Bingo’s heyday has long since passed, but the game is still played at hundreds of charity events and bingo halls, plus some tribal casinos across Michigan as well.

• Firekeepers Casino Free Games

The game’s popularity peaked in the mid-1980s before the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed in 1988 and many tribal bingo halls across Michigan and the entire US turned themselves into casinos with Las Vegas-style gambling instead.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel Casino History Construction on the FireKeepers Casino Hotel first began in May 2008, while the casino opened for business to the general public in August 2009. The hotel and casino were developed by Gaming Entertainment Michigan (GEM), which is a joint venture between real estate developer Robert Mathewson and gaming. Introducing a whole new way to play BINGO at FireKeepers Casino! Every Friday in May, join us for BINGLO: Drink Specials, Glow In the Dark Bingo, Live DJ an.

However, bingo games still run at several tribal casinos and hundreds of halls across the state taking advantage of Michigan’s charitable gaming laws that allow qualified nonprofit organizations to obtain charitable gaming licenses and host events.

With Michigan lawmakers passing online gambling legislation in 2019, online casinos are coming to Michigan, some of which will bring online bingo with them.

Read on to find out more about bingo in the Great Lakes State, the version of the game that is popular online and where you can still play bingo across the state.

Bingo and Michigan gambling laws

In 1972, Michigan lawmakers passed Act 382 creating rules to govern charity bingo games throughout the state.

The act defined bingo as a game where players purchase one or more cards divided into numbered squares and a caller randomly picks numbers from one to 75.

Players scan the cards to see if the called number is there and mark it off when it is. The first player to string together numbers in the winning bingo pattern, as set before the game starts, shouts out “bingo.” Once that card is verified, he or she collects a pre-set prize.

The law only allows qualified nonprofit organizations to obtain a Michigan charitable gaming license and conduct bingo games. However, Michigan charity bingo halls have been allowed to assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining licenses and running games.

There are three types of Michigan charitable gaming bingo licenses nonprofit organizations can obtain:

• Large Bingo License: Allows a licensee to conduct bingo one day per week with prize limits of $1,100 per game and $3,500 per session. Licensees can also run a Michigan Progressive Jackpot Bingo Game: This jackpot is not subject to the prize limits. Instead, progressive jackpots consist of the preceding session’s unclaimed jackpot and 50% of card sales for the Michigan progressive jackpot bingo game in the current session.
• Small Bingo License: Allows a licensee to conduct bingo one day per week with prize limits of $25 per game and $300 per session. Progressive jackpot bingo games cannot be played under the small bingo license.
• Special Bingo License: Allows a licensee to conduct bingo for up to seven consecutive days with prize limits of $1,100 per game and $3,500 per session. Nonprofit organizations can obtain up to four special bingo licenses per year. Michigan progressive jackpot bingo games cannot be played under this license.

Bingo without a license

The act also allows for bingo to be run without a license by senior citizens clubs, groups, or homes consisting of members who are 60 years old or above. As long as:

• Bingo is conducted for amusement and recreation only, not for fund-raising
• Only members, guests, and employees can play or operate the game
• No more than 25 cents is charged for cards
• The retail value of all prizes does not exceed $100 in a single day
• All revenue from bingo is used for prizes and reasonable expenses incurred in operating the game
• No person is compensated solely for playing or operating the game

Native American bingo

To solve economic problems on American Indian reservations several Michigan tribes opened large-scale bingo operations in the early 1980s.

By the mid-1980s many of these operations were converted into the full-scale tribal casinos that still operate to this day. A handful still run bingo operations without the same prize limits charity gaming licensees are subject to.

Bingo at Michigan online casinos

Michigan passed an online gambling bill in December 2019 making online casinos legal in the state, pending the creation of rules and a licensing process.

The licensing and rule-making processes are now underway. A draft of the rules was sent to various stakeholders in April 2020 and license applications were made available to Detroit’s three commercial casinos and 23 tribal casinos across the state in May.

The executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board has said the first Michigan online casinos could be live by November 2020 if certain aspects of Michigan’s rule-making process are expedited.

These operations could run online bingo games, provided the game is included in the rules governing online gambling in the state or operators ask the board to approve the game.

Free and real money online bingo

Just like many land-based casinos do, Michigan online casinos are likely to offer free bingo games where registered players can win real money.

Both brick-and-mortar and online casinos do this as a way to reward loyal players and draw them to the casino. However, the online games are often so large the chance of winning anything substantial is slim. Either the prize is split among too many players or you need to beat thousands of other players to claim it.

