Despite recent research by Las Vegas C3 Gaming showing no correlation to increased profits and smoking, new management has decided to allow smoking in the casino. Northern Lights Casino was a great place with very friendly employees in a healthy no smoking atmosphere. The engineers who design such systems and collectively make up the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). "[Ventilation systems] are not effective against secondhand smoke" and "can reduce only odor and discomfort, but cannot eliminate exposure," they wrote to casino executives. "There is no currently available or reasonably anticipated ventilation or air-cleaning system that can adequately control or significantly reduce the health risks of [environmental tobacco smoke] to an acceptable level." Horrible decision to allow smoking back in the casino. read more

Friendly people, smokey Casino. Machines seemed to be quite tight. Had luck on the German brewhouse and Walking Dead. Was up by $1 until I was down by $44! Argh. Not a lot of variety of big new machines... definitely need updates to their machines. read more

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**Review for Buffet only** Pulled in to grab a bite on the way to Fargo. Having never been, we were suprised to find it was seafood night. Happy Happy. Was a bit extra for the lobster tail but worth it. Get two. No crab legs available but plenty of other choices. Everything was wonderful. Flavors were way better than most buffets. Deserts were large, that's the only downside. Downside to big portions?!!? Really would prefer smaller bites so we can try a few different ones. Lobster tail was the best I've had in a long time. No gaming, had a young one with so the review is only for the food. Would stop again. read more

Their post-COVID19 restaurant is awful. Do not waste your money. Very limited menu and I've had better food in hospital cafes.

Me and my family were up there to have a good day and spend quality time together when right before we were leaving my dad was taking a drink of his soda when we had a security officer Carl come over and tell my dad that he had to pull up his mask as he was taking a drink that officer didn't care what that he was taking a drink or not my family and I will never be back at that casino ever again most of the associates are so rude up there read more

Have to say I was not impressed with this casino at all, and I have stayed at a few. There is no in room wifi, no room service, the reception persons although accommodating in different situations have little to know personality. Case in point, when I went to check out this morning I had valet, I had a 3 and 1/2 trip back home and I was wanting to leave right away. When I went to check out was told there was no valet service and I would have to wait 30 minutes. What casino does not have 24hr valet? What if there had been an emergency. My room although it was a smoking room definitely smelled like smoke and you couldn't open the window to try and air it out. Furniture was from the 70's and both chairs had visible stains. Had to leave the blinds open all night cause there was no description to close them, when I asked the very annoying receptionist she said they shut just fine. read more

Stayed here for our anniversary, woke up to spider bites all over my feet, counted 16 spots on me feet and ankles. No mini fridge. Very out dated room. The comforter had huge buttons on it, making it awkward and hard to sleep with a piece of plastic in my face. There are very few outlets near the bed, I followed the power cord for the lamp and it disappeared underneath the bed. Only positive I have is the Prime rib buffet was very good, although there wasn't a big selection, everything on it was good. read more

Dogsh** place to gamble. Tell me the last time you played blackjack at a casino that doesn't check the dealers hand for a blackjack. Used to be a fun spot to play, not sure what happened. read more

Northern Lights is A-OK. I stay at casino hotels for work often. This one was....okay. I think my experience would've been better ad I not been in a poolside room. At 11:15, I thought someone was being murdered outside my room in the parking lot - nope. I'm actually next to the pool. I called to ask what time the pool closed (11:00 as posted on the door) and the phone just rang. There is wifi, but its very spotty. I'd still stay there again. There are always good deals on the hotel rooms, the snack bar is great, I got free slot play. I appreciate it for what it is. read more

My first time at a casino with someone who knows their way around. The only reason we went here was because of a $5 off coupon. It actually ended up costing her .12 once the point on the card kicked in, so it was worth it for that. This particular buffet was lousy. The only thing I liked was the macaroni salad. Indian casino doesn't equal good wild rice hotdish in this case. Most protein is dry, fish, chicken, don't bother even if you get a deal. Glad I only took a couple of bites of what I did choose. I liked the smaller size of the casino itself. My twenty bucks would have been better thrown away on the slot machines. read more

We stay here every year the night before we check into or cabin on Leech Lake. The pool and hot tub are among the best I've seen anywhere in the country. The buffet is great, but the snack bar on the casino floor is also great. The casino offers great deals for hotel guests, and the rooms are nice. The only complaint I have is that the casino only has blackjack tables. So if you're into craps or roulette, you're kind of out of luck. However, I found a press release that the casino is in the process of perusing a license for para-mutual betting, so if you're into horse racing, you'll be able to partake in that too. All in all, I look forward to our stay here every year. read more

