Grand Casino Mille Lacs is the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's property at Onamia, a short walk from the shore of Lake Mille Lacs. It rates 3.8 from more than 7,300 Google reviewers, and it has been running for around three decades.
The hotel is the headline. At 494 rooms it is one of the largest casino hotels in Minnesota, and it is the reason this property functions as a weekend base rather than a stop-off — Lake Mille Lacs is a serious fishing destination, and a lot of guests are here for the water as much as the floor.
What's on the floor
Slots, table games including blackjack, bingo, pull-tabs and poker.
The property does not publish a machine count, and the table and poker schedules vary by day rather than running continuously. Check the venue's site for the current table schedule before you plan around a specific game — this is not a floor where every game is available on every shift.
Pull-tabs are worth a mention because they are a genuinely Minnesotan fixture that most out-of-state visitors have never played.
Hotel, pool and events
Beyond the 494 rooms, the property runs an oversized swimming pool, a 20-person Jacuzzi and a well-equipped fitness centre. The pool complex makes this one of the more family-workable casino hotels in the state.
The events and convention centre is a real one, hosting touring acts and conferences rather than the occasional tribute night.
Dining covers a handful of outlets, from Grand Cup & Cone for coffee through the Plums snack bar to the 1991 Kitchen for full meals.
Tips before you go
The casino is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Minnesota tribal casinos generally admit players from 18, though individual properties set their own rules and areas serving alcohol are often 21-plus. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
Onamia is roughly two hours north of the Twin Cities, which puts it beyond comfortable day-trip range for most people — plan on staying. Book well ahead for the summer fishing season and for any event-centre show; 494 rooms sounds like a lot until a walleye opener fills them.
The Grand Casino brand runs a second, similar property at Hinckley, roughly an hour east. They are close enough in offering that the choice usually comes down to which drive you prefer.
Nearby alternatives
East, Grand Casino Hinckley is the sister property under the same operator. North-east, Black Bear Casino Resort at Carlton serves the Duluth corridor. North-west, Northern Lights Casino at Walker is the Leech Lake Band's property.
For the full picture, see all Minnesota in-person casinos.
FAQ
What are Grand Casino Mille Lacs's hours?
The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bingo, poker and table games run their own schedules — check the venue's site before you travel.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Grand Casino Mille Lacs?
Minnesota tribal casinos generally admit players from 18, though individual properties set their own rules and areas serving alcohol are often 21-plus. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
What games are available at Grand Casino Mille Lacs?
Slots, table games including blackjack, bingo, pull-tabs and poker. Schedules vary by day, so check the venue's site for the current table schedule.
Does Grand Casino Mille Lacs have a hotel?
Yes — 494 rooms, one of the largest casino hotels in Minnesota, with a swimming pool, a 20-person Jacuzzi and a fitness centre.
How far is Grand Casino Mille Lacs from Minneapolis?
Roughly two hours north, at Onamia on Lake Mille Lacs.
What is the difference between Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley?
Both are operated by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and offer a similar mix of gaming and hotel accommodation. Mille Lacs sits on the lake of the same name; Hinckley is about an hour east, closer to the I-35 corridor.
Rather play from your couch tonight? See our Minnesota sweepstakes rankings.
Updated August 2026 · Details verified against Minnesota Indian Gaming Association records and the venue's official site. Hours and offerings change — confirm before you go.
