Las Vegas and Atlantic City aren’t the only options for those who enjoy a little gambling. Casinos are popping up all across the country, and Minnesota is no diff erent. From Mahnomen up north down to the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee and down farther south to Welch, they’re everywhere. The following are fi ve casinos that off er private meeting and event space.
Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch
How does holding a private event while cruising the Mississippi sound? You can do it at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. “We have a cruise ship called Spirit of the Water that can accommodate up to 100 passengers,” says Public Relations Manager Cindy Taube. “Normally it’s about a two-and-a-half-hour cruise from our marina and back [depending on water traffic].”
Shuttles transport guests to and from the hotel and casino. For those who enjoy exercise, it’s only a 10-minute walk. Other activities at Treasure Island include bowling, golf and both a recently opened indoor water park (which is currently being expanded to include an activity pool) and spa. There is also an arcade for family-friendly gaming.
Then there is the spectacular casino, which includes 2,200 slot machines; table games, 27 of which are blackjack; a seven-table poker room; and a 500-person, high-stakes bingo center. “We also have 20 carnival games,” Taube says.
An event center can accommodate up to 1,000 guests for a seated dinner and up to 1,500 for a standing cocktail party. It can also be configured into multiple spaces.
There are nearly 500 guest rooms, with more on the way. Treasure Island is in the midst of an $86 million addition of two more hotel towers plus that are scheduled to complete in December 2017 and other amenities and renovations that are slated to finish in 2018.
Catering is done in-house.
Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Entertainment, Mahnomen
Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Entertainment quite simply aims to please its guests.
“Whether it’s meeting space, our spa, our dining facilities, our concerts or our casino, we want people to be entertained, and we do just that with excellent guest service,” General Manager Bill Marsh says. “Everything is under one roof except our convenience store, which is within walking distance.”
The casino is the feature attraction. There are 1,050 slot machines and a wide variety of table games, including Class II, poker and classic blackjack plus variations of the latter.
An event center can accommodate up to 600 guests seated and up to 1,700 standing; it can be broken down into six medium-sized spaces. Adjacent is a smaller ballroom that can be broken down into eight conference rooms. Another conference room is located on the second level. There are 386 guest rooms. Catering is done in-house.
Says Marsh, “Our goal is to create the most exciting entertainment and gaming experience in the northern part of the country.”
Mission accomplished.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel bills itself as the premier gaming facility in the Midwest. It’s the largest in Minnesota. Included are some of the hottest slot machines around plus classic favorites. There are also nearly 100 blackjack tables, classic bingo, Cosmic Bingo and pull tabs.
“We also have three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations,” says Kevin Falardo, director of group sales and catering. “Mystic Lake has a bright, fun and lively atmosphere.”
In addition to 586 guest rooms, there is approximately 60,000 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms, six breakout rooms and a showroom. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 600 guests seated and up to 1,000 standing. The Junior Ballroom can host up to 500 guests seated and up to 1,000 standing.
Showcasing a modern and upscale design, Mystic Lake Center will be available later this year and will feature a stunning 70,000-squarefoot meeting facility and a luxurious 180-room hotel tower with golf-course views.
Catering is done in-house.
Canterbury Park and Event Center, Shakopee
There is much more gaming at Canterbury Park and Event Center than table games and poker. “We also have simulcast horse racing year-round from race tracks all across the world,” says Media Relations Manager Jeff Maday. “We also run a live thoroughbred meet from early May to mid-September.” Canterbury Card Casino is open year-round and 24/7, dealing poker and table games.
An expo center can accommodate up to 2,000 guests seated and up to 3,000 standing, and can be broken down into several smaller spaces. On the mezzanine level is an area even larger than the expo center plus a conference room. The Triple Crown Club, located on the third level, has three rooms but can be expanded into one larger room that can accommodate up to 350 guests seated and up to 400 standing.
Catering is done in-house.
Northern Lights Casino, Hotel and Event Center, Walker
It’s all about the gaming experience at Northern Lights Casino, Hotel and Event Center
“We have 850 slot machines, table games, live poker, video poker, progressives and some novelty games like three-card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em,” says General Manager Robbie Budreau, Sr.
A 9,000-square-foot convention center can accommodate up to 800 guests. The convention center can be broken down into seven separate meeting rooms. There are two boardrooms, as well.
In addition to 105 guest rooms, there is an indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a state-ofthe-art arcade.
Catering is done in-house.
