MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit Undergoing $65 Million Renovation
Posted on: April 9, 2026, 01:25h.
Last updated on: April 9, 2026, 01:25h.
- MotorCity Casino Hotel is beginning a $65 million update
- The bulk of the money will be spent on refreshing the property’s hotel rooms and suites
- Billionaire Marian Ilitch owns the Detroit casino
Detroit’s MotorCity Casino Hotel is undergoing a multiyear $65 million renovation that seeks to transform the guest experience.
Located on Grand River Avenue at the Lodge Freeway, MotorCity is the only casino in Detroit that’s locally owned. While MGM Grand is operated by Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts, and Hollywood Greektown is run by Pennsylvania-based Penn Entertainment, MotorCity is controlled by billionaire Marian Ilitch.
MotorCity is revving up its attractiveness by renovating all 400 hotel guestrooms and suites, transforming the resort’s Conference Center to better attract marquee gatherings and events, and upgrading the property’s restaurants and bars.
MotorCity has always been a place people come to have a great time. We’re building on what guests already love while introducing new experiences that feel vibrant, exciting, and designed for how people want to escape and enjoy themselves today,” said John Policicchio, general manager of MotorCity Casino Hotel.
Policicchio has billed the $65 million investment as the “Elevate the Escape” project.
Ilitch, the owner of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and a 50% position in Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, amassed her fortune with her late husband by founding the Little Caesars pizza chain.
Recent room reviews for MotorCity seemingly warrant the update.
“Room was fine, but not what you’d expect for the price. Bathroom was gross in corners,” read one review posted in March.
Rebounding Revenue, Market Share
Mandalay Resort Group opened MotorCity in late 1999, with the Ilitch family holding a 25% stake. The billionaire Detroiters bought out Mandalay in April 2005 for $525 million and soon after embarked on a $300 million expansion and renovation project that was completed in 2008.
Along with the hotel, restaurants, and conference space, the $65 million allocation will modernize gaming at MotorCity with refreshed casino entrances, updated finishes, and improved lighting. MotorCity’s loyalty program, Club Metro, will additionally see new member benefits.
MotorCity previously updated the gaming floor with a new high-limit area, a first-floor smoking facility, an expanded VIP dining lounge, and a two-story FanDuel Sportsbook.
MotorCity’s casino has reported mixed gaming results in recent years.
In 2025, the casino’s slot machines and table games generated gross gaming revenue of $376.1 million, down 2.5% from 2024 when GGR totaled $385.8 million. MotorCity casino win in 2023 was $373.3 million, $396.5 million in 2022, and $438.2 million in 2021.
MotorCity has been the middle runner of the three city casinos for many years. MGM Grand Detroit has been the pacesetter, with 2025 GGR of $605.3 million marking the property’s second year in a row where casino revenue eclipsed $600 million.
Hollywood Greektown’s best year since 2021 was $292.8 million, which came in 2024.
The numbers do not include revenue from sports betting, online sports betting, or iGaming.
March Revenue Numbers
On Thursday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that Detroit casino revenue in March totaled $112.3 million. That marked a 4.5% decrease from March 2025.
MotorCity in-person casino revenue was down 2.7% to $34.9 million. MGM Grand was down 3.5% to $51.9 million.
March 2025 had one more weekend day than March 2026.
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