A Guide to Minnesota's Casinos
North Central U.S. Native American-Owned Gaming Spots Offer Variety
Jun 20, 2008
Since all of the casinos are owned by Native Americans and located on reservation land, you’ll find that most of them are in small towns or on the outskirts of bigger cities. Three exceptions are Fond-du-luth in downtown Duluth, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Country Casino in the Minneapolis Metro Area at Prior Lake.
Minnesota’s 17 casinos offer a variety of amenities in addition to the traditional gambling games. Most of them include hotels, often with conference centers. Some of them have Indian art and crafts stores, others include recreational facilities. Since the casinos are owned by various bands of Native Americans, policies, facilities and management styles differ widely.
Special Features
Seven Clans Casino, just southeast of Thief River Falls, is a family-type destination with attractions including an elaborate indoor waterpark feeaturing four waterslides, a 473-foot lazy river, rapids and waterfalls. Other Seven Clans Casinos are located at 1012 Lake Street in Warroad and 25 miles north of Bemidji on Highway 1.
The two Grand Casinos (one mile east of Hinckley, Minnesota and on Mille Lac, second largest lake in Minnesota) are among the state’s largest casino operations, with 2,100 and 1,800 slot machines respectively. Many of the machines are also among the newest models.
Northern Lights Casino on the shores of Leech Lake, off Highway 200 just east of Walker, is one of three casinos owned by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (the others are at Cass Lake and Deer River).
Despite it’s rather out of the way location Shooting Star Casino, on the southern outskirts of the little town of Mahnomen in west-central Minnesota, is noted for quality entertainment at reasonable prices. For example, Bill Cosby, Montgomery Gentry Randy Travis and Merle Haggard are among the names on the showroom marquee for summer 2008. Ticket prices range from $25 to $60. Tim McGraw, Ron White, Martina McBride and the Chippendales are among entertainers scheduled for August through December 2008 performances at Treasure Island Casino.
Treasure Island, situated along the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River about five miles north of Red Wing, is definitely a destination in itself. The 250-room hotel, designed with a Caribbean theme, incorporates a waterfall and tropical swimming pool. Other attractions include its marina with 137 transient and seasonal slips on the Mississippi, a large RV park and the Mount Frontenac Golf Course. Brunch and dinner cruises on the river cost $26.95 and $34.95 per person (Sunday brunch costs an additional $4).
Dining Options
Each Minnesota casino typically contains a buffet, a casual cafe and a gourmet dining room. Some of them also include delis, snack bars and coffee houses. Bars and lounges generally open onto the gaming area, and cocktail waitresses as well as attendants with soft drink and coffee carts circulate throughout the casinos.
Player’s Clubs
Whatever casinos you visit, it’s a good idea to sign up for membership in their players clubs. Even if you don’t plan to gamble, some of the clubs extend special offers to card holders. For example, on Mondays during June, 2008, at Treasure Island Casino cardholders receive ten free pull-tabs with possible payouts from fifty cents to $550. Other percs at the various casinos include complimentary meals, special offers and drawings not open to non-members.
Campgrounds
Most casino campgrounds provide pull-through sites; electric, water and sewer hookups; dump stations, public restrooms and showers. Some of them also feature fire pits and shuttle service to and from the casino. Overnight and weekly rates vary according to location and facilities.
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