White Oak is the smallest of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's three casinos, sitting at Deer River in the lake country of north-central Minnesota. It rates 3.8 from around 1,300 Google reviewers.
It is worth being straightforward about what this is: a small local gaming floor, not a destination. If you arrive expecting a resort you will be disappointed, and if you arrive expecting a friendly neighbourhood casino with short waits and low minimums you will get exactly that.
What's on the floor
15,500 square feet, 315 slot machines and two blackjack tables.
The blackjack limits run from $5 to $100, which is genuinely low and makes this one of the more accessible places in the state to learn the game. With two tables, though, a busy Saturday evening means waiting — there is no capacity to open more.
The bar carries bar-top games alongside drinks.
That is the whole gaming operation, and the honest comparison is this: Cedar Lakes Casino Hotel at Cass Lake, run by the same Band about half an hour west, has roughly twice the machines plus a hotel, a brewpub and a pool. If you are choosing between them for a trip rather than a quick stop, Cedar Lakes is the one with more to do.
Dining
The White Oak Cafe covers food. Hours vary and have changed over the years, so confirm with the venue if you are relying on a meal rather than treating it as a bonus.
Tips before you go
The casino is open 24 hours, seven days a week — unusual for a floor this size, and the main practical argument for it over larger properties that close overnight.
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.
Deer River sits on Highway 2 between Grand Rapids and Cass Lake, in the middle of the Chippewa National Forest. This is fishing and cabin country, and White Oak functions largely as a rainy-day option and a late-night one for people already in the area rather than as a reason to make the drive.
There is no hotel on site.
Nearby alternatives
West at Cass Lake, Cedar Lakes Casino Hotel is the same Band's larger property with 100 rooms. South-west at Walker, Northern Lights Casino is the biggest of the three. Further west, Shooting Star Casino at Mahnomen is the White Earth Nation's 386-room resort.
For the full picture, see all Minnesota in-person casinos.
FAQ
What are White Oak Casino's hours?
The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cafe keeps its own hours — confirm with the venue if you are counting on a meal.
How old do you have to be to gamble at White Oak 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 White Oak Casino?
315 slot machines and two blackjack tables across a 15,500-square-foot floor, plus bar-top games at the bar.
What are the blackjack limits at White Oak Casino?
$5 to $100. With only two tables, expect a wait on busy evenings.
Does White Oak Casino have a hotel?
No. The nearest accommodation under the same operator is at Cedar Lakes Casino Hotel in Cass Lake, about half an hour west.
How does White Oak compare to Cedar Lakes?
Cedar Lakes has roughly twice the machines plus a 100-room hotel, a brewpub, an arcade and a pool. White Oak is the smaller local floor — quicker to get into, with much less to do beyond the gaming.
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.