Machines are turned waaaay down. I've gambled in this casino for 28 years and they are hurting and on the take. Save your money and go to Grand Casino or Mystic. Worst payouts I've ever experienced here the last month and present. read more

For many years my family has visited this casino, and it had became a highlight to our yearly vacation. Needless to say we have had both good and bad luck here. Tonight as my family was sitting at a black jack table, a drunken idiot sits down next to us. Over the next hour, the man caused commotion and was very very obnoxious. He then began to touch and rub up against my little sister who had just turned 18 (yes I did switch her spots). The most frustrating part about this story is that the main pit boss saw this happening but refused to address the situation. I finally got up to personally ask him to help us. He refused to do anything but shrug and my family eventually left, cutting the night short. Before we left the dealer did apologize. It might be the fact that this casino probably doesn't make much money, but this would never have been allowed at a casino like Mystic Lake or any normal casino out there. Greed does come with gambling but to allow this to happen to consistent customers is really unprofessional. No review will ever stop someone from going to a casino but it is important for me to write this both as a customer but also as a big brother. read more

I spent last Saturday Night at the over charged hotel as a part of my honeymoon vacation. $160 and no access to amenities. (came from Duluth and had no problem at that hotel using the pool etc) When we were departing Sunday Morning my husband went to load up the car and I went to play on a machine I was playing the night before. Got tapped on my shoulder and was told to "come with me, you have been seen jumping a gate". (which never happened. I am 50 years old, PLEASE!) I was in awe and in shock!!! I explained to this person I was a guest from the hotel and I asked to see the security cameras (it obviously was not me) and got nothing. I left very upset and have been beyond angry!!!!!!!. Have been trying to get ahold of management ever since with no luck. Worst memory to have of my honeymoon. read more

Are you looking for a Buffet? Keep looking. This place failed across the board. Prime rib was undercooked and luke warm, Crab legs are packed in ice. (Have you ever ate cold crab legs?) Even the instant mashed potatoes were watery! Please, take your business elsewhere. These folks aren't even trying. read more

This casino is one of the worst. While I did walk out with more money, the service and the people were terrible. The dealers were always crabby and yelling at the patrons. They reported a young 18 year old for having her phone out while walking by the tables. She had no idea about any rule. I recommend driving to Mille Lacs Grand Casino. The dealers are very friendly and actually help you. The rules at the blackjack tables are more lenient at Mille lacs as well. read more

Beautiful place but lacking customer service/operational management. Opportunities for improvement.

Was in town for a wedding and reserved 2 rooms in the wedding party block. The first issue was that 5pm check in time which is very late and not the standard. We tried multiple time to check in early as it was a 4pm wedding and were told to keep calling back throughout the day to see if any rooms were ready. We did not get the early check in which was annoying but fine not a big deal. After the wedding about 12:30am we went back to the hotel to check in and were told our reservation was CANCELLED because we didn't check in on time. This was only the beginning of our terrible experience. 1. They wouldn't let us check in before the wedding (minor issue, the least of our worries) 2. They cancelled our reservation because we didn't check in 'on time' after we explained we wouldn't be checking in until after due to not getting accommodations for an early check in 3. They tried charging us more money to stay there for the night than the reservation they canceled on us. 4. When we FINALLY got a room we found the entire wedding party who had previously checked in locked out of all of their rooms with disabled key cards. Every person had to be be re-keyed 5. The Bride and Groom arrived to find out their reservations was also cancelled and they didn't have record of the reservation yet confirmed they had the Grooms credit card on file. The Groom had to argue with the front desk to get a room to stay in for evening 6. One of the wedding guest got into her room without any check in issues ( what a miracle right?) only to find a sleeping man in her hotel room. They had given her keys to another persons room, or given her key to another person. The front desk never did explain how this major screw up happened. This was by far the worst experience any any hotel I have been at. Throughout it all, we were greeted with rude front desk employees who did not seem to care about anything that was going on. Would have been better hitting up a motel. read more

This hotel is awful. Dirty - no wifi- hasn't been updated in years - I go out of my way NOT to stay here. I travel over 100 nights per year and very rarely give a bad review- but this place needs to start putting some of that money back into its property- also, it would be really nice if the hotel staff was trained to be friendly. I come back here about every 12-18 months to give them another chance but again and again I am disappointed! read more

