About Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge in Michigan
Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge is one of two casinos owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (the other is Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Williamsburg). Originally a bingo hallthat opened in 1984, the casino enterprise opened in 1991.
The path to establishing a casino presence was considerably turbulent. The bingo hall developed a reputation for offering games at higher stakes than what was allowed under state jurisdiction, leading local and state authorities to threaten to shut down the hall.
Following the signing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), the Band moved to convert the bingo hall into a full-fledged casino. Despite legal hurdles and bureaucratic red tape along the way, the casino opened in 1991, with private loans and tribal funds financing the construction of a permanent casino facility.
Today, Leelanau Sands Casino is home to more than 350 slot machines and table games, and the 50-room lodge is perfectly positioned for a scenic view of Lake Michigan.
Can you wager on sports at Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge?
Yes, you can wager on sports at Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge. Michigan sports betting is available through a partnership with Caesars Sportsbook, which also has a brick-and-mortar facility at the Turtle Creek Casino.
Guests can make their sports bets at the digital kiosks that are open 24/7. The kiosks are self-service, but a casino attendant will be available in case you have any questions or issues with the machines.
Partnership between Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge and Caesars Sportsbook
The partnership between Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge and Caesars Sportsbook MI evolved out of a deal the Grand Traverse Band had previously struck with another betting company, William Hill. Leelanau Sands first opened its sports betting operation, Onyx Sports Book by William Hill, in 2020.
However, in April 2021, Caesars acquired William Hill for $3.7 billion. This led to a rebranding of the sportsbook, leading to the Caesars Sportsbook name and image you’ll see today.
As a result of the partnership, Michigan residents are able to use Caesars’ mobile sports betting app and online casino. Both options are free to download from your device’s app store, and winnings can be collected in cash at the casino.
Which other types of gambling does Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge offer?
Here are the types of gambling offered by Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge.