When gambling arrived in Detroit in the late 1990s, the expectations were that eventually, the three would be positioned together to create a Casino District to attract out-of-towners to southeast Michigan.
Big-name, live entertainment was to be common. New hotel and convention space would be added to the regional offerings. Most important, the district would spawn more bars, clubs, restaurants and retail outlets to help revive a Detroit that had been neglected for decades.
Nearly a decade later, much of that promise has gone unrealized. In particular, squabbling over parcels of land and an inability to resolve related issues has seen the Casino District on the riverfront become an idea of the past. Instead, all three casinos - Greektown Casino, MGM Detroit and MotorCity Casino and Hotel - have gone their separate ways.
Despite those shortcomings, the three remain among the busiest tourist attractions in town, not to mention a popular entertainment option for people throughout southeast Michigan. And recent upgrades have helped fulfill some of the early high hopes. New hotels have been built, shopping has increased, and the bar and restaurant options have expanded.
Here's a quick look at all three of Detroit's casinos and what visitors can expect in terms of convenience and accessibility:
Greektown Casino
While the other two casinos in town have moved from their previous temporary locations and celebrated grand openings into newer, flashier digs, Greektown's lone addition of late has been its new parking garage. But it remains popular, in part because of its location.
Positioned next to the People Mover, it's easily accessible to out-of-towners staying at the GM Renaissance Center or any of the other downtown hotels. And neighboring the theater and sports districts where foot traffic is heaviest, it's the most convenient for people attending a Tigers game at Comerica Park, a Wings game at Joe Louis Arena, or a performance in Harmonie Park.
And, of course, Greektown Casino benefits from being part of the Greektown neighborhood itself, one of the hottest entertainment locales in Detroit.
MGM Grand Detroit
Adding to the downtown skyline, MGM Detroit opened its new hotel and casino in late 2007 just a few blocks from its previous location. Delivering the Vegas-style casino experience that was promised when gambling first arrived in Detroit, MGM's opening upped the standard by which Detroit casinos will be measured.
Located on I-75 on the west side of downtown, the new MGM Detroit appeals to visitors and locals alike because it does more than deliver upscale gambling. The much talked about rebirth of downtown Detroit continues, and while strides have been made, particularly in terms of entertainment, a glaring hole remains with regards to available shopping. MGM helps fill that gap, in addition to offering a handful of restaurants and clubs that would stand on their own as local hotspots even without the luxury of slot machines and poker tables in the next room.
For out-of-towners, MGM Detroit is located near enough to the People Mover that you can get there without your own transportation. Get off at the Michigan Avenue stop and walk three blocks west toward the old Tiger Stadium.
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Jutting from the aging neighborhood that surrounds it, the new art-deco style MotorCity Casino Hotel opened with great fanfare in late 2007 just across freeway from MGM Detroit. And like MGM, the upgrades up the ante for what gamblers in Detroit will come to expect.
New shops, restaurants, bars and the hotel make MotorCity a one-stop destination for visitors to the area, and while its location is not convenient for walking to most other attractions downtown, it's just a short cab or shuttle ride.
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