Odawa Casino Resort Michigan
Odawa Casino is located near Petoskey, Michigan. This is a tribal casino, which is run by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The current venue opened in 2007. You will find 1,200+ slots, 36 table games, a sportsbook, and a poker room at Odawa Casino. It is a mid-sized casino compared to the Detroit resorts.
A partnership with the Stars Group will see the Odawa Casino license online gambling in Michigan. Stars Group owns PokerStars, FOX Bet, and PokerStars Casino. There are many dining, entertainment, and hotel options at the Odawa casino. The site includes restaurants, bars, and conference centers – as well as a 137-room hotel.
You will find everything you need to get the best from a visit to the Odawa Casino Resort on this page. This includes information on casino games, online options, and the facilities at the resort.
History of the Odawa Casino
Odawa Casino replaced the Victory Casino in Petoskey, Michigan in 2007. This is one of two casinos run by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The other is in Mackinaw City – a smaller venue compared to the Petoskey resort.
The main casino completed a major renovation in 2014. The venue was built with energy efficiency in mind. There are three restaurants, a nightclub, an entertainment venue that houses 900 people, plus bars and a 137-room hotel. The hotel was awarded a 3-star rating by the Automobile Association of America.
A deal with Stars Group was announced in early 2020. This followed three gambling expansion bills, which became law at the end of 2019. This partnership will see apps and websites allowing for remote sports betting, poker, and casino games inside Michigan.
Slots at Odawa Casino
Most of the electronic games at Odawa Casino are slot machines. There are over 1,200 games to choose from. These range from the latest video slots to retro reel slots. You will find a high limit lounge. This has games with denominations going up to $100.
On the main website for the Odawa casino, you can see which slots are currently running hot. At the time of writing, ‘Cash‘m if you Can’ and ‘Run with the Pack’ are highlighted. Popular games from big-name slot producers can be enjoyed from penny denominations and up. You will find the best games from IGT, Aristocrat, Scientific Games, Konami, and more on offer here.
The smaller Mackinaw City venue has 220 slots. They include a mix of both reel and video-based games. Many games include the opportunity to win jackpot prizes. Note that this venue is only open until 1 a.m.
Many of the casino promotions are focused on slots. Players can track their play and receive comps and promotional offers through the ‘Pure Rewards’ scheme.
Table games
This Michigan casino focuses on the most popular casino table games. All the main games are covered – with side bets and variations to enjoy. Here is the current list:
- Roulette (including iRoulette)
- Craps
- Blackjack (including bonus spin blackjack and double-deck blackjack)
- Three Card Poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Let it Ride
Look out for promotions themed on table games. Examples include prizes for the longest craps roll on Sundays. There are options for table game fans among the slots. You will find electronic blackjack games, as well as video poker and keno options.
Odawa Casino poker room
There is a small 6-table poker room at the Petoskey location. This is open Thursday through Sunday, from 4 p.m. only. Each month sees a single bigger buy-in poker tournament. Eight additional tables are bought in for this. There are cash games before and after the daily tournaments on Friday and Saturday only. Buy-ins are on the small side, with $50 tournaments on Sunday — the biggest weekly poker contest.
Reviews of the poker room say that this is a friendly venue, with excellent staff. The rake structure has a high cap, which did come in for criticism.
Sportsbook at Odawa Casino
Sports betting is now legal in Michigan, and the Odawa Casino will soon open their Victories Sportsbook in the middle of the casino. This will include automated betting kiosks in a sports bar setting. You will be able to enjoy the games on TVs while enjoying food and beverages.
Online gambling options
Stars Group is an international gambling giant. They already have apps and websites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania – and have teamed up with the Odawa Casino to enter the newly regulated Michigan online gambling market.
You will be able to fund your online accounts through the cashier at the Odawa Casino. No visit to Petoskey is needed. You can download, register, and enjoy the apps or web-based gambling sites from anywhere in Michigan.
Here are some of the brands owned by Stars Group:
- PokerStars: This is a popular online poker site. Initially, games on this platform will be against opponents within Michigan only. You can play cash games, tournaments, fast-fold poker, and the new spin and go tournaments (which have random prize pools).
- FOX Bet: This is a partnership between FOX Sports and Stars Group. It is a full online sportsbook. You can bet on major leagues, niche sports, college action, and international sports online. New options include live (in-play) betting.
- Stars Casino: Hundreds of slots and table games can be accessed through the Stars casino app. Slots include many live casino favorites, as well as games that are specially designed for smartphone apps.
Online gambling options are rolling out as we go through 2020.
Odawa Casino loyalty rewards and promotions
A single loyalty reward scheme – called ‘Pure Rewards’ – operates at both the Petoskey and Mackinaw locations. You get a card, which can be used to track your play and spend it at the resort. The more you play, the higher you climb in the scheme. Everyone starts at the base level, with ‘Preferred’, ‘Premier’ and ‘Elite’ levels to achieve. The top two levels allow you to skip the line at resort venues. You will earn points at one for every $2 on slots or $8 on video poker. Points are also awarded for table games, based on your level of play and time spent playing.
Benefits include the ability to redeem points for free play, enter free slot tournaments, get discounts at restaurants (including exchanging points for food), plus hotel discounts. You also get to participate in promotions as they occur.
Odawa Casino Hotel in Petoskey, Michigan
With 3 diamonds awarded by the AAA, Odawa Hotel stands out from many hotels associated with regional casinos. This hotel has 137 rooms, including 10 suites. There is a separate bar, deli, and food/beverage room service available here.
Facilities at the hotel include a hot tub and indoor pool, lobby area including a fireplace, complimentary Wi-Fi, use of the business center, and a complimentary continental breakfast. There is a shuttle service to get you to the casino. Casino packages, which include food and slot play credits can be booked.
Dining options
There are two main dining options at the Petoskey location.
- Copper Café: Offers comfort foods including soup, salads, and grilled options – along with ice cream and sundaes. This café is open until late every night.
- Sage Restaurant: For a more refined dining experience, with an extensive wine list, then Sage is the place to head. Choose from seafood or prime beef dishes. There is a happy hour from 4-6 p.m., with half-price wine on offer each Friday.
At the Mackinaw venue, you can eat at the Mukwa Bar and Grill. Options here include daily specials of roast beef, tacos, and spaghetti with meatballs.
Entertainment
Odawa claims to be “Northern Michigan’s Entertainment Hub”. They have a venue that hosts bands, shows, and stand up comedy and the center of this — the Ovation Hall. This is a 900-seat venue, which has seen some big names appear in the past. Notable names include the Temptations, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Joan Rivers. You can see the current event schedule on the Odawa casino website.
This casino used to have a nightclub. This recently made way for the sportsbook and sports bar. If you enjoy cocktails, then the Rendezvous bar is the place to head.
Odawa can also be booked for meetings and weddings. There are conference rooms at the site.
How does Michigan’s Odawa Casino compare?
Based on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, this casino has a lot more to offer than many smaller tribal venues. The bigger Petoskey location has 1,200+ slots, table games, a poker room, and a brand-new sportsbook. A highly rated hotel and fine dining options add a touch of quality to the venue.
The smaller Mackinaw location has 220+ slots and electronic games. While it lacks the entertainment options of the Petoskey casino, there are still plenty of ways to win jackpots and other big prizes.
Odawa is the partner of Stars Group in Michigan. This license allows for apps that will allow for online gambling within state lines. PokerStars, FOX Bet, and Stars Casino are all owned by Stars Group.