If you want a realistic shot at winning real money playing bingo online, stick to paid games where your chances of winning are significantly improved.

Slingo vs. Bingo: What’s the difference?

Slingo games are a type of video slot game you might find at a land-based or online casino in Michigan.

Slingo takes its name from bingo. However, Slingo games combine elements of traditional bingo, slots, and casino games.

There are several different Slingo games available at online and physical casinos, many of which also incorporate skill and decision-making into the gaming experience.

Playing Slingo is easy. The game involves taking a fixed number of spins, drawing five numbers each, before finding and marking off these numbers on a bingo-style card.

You can also draw wilds that allow you to check off numbers anywhere, give you additional free spins, and instant wins.

Your wins will be based on how many lines of Slingo you can mark off on the card, similar to how wins payout on a slot machine.

Slingo’s flagship games include Slingo Riches and Slingo Extreme.

Can I play online bingo in MI?

Right now you can’t play online bingo in Michigan, but that option may soon be available. Once online casinos have been licensed and begin to open, the rules may allow them to run online bingo.

Even if they do not, Michigan online casinos may ask for approval from the board to run online versions of bingo.

Online casinos in other states run online bingo, suggesting there is a chance Michigan could follow their lead.

How 90 ball bingo works

The type of bingo most US online casinos run is a “90 ball” version of the game.

While 90-ball bingo is similar to the standard 75-ball game typically found at bingo events, there are some differences.

To start, the game cards feature 27 squares in a three-row and nine-column grid. Each row has five squares filled with numbers and four blank spots. Each column will only feature numbers from one of nine batches.

The first column has numbers from one through nine, the second 10 through 19, and so on, up to 90.

Cards for this version are sold in groups of six called strips. Like traditional bingo, numbers are randomly-drawn and you try to string together these numbers on your card in the winning bingo pattern that was set before the start of the game. The blanks on each card are considered already filled.

You can win one of three ways playing 90-ball bingo:

• Any line: Be the first to get all five numbers in a row
• Two lines: Be the first to get all five numbers in two rows
• Full house: Be the first to get all five numbers in all three rows

The addition of 15 numbers and the different makeup of the card is the only difference between 90-ball bingo and the traditional game.

However, all occurrences of a number are automatically marked off on your strips when you play online, making it more like electronic bingo than traditional versions.

Michigan bingo halls

There are more than 300 bingo halls and tribal casinos that run games across the Wolverine State.

The following is a list of Michigan tribal casinos looking to launch online gambling operations that already run live bingo games:

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge

• Address: 2521 N. West Bay Shore Dr., Peshawbestown, MI
• Bingo: Wednesday through Friday starting at 5 p.m. ET
• Owner: Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Online casino partner: William Hill

Four Winds Casino New Buffalo

• Address: 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan
• Bingo: Occasional bingo promotions held in the event center
• Owner: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
• Online casino partner: Scientific Games

Firekeepers Casino and Hotel

• Address: 11177 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, Michigan
• Bingo: Two sessions daily Thursday through Monday. Nine progressive jackpots and seasonal bingo promotions.
• Owner: Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
• Online casino partner: Scientific Games

Northern Waters Casino Resort

• Address: N5384 US-45, Watersmeet, Michigan
• Bingo: Occasional bingo promotions
• Owner: Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Online casino partner: PointsBet

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

• Address: 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Isabella Indian Reservation, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
• Bingo: Wednesday through Sunday with two or three sessions per day and early-bird games. Plus, the Bingo Millions Coverall Add-On with the chance to win $1,000,000 with a coverall in 47 balls or less
• Owner: Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation
• Online casino partner: Aristocrat

Odawa Casino Resort

• Address: 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, Michigan
• Bingo: Every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, two sessions per day beginning at 11 a.m. ET with Progressive jackpots that start at $1,000 and $2,500
• Owner: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
• Online casino partner :The Stars Group (PokerStars Casino)

Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie

• Address: 2186 Shunk Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, MI
• Bingo: 200-seat bingo hall with progressive to two-part jackpot games Saturday afternoon and senior bingo at noon every Thursday.
• Owner: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
• Online casino partner: GAN

Wrapping up: Online bingo and bingo in Michigan

With more than 300 bingo halls and tribal casinos running games across the state, somebody forgot to tell Michigan the game’s popularity has been waning since the mid-1980s.

Live bingo is alive and well in the Great Lakes State and the first online casinos to offer the game over the internet are bound to have increased traffic as a result.

With live bingo games running at several tribal casinos that are planning to go online in late 2020 or early 2021, online bingo in Michigan is quite possibly set to take off.

