt7co6rgCmpic.twitter.com/PCGqOv3vr0

— MotorCity Casino (@MotorCityCasino) August 5, 2020

MGM Grand Detroit will reopen its BetMGM Sportsbook on Friday as part of its reopening, though the lounge will not be available. National Coney Island, TAP sports bar, and Axis Lounge will open on Friday.

State, city have lost loads of revenue

During the Detroit shutdown, corporate owners and local governmental units have lost millions.

This week, the American Gaming Association released an updated report on the Michigan gambling industry.

In it, the group estimated that 26 casinos statewide:

• Have $6.3 billion of annual economic impact on the state
• Raise $1.3 billion in state and local taxes each year
• Support $2.1 billion in wages along with nearly 38,000 jobs

The group estimated the shutdown cost state and local governments $114.1 million in revenue. That includes $46.2 million for K-12 education and $67.8 million in revenue for Detroit youth development programs, economic development projects, and other local improvement initiatives.

All but one Michigan tribal casino already opened

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Elsewhere, all but one of the state’s 23 tribal casinos have already reopened this summer after closing in March.

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A chain of Upper Peninsula casinos made news this week in its efforts to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

On Tuesday, Kewadin Casinos announced an enhanced partnership with Agilysys, Inc., which includes contactless food and beverage ordering at its five UP casinos.

The service, IG OnDemand, expands on the existing relationship between the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians casino group and the vendor.

The only tribal casino unopened is Kings Club Casino in Brimley. However, the Bay Mills Indian Community has opened its sister facility two miles away, Bay Mills Resort & Casino.