So you want to be a "Baller" and win big at the same time... Welcome to the Northern Light's Casino. The Leech Lake area is home to the Anishinaabe to well over 1800 gaming machines and over 2 dozen live action tables, a poker room for Texas Hold'em, not to mention seating for over 1000 in the bingo hall. Joining the winners club is free and there are always at least several promotions going on at any given time.There is a full amenities hotel (105 rooms) complete with full service restaurants as well as fast food and kiddie (arcade) areas. They have a full size pool, a sauna and a jacuzzi. I have been here at least a hundred times as I go up to the "rez" several times a year to see family. I can honestly say that the machines are loose as I have parlayed a few dollars into a few hundred dollars more times than I can actually remember. I may be lucky, and I may have the gift of vision, but I was not there for "a pick up" at the time, and still I won big! I am certain that this will not be everyone's experience, but there are losers in this world and maybe they should not gamble in the first place. Come on in to Leech Lake Reservations largest and best casino and enjoy the action! read more

Rating only applies to the casino. Fun spot to break away from the cottage and spend a few hours. Been coming here for years with the fam. Staff are super friendly. Valet is efficient. Slots are about equal to taking versus giving. House does drawings if you're present...listen for your name! read more

I drove 8 hours from Madison Wisconsin for the bone thugs in harmony concert. Musically it was the best show I've ever seen. The only down fall was the rudest staff I've ever encountered. The girl (with the butterfly tattoo on her arm) was literally one of the rudest women I've ever met. She was convinced that my seat was further back and kept trying to kick me out for standing by my chair and dancing. She never once checked my ticket so I could prove it was my seat.. she had singled me out much that my friend's had to hide me at 1 point. I understand being on a power trip, but she should've checked my ticket instead of calling me a lair. And to go as far as trying to kick me out for dancing at a concert was mind blowing. I was doing absolutely nothing wrong.. when the other staff walked up they didn't see a problem with me dancing at my seat ONLY PROBLEM WAS HER. I will not suggest to any of my friends to make the ride for any more shows.. read more

They were serving a Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar during the Vikings game with drink specials (got to keep the beer glass). Other than allowing smoking indoors, it was fun. I won $32. read more

Bed Bug Alert! This review is a bit bittersweet because I found the staff at this casino and hotel incredibly delightful and kind. I was at the event center for a all-day work meeting where I needed to present. At about 3 in the morning I woke up to feeling incredibly itchy with clear bites from bed bugs. I was able to record a few bugs, one filled with blood and one coming out from underneath the covers. The front desk staff was very courteous and moved me to another room on another floor. The staff in the morning also pretty helpful they comp the room which was gracious however because this was a business meeting it wasn't an expense I was directly incurring. So the benefit was going to my employer and not me who was being eaten alive by these bugs. They're only other offer as apology was a $10 coupon for the buffet. Although I do appreciate their efforts I do think that considering the fact that I needed to throw clothing away, will be itchy for the next couple of days, and now I have to go through a cumbersome process of making sure that I don't bring bugs into my new apartment, I believe that a $10 coupon is not sufficient for the angst these bugs create. I did think the event space was very nice and the casino was very nice and for the most part the room seem to well accommodated however I do think this visit create negative light on my ability to be able to come to this venue again. read more

Stayed at Northern Lights Casino during the Eel Pout festival 2019. The stay was not enjoyable. The front desk staff were complete jerks. We asked about a shuttle to the Eel pout festival in Walker, MN. We were told the shuttle ran from 12pm until 10pm. This was disappointing news because we would miss parts of the festival (i.e. - the band at night). We tracked down a shuttle when it came to take someone else to the airport. The front desk did not call or help us. When we called for a shuttle back to the hotel that evening, our shuttle driver informed us that they (the drivers) were shuttling people until 2am. A completely different story than we were told by the front desk staff. I have no clue why the women at the front desk would tell us something different. When we called for the shuttle, the front desk staff insulted us and then proceeded to hang up on us before giving us an answer. Upon our return to the casino, none of our 4 room keys worked (as if someone disabled them). The Snack Bar in the casino was hit or miss. After ordering our food, we waited over 45 minutes - only to be told that they were out of that food and "what else do you want". The Northstar Buffet staff were unhelpful. We waited for a waitress to take our drink orders, but no one came. One waitress sat at a table next to us folding napkins, but did not offer help. We had to track down a waitress to ask about beverages, and she reluctantly took our order. The food was bad. The Dancing Fire restaurant was EXCELLENT. Best breakfast of the weekend (twice). The staff there were excellent. Good service, nice atmosphere. Needless to say, we will be staying elsewhere for our next Eel Pout festival. read more

