Ojibwa Casinos, Marquette and Baraga
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), a federally-recognized Native American tribe, owns and operates two tribal casino resorts in Marquette and Baraga, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Every property offers over 300 slot machines and table games. Following a recent renovation, the Marquette location has become slightly larger and now provides an enhanced selection of games. At the Baraga location, visitors can engage in exciting bingo games.
Michigan experienced the growth of sports betting and online casinos throughout the state in January 2021. To gain market access, the Ojibwa properties joined forces with Golden Nugget Online Gaming. It is important to note that neither casino currently offers a physical sportsbook.
Check out the ultimate guide to both venues, which provides detailed information on the Ojibwa Casino Resorts. As the gambling scenario in Michigan is constantly changing, remember to regularly check for updates on what’s new at these resorts.
Ojibwa Casino Resort – Marquette
- 105 Acre Trail, Marquette, MI 49855
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community serves as the owner and operator.
- Golden Nugget Sports: Your premier destination for online sports betting.
- Golden Nugget Online Casino is an internet-based gaming platform.
- Online Poker: None
- Open 24/7
- The casino offers a wide selection of games including over 500 slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and Let It Ride.
- Sportsbook: None so far
- Legal Gambling Age: 18+
Ojibwa Casino Resort – Baraga
- 16449 Michigan Avenue, Baraga, Michigan 49908
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is the owner and operator.
- Open: 24/7
- There are over 340 slot machines available, along with blackjack, roulette, Let It Ride, and bingo in the casino games section.
- Sportsbook: None so far
- Legal Gambling Age: 18+
Michigan Casinos in the News
Ojibwa Casino Resorts online gambling partnerships
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community inked an agreement with Golden Nugget in July 2020, enabling them to offer an online sports betting and online casino application within the state.
While Golden Nugget may not be widely recognized in Michigan, it has earned a remarkable reputation and achieved great success in various other states. In fact, Golden Nugget stands out as the top contender in the online casino market in New Jersey, offering over 700 games. This is where the brand truly excels and thrives.
According to Tilman Fertitta, the owner of Golden Nugget, online sports betting is beneficial. However, he believes that online casinos hold greater profit potential and customer value, making it the future lucrative market.
The casino at Ojibwa Casino Resort – Marquette
After undergoing a $34-million renovation in late 2019, the Ojibwa Casino Resort in Marquette has emerged as the larger of the two properties owned by KBIC. With over 500 slot machines, various table games, and a compact poker area, the venue offers an enhanced gambling experience.
There is a wide variety of slot machines available to play, with denominations ranging from penny slots to $5 machines. Players can choose from standard slots, progressive slot games, video poker, and Keno slots. Among the newest titles available on the gaming floor are Lightning Link, Cleopatra Gold, and Mighty Ca$h Bonus.
When it comes to casino table games, those who prefer blackjack will discover a wide variety of options and chances to play. At Ojibwa Casino, players can enjoy both pitch and shoe blackjack. The pitch blackjack game is played with two decks, while the shoe blackjack game uses six decks. The betting limits for blackjack at Ojibwa Casino range from $5 to $300 per wager.
At the Marquette Ojibwa Casino, you can also discover craps games, Let It Ride, and roulette. These three games offer minimum bet levels starting at $3, and you can even come across bonus bets available on both craps and Let It Ride.
It is important to mention that the table games at Ojibwa Casino in Marquette have specific operating hours and do not run 24 hours a day. Typically, you can enjoy these games from 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, and from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Before planning your visit, it is advisable to call and verify the availability, especially if you have a considerable distance to travel to reach the casino.
The casino at Ojibwa Casino Resort – Baraga
Despite having a lower quantity of slot machines, the Baraga Ojibwa Casino Resort provides similar amenities to its sister property, offering roughly the same options.
When visiting the Baraga property, guests will be delighted to find over 340 slot machines eagerly awaiting them. These machines cater to various budgets, with denominations ranging from as low as 1 cent to as high as $5.
