Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Product brand
UnclaimedA casino hotel and entertainment complex in Detroit's Greektown neighborhood, owned by Vici Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment under its Hollywood Casino brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Hollywood Casino at Greektown is a casino hotel in Detroit, Michigan's Greektown neighborhood. The property opened in November 2000 as Greektown Casino and became one of the three commercial casinos authorized to operate in Detroit. Its development followed Michigan's legalization of commercial casino gaming in the 1990s and was initially associated with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which became the principal owner after regulatory issues led local development partners to sell their interests. The property's origins date to the period after passage of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988. The Sault Tribe worked with Detroit developers Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas to establish a casino connected to a parcel of land in Greektown. The original reservation-based approach encountered opposition from Michigan Governor John Engler, so the developers and tribal partners supported a statewide ballot initiative. Michigan voters approved the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act in 1996, authorizing up to three privately operated casinos in Detroit and giving preference to projects that had already received local voter support. Detroit selected the Greektown proposal in 1997. The project was built around the former Trappers Alley shopping center and a new casino structure. Construction began in January 1999, with costs rising substantially from early estimates. The casino opened on November 10, 2000, after the first two Detroit casino openings in 1999. The Sault Tribe initially held the majority stake and ended its external management agreement in 2002, taking direct control of operations. The property expanded several times. A plan for a new permanent casino on a separate site was replaced in 2005 by a decision to enlarge the existing Greektown location. The resulting development added a hotel tower, parking, convention facilities, and gaming space. The 30-story hotel opened in November 2007, and a major gaming expansion, additional convention space, a redesigned poker room, and a VIP gaming area followed between 2008 and 2009. The complex became an integrated casino, hotel, dining, entertainment, and events destination serving Detroit residents, regional visitors, and tourists from southeastern Michigan and neighboring Ontario. The expansion placed considerable pressure on the business's finances. Greektown Casino entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008 after difficulties meeting lender requirements. In 2010, bondholders acquired the company through Greektown Superholdings and reorganized the property. Rock Gaming, associated with Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert, acquired a majority interest in 2013. A proposed rebranding as Jack Detroit Casino–Hotel Greektown was announced in 2016 but ultimately abandoned in 2018 when the ownership group prepared to sell the property. In 2019, Vici Properties acquired the real estate and Penn National Gaming, now Penn Entertainment, acquired the operating business. The property was subsequently integrated into Penn's Hollywood Casino portfolio and adopted the Hollywood Casino at Greektown name in May 2022. Sports betting was added through a Barstool Sportsbook in December 2020 and relaunched as ESPN Bet in April 2024. The property remains an active Detroit casino hotel, combining slot machines, table games, poker, sports wagering, hotel rooms, restaurants, nightlife, and event facilities.
History
The property's development began after the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 created a framework for tribal gaming. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians worked with Detroit developers Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas, whose company, 400 Monroe Associates, proposed contributing land in Greektown for a casino project. The proposal was publicly announced in 1992. Detroit voters supported the project in an advisory referendum in 1994, but Michigan Governor John Engler rejected the proposed reservation-based casino, arguing that it could encourage the spread of off-reservation casinos. The tribal and development partners then supported a statewide ballot initiative. The Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, approved by voters in November 1996, authorized up to three privately operated casinos in Detroit. It also favored projects that had already received Detroit voter support. In December 1997, Mayor Dennis Archer selected the Greektown proposal along with the projects that became MotorCity Casino Hotel and MGM Grand Detroit. Construction began in January 1999. The project incorporated the vacant Trappers Alley shopping center and a newly constructed casino building. Planned costs increased from an early estimate of approximately $115 million to about $200 million. The original ownership plan divided interests among the Sault Tribe, the Gatzaros and Papas families, and local Black investors. Gaming regulators raised concerns during background investigations of the local developers, leading to negotiations over their interests. The tribe ultimately bought those shares, and the casino received its license in September 2000 with the Sault Tribe holding a 90 percent stake. Greektown Casino opened on November 10, 2000. The tribe ended its management arrangement with Millennium Management Group in 2002 and assumed direct control. In 2002, the casino agreed with Detroit to develop a larger permanent facility near Interstate 375 and Gratiot Avenue. That plan was changed in 2005, when the company chose to expand at the existing Greektown site instead. The expansion added a hotel, parking, convention facilities, and gaming space. Site preparation began in 2006, construction followed later that year, and the 30-story hotel tower opened on November 15, 2007. A 13-story parking garage with approximately 3,500 spaces accompanied the development. Additional gaming space opened in November 2008, bringing the casino's total gaming area to approximately 100,000 square feet. A redesigned VIP gaming area and expanded convention and poker facilities followed in 2009. The expansion also increased the property's financial burden. In May 2008, Greektown Casino filed for Chapter 11 protection after its debt structure fell below lender requirements and the state threatened a forced sale. In June 2010, Greektown Superholdings, representing a group of bondholders, acquired the business out of bankruptcy. Rock Gaming acquired a majority stake in 2013. The company later announced that the property would be rebranded Jack Detroit Casino–Hotel Greektown, but that plan was canceled in 2018 during preparations for a sale. In May 2019, Vici Properties bought the real estate assets and Penn National Gaming bought the operating company. The property continued to be leased from Vici and operated by Penn, which later became Penn Entertainment. Penn added a Barstool Sportsbook in December 2020. In May 2022, the casino joined the Hollywood Casino portfolio. Its retail sportsbook was relaunched as ESPN Bet in April 2024. The active property now combines casino gaming, a hotel, poker, sports wagering, restaurants, entertainment, and event space in central Detroit.
