Details

By Native News Online Staff

• Instant Fat Admin. Gambling Problem Helplines: National: 1-800-522-4700 Michigan: 1-800-270-7117.
• Join the fun at Four Winds Casinos Resort and Hotel, with locations in New Buffalo, Hartford, Dowagiac and South Bend, Michigan, you're always near the action.

HARRIS, Mich. — Ten days after it was originally planned, the Island Resort and Casino reopened its doors for business on Saturday, May 16.

Turtle Creek Casino and Leelanau Sands Casino are sister properties that are ideal for your northern Michigan getaway in Traverse City or Leelanau County. Discover hidden beaches or snowy wonderlands by day, and treasure the unlimited possibilities of our casinos in northern Michigan by night. The dining, entertainment, gaming, sports betting, spa, and golf options are endless and we can.

The facility had been closed since March 21,when it voluntarily shuttered its doors due to concerns for the health and safety of its team members and customers related to COVID-19.

The Island Resort and Casino is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi tribe.

The 10-day delay in reopening was due to a letter the tribe received from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office and the Menominee County Prosecutor Jeffrey T. Rogg. In the letter, Nessel and Rogg told the tribe, citing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, it should limit the resort and casino’s operations; otherwise, the tribe’s enrolled members living off reservation and customers could be cited and subject to civil and criminal penalties.

After the letter, representatives from the State of Michigan had discussions and a conference call with tribal leaders, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Khaldun and other State offices, a spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General’s office told Native News Online last week.

Following those discussions, the Hannahville Tribal Council decided to move ahead with reopening.

“The Tribal Council made their decision to open based on data from the Michigan Departments of Health, the rate of infection in the three-county area surrounding the Casino and the full range of precautions to be implemented for the safe operations of the gaming facility,” Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Chairperson Kenneth Meshigaud told Native News Online on Tuesday.

Photographs courtesy of the Hannahville Indian Community.

When asked about the reopening of the Island Resort today, a spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General’s office told Native News Online that they had no comment at this time.

Meshigaud pointed out that the resort and casino have taken precautionary steps to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The most notable change is the requirement for all employees and guests to wear masks on the gaming floor.

Other notable changes are: Smoking is not permitted in any area of the facility at this time; plexiglass shields are in place; hand sanitizer stations have been increased; and social distancing is encouraged.

Currently, only slot machines are open with limited bingo. Social distancing guidelines are in place at the hotel and both of the resort’s golf courses. Casino bars are open and limited food service is available at this time. The pool remains closed, as is the spa and the convention center. Tour busses are not scheduled at this time.

The safety guidelines instituted by tribal officials is posted on the Island Resort and Casino website.

The reopening happened on May 16, the date that Gov. Gretchen had planned to remove the stay-at-home order. However, in the interim, the governor extended her order to May 28. Then yesterday, she announced a phase-in reopening the state for business by zones. The Island Resort and Casino is in one of the zones the governor has set to reopen on this Friday, May 22.

“The Hannahville Indian Community, along with the casino management team and with the help of the Hannahville Health Clinic, will monitor the on-going operations. We will make adjustments as necessary to ensure the safety of our employees, the citizens of our community and our customers. Most important, we encourage our customers who do choose to visit to abide by these new safety guidelines as we tread these new challenging times together,” Meshigaud added.

All other tribal casinos in Michigan remain closed. Each tribe is developing their own plan for reopening.

It's December 2020, can you help...

We’re asking our readers for a little help as 2020 draws to a close. If you can afford it, we hope you’ll consider a one-time donation of $5 or more to help fund our Indigenous-led coverage of important news throughout Indian Country. Covering the news hasn’t been easy this year, but we believe it’s been critically important given the changes and upheaval we’ve experienced — from COVID-19 and the 2020 Census, to issues of racial equity, efforts to suppress the Native vote, and far too many stories of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.

Because we believe everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities, the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. But we hope it inspires you to make a gift to Native News Online so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount, big or small, gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you.

Effective February 5, we suspended our regular weekly runs to both Firekeepers Casino and Greektown Casino.

Casino gaming is a favorite pastime in Michigan, with plenty of choices throughout the region for those who love to play. With scheduled service to two Michigan casinos, Indian Trails offers great value, along with convenient pickup and drop-off locations.

We are no longer taking advanced reservations for casino trips. Simply purchase your ticket in person at the time of your desired schedule.

Casino Charters

Come out and play!

Indian Trails operates casino charters for groups—perfect for a guys’ or girlfriends’ getaway, office party, or family reunion. Select any of the exciting gaming establishments in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, or Canada and let Indian Trails help you plan an unforgettable casino day trip or weekend. Here are just a few of the area casinos that offer special deals as incentives for charter groups.

Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino, Windsor, Ontario
http://www.caesarswindsor.com
Table games, poker room, slots, Windsor Game Pick sports betting

FireKeepers Casino, Battle Creek, Michigan
http://www.firekeeperscasino.com
Slots, table games, poker, video poker, bingo, Keno

Greektown Casino, Detroit, Michigan
http://www.greektowncasino.com
Table games, video poker lounge, live poker room, high limit gaming

Hollywood Casino, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
http://hollywoodindiana.com
Slots, table games, 24-hour poker room, and Marquee Rewards

Island Resort and Casino, Harris, Michigan
http://www.islandresortandcasino.com
Table games, poker, bingo, and slots

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
http://www.soaringeaglecasino.com
Table games, slots, 24-hour poker room, bingo

Michigan Indian Casinos Map

Insider tips:

Indian Casinos In Michigan

• It’s not unusual for the special deal (typically vouchers for food and games) to equal the price of a charter bus ticket.

• Some casinos offer additional special incentives to the charter group leader (like a free buffet or even a free night’s stay).