At Ojibwa Baraga, you’ll find a variety of gaming options to enjoy, including video slot machines, progressive slots, video poker, and Keno machines. Some of the exciting titles you can play include Dragon Link, Quick Hit, and Fortune Coin.
At this casino, the table games available are predominantly the typical options. You have the opportunity to engage in roulette games, blackjack, or Let It Ride, with wager amounts ranging from $3 to $300. Similar to the Marquette location, there are restricted hours for table games. You can partake in gaming activities from 4 p.m. to midnight during the weekdays, and from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the weekends.
The Ojibwa Casino Resort in Baraga features a bingo facility that is open on four days every week. Bingo games are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, beginning at 4:45 p.m.
Rewards Club
Any patron at either Ojibwa Casino Resort location can join the Rewards Club. By becoming a member, you open yourself up to a wide range of benefits and rewards for your gameplay.
You can utilize your loyalty points for redemption at a variety of tribal facilities, where each point earned with your card holds value. These points can be exchanged for a range of benefits including:
- Casino merchandise
- You can get gas vouchers at the Pines Convenience Center located in Baraga.
- Food vouchers are available for use at the PressBox Sports Bar & Grill situated in Baraga.
- Unrestricted gaming on the slot machines at the casinos.
Furthermore, the Rewards Club serves as the central hub for all the promotions offered by both casinos. If you desire to partake in the exciting benefits and treats, obtaining a membership is the initial step to take.
Other promotions
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic of 2020, operations at both Ojibwa Casino Resorts have been temporarily halted. As a result, the promotions that are normally offered by the casinos are currently outdated.
Nonetheless, both establishments have made a commitment to reopen in the near future, and it is highly likely that they will provide numerous promotional deals to warmly welcome you back to the cherished destination for recreational activities along Lake Superior’s shores.
The promotions offered at these two casinos occur on a weekly or seasonal basis. For instance, weekly promotions at these resorts include:
- On Mondays, we celebrate our senior guests with special perks. If you’re over 55, you have the chance to win up to $30 in free play and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Additionally, for every $10 of free play, you’ll earn 10 points. On the first and third Mondays, we take the excitement up a notch by hosting a senior slot tournament. Qualified players have the opportunity to win cash prizes based on their spinning skills.
- On Tuesdays, join our Pit Party for the opportunity to win cash prizes ranging from $50 to $100 every half hour, from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Additionally, you can try your luck at winning $100 in bonus cash. All you need is your college identification or to achieve specific hands on table games to earn entries.
- On Wednesdays, we celebrate Men’s Day by offering men a complimentary drink after 4 p.m. Moreover, if you engage in playing slots from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. or table games from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., you stand a chance to win up to $50 in cash or free play.
- On Thursdays, it’s Ladies’ Day! Starting from 4 p.m., ladies can enjoy a complimentary drink. Additionally, there is an opportunity to win up to $50 in cash or free play during this promotional period.
While seasonal promotions may vary over time, they typically offer more generous giveaways as they do not need to be sustained throughout the whole year. Although the promotions mentioned below have already ended, they provide a glimpse into the possible types of promotions that Ojibwa Casino Resorts may offer.
These are a few of the latest seasonal promotions.
- The Annual KBIC Ice Fishing Tournament guarantees a handsome $1,000 prize for the first-place winner, along with an impressive payout of nearly $4,000 in additional prizes for the top finishers.
- Join us for the Patrick’s Day Spinning Loot Slot Tournament at our Baraga location, open to all guests. Compete for a chance to win the $500 first prize and secure one of the eight paid places for the highest scorers.
- Join Patrick’s Day “Pick a Purse” Promotion! Earn 25 points in a single day and choose a unique coin purse containing a guaranteed prize. The prize awaits you with a value ranging from $10 to $250 in free play.
- Participate in our 20K March Money Madness Giveaway! For every 100 reward points earned throughout March, you’ll receive a drawing slip. Join us each Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the exciting prize drawings. Each week, we’ll select one lucky winner from the slips, who will walk away with a prize of $700. And don’t miss out on the grand finale, where the final draw winner will receive an amazing $1,000 prize!
