Best Bet — 8 Minnesota Casinos That Cater to Your Crowd

Why take a chance on choosing a casino for your gathering, when you can hit the jackpot at any one of these Minnesota casinos? We wager you’re going to win big with our picks:

Treasure Island Resort & Casino

What you need to know:  Located just 50 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities in Welch, MN, Treasure Island Resort & Casino is an all-inclusive destination for meetings, corporate gatherings, and retreats. The facility offers up to 50,000 square feet of elegant, functional meeting space, banquet seating for up to 1,000, and state-of-the-art AV equipment. Award-winning chefs provide full-service, gourmet catering.

Why we like it:  Featuring more than 2200 slot, poker, and keno machines, water park, Vegas-style entertainment, and pampering Wave Spa, it’s the perfect place to unwind at the end of the work day. Tado Steakhouse, Currents Restaurant, and Tradewinds Buffet offer guests plenty of culinary options.

Grand Casino Hinckley

What you need to know:  Drive north from the metro, and in a little more than an hour you can experience the many amenities of Grand Casino Hinckley. The 22,480 square foot ballroom can be divided into five separate function rooms or open up the whole thing for up to 2,288 guests. Customized menus, AV equipment, WiFi, and more make this the ideal location to meet. The casino’s Business Account Executive will help you plan your unforgettable event.

Why we like it:  Guests can choose from a variety of lodging accommodations, from luxury hotel rooms and suites to roomy chalets for groups. With nine dining options, from gourmet to casual, there’s something for everyone here. After hours can be spent relaxing at the Grand Harmony Spa, playing a round at the Grand National Golf Club, rocking out to exciting entertainers, or winning big in the casino with slots, blackjack, bingo, and pull tabs.

Grand Casino Mille Lacs

What you need to know:  Ninety minutes north from the Twin Cities lies Grand Casino Mille Lacs at one of the prettiest lake areas in the state. The casino’s helpful staff will assist you in planning the perfect meeting, conference, or get-away for any size group. Two Grand Ballrooms are available with space for up to 1,600 in Grand Ballroom 1 and 264 in Grand Ballroom 2. Customized menu options, WiFi, and AV equipment are available to make your event one your guests will never forget. Guests can rest in comfort at either the Mille Lacs Hotel or Eddy’s Mille Lacs Lake Resort.

Why we like it:  When the meetings end the fun begins at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Guests can test their luck at the casino at the slots, blackjack tables, poker games, or bingo; six dining options serve up everything from gourmet meals to pub food; while premier entertainment is always happening here.

Black Bear Casino Resort

What you need to know:  Just 25 minutes from Duluth, the Black Bear Casino Resort welcomes guests and groups to one of the Midwest’s best places for meetings, conferences, or trade shows. The Casino’s Otter Creek Event Center boasts 17,650 square feet of multi-purpose floor space, along with a stage, state-of-the-art AV capabilities, on-site catering, and free valet parking. More than 400 stylish rooms offer all the amenities of a first-class hotel.

Why we like it:  There’s no short supply of things to do once the work day ends. The Black Bear Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course set in the beautiful woodlands of Northern Minnesota. Five dining options serve hungry guests a variety of culinary delights, from deli to buffet to pub food. The casino challenges visitors to find their fortune at slots, blackjack, or bingo.

Grand Portage Lodge Casino

What you need to know:  The state’s scenic north shore is home to Grand Portage Lodge Casino, where the newly redecorated banquet rooms can accommodate up to 300 or configured to meet the space needs of smaller groups. The Casino’s Hospitality Suite features a wet bar and private restrooms for up to 16 and overlooks the sparkling waters of Grand Portage Bay. A variety of lodging options are available including rooms, suites, cabins, and an RV park.

Why we like it:  Your group will love the gaming excitement of the Casino with over 450 slot machines along with blackjack and three card poker. Take a break for dining at either the Island View restaurant or the Casino Deli or enjoy a cocktail in the Antlers Lounge. Suites are available in the new lodge featuring personal fireplace and private Jacuzzi. Pool, sauna, and Fitness center offer a wonderful way to unwind at the end of the day.

Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel

What you need to know:  Just a two-hour drive from the metro in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley, Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel invites groups to stretch out in their spacious 45,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space. Up to 1000 attendees will appreciate the full-service catering, experienced staff, 24-hour business center, and Dacotah Exposition Center for successful trade shows and conferences. A variety of lodging choices include comfortable hotel rooms and a convenient RV Park. 

Why we like it:  There’s plenty to do here in your downtime with the hotel’s pool, hot tub, fitness center, and arcade. Guests wanting to enjoy the great outdoors will appreciate the Dacotah Ridge Golf Course with 18 holes built on 240 acres of rolling countryside. The great indoors offers its own form of fun with 1,200 video slot machines, 24 table games, bingo and pull tabs. Exciting entertainment and six food and beverage choices means your guests will never want to leave.

Mystic Lake Center

What you need to know:  Located just 35 minutes from the Twin Cities, Mystic Lake Center is the place to meet in the metro. Featuring one of Minnesota’s largest event centers with 70,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and event space and 30 meeting rooms to accommodate groups of any size. The Grand Entry Pre-Function Space provides stunning views of The Meadows at Mystic Lake championship golf course from the floor to ceiling windows. On-site catering ensures your guests never go hungry.

Why we like it:  The only full-service resort in the Twin Cities, Mystic Lake is connected to a luxury hotel with 766 rooms. Once your guests have left the boardroom, they’ll want to gather around the Casino’s blackjack tables, tee off at the golf course, enjoy a round at The Meadows Bar and Grille, or relax at the Spa. Renowned for featuring many big names in entertainment, booking your event at Mystic guarantees you’ll make a lasting impression.

Fortune Bay Resort Casino

What you need to know:  Drive 90 minutes north of Duluth, and discover the hidden gem known as Fortune Bay Resort Casino. The full-service conference center features over 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with a ballroom for up to 400, in addition to 8 breakout rooms. They even offer a lakeside tent for social functions so attendees can enjoy the views. In-house catering, professional banquet staff and the latest in AV technology make the space even more inviting.

Why we like it:  The 173-room full-service resort offers a variety of lodging options including deluxe standard rooms, premium rooms, suites, executive suites, and an RV park in a Northwoods setting. Unwind at the hot tub and pool with outdoor deck or workout at the fitness center. Choose a mouthwatering steak dinner at the Sunset Steakhouse, fill your plate at the buffet, grab a quick bite at the Gold Mine Grill or Wilderness Grill, or relax with a cocktail at the Northstar Bar. Slot machines, blackjack, poker, and video poker entice guests to gamble on a good time.