Staying in the state fighting wildfire for the BIA. Tried getting the government rate at $60 a night but the front desk 9/25/2011 @ 5:45pm wouldn't except my government issued wildfire ID known as a red card. Tried to charge me $120 per night. Look if hospitality is your business then be hospitable, right as you walk in it reeks of cigarette smoke and looks like mold grows in and around the air vents. read more

I was in the area for a meeting. My buddy suggested we stay at the casino. I really enjoyed my stay. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable. The hotel and casino was nice. Staff were helpful. The Buffett was good. If I'm ever in the area again, I absolutely plan to stay here again. Try it out. O, I did not win any money . read more

This place holds concerts. They sell tickets online and have a map to choose your seats. It's all a sham because the seating is nothing like they advertise. You pay a ton of money and then the seats are terrible. Of course they aren't held to any standard of 'false advertisement' because they are on a reservation and laws, rules and common decency don't apply. read more

The room was clean and well maintained. The water pressure for the shower as poor. We ate at the buffet and although the food was good the only thing that was at a safe serving temperature was the chicken noodle soup. The casino area was decent. Nothing special. read more

I have not stayed at this location yet, but based on having to directly call Reservations and getting rerouted to the gift shop and between two other people and back to the front desk again reaching the (do-not bother-me-help-gal), whose name I will leave out, that certainly has left an impression of how disorganized and unprofessional they may be their. Fortunately, or unfortunately they were full anyway the weekend I was looking for. I just wish I had not wasted my dime or time. I am doubtful that this establishment realizes how unfriendly-user- oriented that their website is to make any easy to moderate reservations. I found it nearly impossible to find check boxes, or icons, to click in checking on the availability for a room. This is why I had enough patience in making the direct long distance call in the first place. Perhaps there is good reason with all the other competition in the Walker and surrounding area that they seem to get much better attraction for their marketing, and believe it or not, it ispainted pretty clear, and surprisingly...comes on the minis-cal information in their own poor website. Sure hope you have better luck ! read more

Okay, so we go to Northern Lights Casino every year for our family Christmas party. I try really hard to give it the benefit of the doubt,but this year I was extremely displeased with pretty much everything. We stayed to nights in the hotel, the lady at the front desk failed to explain all of the other charges that had to go with buying the room. I understand tax on rooms,and how everything works,I myself work at a hotel. We got up to our room to relax the first night,and I thought all was well,until I went to turn on the tv,and n the remote was covered in something with the consistency of vaseline. When I went to call down to the costumer service, the phone didn't work. Okay whatever, but we went down to our Christmas party,and did had a great time,until lunch, and the only thing I didn't like about that was that they yanked the buffet down so fast that no one even got to go back and for most of my family this is an issue:P The buffet staff on the other hand, they were friendly and kind, so that was a nice change from the hotel staff. We went down to the pool to relax and unwind after the days events,set our stuff on the table and when I sat down there were fingernails under the table. I'm a clean freak, so that just about sent me over the edge. I went to use the sauna and there were dirty towels all over it so I didn't stay. There was a nasty wad of gum in the pool, and nasty towels all over the place. I couldn't even enjoy it, without fear of finding something that, if things were thoroughly cleaned, wouldn't be there. The whole hotel is dirty and other then the wait staff, I wasn't impressed this year. Very sad. read more

I have been to this casino a few times, but this last time did it for me. I took my lady there for Valentine's day. They offered a room for $60 and then you could get back $30 in play and food (each) so $60 total for the 2 of us. Thought this was a great deal. The room wasn't that great, next to the pool, noisy and smelled. It wasn't until the first part of the next month when I looked at my monthly bank statement that I noticed I was charge twice for the room. I called and talked to them about it and they said someone else, and they gave me their names, had gotten a room and it was billed to me. I asked them how something like this could even happen. They couldn't explain that. They said they would reimburse me and it would 7-10 days to get my money back. I said I would like this investigated, it sounds like a scam to me, if I hadn't scrutinized my monthly bank statement I never would have caught it. I felt there should have been some compensation from them for something like this. I wonder how many other people they do this to and nothing is even said. Their manager was suppose to call me back and never did. I feel sorry for all of you people that rent a room from them and never double check your monthly statements, because it is highly unlikely they will tell you upfront what is happening to you!! Think I'll do any more business with them? read more

Just had breakfast in the Dancing Fire restaurant!! We had Darla as our waitress she was fantastic our food was very fresh and hot and well prepared! The dinner there is very delicious . Tracy is another wonderful server.highly recommended if you are in the area!! read more