• Player's Club

The Midwest's Most Competitive Player’s Club

Join an elite group of fellow players—and rack up points for exciting rewards whenever you play. With the most exciting casino gaming in the Midwest, this club is your key to all that we have to offer.

To join the Club, please visit a Fire Keeper's Club booth in-person. There, you’ll also receive your player’s club card to start racking up points and rewards.

As a Fire Keeper’s Club member, you’ll have early access to ANTE^® online, customized with your favorite offers, plus loads of information about upcoming entertainment, special FKC Club member deals and much more.

Already a Club member? View your current offers here:

Win/Loss Statement Request

Club members can request a win/loss statement for tax purposes. Win/Loss Statements are now available online! Simply login with your Fire Keeper's Club account number and PIN in the 'My Account' section and navigate to the Win/Loss page.

You may also request a copy of your Win/Loss Statement on property. Download the request form, print it out and bring it to the Fire Keeper's Club booth by the skywalk on your next visit.

Statements are available seven to ten working days after the date of request and can only be mailed if you are a banned patron or live in another city or state. (Please call 414-847-7740 for questions on mailed statements.) When picking up your statement at the Fire Keeper’s Club booth by the skywalk, you must show a valid photo ID and the name on the ID must match that of the requestor.

Learn about our five tiers and the perks of each

Due to the global pandemic, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino has decided to extend current tier status through December 31, 2021. Players who earned a status in 2019, will continue to enjoy those tier level benefits through December 31, 2021.
Additionally, for the earnings period of January 1 – December 31, 2020, tier points required for each tier level have been adjusted.

New 2020 Tier Point Earnings

*Tier Point earnings are being adjusted for 2020 play only. The earnings period starting January 1, 2021 will return to the normal point structure.

Tier-Evaluation Period:

Our five-tier Fire Keeper’s Club program features a longer qualification period (12 months) from January 1 to December 31 of any given year. The more you play during that time period, the more likely you are to advance your Club-level status! And remember, it’s about the points you earn—not the points you use. You’ll maintain your Club level no matter how many points you use.

Check cashing is available at the Solstice Cage, Main Cage and Fall Cage.

All guests will need to establish check-cashing privileges. Please present the following items at one of the Cages for your first check-cashing transaction:

• Blank personal check imprinted with your name, address and bank account routing numbers
• Valid photo ID
• Fire Keeper’s Club card

Reduced fees for this service for Fire Keeper’s Club members: 6% for Ruby-level, 5% for Topaz-level, 3% for Sapphire-level and free for Emerald- and Diamond-level guests.

Must be a Fire Keeper's Club member to cash a check.

Using Your Card

Slot Players: Insert your Club card into the card reader at your favorite slot or video poker machine.
Table Games Players: Present your Club card to your table games dealer before beginning play.
Bingo Players: Present your Club card to the admissions clerk when purchasing your bingo pack.

Earn Points

Slots: $2 coin-in equals 1 point
Video Poker: $4 coin-in equals 1 point
Table Games: Based on type of game, average bet and time played
Bingo: $2 buy-in equals 5 points
Poker: 1 hour of play equals 100 points

Redeem Points

100 points equal $1
As a member of the Fire Keeper’s Club, you may exchange your points for a variety of exclusive offers, items and events, such as:

• Slot play directly at slot machines
• Bingo buy-in at the Bingo Admissions booth
• Tickets to The Northern Lights Theater
• Items at the Sweet Grass Gift Shop
• Food and beverages in any of our restaurants

No matter how you choose to use your points, the redemption rate is the same.

Accessing Slot Rewards

To Access Reward Play…

1. Insert Fire Keeper’s Club card into a slot machine.
2. Using the touch-screen display, navigate to account options by pressing the MENU button.
3. Touch the FKC REWARD PLAY or POINT EXCHANGE button.
   
4. Enter your secure PIN number. Verify that an asterisk has appeared after keying in each number.
5. Your available FKC Reward Play balance will appear on the machine’s display.
6. To activate FKC Reward Play, you must place your first wager using your own money. When the spin has finished, FKC Reward Play will reimburse your wager up to the amount of your offer.

To Access FKC Point Exchange…

1. Insert Fire Keeper’s Club card into a slot machine.
2. Using the touch-screen display, navigate to account options by pressing the MENU button.
3. Touch the FKC REWARD PLAY or POINT EXCHANGE button.
   
