• FireKeepers Casino features 78 table games and 12 poker tables.poker image by berdoulat jerome from Fotolia.com
  
  Located just north of the Michigan-Indiana border, the relatively small city of Sturgis has a population of just over 11,000. Sturgis also sits along Interstate 94, the main highway that takes travelers westward to Chicago and eastward to Detroit, making it a prime stopover for long trips between the two metropolitan cities. And if you're looking for some excitement, Sturgis is only about 30 minutes southeast of the giant FireKeepers Casino.
  
  

History

• FireKeepers Casino is one of the newest in Michigan. Owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Native Americans, the casino was built on tribal lands in 2009. Although FireKeepers does not have a hotel like most other large casinos, the building still measures a whopping 236,000 square feet. The casino has been a major boon to the local economy, creating 1,500 jobs.
  
  

Casino

• The actual gaming area at FireKeepers Casino measures 107,000 square feet. More than 2,680 slot machines and 180 video poker machines fill the majority of gaming floor. While the casino's center pit features 78 table games, including baccarat, craps, roulette, blackjack, Let it Ride, three-card poker, crazy 4 poker and pai gow poker. FireKeepers also houses a 12-table, 120-seat poker room, facilitating Omaha, stud and hold 'em tournaments, 24 hours a day. A bingo hall within the casino features two sessions every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and one session every Monday and Tuesday. In addition, each bingo session features a $6,500 prize board.
  
  FireKeepers Casino
  
  11177 East Michigan Ave.
  
  Battle Creek, MI 49014
  
  877-352-8777
  
  firekeeperscasino.com
  
  

Restaurants

• In addition to the multitude of gaming options, FireKeepers Casino offers visitors a choice of five restaurants, a sports bar and a lounge. Nibi, the casino's fine-dining restaurant, serves high-quality steaks, chicken, seafood and desserts. Located next to a glowing water wall, the 70-seat dining room also contains a cocktail bar and lounge. The Mijem Buffet, open daily for lunch and dinner, offers a wide range of food, including American, Italian, Asian, seafood and desserts. Named for a tribal elder who, according to the casino's website, "always made sure the children were fed," Chi Mon-ee's Food Court offers fast-cooked, yet mouth-watering, burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Amazen Blazen Grab & Go is the casino's smallest food stop, and serves only drinks and pre-made food, such as sandwiches. Café 24/7 offers snack, drink and basic food options, 24 hours a day. The 150-seat Dacey's Sports Bar serves a wide selection of local microbrews and other drinks in front of 14 big-screen TVs, airing a variety of sporting events. Finally, the Aurora VIP Lounge is a classy, exclusive bar for VIP members of the casino's Red Hot Rewards Club.
  
  

Entertainment

• Most nights of the week, the "Kabaret" at FireKeepers showcases live entertainment, including bands, solo performers, DJs and stand-up comedians. For the musical performances, Kabaret features a spacious dance floor.
  
  

Gift Shop

• Trader's Blanket gift shop, located off the main walkway, sells a variety of unique Nottawaseppi crafts and souvenirs, in addition to the usual casino souvenirs and merchandise.