Once play resumes at the two casinos, it is evident that these promotions will undergo changes.
The Ojibwa Casino Resorts’ amenities
Similar to other casinos, the Ojibwa Casino Resorts offer a range of amenities in addition to their gaming offerings. This is because it is important to provide visitors with a comfortable environment where they can unwind for extended periods of time.
Hotel
Currently, the Baraga location stands as the sole Ojibwa Casino Resort with a hotel for its guests. As for guests at the Ojibwa Casino Resort Marquette, they will need to make use of the available lodging options in the surrounding area, at least for the time being.
Despite its small size, the Ojibwa Casino Hotel Baraga offers a cozy and pleasant retreat for gamblers looking to unwind for the night. The establishment boasts 40 guest rooms, two of which are equipped with jacuzzis for added luxury.
As a token of appreciation for their loyalty, government employees, AARP members, and Rewards Club members are entitled to exclusive discounts. In addition, hotel guests can take pleasure in complimentary wireless internet and enjoy the indoor pool, complete with a relaxing whirlpool and sauna.
At Baraga, you will find two onsite restaurants and a family-friendly bowling alley. The greatest advantage is that the entire facility is smoke-free.
Dining
Both Ojibwa Casino locations offer visitors two dining options: a restaurant serving satisfying meals and a bar area for a more casual experience.
Lucky 7’s Baraga offers a satisfying dining experience at the Baraga location. This restaurant serves traditional American cuisine and is open throughout the day, serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Whether you’re in the mood for celebration or looking to forget your sorrows, PressBox Bar and Grill is the perfect destination. This establishment offers big-screen televisions, a dance floor for those who like to party, and even eight lanes of bowling for added entertainment.
Marquette has recently wrapped up an extensive renovation project at its premises, investing millions of dollars. As part of this revamp, the food options have been enhanced to offer a more exciting experience. Additionally, there are now two distinct areas where you can relax and unwind.
MQT’s Superior Eats is the primary restaurant at this location, offering a diverse range of meals from breakfast to dinner. Guests can indulge in the delectable flavors of freshly caught seafood sourced from the nearby Lake Superior.
The Marquette Tavern, on the other hand, has garnered a significant amount of focus during the renovation process. This sparkling and gleaming new bar provides a perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing drink or indulge in some delectable bites.
Meeting spaces
Additionally, both locations offer meeting spaces, with the Marquette property’s recent expansion featuring the addition of an event center to its existing portfolio.
The capacity of the center is 1,200 people, making the new Ojibwa Casino Concert Hall an exciting attraction for the local community to enjoy music and theatrical performances for many years ahead.
In addition, Baraga offers two conference room facilities that can be rented. These versatile spaces can accommodate up to 80 guests each, making them ideal for a variety of events including birthdays, graduations, family reunions, and other types of meetings.
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Ojibwa Casino Resorts history
The Ojibwa Casino properties may not be very large, but they hold significant historical value in the realm of United States gambling. These lands belonging to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community were the pioneers in hosting a tribal casino within the country. This momentous occasion took place in 1982, when the tribal council granted a permit to Fred Dakota, a member of the tribe.
Despite sparking years of legal disputes, the action served as a crucial and indispensable initial stride towards introducing legal gambling to Native American tribes across the nation. Dakota, being the catalyst, wasted no time and established its own casino merely three years later in 1985.
During that period, the tribe made the decision to incorporate several blackjack tables within its owned bowling alley facility. Presently, the bowling alley remains intact; however, it has been enveloped by the expanding Ojibwa Casino Resort in Baraga.
Afterward, the tribe made the decision to establish a second casino in Marquette. As Marquette experiences rapid growth, the new location underwent an extensive transformation, receiving a substantial makeover and millions of dollars invested in renovations.
There are close to 1,000 slot machines, numerous table games, a bingo hall, a hotel, and a bowling alley present between the two casinos. While they may not resemble Vegas-style casinos, they serve as exceptional models for constructing a casino operation from scratch.