4. Enter your secure PIN number. Verify that an asterisk has appeared after keying in each number.
5. Based on your available Club card point balance, buttons will display for available exchange options.
6. You will be asked to confirm your transaction, then points will be exchanged into FKC Reward Play and cannot be converted back to points.

Not available on wide-area progressives. Note: Points are not earned when gambling in FKC Reward Play mode.

You can now review and update your account information, receive your free promotional entry and activate your entries into drawings simply by swiping your Fire Keeper’s Club card at any promotional kiosk located on the casino floor.

No more waiting in line at the Club booth! You can access this information any time you want at an easy-to-use kiosk. Here’s how it works:

1. Swipe your Club card.
2. Enter your PIN.
3. Select what screen you want to see: promotions, drawings or account info.

Promotions Screen

Go to this screen to get your free entry into our drawings or to play a quick, fun game to win an offer.

Drawings Screen

This is where you can activate your entries into our drawings. To activate entries, press Drawing anytime within two hours before each drawing.

Account Info Screen

If you need to update your email address or phone number, you can do it here. Please note: Keeping this information updated is important for any “need not be present to win” drawings.

The system times-out after 30 seconds of inactivity in order to safeguard your private information.

These kiosks are convenient and simple to use.

Fire Keeper’s Club Rules & Regulations

Firekeepers Casino Free Games

1. Fire Keeper’s Club membership is free.
2. Bingo members must be at least 18 years old, table games and slots members must be at least 21 years old.
3. One account per member.
4. Accounts and membership benefits (including points) are non-transferable and cannot be claimed by another party assigned or inherited.
5. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino (PHC) policy prohibits a member to accrue points by distributing his/her card to other players. Only the member whose name appears on the card may use the membership card. Violation of this rule will result in the termination of membership and forfeiture of any points or other benefits.
6. Members are responsible for presenting their card to a pit supervisor when participating in table games play and for properly inserting their Club card into the card reader on any slot, video poker, or other video game. Members are responsible for confirming that the card has been verified and accepted before continuing play. Members will not receive benefits if the card is not presented or properly inserted prior to play. Seek assistance from a Fire Keeper’s Club staff member if needed.
7. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino uses reasonable efforts to track a member’s average bet and length of play; however, as a condition of receiving points for table games play, members agree that such points are granted based on the personal observation of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino employees, which is subject to error. All decisions of management are final and binding.
8. Members cannot achieve Fire Keeper’s Club Topaz-, Sapphire-, Emerald- or Diamond-level status by earning points while participating in promotions or playing poker.
9. Management will review any disputes regarding the accumulation of bonus points or point balances. All decisions of management are final and binding.
10. Management reserves the right to adjust any point balance resulting from machine/reader malfunction, operating errors and/or fraud.
11. Point redemption information is available at the Fire Keeper’s Club booth.
12. Guest signature on a receipt will constitute consent to deduct points. The use of a PIN number at a slot machine will also constitute consent to deduct points.
13. To redeem points, special offers or gifts, a member must present his/her Fire Keeper’s Club card along with a valid photo ID displaying the same name as on the Club card. A member must be present to redeem points and a power of attorney or other appointed person (redeeming another member’s points) will not be accepted.
14. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is not responsible for lost, stolen or misused cards. Lost or stolen cards should be reported to the Fire Keeper’s Club booth immediately. Duplicate cards may be issued upon presentation of proper identification.
15. Membership in the Fire Keeper’s Club is a privilege granted by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and is only offered to those who comply with the policies, procedures and rules for membership as well as all other requirements of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Any misuse of the card or violation of these requirements will result in the forfeiture of all benefits and points.
16. Accounts without activity for 12 consecutive months will become inactive and all unredeemed points will be forfeited.
17. In the event that a guest requests to become self-banned from Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, their Club membership and points will become inactive for the 12-month duration of the ban and points will be forfeited.
18. In the event that a guest is banned by the Casino from entering Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, their Club account will become inactive and all points forfeited.
19. The use of the Fire Keeper’s Club card constitutes acceptance of the Club’s rules, terms and conditions as well as all other rules of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Fire Keeper’s Club cards are the property of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and may be revoked, confiscated or cancelled at Casino Management’s discretion. Members must return Club cards at time of cancellation.
20. Management reserves the right to change or alter the rules of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and the terms and conditions of the Fire Keeper’s Club at any time without notice, and to revoke membership or cancel the Club at any time. All Fire Keeper’s Club rules are posted in the Casino.
21. Points are granted based on criteria established by the Casino and the granting of points creates no property or other right in the points.
22. Any matters not addressed by these rules will be reviewed by Casino Management and all decisions of Casino Management are final.