Northern Lights Casino, Hotel & Event Center sits about two miles south of Walker on Highway 371, roughly three hours north of the Twin Cities. It is owned and operated by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and rates 3.9 from more than 3,600 Google reviewers.

This is lake-country gaming. The property's business is built around Leech Lake's summer traffic and the fishing and snowmobiling seasons either side of it, and it is sized accordingly — a comfortable regional resort rather than a destination floor.

What's on the floor

More than 800 slot machines, including video poker and progressive jackpots, with denominations from a penny up to a dollar.

Unusually for a property this size, there is live blackjack and live poker rather than electronic-only tables — and the blackjack minimum starts at $5. That is a genuinely low buy-in for live dealer play, and it is the main reason to pick Northern Lights over the bigger slots halls further north.

Hotel, dining and events

The hotel runs 105 rooms with a pool and sauna. The 9,000-square-foot event centre seats up to 450 and carries a steady live music calendar through the year.

There are three restaurants on the property, covering a full-service bar, a buffet, a snack bar and a fine-dining room. For a casino this far from a city, that is a broader spread than you would expect.

Who it suits

The honest framing is that almost nobody drives three hours from the Twin Cities to play here. Northern Lights serves people who are already at Leech Lake — the fishing crowd in summer, snowmobilers in winter, and the cabin traffic either side.

Judged on that basis it does well. The rooms are inexpensive, the event centre keeps a real music calendar rather than an occasional tribute act, and live blackjack at a $5 minimum is something the larger Minnesota properties stopped offering years ago. For a low-stakes player on a lake holiday, it is close to ideal.

For anyone treating it as a gaming destination in its own right, the floor is too small to hold a weekend.

Tips before you go

Minnesota tribal casinos generally admit players from 18, but properties set their own policies and areas serving alcohol are often 21-plus. Confirm with the venue if age matters for your party.

The casino is open 24 hours. Demand here is strongly seasonal — Leech Lake in July is a different property from Leech Lake in March. If you want a quiet floor and cheap rooms, the shoulder seasons are the value.

The $5 blackjack minimum is the thing worth planning around. It is a rare rate, and the tables fill on summer weekends.

Nearby alternatives

East at Cass Lake, Cedar Lakes Casino Hotel is the same band's other property. South-east, White Oak Casino at Deer River is the smaller Leech Lake floor. Further south, Grand Casino Mille Lacs is the larger resort option on the way back toward the Twin Cities.

For the full picture, see all Minnesota in-person casinos.

FAQ

What are Northern Lights Casino's hours?

The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotel, restaurants and event centre keep their own hours.

How old do you have to be to gamble at Northern Lights Casino?

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 Northern Lights Casino?

More than 800 slot machines including video poker and progressives from 1¢ to $1, plus live blackjack and live poker.

What is the blackjack minimum at Northern Lights Casino?

The blackjack table minimum starts at $5, which is low for live dealer play in Minnesota.

Does Northern Lights Casino have a hotel?

Yes — 105 rooms with a pool and sauna, plus a 9,000-square-foot event centre seating up to 450.

How far is Northern Lights Casino from the Twin Cities?

About three hours north on Highway 371, roughly two miles south of Walker.

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.