Guests arriving at the Leelanau Sands Casino will find a beautiful Art Deco and wilderness-inspired lodge. The current incarnation of the Leelanau Casino in Peshawbestown, MI, is the result of a major renovation in 2013 that left it with a rich interior and atmospheric lighting.

• Leelanau Sands Casino Traverse City Michigan
• Leelanau Sands Casino Michigan
• Turtle Creek Casino
• Little River Casino
• Leelanau Sands Casino Michigan

The lodge is home to over 350 slots, video poker games, and live table games. Table games include poker, blackjack, euchre, bingo, and roulette. Their Leelanau Peninsula hotel is located right on the water and has over 50 rooms with walk-out patios and balconies. Players can dine at Dex’s full-service restaurant from 11 am until the casino closes. They can also visit the Sutton Bay Bar to grab a drink between games.

Tour Description: Enjoy 1 night stay at the recently renovated Leelanau Sands Casino Hotel with gaming stops at Soaring Eagle Casino, Turtle Creek and of course, plenty of time at Leelanau Sands. Receive up to $101 in casino incentive. This trip is one of the cheapest casino overnighters you can find. Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge Dining. Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge’s dining options include Big Dex’s which serves as the casino’s primary dining attraction. Here, you will discover a new special each month, gourmet burgers, and if you are looking for something healthy, hit the soup or salad bar.

Leelanau Sands Casino Fact Table

Leelanau Sands Casino Online Gambling In 2021

With the recent legislation approving sports betting and online gambling in Michigan, many casinos are maneuvering to offer these new services to players too. Michigan’s Gaming Control Board is still hammering out regulations for online gambling but expects it to be fully regulated and rolled out by early 2021.

In the meantime, Leelanau Sands Casino is taking steps towards offering online services. They have signed with William Hill Sportsbook to offer their sports betting services on location in early fall.The agreement includes the launch of a live sportsbook on the Leelanau Sands property, titled Onyx Sports Book by William Hill. The opening date of the retail sportsbook is TBA. William Hill also offers online sports betting, so it is expected that this company will also handle the online sportsbook too.

Not much is currently known about Leelanau Sands Casino’s plans for other online casino gambling when it becomes available in 2021.

Leelanau Sands Casino History

The Leelanau Sands Casino first opened in 1984. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians opened the property as a high-stakes bingo hall when casinos and games with large jackpots were still considered illegal. However, 1984 was a defining year for tribal casinos and bingo halls. Many tribes throughout the United States challenged the laws by opening their own casinos and a few took their cases to the courts.

Leelanau Sands Casino remained open during all of these legal challenges until the creation of The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). In 1988, the US Supreme Court ruled that one specific tribe in California could operate casinos on their land. Naturally, this set a precedent, and Congress established the IGRA to give states a way to define the relationship between state authorities and tribal casinos. Every tribe’s right to operate casinos was recognized as long as the state and the tribe came to a mutually agreeable compact.

It took a long time for the state of Michigan to reach a compact with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians but they finally found an accord in 1993. After the agreement, the tribe continued to grow its business interests, opening the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in 1996 and later buying the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in 2003.

In 2013, the Leelanau Sands Casino completed a major $2.5 million renovation that mainly focused on the interior. The former Bingo Hall and Elements Lounge were renovated into a gaming floor called, The Maple Room, with orange and red hues throughout.

The casino also renovated the full-service bar and lounge outside their 1,000 seat showroom. The renovation installed chandeliers and a stained glass woodland mural in The Cedar Room. They also built a new concession center and foyer which acts as a display area for Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa culture.

Leelanau Sands Casino Loyalty Program

Both the Leelanau Sands Casino and the Turtle Creek Casino honor the same Players Club cards, which are free to sign up for at each casino. These cards can be used for discounts, comps, bonus entries in promotions, and special services. Players may use these cards at both casinos and redeem discounts and comps at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.

