The Kings Club Casino is a popular spot where locals in Brimley, Michigan like to hang out, play the slots, and have lunch at a seafood restaurant. Its claim to fame is being the first proper casino with slots and blackjack owned by a tribal community in the U.S.
Located right on the shores Lake Superior, players enjoy a great view of the water from a deck at the back of the casino. The casino itself has 280 slots and video poker games and a few billiard tables, as well as a full-service bar and Chum’s Cafe where players can relax when they need a break.
Kings Club Casino Fact Table
| First opened | July 4, 1984 |
| Phone number | 906-248-3227 |
| Address | 12140 W. Lakeshore Dr., Brimley, MI 49715 |
| Number of slots | 280 |
| Number of table games | 0 |
| Hotel? | No |
| Minimum gambling age? | 21 |
Online Gambling at Kings Club Casino in 2021
In December of 2019, Michigan passed legislation allowing both online gambling and retail sportsbetting for residents. Retail sports betting debuted in March 2020 but was almost immediately impacted by the COVID-19-related shutdowns. Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, which signed a partnership agreement with DraftKings in June 2020, will soon launch its retail sportsbook at its Brimley location.
Online sports betting and casino games officially launched in late January 2021. The Bay Mills Resort & Casinos launched its sportsbook and online casino apps in partnership with DraftKings on January 22, 2021.
The Kings Club Casino History
Kings Club Casino was first opened on July 4th, 1984 by the Bay Mills Indian Community when Las Vegas-style casinos were still technically illegal in the state of Michigan. Back then, the casino was called the Bay Mills Blackjack Casino. While casino gambling was illegal, many of Michigan’s tribes had decided to challenge the state’s right to restrict their ability to operate casinos and gaming places. The Kings Club Casino was the first tribal-owned casino that wasn’t a bingo hall or being operated out of a garage, but more tribal casinos soon followed in the early 1980s.
For years, these casinos operated under the shadow of the law, but tribes all over the country were challenging their state’s rights to regulate gaming operations by the tribes and on reservation land. By 1988, Congress enacted The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) which allowed tribes to create a negotiated compact with their states to operate casinos.
Michigan and the Bay Mills Community entered into negotiations that largely stalled for years over the use of video gambling devices. But, a Michigan appellate court decision in 1993 ended the stall when the courts indicated they would not uphold the state’s opposition to these video gambling devices. The governor’s office and the Bay Mills Community soon reached an agreement on the compact that year; officially granting the tribe the right to operate the Kings Club Casino. Although, the Kings Club Casino has operated continuously all this time!
In 1995, the Bay Mills Tribe also opened Bay Mills Resort and Casino just down the road from the Kings Club Casino. A bigger draw for tourists, the Bay Mills Resort offers live table games, video slots, an 18-hole golf course, ATV trails, and walking trails. They also have a 143-room hotel with amenities, such as an in-room Jacuzzi and fireplace. Guests can also bring along a recreational vehicle and stay in the RV park onsite.
Kings Club Casino Loyalty Program
The Kings Club Casino appears to share a loyalty program with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino, called the Funcard Players Club. This points program is free for anyone with a valid ID. You can even sign-up online and pick up your card in person when you arrive at the casino. The program allows players to earn comps, points, and free play all at the same time.
There are four tiers to the Funcard Players Club, including:
- Lake Michigan Card: Earn $1 in comps for every $300 in slot play. You also get $5 in free play when you sign-up for this base-level card.
- Lake Huron Card: Earn $2 in comps for every $300 in slot play. You’ll need to earn 2,500 points in a 12-month period to qualify for the Lake Huron card.
- Lake Superior Card: Earn $3 in comps for every $300 in slot play. You’ll need to earn 15,000 points in a 12-month period to qualify for the Lake Huron card.
- Great Lakes Card: Earn $4 in comps for every $300 in slot play. You’ll need to earn 45,000+ points in a 12-month period to qualify for the Lake Huron card.
Kings Club Casino FAQ
When did Kings Club Casino open?
The Kings Club Casino first opened on July 4th, 1984.
What is the minimum age to gamble at Kings Club Casino?
The minimum gambling age at a casino that serves liquor, like the Kings Club Casino, is 21 years old.
Does Kings Club Casino allow sports betting?
Yes. The Kings Club Casino is part of Bays Mills Resort & Casinos, which operates in partnership with DraftKings. The DraftKings Sportsbook app officially launched in Michigan on January 22, 2021.
What is the closest big city to Kings Club Casino?
The closest big city to the Kings Club Casino in Brimley, MI, is Milwaukee, WI, which is about 283 miles away. The closest sizable town to the Kings Club Casino is Sault Sainte Marie, MI, which is about 22.2 miles away.
Does the Kings Club Casino have a hotel?
No, the Kings Club Casino doesn’t have a hotel. You can book a room at the Bay Mills Resort and Casino that is owned by the same tribe and is just down the road.