- 2024
ESPN Bet sportsbook relaunch
[1]The retail sportsbook adopted the ESPN Bet identity around the 2024 NFL draft.
- 2022
Hollywood Casino rebrand
[1]Penn rebranded the property as Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
- 2020
Retail sportsbook opens
[1]The property opened a Barstool Sportsbook and associated dining area.
- 2019
Vici and Penn acquire the property and operations
[1]Vici Properties purchased the real estate and Penn National Gaming purchased the operating business.
- 2013
Rock Gaming becomes majority owner
[1]Rock Gaming agreed to acquire a majority stake in the property.
- 2010
Bondholder ownership begins
[1]Greektown Superholdings acquired the casino out of bankruptcy.
- 2008
Chapter 11 filing and gaming expansion
[1]The company entered Chapter 11 protection while completing additional gaming space over Lafayette.
- 2007
Hotel tower opens
[1]The 30-story hotel tower opened on November 15 as part of the property's expansion.
- 2000
Casino opens
[1]Greektown Casino opened on November 10.
- 1999
Construction begins
[1]Construction began using the former Trappers Alley site and a new casino structure.
Products and positioning
Entertainment, gaming, hospitality, dining, sports wagering, and events in downtown Detroit
Gaming · 2000
Casino gaming
The core property offers casino gaming in a large Detroit facility, including slot machines and table games. The gaming floor expanded during the late-2000s redevelopment and reached approximately 100,000 square feet after additional space opened in 2008.
Hospitality · 2007
Hotel
The hotel component is housed in a 30-story tower opened in 2007. It forms part of the integrated resort model, allowing visitors to combine overnight accommodation with casino gaming, dining, entertainment, and events in Greektown.
Gaming · 2009
Poker room
Poker is part of the property's gaming offer. A redesigned poker room opened alongside additional convention facilities during the 2009 expansion program.
Sports betting · 2024
ESPN Bet sportsbook
The retail sportsbook began as Barstool Sportsbook in 2020 and was later relaunched under Penn Entertainment's ESPN Bet brand in 2024. It extends the property's gaming offer into in-person sports wagering and related hospitality.
Events · 2009
Convention and event facilities
The property includes convention and event space added through its late-2000s redevelopment. These facilities support meetings, private functions, entertainment programming, and casino-related gatherings.
Brand decisions
2024
ESPN Bet retail sportsbook launchProduct launchBackground
Penn Entertainment was expanding the ESPN Bet brand across its sports-wagering business.
Action taken
The property's retail sportsbook was relaunched under the ESPN Bet name around the 2024 NFL draft.
Aftermath
Greektown became Penn's first retail sportsbook location operating under the ESPN Bet branding.
2022
Hollywood Casino brand conversionStrategyBackground
Penn National Gaming had made the property part of its broader operating portfolio after acquiring the business in 2019.
Action taken
Penn rebranded Greektown Casino as Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
Aftermath
The Detroit property adopted the identity and portfolio positioning of Penn's Hollywood Casino brand.
2019
Separation of real-estate ownership and operationsM&ABackground
The property was offered for sale as its ownership group reconsidered its position in the casino sector.
Action taken
Vici Properties acquired the real estate and Penn National Gaming acquired the operating business.
Aftermath
Penn operated the casino under a lease from Vici and subsequently integrated it into the Hollywood Casino portfolio.
Transaction consideration. (2019)
2013
Rock Gaming majority investmentM&ABackground
A majority investment was considered part of Dan Gilbert's broader effort to support downtown Detroit's revitalization.
Action taken
Rock Gaming agreed to acquire a majority stake in Greektown Casino.
Aftermath
The property remained associated with Rock Gaming until its owners prepared to sell and exit the casino business.
2008
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
Expansion debt and a failure to satisfy lender debt-to-equity requirements created pressure for a forced sale.
Action taken
Greektown Casino filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008.
Aftermath
Bondholders acquired the casino out of bankruptcy in 2010 through Greektown Superholdings.
2005
Expand the existing Greektown siteStrategyBackground
The casino had previously agreed to develop a larger permanent facility on a separate Detroit site, but the company later reassessed the plan.
Action taken
Greektown chose to invest in an expansion at its existing location rather than move to the proposed Interstate 375 and Gratiot Avenue site.
Aftermath
The redevelopment added a hotel tower, parking, convention space, and additional gaming capacity between 2007 and 2009.
Sources2 sources
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