There are five tiers to the Players Club:

• Sapphire: Everyone starts with the first tier card. It offers complimentary valet service and birthday promotions.
• Ruby: At the Ruby level, players earn 2X entries on promotions and discounts on gas, hotels, retail, entertainment, and restaurants.
• Emerald: The third tier card gives players 3X entries on promotions, access to invitation-only events, and 48-hour pre-sale on concert tickets.
• Pinnacle: The Pinnacle level gives a 5X bonus on entries for promotions and a personal host, complimentary hotel upgrades, late check-outs, and 30-minute holds on slot machines.
• Onyx: At the Onyx level players enjoy 7X entries on promotions and complimentary VIP experiences.

Leelanau Sands Casino FAQ

Dex’s Restaurant in the Leelanau Sands Casino has a soup and salad bar that guests can enjoy every day.

Yes, Leelanau offers valet parking for guests. Players Club cardholders can also enjoy complimentary valet services.

Leelanau Sands Casino has no dress code.

The casino is about 20 miles or half an hour’s drive from Traverse City.

Leelanau Sands Casino is about 160 miles or a 2 hr. and 40 min. drive from Grand Rapids.

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge is located on the Leelanau Peninsula and is owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. And given its location, you are in for something that resembles a day at the beach if you venture to the location in the summer.

Sure, the casino gaming is grand, but you won’t get enough of this area. Now if you are up here in the winter, you have an entire resort at your disposal, so a little snow flying off Lake Michigan won’t deter you, right? Of course not.

So if you are planning a grand trip to the peninsula, this post will let you in on all the goods you will expect at Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge.

So let’s get started.

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge Overview

As mentioned above, you are looking at more than just a resort in the summer. This casino’s location grants you miles of beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. You will also treat yourself to award-winning wineries, and more.

In short, this casino resort gives you all the adrenaline-pumping casino gaming you can ask for, plus the natural beauty surrounding the Leelanau Peninsula. You can’t beat this area.

The casino resort also possesses a fantastic rewards slash promotions program, so if you are in the area often or if you will frequent the area, be sure to take full advantage.

Ready for an in-depth overview?

Keep reading and you will discover everything you need to know about Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge.

Variety of Gaming Options for Michigan Gamblers

Games at Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge include over 350 slot machines featuring your favorite classic and latest slot machine games. Featuring reels, slots, and bonuses, treat yourself to Keno, video poker, and more at the slots.

Popular slot machine games include Crazy Money Deluxe, the Walking Dead, Cash Wheel, Fu Dao Le, King of Dragons, Lightning Link, Dragon Link, and 3-D Diamonds. What you see here is nothing more than a handful, but it gives you an idea on the variety you will find at Leelanau Sands.

Many know Leelanau Sands for its table gaming because of the variety they get here. So if you are the ultimate table gamer, you are in luck. You will find a friendly atmosphere featuring the area’s most professional dealers.

But you will also find the largest variety of games around. Featured games are Three Card Poker, Euchre, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and more. Thus far, this is one of a few casinos to feature Euchre, so if you know the game, enter those tournaments.

You will also find a Bingo hall here, so if Bingo is your thing, test your luck against some of the most avid Bingo players in the area.

The William Hill Sportsbook is also available at Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge. So catch the big Lions, Bears, Packers, or Vikings game on those big screens, place your wager, and cheer your favorite team on to victory.

You can also bet on any of your favorite professional or college sports teams or leagues. The sportsbook also features a wide range of betting options including spreads, over/unders, single bets, and more.

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge Dining

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge’s dining options include Big Dex’s which serves as the casino’s primary dining attraction. Here, you will discover a new special each month, gourmet burgers, and if you are looking for something healthy, hit the soup or salad bar.

Big Dex’s also has a grab and go option, so if you just need a quick pick-me-up, place your order to go and return to the floor for more casino gaming action.

Looking for the greatest cocktails and crafts in the area? Suttons Bay Bar is where you will find them. Head over for a break from the casino floor or after a long day of gaming action, order your favorite drinks, and chill to the night’s entertainment events.

Options include the Aerie Restaurant and Lounge, where you can treat yourself to breathtaking, panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay. With a modern menu plus an upscale atmosphere, dinner at Aerie Restaurant and Lounge provides the ideal taste of the high life.

Your other sister locations are over at nearby Turtle Creek Casino, which includes Bourbons 72, Seasons, the Deli, and the Onyx Sports Bar.

Casino Promotions and Entertainment

Get in on all the rewards at Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge with the Leelanau Sands Casino Rewards Card.

If you are playing in the area often, getting a rewards card is a must.

Why join?

For one, signing up is both free and fast, so it costs you absolutely nothing to join. You will maximize your play by swiping your card and reaping the benefits in the form of rewards points.

You can redeem these points for anything you want. Whether you’re looking for perks and benefits regarding food, golf, the spa, and more. Using your rewards points is totally up to you. Oh, and if you are playing at nearby Turtle Creek Casino, you can also use your card at Leelanau’s sister location.

You can also take full advantage of Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge’s promos with the rewards card. Popular promos include seasonal events like Flannel Up for Fun, Banksgiving, Winner Wonderland, and more.

You all also find monthly promos happening during specific weeks of the month. Featured promos include Healthcare Heroes, First Responder Appreciation, Veteran’s Appreciation, and more.

Leelanau Sands Casino Traverse City Michigan

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge’s events are a huge reason guests continue to flock and return to this venue. So when you are in town, always check the events calendar to witness the latest and greatest acts in music, comedy, and more.

Find your show, then head over to the 1,000-seat Leelanau Sands Showroom and catch all the action.

But the showroom isn’t the only place you will find breathtaking entertainment. Local entertainment frequents all over the casino, so if you are looking for cover artists, local comedians, and tribute bands, Leelanau Sands features the area’s best.

Traverse City Nearby Attractions

Make your stay at Leelanau Sands Casino a memorable one at the Lodge. Located near Traverse City, you will discover stunning views of Northwest Michigan’s natural beauty, including the bay, rolling hills, endless forests and so much more.

Leelanau Sands Casino Michigan

Oh, and you will find all the modern-day conveniences at the Lodge along with a wide selection of rooms including the Standard, Bay View, Suite, and even rooms that are handicapped-accessible. So whether you need something small for the night or if you crave your own living space, the Lodge has it all.

Book your room today and discover luxury on Michigan’s Northwest shorelines.

And don’t forget to take a day off from the casino to view some of the area’s nearby attractions.

• We know Leelanau County’s fame for its wineries, so if you are one who needs to try the best aged and local cocktails, head off the casino grounds and find your next favorite drink.
• Traverse City is a small yet vibrant city featuring a plethora of activities and places to explore. Hit the beach if you frequent the area in the summer. And there is so much scenery in the area a long hike or even a scenic drive is something to get excited over.
• You will also discover local breweries, seasonal events, festivals, the Leelanau County Color Tour, and even motorcycle runs.

Even if you don’t identify as a nature-loving individual, you can’t overlook the stunning Northern Michigan scenery. It is truly unlike anything you will find anywhere else in the United States.

No, you won’t find many museums, sporting venues, or other indoor activities in the region. But who cares? The great outdoors is one reason Leelanau County stands out as one of the best casinos in the State of Michigan.

So if you are looking for a day or two off from the casino, adventure awaits.

Visit the Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge

Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge is more than just a casino and resort; it is an area alive with nature at any given turn, and they take pride for such a status.

Turtle Creek Casino

Sure, the casino itself has its major upside with the sheer variety of casino gaming, dining options, casino options, rewards, and promotions. Especially at the tables, which many know the casino for.

Little River Casino

But if you are looking for the ideal vacation destination in Northwest Michigan, you definitely have found it. Come in solo, bring a significant other, a vacation group, or the whole family. Because there is always something in the area for everyone.

Leelanau Sands Casino Michigan

Have you gone to Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge, or did you try your hand at the nearby Turtle Creek Casino? Let us know in the comments and share your experiences. We are always glad to hear from you.